Top 10 Team Bonding Activities in Washington, DC

Washington, DC, is home to a lot of renowned history, art, and culture. There’s so much to see, learn, and experience in the nation’s capital, making it an ideal place for team bonding activities. 

Team bonding activities are essential for maintaining a healthy and productive work environment. It brings employees together in a fun and engaging way, and shows that you appreciate their hard work and care about their professional growth and well-being.

However, every team is different, so it can be difficult to decide which activities will best suit your group and inspire them to collaborate and grow together as a team. That’s why we’ve created this list of the top 10 team bonding activities in Washington, DC, to help you get started!

1. Custom Winery or Brewery Tour

Give your team a taste of the finer things in life with a Create Your Own Winery and Brewery Tour! With this custom experience, you and the team can do wine and beer tasting your way in Loudoun county. 

Jump in a luxurious private shuttle and start your day off with a sparkling wine toast before embarking on a tour of the top-notch wineries and breweries of your choice. Your personal tour concierge will make sure everyone is having a blast! This activity is perfect for all-day excursions, social team bonding, and black-owned businesses.

2. Floral Arrangement Workshop 

At Flourish in Flower Arrangement, you and your team can take a floral arrangement class where you’ll be introduced to beginner design principles and florist tricks. It’s a super laid-back team-bonding activity that will leave all your future arrangements looking professional and intentional, so for your next special occasion, you can wow your guests with your skills! 

Not only that, it’ll allow your team to “bloom” together through creativity and collaboration. If you and your team are looking for an educational and therapeutic experience, this workshop is right down your alley.

3. Classy Cruise Dining on the Potomac

Enjoy a dining experience like no other with one of the best views of the Potomac River aboard the Cru Classé! You and your team can sail away and escape amongst the DC waterways while dining in true fashion. 

During your cruise, you’ll be treated to four exquisite courses from their high-end menu inspired by partnerships with local farms, creameries, and watermen while cruising along sweeping views of Washington, DC. It’s the perfect backdrop for celebrating milestones and showing your team you appreciate them through an elevated experience. 

4. Lazer Maze

Beat the Bomb’s “Lazer Maze” is an immersive and thrilling team bonding activity that’ll have you and your team working against the clock to beat the (paint or foam) bomb! Work your way through a laser maze without getting touched to win the game. Get touched by the laser? The (paint or foam) bomb bursts all over your team! 

This experience is great for competitive teams looking for lots of fun and gameplay! It’ll break the ice and get your group laughing and working together to beat the bomb! If you have an active team that likes to work hard and play hard, this one’s for you!

5. Chocolate Lovers Tasting Dream

Located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC, The Chocolate House is a tasting room and boutique store where you can experience over 400 unique chocolate bars and confections from artisan chocolate makers and chocolatiers from all corners of the world.

The Chocolate House offers private classes and events where you can learn how to make your own chocolate. Ideal for smaller teams, this unique gem is an excellent way to bond with your team and satisfy your sweet tooth! 

6. Luray Caverns Tour & Rope Adventure Park

Luray Caverns is a hub for all things exciting and adventurous. They have many activities to choose from, but the Luray Caverns Tour and Rope Adventure Park are our favorites for team bonding.

Explore the natural wonders of the Luray Caverns, where you’ll gaze upon cathedral-sized rooms with rock formations towering 10 stories high. Your team can learn the fascinating history of the caverns while sharing an unforgettable experience together. 

If your team is more of the thrill-chasing type, soar to new heights at Rope Adventure Park, where you’ll get out of your comfort zone and undertake a series of rope course challenges. It’ll give your team the perfect opportunity to communicate, problem-solve, and support each other as they explore risk and self-discovery. 

7. Ghosts of Georgetown Walking Tour 

If your team loves all things spooky, the Ghosts of Georgetown Walking Tour will give you an inside look into the hidden history and supernatural occurrences of Georgetown, DC.

Although currently a tourist hot spot, many don’t know about the town’s darker past. During the ghost tour, listen to true crime stories and learn about the local legends as you roam the alleys, churches, and cemeteries of DC’s oldest neighborhood. Nothing bonds a team more than having some fun getting spooked together!

8. Museum Hack

Explore Washington DC’s world-class museums with Museum Hack, a company that leads team bonding activities at museums like the National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery, and Phillips Collection.

Now, this isn’t your average tour. It’s high energy, a little quirky, and full of fun activities, group photos, and icebreaker questions. They’ll even personalize the tour to fit your industry and company values. Through the best examples in history, art, and science, your team will learn about communication, leadership, and teamwork like never before!

9. Forest Outdoor Escape Game

Make the trees your playground with Forest Outdoor Escape at Go Ape! This unique and interactive outdoor experience will put your employees' problem-solving skills to the test in a fun and immersive way that’s full of adventure.

With only 60 minutes to escape, you and your team will be challenged to conquer fears, overcome obstacles, and work together to complete the course. Made for teams that like excitement and getting out of their comfort zones, Forest Outdoor Escape Game is perfect for building group camaraderie, working as a team, and peer-to-peer coaching opportunities. 

10. Haunted History Tour & Scavenger Hunt

Explore the most haunted landmarks in Washington, DC, on this interactive ghost tour and a scavenger hunt: The Ghosts of Washington, DC. Learn about the US Capital and its many famous ghosts, including the spirit of the several founding fathers.

You and your team will have a blast together as you learn chilling tales while following Washington’s ghosts from the White House to the National Theatre to Hay-Adams Hotel. Each tour is completely customizable, allowing you to start at your office, end at the bar, or go anywhere!

Inspire Collaboration and Growth Through FUN Events

Team bonding activities don’t have to be a lackluster, forced experience that solves artificial problems unrelated to your team’s work environment. Instead, they should focus on bringing employees together to overcome the real challenges faced in their everyday professional lives.

At Happied, we plan team bonding events with fun, personalized, and interactive activities that boost team morale and productivity — saving you hours of hassle and back-and-forth communication, so you can focus on what matters most: building strong relationships your team.