9 Boston Teambuilding Locations for Events

The Hotel Marlowe, part of the Kimpton group, overlooks the Charles River and Cambridge’s Lechmere canal. The hotel will offer relay-style kayaking races beginning in April, available for as many as 40 guests. An on-site facilitator provides life jackets and divides groups into teams; the fastest team wins a trophy. Races are held in the afternoons and conclude with a cocktail reception showcasing regional drinks like Rum Runners and "Dirty Water" martinis.

Chef Ken Oringer’s adjoining restaurants Clio and Uni, inside the Back Bay’s Eliot Hotel, underwent renovations in February. The enhanced spaces now include an expanded bar area and menu additions like Asian street food and ramen noodles. The restaurants also now host two-hour cocktail classes for 20, headed by respected mixologist Todd Maul. Maul’s unusual techniques include smoking glassware, ice garnishes, and citrus painting. The personalized classes include tastings and take-home gifts.

In January, noted Boston chef Lydia Shire began hosting cooking classes at Towne Stove & Spirits in the sleek, open kitchen, which is outfitted with appliances like a massive cheese grater and Shire’s antique bronze oven. The three-hour cooking classes are designed for up to 12 people. Each student graduates with a Towne gift card as well as a handmade catalog of Shire’s favorite recipes. Class concludes with lunch and wine with the chef. The courses focus on cuisine from various countries, and recent classes have taught Asian and Italian recipes.

5 Wits, an interactive gaming park at the Patriot Place entertainment complex in Foxborough, hosts private groups of 10 or more. Two interactive activities are available: "Espionage" has a spy theme, while "20,000 Leagues" explores a fake shipwreck. In both activities, guests spend an hour walking through a multiroom set filled with interactive challenges, puzzles, and special effects, and a trained actor leads the tour. Additionally, two on-site function rooms seat 20 and 40, respectively; the space is available for buyout with seating for 70. Outside catering is available.

The Mandarin Oriental, a luxury Back Bay hotel, hosts flower-arranging classes by request for groups of 12 to 50. The hotel has relationships with florists at elite shops such as Winston’s and Blue Guava, and floral designers from the shops lead the activity. After the class, guests can take home personal floral arrangements. The hotel provides refreshments including flavor-infused water, tea, and coffee service.

SkyZone indoor trampoline park has locations in Boston’s Hyde Park and 10 minutes north of the city in Everett. Both facilities offer jumping, dodgeball, volleyball, and other team-based activities geared toward all activity levels. The new Everett location, which opened in November, holds 200, and the Hyde Park location holds 100. Each facility offers televisions and DVD players, as well as microphone capabilities. On-site catering is available, and SkyZone can coordinate trophies and team T-shirts.

Petit Robert Central, a French restaurant in Downtown Crossing, holds 1,000 for a reception or 300 seated. In September 2011, the bistro launched charity bartending, in which employees can tend bar at office parties and donate tips to a charity of choice. Staffers can also coordinate scotch and cigar tastings, magic shows, and personalized wine dinners in three different private dining rooms, which hold as many as 60 seated or 100 for a reception. Wireless Internet is available, and outside vendors such as florists can be coordinated.

Thompson Island, a 204-acre nature preserve in Boston Harbor, holds 1,500 for teambuilding activities like scavenger hunts, softball, volleyball, and relay races. Activities are facilitated by a games coordinator. The island is accessed via chartered boats from Boston’s Long Wharf, World Trade Center, Logan Airport, or the Black Falcon Terminal. LCD projectors, screens, DVD players, and WiFi are available at the island’s conference center, which holds 150. An on-site caterer serves New England classics like lobster, steamers, and clam chowder, and full bar service is available.

In September 2011, McGreevy’s Irish pub in the Back Bay launched charity bartending challenges in which employees mix drinks for colleagues and tips go toward a charity of choice. The pub also has a large projection screen in the downstairs Players lounge, where party-goers can play interactive games on Wii. The entire venue accommodates 300 for cocktails, and the Players lounge holds 50 and has a private bar. Surround sound is available, and DJs can be brought in on request.