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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.
It was amazing. I mean, the team was just absolutely over the top, thrilled. Everything was fantastic.
As we wrap up our first-ever company offsite in Portugal, I feel so grateful for the incredible experience we've shared as a team. This past week has been nothing short of amazing, filled with enriching and productive sessions, workshops, and memorable moments.
It was a massive success, the team loved every part of it and all of the restaurants, activities, transfer, etc. that you organised were excellent. I will certainly be contacting Surf Office again for anything I plan in the future.
We had a great retreat! So far all individual feedback that came back through a survey we sent out to the team, was super positive! Everyone really enjoyed it!
We loved it! Our management had very specific requirements for a retreat location... remote and in nature but with room for interaction. The venue and every aspect of this retreat matched that. We loved it so much that we even consider repeating the venue.
Everyone has commented on how well the retreat went, and we really do appreciate everything that you did to make it go so smoothly.
It was amazing. The whole team enjoyed everything. The hospitality, the area, the apartments, the sea view, the hotel staff, the old town. It was perfect, it was our best offsite.
Everything was amazing. So I have only good things to say. Team loved it. Again, I was very congratulated. They were very happy. Everything was on spot.
We have organized company retreats for our distributed 30 people team multiple times with Surf Office and the team has loved it every time. Surf Office has some great venues as part of their portfolio and do a great job helping to facilitate pretty much everything from accommodation, food, activities, airport transfers etc.
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.
