15 Destinations for Group Trips That Won't Blow the Budget

Travel is making a job perk comeback as more companies acknowledge that happier, healthier employees translate to increased productivity and creativity. But choosing the right retreat for team bonding is key. Meanwhile families and groups of friends are often in need of destinations that can accommodate larger groups without a hefty price tag. From adventure-packed mountain towns to the pristine beaches of Costa Rica, these 15 affordable destinations offer group-friendly activities and accommodations that are perfect for planning a memorable getaway.

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Take in the fresh mountain air from the "Mile High City" of Denver. Colorado's capital city is the perfect meet up point for plenty of riveting indoor and outdoor retreats — from art, history, and brewery tours to axe throwing competitions to Rocky Mountain adventures for novices and experts like skiing, hiking, rock climbing, and fly fishing to yoga havens and cattle ranches just outside the city in Boulder or Colorado Springs. The up-and-coming business city blends Old West charm with modern culture, and offers a range of culinary and lodging options as well as a stunning landscape that's sure to inspire any group needing a power-reset.

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Nashville — the hub of country music and a burgeoning food scene — has transformed into a full-blown cultural destination thanks to a recent urban revitalization. With so many entertainment options and more affordable venue options than many other U.S. cities, it's also a fantastic spot for fun group activities like recording a team song at Sound Kitchen. Tennessee's capital is home to attractions like the Grand Ole Opry House, Country Music Hall of Fame, honky tonks, and trendy cocktail bars and eateries in various neighborhoods — all of which are inexpensive and easy to navigate in large numbers. Teams staying at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, located less than 10 minutes from Nashville International Airport, can experience stunning glass atriums with nine acres of lush indoor gardens, winding rivers, and waterfalls.

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Just north of San Francisco, the Russian River Valley is a stand-out destination for businesses looking to plan a day or weekend retreat outside the city with an inspiring backdrop for team building sessions. Earth Missions notes it's a favored spot for retreat planners. Within Sonoma County's celebrated wine country, the riverside region boasts fun and relaxing outdoor options — including hiking, biking, and float trips — back roads winding through charming towns, unpretentious wineries, farm stands, and restaurants.

Once a favorite resort area for honeymooners, the Poconos Mountains has rebranded itself as a business and family travel destination. Groups can easily travel to the Poconos from a variety of major cities like New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. for company meetups. The region hosts nearly 80 percent of Pennsylvania's resorts, many of which feature affordable all-inclusive packages for groups. A hike to one of the eight waterfalls at Bushkill Falls, a group kayak adventure, or stock car racing on the Pocono Raceway are just some of the ways to get a stressed staff to blow off some steam.

Austin is bursting with culture, cuisine, and natural scenery. Famous for its thriving live music scene, the "Live Music Capital of the World" is also one of America's fastest-growing major cities and greenest urban areas. From soaking up the energy on Sixth Street to learning how to two-step at a honky tonk dive bar to devouring local barbeque on a food tour to swimming across the natural Barton Springs Pool, there's much to see and do. Companies can partake in ropes challenge courses and other expeditions along the Guadalupe River, Lake Travis, or one of the metropolitan parks for meaningful group interactions. Just outside the city, Texas Hill Country — a region known for its wine tastings, ranches, and luxurious lodges — offers even more opportunities for companies to host their annual retreats.

In the Pacific Northwest, Portland's pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly atmosphere and countless public parks, microbreweries, and farm-to-table restaurants make it a great spot for companies looking to push employees to think about their work challenges in new and innovative ways. Budget-friendly city activities include walkable downtown neighborhoods with free outdoor concerts and a bustling farmers' market, and free complimentary tours of Washington Park's five-acre International Rose Test Garden in the summer. The park also offers plenty of space for outdoor team-building exercises like the Eagle Glider Construction Challenge. Just outside the city, Columbia River Gorge and Hood River areas offer a variety of scenic overlooks, orchards, wineries, and outdoor adventures for corporate groups.

