9 Cool Retreat Activities in Seattle to Bond Your Team

Over the past few decades, Seattle has become one of the most desirable cities in the United States to work from, with Forbes ranking it No. 1 on its 2018 list of the best cities for business and careers. But what happens when it’s time to leave the office and spend some time together as a team? 

Whether you want to stay in the city or head out into the mountains for a weekend getaway, here are nine of the top retreat activities in Seattle to bond your team. These venues and workshops will give your team some downtime and a chance to get to know each other outside the office.

Some of these activities are led by experienced group facilitators, but you can always book a Peerspace from a local host and lead a customized retreat of your own. Whichever you choose, there are plenty of options here for teams of all sizes.

1. Reach new heights at the Bellevue Challenge Course

The Vertical Playpen is a team-building exercise at the Bellevue Challenge Course and Zip Tour in Bellevue. Your team of 12-15 will spend two hours on a ropes course participating in a series of challenges on the ground and in the trees. Teams of three will work together to complete objectives while team members below support and belay them.

If any members of your team are afraid of heights, don’t worry. You can pair this workshop up with the “low course” team-building workshop, which doesn’t include any climbing. That way, your team gets to experience the best of both activities on an all-day outing.

2. Book an unforgettable Peerspace

Peerspace is the perfect option for teams that want to design their own retreat program. This rural retreat center in Issaquah, WA, is just one of the many options available on the site. You can choose from inspiring boardrooms and screening rooms situated within the city, or head out of town to this elegant farmhouse on Vashon Island.

If you have any special requirements, you can work with the site’s host to arrange for anything you need, such as furniture rentals or catering options. Or, call up the Concierge service to help you create a customized package that’s just the right fit for your company culture. Peerspace makes corporate retreats easy by being a one-stop shop for everything you need.

3. Indulge in a luxury retreat at Willows Lodge

For a fun-filled retreat weekend, consider booking rooms at the Willows Lodge for an overnight trip. Only 30 minutes from the city, this luxury retreat feels removed from it all in a beautiful spot on the Sammamish River. Willows Lodge has a range of team-building options, including on-site wine tasting and lawn games, or mountain bike excursions on the Burke-Gilman Trail.

Book a workshop at the Aerial Adventure Park, take a group tour to local Woodinville wineries in a Mercedes sprinter van, and finish the evening with a Corks & Canvas painting class. The wide variety of options at Willows Lodge makes this a great location for retreat activities in Seattle.

4. Embark on an incredible adventure with the Field Trip Society

The Field Trip Society offers classes and adventures “for curious grown-ups.” If that describes your team, then consider booking a workshop with them for your corporate retreat. Put on your outdoor gear for a foraging hike with Langdon Cook to discover wild edibles in the forest near Tiger Mountain. Or, learn the art of indigo dyeing with clothing designer Francine Moo-Young.

If the upcoming field trips aren’t quite right for your team, you can always design a custom trip that’s more in line with your needs. Whether you want to head out into the woods, learn to play the ukulele, or host a private dinner party at your Peerspace retreat, the Field Trip Society can put together a custom activity for you and your team featuring local artists and experts.

5. Climb rocks at the indoor gym Stone Gardens

For a more challenging outing, schedule a group climbing session at Stone Gardens indoor rock-climbing gym. Their team-building workshops are suitable for groups of 12 climbers, and include two instructors and two hours of climbing time. You’ll also have access to the party loft for additional retreat space. Just give them a call to create a customized retreat for your team.

6. Solve puzzles to escape rooms at Locurio

Locurio offers a range of corporate retreat activities in Seattle to bond your team. Choose from two different escape rooms, two outdoor puzzle hunts, and a variety of team-building activities you can bring to your retreat center or Peerspace rental to play on site.

For groups of 12-22 people, consider the Magic in Fremont package, which runs for four-and-a-half hours in all. Your team will split in two and each half will have a chance to play the Vanishing Act escape room and the Mysteries of Noximillian scavenger game. Visit the Fremont Troll and other spots around Seattle while working together to solve clues.

7. Enjoy a range of exciting activities at Salish Lodge & Spa

For a classy team retreat in Seattle, schedule a team-building workshop at the Salish Lodge & Spa. You can choose from several options, including Concoctions with Flair, in which groups of up to 40 will learn to make cocktails from an experienced bartender. Or, take the Marshmallow Challenge to engage in team-building exercises around prototyping and product design.

Salish Lodge also offers a Geocaching Expedition and Guided Showshoe Trips, making this an exciting team retreat option all year-round.

8. Play arcade and PC games at GameWorks

If the outdoors aren’t your thing, book a private event at GameWorks, an arcade and esports venue in downtown Seattle. With 40 gaming computers available, this spot allows your team to spend the day in the esports lounge, playing the latest multiplayer league or tournament-style games. It won’t get you away from computer screens, but it’ll get you out of the office and working together (or competing against each other) in a new way.

9. Gain a new perspective at Bell Harbor International Conference Center

For an all-in-one corporate retreat, book the Work Together, Play Together Complete Meeting Package at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center. You team will have access to the conference center’s modern meeting spaces and 360-degree views of the city, all while enjoying light snacks and meals during the day, and team-building pub games at night. You’ll have just the right balance of guided activities and free time to create your own corporate retreat schedule.

Seattle has such a wide variety of team activities to choose from that we’ve only scratched the surface here. Browse Peerspace for even more venue ideas and retreat activities in Seattle. If a venue grabs your interest, just call up the Concierge service to discuss a customized package with A/V rentals and catering options included.

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