10 Awesome Team Outing Ideas in Pittsburgh

Looking for the best team outing ideas in Pittsburgh so you and your colleagues can spend a day out of the office? Pittsburgh is a modern, innovative city that has transformed itself from a manufacturing hub into a center for research and development at its world-famous universities. It’s also been ranked in the top 10 out of 100 as one of the most livable cities in the US by Livability.

Whether you live in Pittsburgh or are just visiting, it’s a great place for a team outing. As you’ll soon see, there are plenty of affordable, low-key activities to take part in all over the city. From outdoor trips to indoor event spaces and meeting venues, here are our top picks for team outing ideas in Pittsburgh.

1. Rent a venue on Peerspace

When you want to customize your team outing, book a venue on Peerspace to make it happen with ease. Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals and offers you access to hidden gem spaces across Pittsburgh and beyond.

So what types of spaces can you rent for your team outing in Pittsburgh? Here are some of our favorites:

• This Victorian-inspired vintage row house in East Allegheny (pictured above) for cooking classes and dinner parties and with a wildly unique outdoor deck
• This versatile event space in South Side Flats with space for 50 guests, a pool table, a lounge area, and a fireplace
• This former church in West Tarentum with space for 100 guests that’s ideal for corporate dinners, awards ceremonies, and more
• This glassblowing studio and lounge in East Liberty with room for 60 guests, plenty of comfy seating, and optional glassblowing classes
• This trendy co-working space in Upper Saint Clair with space for 75 guests, tables and chairs, speakers, a kitchen, and an outdoor areas

As you can see, you can discover and rent amazing spaces across the PGH on Peerspace. Since local hosts own and operate these venues, you’ll get a more personal experience than you would renting a more mainstream event venue. In fact, you can talk to your host about arranging bartending and catering services, A/V and furniture rentals, as well as any other special requests to enhance your team outing.

2. Ride the Duquesne Incline

One of the first stops on any visit to Pittsburgh should be the Duquesne Incline. It’s a cable car that takes passengers up and down Mt. Washington. Originally built in 1887, this funicular has been fully renovated and is open 365 days a year. While the ride is short, it will take you 400 feet uphill to an observation deck with epic views of the city, all for only a couple of bucks each way.

3. See the local art Randyland

Randyland is a residential house in Pittsburgh that’s been turned into an art museum by local artist Randy Gilson. The outside is covered in paint, while the courtyard features murals, mirrors, and other recycled items, giving it a scrappy, homemade feel.

Unlike some museums, Randyland welcomes photography and has designated several great “Selfie Spots,” including the Mirror Wall and Psychedelic Staircase. Schedule a tour, or arrange to take team photos at Randyland for a colorful, vibrant team outing in Pittsburgh!

Once you’re refreshed and back in the office, use these engaging staff meeting ideas to keep your team captivated!

4. Rent bikes at Bicycle Heaven

Bicycle Heaven calls itself the largest bike shop and museum in the world! In addition to its huge inventory of bikes for sale or rent, it has a variety of exhibits. While here, scope out the vintage bicycles and memorabilia, a black-lit room with neon-painted bike parts, and a bike that became trapped in a tree trunk that grew around it! While entry to the museum is free, consider making a donation or renting a bike to help support this one-of-a-kind non-profit organization.

5. Get the keys to The Nationality Rooms

This historic building is part of the University of Pittsburgh, and it makes for a fun and educational day trip for a small team. In addition to the vaulted, Gothic main hall, the building is known for its 31 “Nationality Rooms,” classrooms that are each designed in the style of a specific culture. All rooms are free of political and religious reference and instead focus on aesthetically-pleasing and enduring cultural symbols. Visit during the holidays or on a weekend to ensure you can see all the rooms while classes aren’t in session.

6. See the stars at the Allegheny Observatory

Only four miles from downtown is this working research student observatory at the University of Pittsburgh. It offers free tours to the public during the summer months starting at 8 pm on Thursday and Friday evenings. You can call ahead to make a reservation for groups of up to 45 people. It’s a great chance to see the inside of the telescope domes in person!

7. Take a boat tour with Cruisin’ Tikis

It would be a shame to visit Pittsburgh and not spend any time on the water. After all, the three rivers that surround Pittsburgh are part of what makes the city so unique! Fortunately, Cruisin’ Tikis makes it easy to navigate the city’s waterways on a tiki-themed boat that can fit up to six guests, along with a trained and licensed captain.

You can bring your own food and drink on board for a relaxing team outing. Have a larger group? You can also link two boats together for groups of up to 12. Remember though that this is a seasonal-specific event and only open from March 1 until late autumn. This is one of the most scenic team outing ideas in Pittsburgh.

Check out these unique breakout session ideas for your team’s next conference!

8. Visit Breakout escape room

If your team members are into escape rooms, then make a visit to Breakout, one of the most immersive escape rooms in the world. With inventive sets that are as elaborate as a theme park attraction, as well as employees who stay in character the whole time, Breakout is a great team outing idea in Pittsburgh. They have options for corporate team building and even office parties, making it easy to design a customized event for small to mid-sized teams.

9. Take a tour of the Carrie Blast Furnaces

Learn about Pittsburgh’s industrial history with a tour of the Carrie Blast Furnaces. This National Historic Landmark will bring the city’s steelmaking days to life for you and your team. Depending on which tour you choose, you can see the facility’s blast furnaces, machine shops, iron sculpture garden, and more. They also offer team-building workshops that allow you to experience the process of iron-pouring up close!

10. See a magic show at Liberty Magic

Finally, treat your team to an old-school magic show at this speakeasy-style performance venue with only 70 seats. Liberty Magic is a BYOB space that encourages cocktail attire, making for a fun and classy night out. Choose from world-class magic shows, such as “The Life and Death of Harry Houdini,” inspired by the famous escape artist who often performed in Pittsburgh. This is definitely one of the most unforgettable team outing ideas in Pittsburgh.

Team outing ideas in Pittsburgh: conclusion

While many of Pittsburgh’s most popular attractions are located in the “Golden Triangle,” there are plenty more neighborhoods to explore, as well as sprawling outdoor spaces like North Park. Whichever part of the city you end up in, consider booking a Peerspace venue to host your team.

It’s a great way to get out of the office, while still having all of the A/V gear and amenities you’ll need for a presentation, photoshoot, or catered dinner. Even if you find a venue that is perfect interms of location and style but it lacks something, contact the local host. They can help you source additional rentals or services you want to add to your booking. It’s the easiest way to create a truly customized event for your team!

Find unique event venues in Pittsburgh on Peerspace