Do you know the value of switching your environment and the rejuvenating effect it can have on corporate retreats? We do, and it’s our business to lay out the best places in the world to do it.

We know the best locations for corporate retreats across the US, and today we’ll use New York as our starting point. We’ll look at the best places you can host a work retreat within reaching distance of the Big Apple.

We’ve got 11 prime locations waiting, so with no further ado, let’s explore the possibilities of retreats near New York City!

11 of the best places to take your teams near New York

Our locations are laser-focused on productivity and getting the most out of your teams, while still being easily accessible from New York.

The Catskill Mountains, New York State

If you have your eyes set on a retreat destination that offers both beauty and adventure, the Catskill Mountains should be at the top of your list. Just two hours north of New York City, the Catskill Mountains are a fantastic place to turn when nature is needed. 

Renowned for its rolling hills, dense forests, and sparkling rivers, the region provides a peaceful backdrop to help your team unwind and recharge. Fresh mountain air and panoramic views alone work wonders in reducing stress.

Plenty of accommodation types are suited for a fab retreat, varying from rustic cabins to luxurious resorts like the Emerson Resort & Spa. The local culture is lively too, letting your teams explore farmers’ markets, artisan shops, and quaint towns like Woodstock and Phonecia. The Catskill Mountains provide an unbeatable retreat experience close to New York City.

Newport, Rhode Island

An ideal location for a work retreat, Newport offers a lovely blend of historic charm and modern amenities. While we know how fantastic work retreats are inside New York City, this coastal gem offers a chance for something new for your teams. 

Newport is renowned for its stunning Gilded Age mansions, beautiful beaches, and vibrant sailing culture. Being right on the coast, Newport offers plenty of water activities, so start imagining team-building sailing trips.

Excellent hotels and resorts are available for corporate groups. Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina, for instance, offers great meeting spaces, spa services, and gorgeous views of Narragansett Bay. Honestly, we will sing the praises of work retreats in Newport until the cows come home. Its proximity to New York makes it a doddle to get to, and your team will return feeling inspired and more connected than ever.

Hudson Bay, Canada

Venturing a little further afield, the backdrop of Hudson Bay's pristine wilderness is like a picture taken from a dream. It’s simply a fantastic choice for a work retreat. A haven of tranquility, the Hudson Bay is a place where the stresses of the modern world melt away, leaving nothing but peace and pure, unadulterated nature.

When it comes to planning your Hudson Bay retreat, the key is to strike a balance between work and play. Of course, you’ll have everyone attending brainstorming sessions and team-building activities, but you'll also have plenty of time for dogsledding, snowshoeing, and even some Northern Lights gazing. Who could resist?

So there you have it. Hudson Bay, Canada. Where work meets wildlife, and every day feels like a breath of fresh, northern air. Trust us, your team will thank you for it.

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Step out of the world of concrete and steel and into a world of verdant forests and morning dew. Bretton Woods sits only 300 miles from New York City and is one of the best locations for a team retreat we have seen. Bretton Woods has everything needed for a standout work retreat, and with Mount Washington, the Northeast's highest peak, practically in your backyard, there's no shortage of inspiration to go around. 

Bretton Woods knows how to play too. With luxury resorts, spas, and world-class amenities, your team can unwind in style after a day of brainstorming. Golfing and skiing are available just a stone’s throw away, so there’s no shortage of ways to get the adrenaline pumping among your teams.

Just a few hours’ drive or train ride from the Big Apple, we know you’re in for a treat in Bretton Woods. So get your teams to pack their bags, Bretton Woods is waiting to welcome them with open arms.

The Berkshires, Massachusetts 

Tucked away in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts lies a fantastic choice for your next workplace retreat, The Berkshires. A mountainous range that is jaw-dropping enough to have songs written about it, The Berkshire Mountains allow you to recognize nature’s beauty only a skip and a hop away from New York City.

The range gives you a playground for effective team-building activities. Think about brainstorming sessions by babbling brooks, or trust-building exercises under shaded trees at the edge of a dense forest. 

The Berkshires are a cultural hotspot too. Let your teams lose themselves in world-class art galleries like the Clark Institute, or soak in the symphonies at Tanglewood Music Center. There’s something in The Berkshires for everyone.

Convenience is king, and getting to The Berkshires from the Big Apple is a breeze. 3 hours of driving or one train ride and you’re there. If you know your teams require a dose of nature, culture, and all-round good vibes, take it from us; The Berkshires will do them a world of good. 

Ponocos, Pennsylvania 

There’s a reason the Ponocos are a top choice for companies organizing off-site retreats. In the northeast of Pennsylvania, it’s a community shared by NYC and North Jersey, and it ticks every box needed to give your teams a chance to rejuvenate and reconnect. 

The charming surrounding towns in Monroe County, with a population of around 165,000 people, are filled with picturesque sights to take in. Some of the cozy cabin retreats here offer some real serenity, which could be exactly what the doctor ordered for your hard-working teams. With its relatively small size, you could even consider a full buyout of a hotel for your next company retreat in the Poconos.

Ponocos is a breath of fresh air, a change of scenery, and a chance to hit the reset button with your teams. Take in the scenery offered and have your teams working as harmoniously as the morning birds you will hear first thing when you wake up in the Poconos Mountains. Why wait?

