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Minnesota is a U.S. state in the Midwest that contains more than 10,000 lakes, including Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, and Lake Itasca, the Mississippi River’s primary source. This coastal destination has majestic waterfalls, beautiful trails, and historic lighthouses, making it a wonderful place to have a company retreat.
There are tons of things to explore in Minnesota, including going to Voyageurs National Park, Walker Art Center, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnehaha Falls, and Gooseberry Falls State Park. You could even bring out your inner youth and go to the Nickelodeon Universe theme park or the Minnesota Zoo.
Minneapolis has lots of options for team-building activities, including axe throwing and escape rooms. These games are designed to be fun but also inspire your team to work together in order to achieve the same goal.
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We've put together this list of team-building activities in
Minnesota
to help you get the most out of your visit.
Minneapolis’s retreat agenda shifts between canoe races on Bde Maka Ska, warehouse dinners in the North Loop and long evenings by the Mississippi that make the city feel far more outdoorsy than most corporate retreat destinations.
We got incredibly positive feedback. Many people said it was the best offsite we've ever had. So that's obviously the most important thing from like an organizational point of view. It was super nice working with you guys. I really enjoyed it. It was the first year we had an agency like you guys on board and it did really help, especially now having a much bigger team.
We did send a survey to everyone after the event. And the feedback was very positive. Everyone loved the hotel. People were saying that the food at the venue was very good, which I agree with. The rooms were great. The meeting space was perfect for us. Obviously the beach and the area were perfect. I think it was a great location for our team. There were some people that said this was the best summit they’ve attended.
The feedback has been impeccable. Everybody loved the hotel, loved the staff, loved the support from Surf Office, everything. All the expectations were, you know, not even just met, but went beyond. We loved the way we were taken care of.
The overall feedback was really fantastic. Everybody really liked the venue. They really liked being in the same location. We had a wonderful partnership and we’d love to work with you again.
We walked into it anxious. We walked away from it absolutely amazed by the results. It was so well organized. I would never have been able to do that alone, you pulled that off entirely. It was amazing. The team is buzzing! It blew people away. It definitely blew us away.
I was stressed out before the retreat cause I never did the planning. As soon as we arrived to the hotel, they knew everything and I didn’t have to worry about anything. Big thumbs up to the Surf Office team for the general flexibility, and for the communication.
It was absolutely perfect. There wasn’t one thing that I can criticize. We had a fantastic time, really really good. It went so smoothly, everybody was very happy. Anybody that asked now about how the offsite went, I just say: “It was amazing, you only can use 1 company, you don’t need to use anybody else”.
Amazing. It was I think a really lifelong memory. I think the whole team had a really great time. I never could do this without Surf Office.
It was an awesome experience. It went super smooth, the drivers were on time, food was great, and the flexibility of the hotel was great. We had a truly amazing time and all because of your great work and preparations – you were like the magic fairies that organised everything so beautifully!
Yes, Minnesota is a strong destination for company retreats thanks to its mix of lakes, outdoor activities, creative cities, and reliable infrastructure. Teams can organize a corporate retreat in Minnesota with strategy sessions, waterfront activities, brewery visits, hiking, and social dinners across both urban and nature-focused locations.
Minnesota stands out because teams can combine city experiences in Minneapolis–Saint Paul with lake cabins, forests, and outdoor adventures within a relatively short drive. In our experience hosting teams, Minnesota works especially well for companies that want a balance between productive work time and relaxed outdoor settings.
Minneapolis is the top choice for larger corporate retreats thanks to its restaurants, event venues, and direct flights. Duluth works well for lakefront offsites near Lake Superior, while Brainerd Lakes is popular for cabin-style retreats and outdoor team building. Stillwater and Grand Marais are also great for smaller company retreats with a quieter atmosphere.
Most teams arrive through Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), which offers strong domestic and international flight connections. Downtown Minneapolis is around 20 minutes from the airport, and many popular retreat areas can be reached within 2–3 hours by car.
Summer and early fall are usually the best seasons for a Minnesota company retreat. From June through September, temperatures are typically between 65–85°F, making it ideal for lake activities, hiking, and outdoor team building.
Popular options include:
Most teams plan a 3 to 4 day corporate retreat in Minnesota. This gives enough time for work sessions, outdoor activities, and social events without requiring long travel schedules.
Lake Minnetonka, the Brainerd Lakes region, Gull Lake, and areas near Lake Superior are some of the most popular choices for lake retreats. These destinations work especially well for teams looking for waterfront accommodations and outdoor activities.
Teams can expect a mix of modern Midwestern restaurants, lakeside dining, craft breweries, rooftop bars, and outdoor social experiences. Minneapolis also has a strong live music and arts scene that works well for evening group activities during a team retreat in Minnesota.
Compared to many coastal retreat destinations in the US, Minnesota is often more affordable for accommodation, dining, and group activities. In our experience, teams can usually organize a high-quality offsite in Minnesota while maintaining more flexibility in their retreat budget.
