Help! I need to plan a summer outing for my company
So, you just got picked to plan your office or company summer group outing. Yikes, where do I start?!
Well, let me give you some tips and ideas to point you in the right direction. First, don't panic, there are a ton of preferred options for all group types and sizes.
Scavenger hunts
Scavenger Hunts in Chicago creates, organizes and leads your group as teams collaborate to solve clues used to reach fun and unique destinations. At each destination, groups are required to complete missions, take hilarious pictures and collect unique items.
With a facilitator assigned to keep people focused and answer questions, Scavenger Hunts in Chicago is able to create a significantly more sophisticated and challenging event.
The event concludes at a destination of your choice - a meeting, cocktail reception, dinner or a Cubs game.
Maggie Daley Park
Located between Lake Michigan and Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park is Chicago's newest playground, and an excellent location to host your next summer group outing. With ample lawn space, picnic groves, indoor field-house facility, and a two acre garden, there are locations for groups of 10-1,000 people. There are also seasonal activities such as ice skating, rock climbing and mini golf that could be included.
Absolutely Chicago Segway
Here's a great way to experience everything wonderful Chicago has to offer in a fun, guided tour.
Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours gets people out of the meeting room and into the fresh air for an adventure to remember.
It's perfect for group outings or team building events with more than 50 years of combined experience in the hospitality industry.
Topgolf, Naperville
Topgolf Naperville is a three-level, 65,000-square-foot venue with 102 hitting bays, a full-service restaurant and bars, a rooftop terrace, a gaming lounge and more.
Topgolf Naperville is perfect for group outings of 2 - 1200 attendees.
Private yacht
Entertainment Cruises offers a very unique way to entertain your guests for any occasion, with all-inclusive dining cruises on Lake Michigan. For group outings, they have packages available that include the cruise, menu, bar and entertainment, all for one price per person. They also have a variety of other entertainment options such as casino, games, live bands, etc.
There is no better way to enjoy the skyline views.
HT Company picnic grounds, Joliet
The venue can accommodate up to 2,500 guests and offers 2 go-cart tracks plus a junior cart track, two award-winning miniature golf courses, laser tag arena, amusement rides, batting cages and hundreds of sports and redemption games. The picnic grove includes a beer garden, baseball diamond, volleyball, bean bag toss plus traditional picnic games like Bingo (with prizes), balloon toss, relays and more.
Ravinia Festival, Highland Park
There's more to Ravinia than merely the world's greatest music. Levy Restaurants offers groups an array of dining options at the park, from their signature restaurants in the dining pavilion, to catered events on the lawn or a private reception before the show in the PNC Bank Private Dining room and our tents.
Cherish the music and let your taste buds dance!
Chicago Helicopter
Perfect for group outings, private parties, and corporate events, Chicago Helicopter Experience offers various yachts to take your group from downtown to the heliport.
The yacht is completely stocked with F&B. Cruise the lake to the Chicago River to and from the heliport.
A true "air and water" experience that you will not receive anywhere else! Experience Chicago's rich architecture from a helicopter!
Host and fly up to 500 guests and treat everyone to the ride of their life on a helicopter experience. Party on the tarmac and deliver the most memorable experience in Chicago to your group outing.
Free Spirit yacht cruises
Book your yacht party for your group outing in Chicago on two of Chicago's finest yachts available for group outings up to 120 guests.
Adeline's Sea Moose - 68' private luxury yacht rental
They specialize in hosting corporate group outings of up to 40 guests. For that extra touch - inquire about topping off your evening with one of Chicago's firework shows happening every week - all summer long.
Murphy's Rooftop at Wrigley Field, Wrigleyville
Murphy's rooftop is perfect for group outings with up to 80 guests who want to enjoy a Cubs & networking at Murphy's Bleachers. This is one of the remaining privately held rooftops and has partial views as most all of them do now. However, I have attended many group outings on the rooftops and have had so much fun networking that I didn't watch the game!
• Jim Grillo is president of HeresChicago.com.