5 Neighborhoods perfect for your next corporate retreat in New York City
1. Bushwick: for the artsy folk wanting an out-of-the-box retreat
Brooklyn’s finest: Bushwick. Home to the land of iced lattes, street art, and creative souls. Bushwick is perfect for creative teams looking to invest in some city-related outdoor activities throughout the year.The neighborhood sits snugly on the M and L subway lines giving your team plenty of opportunity to get about the rest of New York, but if you’re keeping things local, then biking is the way to go.As far as company retreat locations go, Bushwick is packed with artsy coworking spaces and working coffee shops. Plus, it is the closest on our list to JFK Airport—so it’s a great option if out-of-state team members are joining.
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- Team building activities: House of Yes, Sports at Maria Hernandez Park, Street Art and gallery tours, brewery tour.
- Best time of year: Summer - Fall
- Price meter: $$$
2. East Village: a tranquil spot at the core of the Apple
Both a local’s favorite and a popular haunt for Big Apple guests too. What it lacks in public transport, it makes up for in things to do. Your corporate team will never have to leave the area. East Village is packed with fine eateries, great bars, and is peppered with green spaces for those small lunchtime strolls.As far as New York goes, the neighborhood is pretty walkable and your team will soon feel at home alongside the East River. Plus, if you’re ever looking for a change of scene, the Williamsburg Bridge and an Uber will have you in the heart of Williamsburg in around 15 minutes—traffic permitting.
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- Team building activities: cooking classes, go to a poetry slam at Nuyorican Poetry Cafe, visit the cocktail bars, team picnic at Tompkins Square Park
- Best time of year: Spring - Fall
- Price meter: $$$
3. Lower East Side: great for the foodies and first-timers
Manhattan’s Lower East Side is the area for young professionals and those company retreats catering to a team of foodies. Well located on the B, D, F, and M subway lines, it’ll be easy for your team to get around the city, that’s if they want to leave this buzzing neighborhood.Your team will be spoiled for choice when it comes to places to eat and drink. From grabbing a pastrami sandwich at Katz’s to a 5pm beer at Lorely beer garden. If they’re still looking for more, Chinatown is just a short stroll away for the best Chinese food in the whole of New York State.
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- Team building activities: Visit the Tenement Museum, take a food tour, grab a pastrami sandwich at Katz's Delicatessen.
- Best time of year: Winter - Summer
- Price meter: $$
4. Williamsburg: an ideal location for the outdoorsy type
Possibly one of the most popular neighborhoods in New York City, cross the bridge from Manhattan, and you’ll find Williamsburg at Brooklyn’s doorstep. The neighborhood is dotted with coworking spaces, street art for the commute, and some cozy coffee shops to warm the weekends. Plus, it’s around 40 minutes from JFK Airport.Williamsburg offers tennis courts and spectacular city views from Hurricane Point. Taking a sunrise bike ride on the Williamsburg Bridge is an absolute must. The area is affordable, has great public transport options, and is extremely walkable—what more could you need for a staff retreat?
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- Team building activities: Street art tour, Escape rooms, Donut tour, take a bike tour.
- Best time of year: Summer
- Price meter: $$$
5. Greenwich Village: perfect for the hearts of the LGBTQ+ community
A Bohemian paradise and pillar in the history of the LGBTQ+ community. Greenwich Village is home to The Stonewall Inn, making it a neighborhood many hold dear to heart. Kissing the Hudson River, the neighborhood houses the iconic Washington Square Park, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the architectural intricacy of Little Island Park.The neighborhood is around an hour’s trip from Newark Liberty International Airport if you’re looking to fly your team in from overseas. It’s also well-connected by bus and has two subway stations in the neighborhood. It’s definitely worth considering for international teams coming to New York for the first time.
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- Team building activities: team outing to the Comedy Cellar (avoid sitting in the front row!), walk alongside the Hudson River, find a Jazz cafe, visit the Stonewall Inn.
- Best time of year: All year around
- Price meter: $$
5 Hotels for a team building retreat to remember in NYC
1. Graduate New York: an island retreat on the East River
A truly iconic space and location, the Graduate Hotel has over 3,800 square feet of meeting space for you to work with. The guest rooms showcase New York at its best from every window, and a state-of-the-art event space guarantees to wow your guests. You’ll have complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, keeping your team productive, and happy.
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- Team building activities: Explore Roosevelt Island, take a picnic at Lighthouse park, hop over to Lenox Hill or Hunters Point.
- Best time of year: Summer
- Price meter: $$
2. CitizenM New York Bowery: come for the rooms, stay for the views
The Lower East Side CitizenM is a great spot if you’re looking for a tranquil base in the heart of it all. They’ve got an on-site Street Art Museum, an affordable rooftop bar, speedy (free) wifi, and promise the world’s fluffiest pillows. As far as retreat venues go, this one’s pretty unique. Also, check out the Time Square location if you’re looking for something more central.
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- Team building activities: food tours, brewery visits, escape rooms, New Museum
- Best time of year: Spring - Summer
- Price meter: $$$
3. Hotel Beacon: an affordable corporate-vibe option for enterprises looking to impress
A jewel on the Upper West Side, the Hotel Beacon is reviewed fabulously for hotels in New York state. It’s a great option for a team building event or business meeting, with fully-equipped meeting rooms accommodating 10 - 150 people. Located at the corner of Broadway and W 75th, the Hotel Beacon is a few blocks from central park and has led the way for nearly 100 years.
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- Team building activities: visit Central Park, catch a show at the Theater District, go to the “top of the Rock”
- Best time of year: All year around
- Price meter: $$
4. Omni Berkshire Place
A Midtown Manhattan residence you’ll never want to leave. Omni Berkshire Place offers a wellness center with a fully-equipped gym—although you’ll need to source massages elsewhere! The suites are a true stamp of luxury; they’re spacious, have some stunning terraces, and have complimentary Wi-Fi. Your team will feel at home in no time at all.
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- Team building activities: visit the Rockefeller center, The Museum of Modern Art, Times Square, Empire State Building.
- Best time of year: Summer - Fall
- Price meter: $$$
5. Lotte New York Palace: a true slice of luxury in Midtown, Manhattan
The Hamptons comes to New York with this luxurious 14-floor, 5-star hotel. The guest rooms offer skyline views, custom furnishings, and a surprisingly satisfying blend of classic and contemporary.For getting things done, statement event spaces will make any conference center catch its breath, exquisite catering options, and a gallery for those hard-hitting presentations. When work is all said and done, treat your team to an award-winning spa experience: massages, sound-healing experiences, a yoga studio, and farm-grown organic ingredients. Who knew the Big Apple could taste this sweet?
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- Team building activities: food and drink tours, Times Square, Madison Square Garden, visit the wellness center
- Best time of year: All year around
- Price meter: $$$$
Bonus! Cedar Lakes Estate: if you want to get out of the city
If you’re looking for an altogether different stay and what to stay in the state but out of the city, then consider venturing into upstate New York. Set your retreat up as a company summer camp at Cedar Lakes Estate.Picture your team huddled around a fire pit melting s’mores, glamping next to the lake, zip lining, practicing archery, paddle boarding, kayaking, or exploring the golf course at the nearby The Lynx at River Bend Golf Club. A truly unforgettable experience many city-based teams will always remember.
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- Team building activities: zip lining, kayaking, paddle boarding, golf, hiking, yoga.
- Best time of year: Spring - Summer
- Price meter: $$$$
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