Good Sport — Minnesota Golfing, Boating, and Corporate Entertainment Activities

Corporate outings don’t have to be organized around the same old run-of-the-mill activities that your crew is used to. Instead, you can shake things up this spring and organize an outing that’s interesting, entertaining, fun, and unique. This month we shine the spotlight on some of Minnesota’s best places, events, and attractions to take your team.

Whatever Floats Your Boat

There’s more to a corporate cruise than just drifting along. These Minnesota cruise lines specialize in giving your group the space they need to network, engage in teambuilding, and bond as a group, all in swanky surroundings and a relaxing atmosphere aboard some beautiful boats.

Destiny Cruises:  Offering both public cruises and private charters, guests climb aboard Destiny Cruises’ world-class luxury passenger vessel to sail the blue waters of Gull Lake. With a total capacity of 116 passengers, the main deck can accommodate up to 62 for a seated dinner, while the upper deck patio comfortably seats 36. Full AV feeds three flat screen TVs with a projector and screen on the upper deck for presentations.

Lady of the Lake:  The only three-deck charter boat on Lake Minnetonka, the Lady of the Lake can comfortably transport up to 100 passengers on both public cruises and private charters. The comfortable and charming historic boat offers fine dining and magnificent views of the lakes many private estates and picturesque shorelines. Features a full catering menu.

While you’re in the area:  Nearby Bloomington is centrally located and offers an abundance of hotels, restaurants, caterers, entertainers, the MSP airport, and the world-famous Mall of America.

Paradise Charter Cruises:  Experience both public and private charter cruises on either the Mississippi River or lovely Lake Minnetonka. Paradise Charter Cruises boasts a fleet of five vessels, including the Minneapolis Queen, a historic paddle-wheeler, and four luxury yachts to accommodate as few as 10 or as many as 145 passengers. Enjoy breathtaking views, sit down dinners and buffets, state-of-the-art AV technology, advanced audio systems, plus more.

Padelford Riverboats:  Departing from St. Paul’s Harriet Island, choose from any one of the historic paddle-wheeler vessels in the fleet, including the Jonathan Padelford, Anson Northrup, and Betsy Northrup. With room for as many as 600, there’s no shortage of space aboard. The Event Manager will work with you to customize your cruise, coordinating a theme cruise, live entertainment, Las Vegas casino cruise, flowers, decorations, beverages, and food.

While you’re in the area:  Visit St Paul, the state’s capital city, and take in a Minnesota Wild hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center, a tour of Historic Fort Snelling, a visit to Como Zoo, some of the Twin Cities’ finest restaurants, over 50 hotels and more.

Happy Hunting

Outdoors, the fresh air, healthy competition — all benefits gained from a team outing at a hunting or trap shooting venue. Follow up the fun with a hearty, hot meal and a place to lay your head, and you may just have hit on the perfect activity for your team outside the office.

Watson Hunting Camp:  Located in the heart of the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Refuge, Watsons offers a slew of year-round outdoor hunting and fishing activities for your team to enjoy. Guided hunts are available for duck, dove, goose, pheasant, and turkey. Ice house rentals are also available in winter. Comfortable lodging is available, including deluxe rooms, bunk rooms, bunk house, and RV hookups. Dogs are even welcome in the lodge and bunkhouse.

Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club: Encompassing over 600 acres of managed hunting and shooting grounds, Minnesota Horse + Hunt Club offers your group target shooting with trap, skeet, or sporting clays, plus bird hunting on ten different hunting fields in season. Three rifle and pistol shooting ranges are available, both covered and open air. The club’s stables feature both indoor and outdoor riding arenas with riding instruction available. Onsite bar and restaurant cooks up a variety of wild game along with fish, chicken, steak, and pasta.

While you’re in the area: Lakeville CVB, where nature meets the Twin Cities. This bustling community is close to some of the area’s most popular attractions, including the Mall of America | Nickelodeon Universe, Valleyfair Amusement Park, and the Minnesota Zoo.

