9 Cool Retreat Activities in Portland to Bond Your Team

Portland’s quirky urban core and picturesque surroundings offer plenty of great venues to host your company retreat. But when it comes to choosing retreat activities in Portland, where do you begin? Whether you spend time on the coast, in the mountains, or on the river, it’s hard not to get inspired when you’re surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest. After all, this is a state that claims seven natural wonders within its borders.

If you’re looking to bond your team in a more private setting, consider booking a Peerspace. There are hundreds of exceptional hourly rental venues in Portland alone, like sky-high penthouses and rustic cabins to underground bars and retro cafes. In fact, we’ll include photos of real Peerspace venues in Portland that you can book for your retreat below. You know, just to give you an idea of what we’re working with! Now, let’s check out some retreat activities. From indoor games to outdoor adventures, we’ve put together this list of nine cool retreat activities in Portland to help you get started!

1. Have an arcade tournament

First, it’s worth noting that Portland’s weather can be a bit on the rainy side, so outdoor activities aren’t always an option. Fortunately, if you happen to be hosting your retreat on a rainy day, you have several classic arcade venues to choose from. With fun retro arcades like Ground Kontrol, QuarterWorld, and Electric Castle’s Wonderland nearby, this is a fun, low-pressure way to bond your team. Inquire about private rental options so you can have the whole place to yourself.

After, be sure to book a restaurtant/bar space on Peerspace so you and your crew can chow down on something hot and delicious after. You know all those games help you work up an appetite, after all!

2. Play with LEGOs at Guardian Games

Don’t have the budget to visit an escape room? Head to Guardian Games instead, where your team can have their pick of board games, roleplaying games, card games, and more. Not only that, but they have LEGOs available, which are perfect for a range of team-building exercises that you can facilitate yourself. Rent a private room and enjoy drinks from The Critical Sip as you take the LEGO team challenge and tap into your team’s creative side.

You can also pick up board game rentals and hang out at a Peerspace venue if you prefer to keep the retreat private.

3. Learn to cook with Portland’s Culinary Workshop

Portland is known for its creative food truck culture, incorporating flavors from all over the world — and with plenty of vegan, paleo, and gluten-free dishes. With this hands-on culinary workshop, you can get a taste of what makes Portland’s culinary scene so unique. They offer private team-building classes for teams of six to 24, making this a fun retreat activity in Portland for teams that enjoy cooking. Head to their industrial kitchen, or bring them to your private retreat venue.

They also have virtual cooking classes, so all you and your team need to do is book a sensational gourmet kitchen space, like the one above!

4. Enjoy the outdoors at a Peerspace venue

Renting a cabin in the woods gives you a chance to explore the Oregon wilderness while still having a home base to come back to for more structured activities. Peerspace offers several great retreat venues in the Portland area, including this modern home in Sandy, OR; a three-story log home in Damascus, OR; and an A-frame cabin near Mt. Hood.

Whether you’re taking your team to Mt. St. Helens or Bagby Hot Springs, spend a few hours at one of these beautiful venues to make the most of your trip. Since these spaces are available to rent on Peerspace, you can call up the Concierge service for help adding on additional items, such as A/V gear for a presentation or a catered lunch in the middle of the wilderness!

5. Host a yoga class with Yoga to You

You can’t go far in Portland without encountering a yoga studio. But if you’d rather host a class at your office or retreat venue instead, why not book a lesson with Yoga to You? They specialize in corporate events and workshops and will turn your space into an impromptu yoga studio with a full range of yoga mats, props, bolsters, and other equipment. Plus, they even offer additional options such as massage, aromatherapy, and myofascial release, making this a great retreat activity in Portland that will bond your team.

Not sure where to start? How about booking a yoga studio on Peerspace and seeing what the venue includes for some inspiration?

6. Hit the links with a GolfBoard

GolfBoards are a new way to experience the golf course. Smaller than a golf cart, these electric vehicles allow each of your team members to “surf” on land as you play the course. GolfBoards are available at several Portland-area courses, including Glendoveer Golf Course and Tetherow Resort. Glendoveer also offers “footgolf,” a cross between golf and soccer, which can make for a more exciting retreat activity than a traditional game of golf.

7. Go rafting on the Deschutes River

Oregon is home to several major rivers, and one of the best for rafting is the Deschutes. Just a short drive from Portland, and suitable for first-time rafters, you’ll experience desert scenery and thrilling whitewater rapids when you take a trip with Imperial River Co. They also offer lodging in Maupin, OR, with 25 guest rooms and an outdoor fire pit right beside the river. You can combine your rafting trip with an overnight stay to give your team a memorable weekend getaway.

Book a charming indoor/outdoor space on Peerspace to take the team to relax after. Remember to arrange for catering via the Concierge service to complete the retreat!

8. Take a Goonies tour of Astoria

Does your team remember The Goonies? If they grew up in the ’80s or ’90s, then of course they do! But they may not realize it was shot in Astoria, OR, a seaside town that makes for an easy day trip from Portland. Plan your own self-guided tour, and visit the Flavel House museum, the bowling alley, or the Cannon Beach location that appeared in the movie. Keep in mind that the “Goonies House” is a private residence, and the area can get crowded on busy days.

9. Go fruit-picking on Sauvie Island

If Forest Park is Portland’s backyard, then Sauvie Island is its orchard. Here, you’ll find dozens of U-pick farms where you can pick fruits, berries, and whatever else is in season. Come in the early summer to pick blueberries and blackberries, and in the fall for apples and pumpkins.

Retreat activities in Portland are better with Peerspace

These are just a few of the fun retreat activities in Portland that you can participate in as a team. Whether you decide to bring some of these retreat activities to you, or you take a trip out into the countryside, Peerspace can help you put the finishing touches on your event. You can enjoy some of these ideas at your own private Peerspace rental or simply choose a great venue and relax together. The choice is yours!

Remember to reach out to the Concierge service for help lining up a caterer or renting A/V gear. Or if your team is visiting the area, ask your local Peerspace host for recommendations on what else to see and do nearby. By the time your retreat ends, you’ll all be relaxed and ready to conquer!

Find unique retreat activities in Portland on Peerspace