Best Team Building Activities: Baltimore Insider’s Guide
When it comes to team building activities, Baltimore has so much more to offer than most people realize.
I grew up in this vibrant city and have spent years facilitating events here. I’ve seen firsthand how Charm City’s unique blend of history, culture, and waterfront beauty creates a perfect backdrop for memorable team experiences.
In this guide, I’ll share my insider knowledge on all things Baltimore—from team building activities and incredible venues to seasonal considerations and local tips.
What Makes Baltimore Team Building Stand Out?
Baltimore has a special way of bringing out the best in people and, by extension, teams. Whether it’s solving puzzles at a world-class museum, competing in harbor challenges, or discovering hidden gems, there’s always something to get people excited.
I always get excited when I get to facilitate activities here because it shapes every experience with the classic Bawlmer vibe.
Here are some of my favorite things that I like to highlight when I’m designing corporate events.
Baltimore’s Waterfront Energy
The Inner Harbor isn’t just a pretty backdrop—it’s the beating heart of this city that infuses everything with a dash of lively waterfront energy.
I’ve facilitated countless events where teams draw inspiration from the harbor views, historic ships, and bustling atmosphere of the waterfront.
It really shines when we host food-themed activities like Chowder Cook-Off (more on this later). It adds an extra dimension of fun and local flavor, and teams just can’t get enough of it.
Baltimore’s Rich History
From Fort McHenry (birthplace of our national anthem) to the historic ships in the harbor, Baltimore is simply steeped in American history.
This isn’t just cool to know—it creates natural talking points during team activities that often lead to deeper bonds as team members share their own histories.
I love including historical elements into team building activities in Baltimore—it creates experiences where teams have fun while they’re learning about our incredible city. It’s the cherry on top for a lot of my favorite team building activities!
Baltimore’s Diverse Cultures
Baltimore is a beautiful mix of cultures and traditions, complete with unique neighborhoods that boast different personalities.
From the historic charm of Fell’s Point to the artsy vibe of Station North, Charm City truly lives up to its name.
One of my favorite memories is from a Chain Reaction event I helped run. There were hundreds of people participating—it was so beautiful to see so many people from different backgrounds and cultures, and it really made the city’s diversity stand out!
Top Team Building Activities: Baltimore Edition
This city makes everything fun, but I’ve definitely found a few favorites in my years of putting together fun activities in Baltimore for adults and teams.
Here are my top recommendations for Baltimore team building activities:
1. Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt
Baltimore is the perfect place for a waterfront Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt—there are so many choices here.
One of my favorites is called The Horse You Came In On Saloon. It’s rumored to be Edgar Allan Poe’s last stop before his mysterious death, and it’s right around a ton of other great nightlife spots.
Here’s an example itinerary with less than 10 minutes total walk time between all five stops:
- The Point In Fells: Stylish bar with craft cocktails, good food, and stunning harbor views
- The Horse You Came In On Saloon: Historic bar with lively music, strong drinks, and a touch of mystery
- RYE of BALTIMORE: Cozy cocktail bar with expertly-crafted drinks and a speakeasy vibe
- Max’s Taphouse: Laid-back beer bar with over 100 beers on tap and hundreds more in bottles
- The Admiral’s Cup: Classic pub with a nautical theme, live music, and action that keeps the party going
Your team will explore the waterfront, solve puzzles, answer trivia, and enjoy local gems along the way.
2. Maryland Chowder Cook-Off
This is a Baltimore twist on our popular Wicked Good Chowda Team Building Cook-Off, and a guaranteed hit! Your team will compete to create the best Baltimore-style clam chowder, complete with Chesapeake Bay clams to make it authentic.
The TeamBonding crew is always excited to customize events, so we can also throw in some signature dishes made with Maryland’s famous blue crabs.
We’ll bring all the fresh ingredients you need for this event, plus a hilarious emcee to entertain and guide everyone through the experience, so all you need to bring is your team and some good vibes.
Here are some of my favorite locations to host this event:
- Studio 52: A modern, creative event space with an artsy vibe
- Rita Rossi Colwell Center: A professional multipurpose venue with plenty of room
- Patterson Park: A scenic outdoor location with a spacious layout
I’d recommend continuing the seafood theme after this activity at Phillips Seafood Restaurant or the Thames Street Oyster House in Fell’s Point for an authentic Baltimore dining experience.
3. Museum Scavenger Hunt
Baltimore is home to world-class museums that make perfect venues for our Museum Scavenger Hunt event. This is another one of my personal faves because it blends culture, teamwork, history, and interactive fun.
