Unforgettable Team Building Activities: St. Louis, MO, Insider Guide

Are you looking for the best team building activities St. Louis, MO, has to offer? This city offers the perfect blend of Midwest charm and big-city excitement, and it’s a fantastic place for events and teams of all kinds. 

The Gateway City isn’t just famous for its iconic arch—it’s a treasure trove of unique experiences that’ll transform your team dynamics and create lasting bonds between colleagues. 

This guide will explore what makes this city so special for corporate events before highlighting our favorite events for making St. Louis Shine. We’ve also included some insider recommendations for the best places to eat and have fun! 

What Makes St. Louis Team Building Activities Special? 

St. Louis is an exceptional destination for all things team building. It has a blend of rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and exciting attractions that you won’t find anywhere else: 

• World-Class Museums: This city is home to the Missouri History Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the Saint Louis Science Center.

• Iconic Architecture: St. Louis is renowned for its iconic landmarks, including the Gateway Arch, Union Station, and Cathedral Basilica.

• Authentic Neighborhoods: Gateway City is home to historic neighborhoods like Soulard, The Hill, and Cherokee Street.

We’ll stop here, but this is just a taste of the many unique locations you’ll find in St. Louis! It also stands out because it has: 

• A central location that makes it easy to reach from anywhere in the Midwest.

• Four distinct seasons open up year-round activity options.

• Unique local foods like toasted ravioli, butter cake, and St. Louis-style pizza.

• A legendary BBQ scene famous for pork steaks and ribs with tangy-sweet sauce.

• Deep musical heritage with ragtime, blues, and jazz roots.

• Value for large groups, thanks to affordable prices compared to other similar cities.

• A walkable downtown area with a compact layout that makes it easy to navigate between activities.

Beyond lists of special and unique features, the Gateway City stands out for its culture of volunteerism and charitable giving—it’s an excellent place for corporate social responsibility events! 

The whole city also has a friendly vibe that makes it easy for teams to feel comfortable trying new things together, which tends to boost the efficacy of the corporate events St. Louis has to offer. 

Explore Forest Park: Your Team’s Urban Nature Playground 

We were going to include Forest Park on the list of fun places, but it deserves special attention when planning team building activities in St. Louis. Coming in at 1,300 acres, it’s larger than NYC’s Central Park and home to some of the city’s best attractions. 

Forest Park is the perfect spot for things like:

• Summer Outings: Try some outdoor activities in warm weather to boost team spirit.
• Exploration-based activities: Check out our high-tech scavenger hunts for inspiration. 
• Photography-based challenges: Consider our Polaroid Scavenger Hunt to make it easy. 
• Museum- or zoo-based activities: Try our Day at the Museum for a fun-filled adventure. 

The park’s layout can also create natural team building opportunities even when you’re just walking around together. There are so many different areas and activities to explore here, and you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty in the heart of St. Louis while you do! 

Best Team Building Activities St. Louis, MO, Has To Offer

If you want to take your crew to the best team building events St. Louis has to offer, it’ll come down to good planning (tips on that later) and picking the right event for their tastes. 

For example, some teams want to get outside in the sun to let loose and embark on an adventure. Other teams would prefer more thought-based indoor activities to challenge their critical thinking skills. And others still want to go out and enjoy good food together! 

Wondering what to pick? Ask your team! Or feel free to drop us a line if you’d like some help figuring it out. 

Some events tend to land with almost every team, though—these are the ones we’re highlighting in this section. It’s nearly impossible to go wrong with these. 

1. Team-opoly: City Scavenger Hunt

This one feels like it was simply made for Forest Park! Our Team-opoly Scavenger Hunt is based on the classic board game with some hilarious twists, and it’s always a good time. 

• Fast-paced and high-tech: Your team will be making deals, hedging bets, and navigating using our custom app the whole time.

• Competitive and engaging: We’ll split your team into smaller groups, and they’ll enjoy lots of friendly competition while they’re out having fun.

• Fun and exciting: Between carrying hilariously oversized game board pieces around the city and silly challenges, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself when you’re playing Team-opoly.

We can set this event up anywhere in the city—any neighborhood or location in St. Louis—but we suggest Forest Park. 

Your team could explore around the St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Science Center, and the St. Louis Muny Outdoor Theater, among other great locations! 

2. Food Truck Challenge

It should come as no surprise that some of the most popular group activities for adults in St. Louis are centered around good food—sharing meals with colleagues is a great way to build bonds! Our Food Truck Challenge is a fun way to help your team do just that. 

Since every TeamBonding event is customizable, your group could be making St. Louis classics like: 

• Toasted Ravioli: A deep-fried local twist on the Italian classic.
• St. Louis-Style Pizza: Thin crust, often topped with Provel cheese.
• Barbecue Classics: Particularly pork steaks and ribs with a tangy-sweet sauce.

Regardless of what you choose, your group will prepare a wide range of delicious food truck fare, in addition to creating their food truck façade, complete with a brand name and logo.

Ultimately, they’ll be judged in several categories, allowing everyone to shine. They can win categories like: 

• Food taste and presentation
• Brand name and logo 
• Food truck design and decoration

Before or after the event, consider checking out the 9 Mile Garden, Missouri’s first food truck park! It’s a welcoming entertainment district that’s a favorite of locals and visitors alike. 

3. Ice Cream Challenge

Did you know that the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis introduced the ice cream cone? Most people don’t! But it’s true, and it’s a fun excuse to enjoy the Ice Cream Challenge with your team. 

