Event ideas

Roam Rides launched their Miami Art Tours in April 2011, giving groups the chance to explore the city's street art atop Vespas. After hopping on rented two-passenger scooters, the guided tour led by local artists navigates the group from the Venetian Causeway up through the Wynwood Arts District, passing by the neighborhood's dozens of Primary Flight mural installations. The tour is $125 per person and includes the Vespa rental and lunch at Wynwood Kitchen and Bar. The maximum capacity for the Vespa tour is 12. Groups of 50 can partake in a walking tour, with a cost of $50 per person, including lunch.

Located in North Miami Beach, the Fun Palette, which opened in 2011, just launched a series of B.Y.O.B. painting classes, which last approximately two-and-a-half hours and cost $50 per student. The capacity is 25, and the cost covers supplies (aprons, canvases, paints, and easels).

At Red, the Steakhouse's new Boca Raton location, groups can take part in the restaurant's "The Secret Ingredient" competition, which begins with participants taking notes on the chef’s ceviche-and-tartare demonstration. Teams then create their own dishes with an added secret ingredient, which are then judged on flavor, creativity, and plating. The winning team’s dish will be featured on Red’s nightly specials for that evening’s dinner service. The cost to take part in the competition is $55 per person plus a $150 mixologist fee and $100 chef fee for up to 120 guests.

The Discovery Miami Beach Audio Tour, which launched in October, is a 90-minute audio presentation that delves into the South Beach area’s art deco architecture, celebrity culture, and hotel landmarks. Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, groups of at least 10 can opt for the Big Bus Package, which includes a four-hour audio-player rental, a tour map, and a 24-hour hop-on/hop-off bus pass for $39 per person, or the Deco Bikes Package, which offers a four-hour bike rental in addition to the audio equipment for $30 per person. The company can also arrange a private luxury tour bus, food, and audio-player delivery for groups.

ArtCenter/South Florida, a gallery on Lincoln Road that hosts a selection of six-week, hands-on art classes, started its new semester on March 5. Ideal for groups looking to explore their artsy sides, students can partake in a range of painting, sculpting, drawing, and jewelry-making courses. Classes range from $40 for jewelry making to $220 for painting or drawing. Capacity varies, although most class sizes are six to 15 people.

The Adrienne Arsht Center presents Death and Harry Houdini at the Carnival Studio Theater, running April 26 through May 20. This magic show-slash-play explores famed illusionist Harry Houdini’s obsession with death. High-energy actors and performance artists replicate Houdini's most famous challenges, including his water-torture cell. Block seating and group ticket deals are available.

The Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure at the Homestead Miami Speedway offers Pit Crew Challenges for groups of up to five people looking to improve team skills. Tasks include everything from tire changing to competitive driving. Exclusive corporate packages range from $18,000 to $65,000. The experiences can last from a few hours to a full day, but groups can also create multiday programs and customized events.

Ayama Yoga opened the doors to its new studio in North Miami Beach in late February. A 10-person, $20 per-hour corporate group package includes 90 minutes of group yoga, breathing, and meditation exercises, plus an interactive seminar, snacks and tea, and a healing-arts session. Groups can choose one or more topics of interest for the interactive seminar (including stress-management techniques and Ayurvedic cooking classes). The healing-arts session can include classes and workshops on Thai massage, yoga dance, reiki, and more.

The Bass Museum of Art recently opened the Lindemann Family Creative Center, where groups can take part in the "Art Club for Adults" program every Thursday afternoon. The goal of each session is to stimulate creativity, while dissecting different art mediums each week. The class is free for Miami Beach residents and Bass Museum members, and $8 for nonmembers.

Island Queen Cruises launched their summer sightseeing tours that sail in and around Biscayne Bay in 2010. Modern yachts like the Island Queen and the Island Lady can seat 140 passengers. The company offers various tours, including the Millionaire’s Row tour—a great option for a group of realtors—but can also arrange custom packages that involve dancing, fishing, or an open bar.

Last year, NY1 morning news anchor (and recent Live! With Kelly co-host) Pat Kiernan joined forces with trivia event production company TrivWorks to host live trivia entertainment and teambuilding activities for corporate groups. Kiernan-hosted events typically start around $10,000 and include pre-event planning assistance and venue recommendation, 40 custom trivia questions (with Kiernan’s personal counsel) plus an iPod round and picture round, one-on-one mini games between each round as scores are tabulated, a high-stakes showdown finale between the top two teams, a staff of runners to collect score sheets, AV equipment, and prizes. The company has produced events for as few as 10 and as many as 300 people.

Groups can show off their pizza-making skills during private classes at the Pizza a Casa Pizza School on the Lower East Side. The four-hour teambuilding activity begins with founder Mark Bello teaching students how to make their own dough from scratch. As it rises, Bello lectures on pizza-making techniques. Participants spend the latter part of the class making (and eating) their own creations. Guests leave with leftovers, extra dough, and instruction booklets. Private classes cost $1,850 for as many as 16 people.