We’ll design a custom scavenger hunt for your chosen venue, complete with brain teasers, photo challenges, and other team activities that encourage friendly competition and collaboration while exploring the museum’s exhibits.
Here are my favorite locations for this event:
- National Aquarium: One of the top aquariums in the country
- Baltimore Museum of Art: Home to the world’s most extensive Matisse collection
- B&O Railroad Museum: Located at the birthplace of America’s first commercial railroad (always a hit with history buffs)
- Maryland Science Center: Great for tech and engineering teams
After wrapping up your scavenger hunt, I recommend heading to Gertrude’s for a lovely team dinner featuring Chesapeake cuisine with a view of the sculpture garden.
4. Team Songwriting Experience
The Team Songwriting Experience is another of my top picks for Baltimore team building activities!
It’ll immerse everyone in Baltimore’s rich jazz history, plus Baltimore Club Music—the city’s signature genre, which has a fast-paced, high-energy sound.
You can also celebrate Billie Holiday’s legacy since this jazz legend grew up right here in the beautiful city of Baltimore. There’s even a statue in her honor in the Upton neighborhood that you can visit.
I also recommend highlighting Hairspray! Both the John Waters movie and the musical are based in Baltimore, and Waters himself is a local legend.
The event is led by professional hit songwriters, and they’ll help your team work together to compose and perform a personalized song based on your company or industry.
Here are some of my favorite places to host this event:
- Creative Alliance at The Patterson: A fun arts hub with a theater and events space with plenty of square footage for groups of all sizes
- The Sharing Hall: A flexible, people-first venue with plenty of space for small and medium-sized groups
- The Main Events Center: A sleek, modern space with ample room for big groups
After the event, consider heading to Bond Street Social—they offer shareable plates to continue the team bonding experience while everyone winds down from their musical fun.
Must-See Experiences for Baltimore Visitors
If your team is visiting Baltimore for the first time, here are some local experiences that are perfect for adding to a team building itinerary:
- Preakness Stakes: Maryland’s famous horse race adds a touch of local tradition to any group activities Baltimore has to offer (great if you happen to be here in May)
- Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum: The former house of the famous writer—this adds an instant historical vibe to any Baltimore visit (bonus points if you pair it with the pub crawl and check out The Horse You Came In On Saloon!)
- Lexington Market: One of America’s oldest public markets and perfect for pairing with food-themed activities
- American Visionary Art Museum: A quirky museum that showcases the works of self-taught artists—great spot for scavenger hunts
Planning Successful Team Building Activities: Baltimore Tips
Here are my insider tips for planning a successful day of team building here in beautiful Baltimore:
Check the Weather
Baltimore thoroughly enjoys all four seasons, which means lots of options and variety for your event:
- Spring (March-May): This is my favorite season for outdoor events—cherry blossoms are blooming around the harbor, the temperatures are pleasant, and the city is coming out of hibernation
- Summer (June-August): Baltimore’s summers are hot and humid, perfect for water-based activities around the harbor—aim for morning events to avoid the afternoon heat or pick indoor venues with air conditioning
- Fall (September-November): Mild temperatures and beautiful fall colors make this my second favorite season for outdoor activities
- Winter (December-February): Baltimore winters are cold and sometimes snowy, which makes it the perfect time for indoor activities and cozy pub crawls
Think About Transportation
Baltimore is a compact city with distinct neighborhoods and some nice transportation options:
- Water taxis offer a unique way to travel between harbor attractions while adding a distinctly Baltimore element to your day’s events
- Shuttle services are excellent for larger groups visiting multiple neighborhoods, and they’re relatively easy to arrange here
- The Charm City Circulator is a free bus service around downtown Baltimore that’s perfect for teams traveling between venues
Hang Out After the Event
This is more of a team building tip, but I suggest a nice post-event hangout to solidify the connections and bonds your team members made during the day. Here are some more of my top picks:
- R. House: A former auto body shop turned food hall with something for everyone’s tastes
- Little Italy: A neighborhood that’s packed with family-owned restaurants perfect for team dinners
- LP Steamers: An authentic Maryland spot with delicious crab, oysters, and so much more
Ready for Unforgettable Team Building Activities? Baltimore Awaits!
Baltimore is the perfect setting for helping your teams connect on a deeper level—there’s so much to see that even lifelong residents like myself are always finding new gems.
With over 200 programs in our catalog, we can customize an experience that’ll perfectly match any team’s personality and goals.
If you’re ready to get started planning a memorable team experience in Baltimore, contact us today! We’ll create a customized adventure your team will be talking about for years to come.