A Matter of Course

There’s nothing like a day on the course with your crew. The sunshine, the verdant greens, the lovely landscape…and the intensity of a really good golf game. Bring your group together on a golf course and watch the healthy competition, instant camaraderie, and entertaining action take place.

Rush Creek Golf Club:  Host a company tournament on Rush Creek’s 18-hole championship golf course where several national golf events have taken place. The club’s Highlander Restaurant is the perfect spot to nosh post tournie, with a full menu of fresh, local, homemade food.

While you’re in the area:  Minneapolis Northwest Tourism includes the communities of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, and Maple Grove. Just minutes from downtown Minneapolis, these communities invite visitors to explore unique local restaurants, 10,000 acres of parkland, 20 hotels, the distinctive Arbor Lakes shopping area, Bunker Beach Water Park, Bunker Park Stable, and much more.

Bunker Hills Golf Club & Event Center:  Recognized as one of the top 25 public courses in the country, Bunker Hills challenges golfers with 27 holes of golf, large greens, tree-lined fairways, and unique bunkers. The Event Center accommodates up to 360 guests and serves up superb cuisine.

Green Haven Golf Course:  Located in the heart of historic Anoka, Green Haven features 18 championship holes in a park-like setting. First-class banquet facility, Golfer’s Grill and full-service bar make it a popular spot in the metro.

Majestic Oaks Golf Club:  Tee up at Majestic Oaks with 45 holes of golf followed by luxurious surroundings in the clubhouse with newly renovated ballrooms, lobby area, and restrooms. The Seasons Dinner Theater and The Mystery Café are a fun and entertaining way to wrap up your day.

TPC Twin Cities:  This private championship course designed by Arnold Palmer is among the top 20 golf courses in Minnesota. Featuring a 27,000 square-foot practice facility, a clubhouse with both casual and upscale dining, banquet facilities, private meeting rooms, and an outdoor patio with views of the 18th hole.

While you’re in the area:  Twin Cities Gateway will happily guide your group to some of the area’s best hotels, restaurants, arts and entertainment, festivals and fairs in the north metro. Hiking and biking on the Mississippi River Trail, local taprooms and wineries, unique shops, and fun waterparks offer your crew tons to do.

That’s Entertainment

In Minnesota, it’s easy to find an activity or event that’s pure entertainment. Planning ideas for your team are abundant in the NorthStar state — have them catch a ballgame, go along for the ride on a roller coaster, or send them off to the races — the possibilities are endless.

Twins Game at Target Field:  Watching three-time World Series Champions, the Minnesota Twins, playing ball in the sunshine or under the stars at the outdoor Target Field Stadium is some of the most fun your group can have this summer. While your group is at the game, forgo the standard ballpark hot dog, and grab some of the finest food available at any MLB ballpark.

While you’re in the area:  Discover St. Louis Park, located just five minutes west of downtown Minneapolis, the community is home to unique cuisine, historic treasures, diverse retail destinations, a multitude of city parks, golf courses and trails.

St Paul Saints at CHS Field:  This isn’t your typical day at the ball game. From “Mudonna,” the two-legged, furry pink mascot, to “Alternative Fats” the team’s ball pig, to “Gert the Flirt,” who likes to clown around between innings, a St. Paul Saints game must be experienced to be believed. Oh, and there’s baseball too in the new downtown St. Paul stadium.

Valleyfair:  The 125-acre amusement park features over 75 rides, including 8 roller coasters, and coming this year, a 70-foot loop thrill ride aptly named, “Delirious.” Bring the gang for everything from discount tickets, to group activities, to an all-you-can-eat catered picnic.

Canterbury Park:  And they’re off, getting in on the action of live horse racing, casino card games, table-side dining, the Triple Crown Restaurant, or the Triple Crown Buffet. We’re betting your bunch is going to have an experience they’ll never forget.