Top 3 Team Building Activities New Orleans Has To Offer (+ Local Tips)
If you’re looking for truly memorable team building activities, New Orleans is the place to be. The Big Easy turns boring events and everyday activities into unforgettable experiences, and that’s exactly what you want for good team building.
New Orleans is unlike any other destination. Here, team building happens against a backdrop of jazz music floating through historic streets and architecture from centuries past.
Whether you’re a local company looking to shake things up or you’re visiting for corporate events, New Orleans offers something magical that other cities simply can’t match.
This guide features the best team building activities New Orleans has to offer, complete with local tips for planning and the best food around.
What Makes New Orleans Team Building Activities Special?
If you’ve never visited New Orleans, you’re in for a treat—The Big Easy is often regarded as the most foreign-feeling big city in the lower 48. It has a truly unique character that infuses everything with a touch of magic.
Preserved History
New Orleans was founded in 1718 under French control and has been a key shipping port and transportation hub at the mouth of the Mississippi River ever since.
Now, it’s not uncommon for cities in the US to have a rich past, but what’s different here is that there are ongoing efforts to preserve New Orleans’ history. It’s an old, historic city, and proud of it!
You won’t find a completely redeveloped city overrun with modern developments and chain department stores.
Instead, New Orleans showcases historical buildings, many of which still sit in front of the original cobblestone-lined streets.
Culinary Capital
Many people have long considered New Orleans to be the culinary capital of the United States, and they’re not alone! In 2025, it was voted the world’s best city for food by Time Out, beating out locations in India, Portugal, and Costa Rica for the top spot.
Now that’s an impressive culinary badge of honor!
Here are just some of the food recommendations that Gerrish Lopez, Time Out’s contributor for New Orleans, offered up after the city claimed its title:
- Traditional dishes: Try time-honored dishes like red beans and rice, gumbo, shrimp Creole, and jambalaya at places all around town
- Modern fusion cuisine: Indulge at newer, award-winning restaurants that combine Louisiana flavours with Senegalese, Mexican, and Indian cuisine
- Jazz Fest Fare: Check out the all-encompassing culinary offerings at Jazz Fest in May every year
- Culinary Festival Specials: Visit some of the other various annual festivals honouring faves like gumbo, Creole tomatoes, and beignets for recipes and treats that celebrate the food of the hour
Music City
New Orleans is famously the birthplace of jazz. And it should come as no surprise—after all, jazz was born from a melding of many cultures, emotions, and skills, much like The Big Easy itself.
In fact, New Orleans is the home of legends like:
- Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong
- Jeremy Davenport
- Jelly Roll Morton
- Pete Fountain
- Wynton and Ellis Marsalis
- Kermit Ruffins
- Harry Connick Jr.
- Trombone Shorty
- Danny Barker
If you’re looking for a music-themed day out, head down to Musical Legends Park in the French Quarter. Here, you’ll find statues dedicated to many of the greats listed above (and then some).
There are also nightly jazz, blues, and funk performances to be found throughout Frenchman Street.
Signature Team Building Activities in New Orleans
The best group activities in New Orleans take full advantage of the city’s unique venues and vibes.
It’s possible to do this with almost any activity, but we’re going to explore a few of our facilitators’ favorites to get you started.
1. Playing the Blues
This is one of the most exciting team building activities New Orleans has to offer, especially if your team loves music. Playing the Blues is a musical team building activity where each participant will learn to play the harmonica.
By teaching each person to play, this event reinforces the idea that everyone can learn new skills. And you’ll benefit from the powerful energy that comes from your team enjoying a stand-out shared experience—they’ll be talking about it for years to come.
The program is designed to be fun and engaging from beginning to end. It starts with everyone learning how to hold the instrument, then they’ll build up to playing an actual blues song together, and finally, everyone takes home their harmonica as a souvenir.
We can also provide retro sunglasses and Blues Brothers-style hats—accessories like these work wonders in getting people to let go of inhibitions and unleash their inner blues monsters.
Where to go after the event
Celebrate this music magic and keep everyone talking by heading to the House of Blues after the event for a lively and authentic scene. Pat O’Brien’s is another great option for large groups and business dinners.