Mystic, Connecticut

A village as charming as its name, Mystic is a stellar choice for a company work retreat. In Mystic, quaint streets are lined with workshops and old-school charm stands out everywhere you look. The air is filled with the soothing sounds of waves lapping against the shore.

The village boasts a remarkable history for its size. A historic seaport with hundreds of ships built over its proud history, there’s a great deal to take in here. With its outstanding maritime museum, the Mystic Seaport Museum, your teams will have the chance to prepare their navigation across the stormy seas of business. It’s a coastal retreat that's practically begging your teams as the location for your next off-site getaway.

Mystic stands tall as a location to help your staff unwind and bond together. At just under 150 miles from the sometimes chaotic New York City, consider it a ticket to fast-track your teams into powerful units that shine together.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Here’s a livelier location for a bustling workplace retreat. Philadelphia is known the world over as America’s Garden Capital, boasting everything needed for a productive work getaway less than 100 miles from New York City.

There’s so much here for your teams to take in. History buffs can get lost in Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, while simultaneously hosting cutting-edge arts like jazz performances every day of the week. 

You’ll be amiss to overlook its culinary history too. The food of Philadelphia really is something to write home about, so try world-famous cheesesteaks and soft pretzels. We don’t think you’ll be able to find them better anywhere else in the world. Your tastebuds will thank you. 

So consider organizing a retreat that is equal parts history lesson and urban adventure. Choose Philadelphia as your hub for team building and productivity for your next off-site retreat. 

Princeton, New Jersey

The shortest distance location from New York City in our list, Princeton often makes its way into corporate retreat lists across the board. For good reason. It’s an inspiring place, with prestigious universities and a rich history. It offers an ideal backdrop for companies trying to blend productivity with relaxation in their off-site retreats.

Once your teams arrive, they’ll find themselves in a charming township that has both brains and beauty. They’ll be taking in ivy-colored buildings that look like they’re plucked straight from a storybook. The streets are leafy and boats have some incredible colors waiting to be explored in Fall.

It’s a small town, but don’t let that fool you. Princeton packs a punch when it comes to things to see or do. Ignite your artistic sparks at Princeton University Art Museum, or get yourself into a trail at Delaware Canal State Park for old-fashioned outdoor bonding with your teams.

Getting your teams to Princeton for a work retreat is going to rejuvenate them in ways you didn’t know they needed. Give this location a shot when weighing up your options, we know you won’t be disappointed.

Hershey, Pennsylvania 

Known as the ‘sweetest place on earth’, you’re sure to find the sweet spot of work and play in Hershey. This place stands out as an optimal choice for a work retreat that will have your teams bonding and creating lifelong memories.

3 hours of driving from New York City will get you there, and you’ll know when you’re there. The aroma of chocolate fills the air, and streetlights are Hershey’s heart-shaped. There’s a whole host of productive activities for teams to take part in, but be assured, bonding over chocolate cannot be denied!

Hershey’s Chocolate World guided tour is sure to entertain, as well as adrenaline-filled activities at Hershey park. Getting out into the nature of Hershey Gardens is a great choice too. Hiking and biking trails await when you want to get your teams into top gear. 

The modern amenities are a standout feature of Hershey. The surrounding larger Dauphin County really does offer some stunning conference centers, another reason to make it your top choice for your next company retreat location. Give the sweetest place on earth some serious consideration for your next getaway.

Stowe, Vermont

The town of Stower in Vermont offers some of the best alpine ambiance you can find anywhere on the planet. In the heart of New England, where lush greenery meets the majestic peaks of the Green Mountains, lies this haven for company retreats. 

Swap out city skyscrapers for gigantic maple trees, and let nature be the backdrop for your next team-building session. Your teams will feel like they’ve just stepped into a postcard for their next trust-fall exercise.

4 hours of driving from New York City will get you there, and that’s no time at all. Shredding the slopes at Stowe Mountain Resort, or leisurely strolls through its villages, there’s so much on offer at Stowe. (sidenote, the local syrup is a game-changer. Pancakes, anyone?)

You’re spoiled for choice with locations for your corporate activities. The hotels available vary from log cabins to swanky resorts, all kitted out with the facilities you need to get down to business.

Get adventurous with your retreats and pick Stowe as your next locale. Your teams won’t be able to forget it.

Wait no longer. Use Surf Office to reward your teams with one of our retreats!

Here at Surf Office, our business is getting the most out of your teams, and we’ve got everything needed for a work retreat they won’t forget.

Imagine the usual confines of your office settings melting away on a sandy beach or taking the time to appreciate nature on a countryside retreat. A quick change of environment can be as revitalizing as a complete office overhaul.

Like this idea but not sure how to put it all together? No problem, this is where Surf Office comes in.

We've had the pleasure of organizing over 700+ retreat experiences, including remote teams, for many different companies. Here’s how what we offer:

• Stress-free transfers? We got you! ✅
• Quality-assured accommodations? Check! ✅
• Engaging team-building activities? Our speciality ✅
• Restaurant reservations? That's on us! ✅
• Expert retreat planning assistance? Of course, we have this covered! ✅
• Onsite support, tailored to your needs? Absolutely ✅

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Not only this but we also have access to 160+ locations around Europe, APAC, the US, Latin America and now Africa, meaning the sky is your limit when it comes to choosing the right location for you and your team.

Organize your next retreat in style, and let us take the driving seat to get you there. Get in touch now to organize your next work getaway.