Getting Your Remote Team Together in Columbus?

Here are 6 Ideas to Keep Everyone Engaged

With the rise of remote work, opportunities to bring your team together in person are more important than ever. An in-person outing can strengthen bonds, improve communication, and build a sense of camaraderie that’s hard to replicate over Zoom calls.

For remote teams traveling from different places, location matters. Columbus, Ohio, is centrally located and easily accessible via John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Plus, Columbus offers a mix of unique experiences that cater to diverse team interests, making it an ideal city to host a team gathering.

While planning, consider staying in Downtown Columbus or the Short North, where accommodations, restaurants and other attractions are within walking distance of each other or a short drive away. Here are six activities that can make an unforgettable gathering for your remote team in Columbus.

1. Visit Columbus Attractions

Plan outings that let your team experience the city’s culture and attractions. Here are a few ideas:
Columbus Museum of Art: This vibrant cultural institution is renowned for its diverse collection of art and engaging community programs. Established in 1878, The Columbus Museum of Art houses an impressive array of American and European modern and contemporary works, including pieces by artists like Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe and Columbus’ own Aminah Robinson. For corporate groups, Just Bloom at CMA incorporates the museum’s collection into award-winning workshops in leadership, innovation and team building.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: Built in 1895, Franklin Park  Conservatory is on the National Register of Historic Places and is surrounded by the 88-acre Franklin Park. Groups can sign up to participate in a workshop or group activity in the beautiful gardens, such as a terrarium-building class.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: Columbus’ zoo is one of the best in the U.S. Smaller groups can arrange a 5-hour private VIP tour of the zoo, where you’ll get up close to the animals and learn about the zoo’s wildlife conservation efforts.

2. Enjoy a Private Tour with Columbus Food Adventures

A food tour is a great way to break the ice with your team, while introducing them to the city and keeping them engaged. In business for over 14 years, nobody knows the Columbus food scene quite like Columbus Food Adventures, which was named the No. 1 Food Tour in 2024 by USA Today.

Columbus Food Adventures’ private Short North Walking Tour is a popular option. Located within walking distance of many hotels, this casual walking tour starts at one of Columbus’ most iconic gems: the historic North Market. The group will enjoy food bites from market vendors before continuing the tour into the Short North Arts District, where they will learn about the neighborhood’s history, public art and architecture–all while sampling foods from local restaurants.

Columbus Food Adventures can organize walking tours in other neighborhoods (such as German Village, Old Worthington and Dublin) as well as private foodie scavenger hunts, Progressive Happy Hours and Progressive Dinners. We’d love to chat with you about a perfect experience for your group.

3. Explore the Outdoors

Columbus boasts 20 metro parks, offering everything from leisurely hiking and biking trails to rock climbing and kayaking. Here are some of the highlights:

Scioto Audubon: Get refreshed with a walk along the greenway at Scioto Audubon Park and keep an eye out for interesting birds. The park also offers a climbing wall. You can finish your jaunt outdoors by bonding over beers at Nocterra Brewing’s new taproom located steps away from the trail.

Goodale Park: This regional park dating back to 1851 connects the Short North and Victorian Village neighborhoods. Don’t miss the Victorian architecture surrounding the park, and the Goodale Park Fountain which features a pair of happy elephants.

Scioto Mile: Located in the heart of Downtown, take a stroll (or a jog) along the Scioto River and enjoy scenic views of the skyline. Be sure to grab a team photo with one of the Scioto Mile’s beloved deer statues.

Quarry Trails: One of the city’s newest metro parks, Quarry Trails covers 182 acres and offers a variety of trails, a 25-foot waterfall, a mountain bike track and the first urban via ferrata climbing route in the country.

4. Volunteer as a Team

For a meaningful and impactful outing, consider a group volunteering opportunity. Organizations like the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, BESA or Keep Columbus Beautiful offer ways for your team to give back while working together toward a common goal.

5. Take in a Game

Columbus is home to four professional sports teams and, of course, the mighty Buckeyes of Ohio State. If your group loves sports, then you’ll want to head to the Arena District which is home to three professional sports venues.
First up is Lower.com Field, the state-of-the-art new home of the Columbus Crew, who are perennial contenders for the MLS Cup (they last won in 2023).
Just down the street from the Crew’s stadium is Huntington Park, home to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers and one of the most attractive ballparks in all of baseball.
Continue east on Nationwide Blvd. and you’ll run into Nationwide Arena, home ice for the Columbus Blue Jackets NHL team. The city’s pro women’s indoor volleyball team, the Columbus Fury, also plays at Nationwide.

6. Cook Together

The Kitchen isn’t a traditional restaurant. Located close to Downtown, this woman-owned business specializes in participatory dining experiences that encourage teamwork and communication–all in a lively kitchen environment. Plus, The Kitchen has enough space to accommodate meetings and break-out-sessions before or after your team gathers together to cook a meal.

Closing Thoughts

Bringing your remote team together in Columbus, Ohio, is a chance to foster stronger connections and create lasting memories. With thoughtful planning and a mix of activities, your team outing can serve as both a bonding experience and a celebration of your collective efforts. Columbus’ vibrant culture and welcoming atmosphere make it the perfect backdrop for such a gathering. Start planning today and give your remote team an experience they’ll treasure for years to come!