When it’s time to step away from their everyday surroundings and jump-start creativity or leadership, Texas companies are in luck. Several outstanding facilities exist with spaces perfect for off-site corporate events all around the state. Whether you are searching for a Texas-tothe-core team-building experience or a more Zen getaway, you’re sure to find one among the stellar options the state has to offer.
Try these purely Texas spaces ready to give teams a chance to unwind and connect in meaningful ways, providing memorable backdrops for communication events, leadership workshops, team-building activities and more. Most are located in isolated areas yet easily accessible from large Texas metropolitan areas, making them a welcome escape from everyone’s busy day-to-day lives.
Each of these getaway locations have staff ready to help corporate teams make the most of their off-site experiences, so feel free to reach out and plan an event that is perfectly aligned to meet the needs, goals and style of your group.
Circle R Ranch, located in Flower Mound, is a roughly 45-minute drive from both Dallas and Fort Worth, making it an ideal destination for groups from the greater metropolitan area. The ranch features two distinct on-site event spaces, The Chisholm Ranch House & Conference Center and The Western Pavilion.
The Chisholm Ranch House was specifically designed for conferences, boasting 5,000 square feet of event space that looks out on 60 acres filled with ponds, horses and longhorns. The venue is divided into three rooms, including a large meeting room, a cozy food and beverage space, and a sunroom. Additionally, the conference center features a large covered porch with stunning views of the property.
The Western Pavilion features 30,000 square feet of event space, including a stage, large dance floor and game room. Outdoors, the covered West Patio provides more event space with wide-open views of the rolling pastures and wildlife of the ranch.
The Circle R Ranch team is available to help coordinate your event if needed, offering a Complete Meeting Package that includes a series of themed activities focused on boosting creativity, communication and cooperation with a session they call their “Cowboy Up! Rodeo Challenge.”
Meal options are also available, including selections like a Cowboy Trail Ride Breakfast to get the day started strong. The space doesn’t include rooms for overnight accommodations, but for multi-day events, groups are welcome to stay in nearby hotels and spend their days at Circle R Ranch.
Located about an hour west of Houston, BlissWood Bed & Breakfast in Cat Spring provides an outdoor-centric location for corporate retreats. The property is a working 500-acre ranch, with more than enough space to provide isolation for your group to truly unwind and focus. For daytime events the property can accommodate up to 150 attendees. For overnight guests, the B&B is able to sleep up to 50 (35 if separate rooms are required) throughout 12 guest houses and cabins. The accommodations are nestled among the majestic live oaks, lakes and rolling foothills of Texas Hill Country.
BlissWood offers a wide range of activities either for guest downtime or as team-building events. On-site activities include archery, bike riding, catch-andrelease bass fishing, hiking, horseback riding, a scavenger hunt and trapshooting. Golf carts are available to rent if guests would like to explore on their own. Attendees can even arrange for in-room massages. Catering is available through Carol’s at Cat Spring Restaurant or outside caterers may be used for an additional fee.
Just 25 miles outside of downtown Austin, this boutique resort is situated on 210 acres at the edge of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. The Texas Hill Country surround – ings and proximity to Austin make for a per – fect getaway location for Austin-based busi – nesses. With more than 7,300 square feet of bright, naturally lit function space, Travaasa is a great choice for groups aiming to slow down a bit and enjoy each other’s company as well as organic farm-to-table dining.
With several meeting space options to choose from, both indoor and outdoor, the Travaasa team will work with planners to find just the right location based on their needs. For companies looking for a oneday event, group sizes of up to 200 attendees can be accommodated. For those needing overnight facilities, the maximum group size is 70 guests.