2. Outdoor Team Building Games
The parks around New Orleans are simply stunning—they’re often hidden gems bursting with flowers and greenery, which is perfect for reducing stress and encouraging positive vibes with our outdoor team building games.
We suggest heading to Audubon Park or New Orleans City Park for some friendly competition and fresh air. All you need to have fun is an outdoorsy team building activity and some sunshine, which is readily available for most of the year here in New Orleans.
Other great options include:
- Lakeshore Park
- Louis Armstrong Park
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
- Crescent Park
- Lafreniere Park
The options are nearly endless—just remember to check the space the park offers and compare it with what you need for your chosen activity. It’s unlikely to be an issue, but bigger groups might have a better time at places like City Park.
Where to go after the event
After a day in the sunshine, consider heading to Chophouse New Orleans for luxurious decor, service, and food, complete with lively entertainment. Oceana Grill is another excellent choice for top-notch Cajun cuisine and live music.
3. Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt
There’s just something about a scavenger hunt in New Orleans—the sense of history and culture shines brightly as your team explores and competes to come out on top. And our Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt is the perfect way to enjoy it!
Bourbon Street is one of the most famous and iconic streets in New Orleans, and it’s the perfect place for this Pub Crawl. It’s located in the French Quarter, spanning 13 blocks from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue.
This street is simply packed with bars, clubs, and live music venues. It also has open container laws in place, which means that your team can stroll from pub to pub with cocktails in hand.
You’ll see bright neon signs, beautiful balconies, street performers, and live music, all while completing interactive challenges and quizzes in a spirited competition on this laughter-filled bar crawl.
Where to go after the event
After your team is done hunting for treasures, tackling pub-themed trivia, and discovering new camaraderie, consider ending the night at the Olde Nola Cookery or Cornet so everyone can sit down and chat about the experience they just shared.
How To Plan Team Building Activities: New Orleans Tips
If you want to get the most out of your day in New Orleans, planning is essential. It’ll maximize the benefits of team building and ensure everyone has a great time.
Here are some tips to make it happen.
Consider Your Team’s Vibe
Take your team’s personality into account—are they high-energy and adventurous, or are they more laid back? Do they love music? History? Food? Tech activities? Animals? Charity?
New Orleans has something for everyone, so tailor your experience according to your team’s tastes.
Time It Right
New Orleans has fairly nice weather year-round, but you’ll still want to take the season into account:
- Spring (March to May) and Fall (October to November): Spring and fall are ideal times of the year for most events. You’ll enjoy mild weather and access to lots of festivals.
- Summer (June to September): Summer in New Orleans means heat and humidity, but you’ll also encounter fewer crowds, improved venue availability, and better pricing.
- Winter (December to February): Winters are surprisingly mild and ideal for cozy indoor events around The Big Easy. They’re great for enjoying the music scene without the crowds.
- Hurricane Season (June to November): Hurricane season is a thing in the summer, so always have backup plans available. The weather is typically the most unpredictable during August and September.
It’s generally best to avoid major festival weekends like Mardi Gras unless you’re planning to include them in your team building activities. New Orleans can be amazing during festivals, but it’s often chaotic, especially if you’re planning around them.
Regardless of what time of year you’re going, remember to always have an indoor backup plan!
Choose the Right Neighborhood
You’ll want to pick the right area for your event and the vibes you’re going for. The city is walkable in places, but distances and weather can get in the way.
Here are the basics:
- French Quarter: Good for music, history, and classic NOLA charm
- Warehouse District: Great modern venues and a quieter experience
- Bywater or Marigny: Ideal for artsy or off-the-beaten-path activities
It helps to stay close to your event location to minimize headaches. Or, if you want to go between neighborhoods, consider an event that includes transportation—our Mystery Bus experience, for example!
Alternatively, you can carefully plan to use private trolleys and shuttles to get around.
Want To Plan Unforgettable Team Building Activities? New Orleans Awaits!
The combination of rich culture, incredible music, amazing food, and genuine hospitality creates the perfect environment for fantastic team building activities. New Orleans is an environment where people naturally connect and bond, after all.
So, ready to see how special The Big Easy is for yourself? We have over 200 team building programs to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs!
Contact us today to discover how we can help you plan, customize, and pull off the event of a lifetime. Your team (and your bottom line) will thank you.