When the ice cream cone came about, an ice cream vendor ran out of dishes and teamed up with a waffle vendor to make cones on the spot. Likewise, in our challenge, your team will learn the art of waffle cone making from an expert! 

They’ll also experiment with unique ice cream flavors and compete to make the winning recipe using raw ingredients and liquid nitrogen. It’s a lot of fun, and many delicious recipes have emerged from this experience. 

Try pairing this event with a visit to Forest Park on a summer day or a trip to one of these restaurants for some delicious food after your ice cream fun: 

• Missouri Baking Company: The go-to place in St. Louis for fresh bakery staples.
• Fitz’s: Local tavern in the historic Delmar Loop offering delicious old-fashioned sodas and a great dining experience.
• Ted Drewes Frozen Custard: A family-owned frozen custard company that’s been one of the best dessert spots in the Gateway City since 1929.

4. Playing the Blues

Saint Louis was a key city in the development of American blues and jazz music, and it’s the perfect spot for our Playing the Blues program. Your team will learn to play the harmonica together and take one home as a keepsake. 

We’ll teach your whole team to play the harmonica in a single session, which reinforces the idea that everyone has the potential to learn new skills. And as they learn together, they’ll build up a powerful, connected energy that they’ll carry back to the office. 

Our expert facilitator will take them through a step-by-step process where they’ll learn things like: 

• How to hold the instrument correctly
• Proper breathing when playing the harmonica 
• Bending notes and adding vibrato
• Adding vocal effects 

From there, your team will find themselves creating and performing an original blues song together—it’s an accomplishment everyone can get behind! And it works wonders as an icebreaker. 

We recommend checking out the National Blues Museum, located right here in St. Louis, before or after the event to explore the musical history and impact of the blues. They offer tours and even host live performances! 

How To Make the Most of Your Team Building Activities: St. Louis, MO, Tips 

As great as these events are, it can be challenging to organize group activities for adults. St. Louis makes it easier, though, with its walkable downtown layout, affordable prices, and wide range of activities and venues. 

Here are some tips to help you plan a smooth and enjoyable adventure for everyone (yourself included):

• Group Size: St. Louis can accommodate groups of all sizes, but you’ll want to note the number of team members joining you when making arrangements and restaurant reservations. 

• Transportation: Consider planning your event in a single walkable area to make venue hopping easier. Otherwise, you’ll want to arrange transportation. Private buses like the Mystery Bus are always fun! 

• Timing: Consider the season, weather forecast, and local event calendars to ensure your timing is on point. 

• Backup Plans: Always keep indoor backup plans ready, even if the weather is supposed to be perfect. You never know what’s going to come up, and a backup venue can seriously save the day. 

• Schedule Early: Lock in your venues as early as possible for the broadest range of choices—8 to 12 weeks ahead of the event is ideal, but shorter notice can work, if needed. 

• Take Breaks: Taking breaks between events is essential to keep your team from getting exhausted. Plus, dining at a local restaurant for drinks and food before or after an event allows everyone to bond and relax together. 

Must-See Locations for Team Building Activities: St. Louis, MO, Gems 

With a rich culture and history, St. Louis is home to tons of must-see venues and destinations that’ll add character to any team building event! 

We’ve already covered some amazing spots, like Forest Park and the Gateway Arch, but there’s so much more to see. There are entire books about exploring this beautiful city! 

That said, we’ll do our best to keep this list short and sweet. Here are our top picks for must-see locations for local and visiting teams alike: 

• Union Station: A stunning backdrop for events with beautiful 19th-century architecture. 
• Anheuser-Busch Brewery: A great way to blend team building with the booming local brewing culture. 
• Missouri History Museum: A fantastic location for customized experiences and learning about St. Louis’s fascinating past. 
• Soulard Historic District: A beautiful neighborhood packed with European-style architecture—perfect for scaventures (aka scavenger hunt adventures). Bonus points if you’re here for Oktoberfest. 
• St. Louis Riverfront: Home to delicious food, amazing views, live music, and friendly staff. Catch a riverboat ride with your team to take in the sights. 
• Busch Stadium: Home of the St. Louis Cardinals—catch a game if you’re here during baseball season. 

With such a rich food culture, St. Louis is also home to tons of excellent restaurants. Here are our favorites for groups: 

• Anthonino’s Taverna: Family-owned spot with a blend of Italian and Greek cuisine. 
• Roberto’s Trattoria & Chophouse: Top-rated fine dining spot for gourmet Italian food, superb steaks, and delicious cocktails. 
• Eleven Eleven Mississippi: Award-winning Tuscan/Californian cuisine with an exciting menu and beautiful views. 
• Bristol Seafood Grill: Upscale seafood restaurant with impeccable service, fresh fish, and high standards. 
• Schlafly Tap Room: Founder of St. Louis craft beer with 70+ styles of beer and excellent food. 

Want to check out even more St. Louis restaurants? Try our Pub Crawl through Downtown St. Louis to see the sights and try the food (and drinks) with your team.

Ready To Plan an Unforgettable Team Building Activity? St. Louis, MO, Awaits! 

The Gateway City offers something that many corporate destinations lack: authenticity. 

When your crew experiences the best team building activities St. Louis, MO, has to offer, they’ll create shared memories around authentic culture that’ll strengthen their bonds for life. Trust us, they’ll be talking about it for years to come! 

Whether you’re exploring Forest Park, mastering the art of waffle cone making, or learning to play the blues, this city will make sure you have a good time. 

If you didn’t see the perfect event for your team, no worries! We have a catalog with over 200 programs to choose from, and every one of them is customizable! 

Contact us to discuss how we can create the perfect event for your team (and make it easier than you might expect).