As far as team-building or attendee down – time activities go, the Travaasa team has guests covered on that front as well. They offer a huge assortment of group coopera – tion activities such as a ropes course, human foosball, an improv workshop, bike group dynamics, geo-caching and cooking-related challenges like a chili cook-off. Once everyone is nice and tired from a day full of activities, attendees can relax at the hotel’s spa or take a dip in the saline infinity pool. For guests ready to recharge with a gourmet meal, the resort’s restaurant The Preserve Kitchen + Bar is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center
Situated near Houston—27 miles northwest of downtown, to be precise—The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center is able to accommodate up to 406 overnight guests. The sheer size of The Woodlands Resort makes it a wonderful choice for larger company retreats. The resort has 33 dedicated meeting rooms to choose from, many of which feature expansive views and bright, natural light. With four on-site restaurants and lounges, including The Woodlands Dining Room, The Bistro, Cool Water Café and Robard’s Steakhouse, your group will be well fed throughout its stay.
The Conference Center recently completed a $75-plus million, 18-month expansion and renovation and boasts more than 60,000 square feet of event space, including the 13,430-square-foot Grand Ballroom. The resort also offers multiple outdoor venues for events of nearly any size. In addition to any retreat activities that are planned, attendees will be able to participate in the resort’s many amenities, which include a 36-hole golf course, a health spa, five swimming pools, water slides, a lazy river, fitness center, 21 tennis courts, bicycle rentals, and more than 200 miles of running and biking trails.
Lazy Hills Retreat & Conference Center
Lazy Hills Retreat & Conference Center is a secluded 725-acre ranch located about one hour northwest of San Antonio in Texas Hill Country. A former western-style dude ranch, Lazy Hills was purchased by new owners in 2010 and redesigned as a conference center and retreat featuring rustic stone buildings, spring-fed lakes and waterfalls, an abundance of recreational activities and diverse event facilities.
Meeting venues at the property include the 6,800-squarefoot Pavilion, which seats up to 300 guests, The Round-Up Room for up to 100 attendees, and The Dining Hall which holds up to 100 people. Lazy Hills has overnight accommodations for up to 162 guests in suites, cabins and guest houses. Catering is available through on-site chefs or local caterers, depending on the size of the event.
Activities and amenities at Lazy Hills Retreat & Conference Center are numerous and include a swimming lake, zip line, peddle boats and kayaks, a water trampoline, sand volleyball, a swimming pool, basketball courts, a game room, a fitness room, hiking trails, fishing, shuffleboard, horseshoes and a miniature golf course. Additionally, the staff at Lazy Hills can arrange a number of team-building activities for groups.
Conveniently located outside of the Dallas/ Fort Worth area, the Wildcatter Ranch pro – vides the perfect intersection between rustic ranch and luxurious amenities. The resort offers 41 guest rooms in the form of beautiful guest homes, upscale cabin suites or comfort – able hotel rooms. The 1,500-acre North Texas property offers expansive views, an abun – dance of activities and a variety event spaces for corporate groups both large and small.
The event space includes meeting rooms that can accommodate groups ranging from six to 66 attendees and the grand hall can seat up to 130 guests. For larger gatherings or group meetings, up to 550 participants can be accommodated in combined venues on the ranch. As a result of the proxim – ity of the resort to the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area and the secluded feel of the prop – erty, Wildcatter Ranch has a large number of repeat clients.
The staff at Wildcatter specialize in teambuilding activities that are regularly updated to keep things fresh and new. Current offerings include adventures such as steer sorting, archery and skeet shooting. In addi – tion to these team-building options, the ranch consistently provides other activities such as casino nights, theater performances, group or individual trail rides, sport clay shooting, historical jeep tours, miles of hiking trails and a mechanical bull. For guests looking to unwind, the resort features an infinity pool and hot tub, and therapeutic massages are available.
At the Dinner Bell at Wildcatter Ranch, meals can either be fancy and formal, think beautifully plated beef tenderloin or a more casual such as a barbecue buffet. The restau – rant specializes in hand-cut mesquite grilled steaks, chicken fried steak and other local favorites. Dinner Bell is open for dinner ser – vice daily and catering is available.