Cleveland experienced a resurgence as a corporate meetings and events destination after hosting the Republican National Convention back in 2016. Since then, a number of hotels have been newly built or refreshed. Even the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers fieldhouse underwent a major renovation, incorporating 45,000 square feet of event space. There's plenty to see — the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the free Cleveland Museum of Art, theater in the nation's second largest playhouse district, the historic West Side Market, sporting events, and new restaurants in the Flats District — for a well-rounded company getaway. For outdoor types, biking and hiking trails are abundant in the city's interconnected metroparks and nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which also offers event spaces.

As one of the most affordable Canadian cities to visit — not to mention its blend of urban energy, small-town friendliness, and its location in the Rocky Mountain foothills — Calgary is an exceptional destination for entertaining and motivating employees. With festivals including the annual Calgary Stampede, beautiful parks, and a range of low-cost or free activities year-round, teams can stick to a reasonable budget while exploring the city. Compete with The Amazing Chase game downtown, try a new sport together, or take a day trip to nearby Banff National Park and Lake Louise for a meet up in an incredible outdoor setting.

If you're looking for a tropical getaway for your next company retreat, Puerto Vallarta is an alluring resort town on Mexico's Pacific coast and one of the safest cities in the country. Known for its beaches, water sports, and nightlife scene, it's often a top pick for conferences and meetings. Prime hotels, resorts, and convention spaces — many with relaxing ocean and mountain views — offer a range of on-site amenities and companies can easily book snorkeling or ziplining adventures as thrilling team-building activities for their employees.

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Tamarindo, Costa Rica's claim to fame is its exquisite beaches and sunsets, diverse adventure excursions and water sports, and extravagant yet economical vacation home rentals for budget-conscious travelers. Corporate groups can bond and refocus their energy away from the workplace through a wide array of team building experiences in the rainforest or on the beach — yoga and meditation, canopy ziplining, horseback riding, waterfall rappelling, surfing lessons, catamaran sailing, mangrove tours, snorkeling, and turtle nesting in Las Baulas National Marine Park.

The bustling metropolis of Chicago is home to McCormick Place — one of the nation's top-ranking convention centers — and many cultural attractions, dining options, hotels and meeting venues. It is accessible and easy to get around, making it a crowd favorite for business retreats. Groups can take advantage of the revitalized River Walk, architecture tours on the river, shopping and entertainment at Navy Pier, unique games like WhirlyBall, neighborhood breweries, Theater on the Lake, comedy shows, speakeasy-style cocktail bars, and Michelin-rated restaurants.

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For a more luxurious company retreat, the Phoenix/Scottsdale area of Arizona — known for its sunny conditions and warm weather year-round — has plenty to offer groups of all sizes. Groups can find boutique shopping and plenty of accommodating upscale resorts, in addition to many cultural and outdoor activities. The region's team-building ventures range from walking Phoenix's gallery-lined Roosevelt Row Arts District to golfing on championship courses to horseback riding adventures along the Verde River, and even working through a Sonoran Desert survival simulation scenario.

In California's second-largest city, you're likely to be greeted by sunny days and ideal temperatures — perfect for touring the city's many craft breweries, exploring the massive Balboa Park and world-renowned San Diego Zoo, or bonding over nighttime bonfires at the beach. For more team building activities, hit the waves with San Diego Surf School, build sandcastles at Kona Kai Resort, explore the great outdoors with Hike Bike Kayak, work as a real crew together through a sailing race with Harbor Sailboats, or plan a corporate beach retreat with Visit Oceanside.

Orlando might be most widely recognized for its world-renowned theme park resorts, including notoriously pricey (though can be done on the cheap) Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, but it also has plenty of options for corporate retreats as one of America's busiest conference cities. While team building exercises can easily take place at one of the many interactive parks or resorts — like an Urban Fear Factor scavenger hunt in Disney Springs — other activities include dining, shopping, or listening to live music in the hip Milk District, or an evening downtown at the revitalized Church Street Station.

Deemed by many to be the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas is no stranger to hosting business retreats and countless international trade shows. With some of the best nightlife attractions, award-winning chefs, and most acclaimed mega-hotels and 24-hour casinos in the world — not to mention reasonable travel prices and state-of-the-art convention facilities like the 2.1-million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center — the city is one of the most hospitable destinations for companies looking to boost morale. Team-building activities can range from photo scavenger hunts along the Las Vegas strip to fitness classes taught by Cirque du Soleil performers to driving race cars on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

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