Are you bored with your usual hangout spots with friends? Want to learn exciting new ways to spice up your social life but still exploring? You’re in luck as there’s a world of fun activities for you and your crew to explore together. Not only do these create lifelong memories but they are also experiences that will bring your friends closer.
In this post, we take a look at 6 types of fun activities to check out for friends who love to travel to new places. Whether it’s outdoor activities or creative projects, we’ve got you covered with some ideas for all interests and energy levels. Together, we can start this journey of discovery and friendship!
Outdoor Fun Activities
Hiking scenic trails and hidden gems
Your group will be in for the best of the best hiking scenic trails and hidden gems. There’s nothing that quite compares to the excitement of getting out and discovering the wonders of nature together.
For example, you might take on the stunning Inca Trail in Peru, which leads to the spectacular Machu Picchu. The 4-day hike takes you along cloud forests and ancient ruins. Costs between $500-$800 per person.
If you want something a little closer to home, check out the stunning Zion Narrows in Utah. You’ll walk through the Virgin River, flanked by towering canyon walls. You’ll have a fun adventure for your group for only $15 for a one-day hike permit.
For a true hidden treasure, take yourself to the Kalalau Trail on Kauai, Hawaii. This 11-mile hike along the Na Pali Coast delivers breathtaking ocean views and secluded beaches. Just a note to book permits well in advance, as they are limited to 500 per day.
Rock climbing and bouldering expeditions
Looking to elevate your friendship with fun activities? Rock climbing and bouldering expeditions are tailored to test your limits and build trust. Yosemite National Park in California is a climber’s mecca, with routes for all skill levels. Guided climbs start at about $200 per person, helping provide equipment and expert guidance.
For something a little different, climb some boulders at France’s Fontainebleau. This forest area located just outside Paris, is famous for its sandstone boulders and a variety of issues. You’ll also see challenges for both beginners and experts, with the added bonus of enjoying French culture. Local guides do day trips from Paris for around €100 per person.
If you’ve never climbed, try starting with an indoor climbing gym. Most cities have great facilities, so you can learn the basics before going outside. Day passes typically cost between $15-$30, plus rental gear.
White water rafting and kayaking trips
There’s nothing quite like an adrenaline-pumping aquatic adventure and white water rafting and kayaking trips are tough to beat. The Grand Canyon on the Colorado River has one of the most famous rafting runs in the world. The price for multi-day trips will be $2500-$5000 per person, but the memories are worth a lifetime.
For a more budget-friendly option, try the Ocoee River in Tennessee. Known as the “Whitewater Capital of the South,” it offers thrilling Class III and IV rapids. Half-day excursions begin at approximately $50 a person, making it a viable option for groups.
For kayaking enthusiasts, the San Juan Islands in Washington State provide a perfect playground. You can visit calm bays, see orcas and camp on secluded beaches. Guided multi-day excursions start at around $500 per person, including gear and meals.
Game Nights
Board games
When it comes to game nights with friends in new destinations, board games are a classic choice that will always do the trick. A few small games easily fit in your suitcase or find local game cafes that offer a wide selection.
In cities such as Tokyo, their unique board game cafes like Jelly Jelly Cafe, charge you ¥1,500 per person for 3 hours to play hundreds of games. Themed board-game venues such as The Cauldron in London can provide a more immersive experience, with wizard-themed games played in a magical atmosphere.
Escape rooms
Escape rooms are fun activities for groups of friends who enjoy solving puzzles collaboratively, while also exploring new destinations. Unique escape room experiences can be found in cities all around the world.
In Amsterdam, check out the Sherlocked escape rooms, where you solve mysteries inside a real 17th-century canal house. The price range is typically expected from €25 to €35 per person. Don’t miss the Rabbit Hole escape room in Budapest, which features an Alice in Wonderland theme and elaborate puzzles.
Trivia challenges
Engaging in regional trivia nights is a great way to be immersed in the culture of the place you’re going to while having fun with your friends. Many pubs and bars host weekly trivia nights, often with themes related to the city or country you’re visiting.
In Dublin, for example, house Big Fat Quizzes at The Woolshed Baa & Grill, where you can take your knowledge of Irish history and culture for a test run. These fun activities events are typically free to attend with chances to win drink vouchers or small prizes.
Virtual Gaming
Even if you’re discovering new horizons, you can embrace gaming with friends virtually. Many cities have VR arcades where you can try immersive group play.
For a combination of physical and virtual gaming, there is The Void in Dubai, where you step into popular movie universes in hyper-reality experiences.
Cooking Together as Fun Activities
Fun Cooking Class and Baking Challenges for Groups
You and your friends can turn your culinary adventures into exciting competitions. How about a “Mystery Ingredient Challenge” where each person gets a surprise ingredient they need to incorporate into their dish? This not only challenges your creativity but also introduces you to new flavour combinations.
If you want a more structured experience, you can also enrol in a cooking class together. In New York City, the Institute of Culinary Education has a “Culinary Boot Camp” for $1,750 per person where over five days you’ll employ professional techniques.
Bucket List Dining: Trying Unique Restaurants Around the World
As you indulge in the goodness of your taste buds, you can also spend time with your friends trying out new places to grab a bite. Make a whiteboard or a bucket list with unusual restaurants at your destination. Try a robot restaurant like Welbo, Amsterdam.
Another interesting choice is the Dans le Noir, which you can find in cities across the world, in which you eat in pitch blackness to amplify your other senses.
Hosting a potluck
A potluck is a great way to show off your culinary skills and try a variety of dishes. As with different travel destinations, consider adding a theme to your potluck to make it more fun. To make it more interesting, have each friend bring something from a different country or cuisine.
If you’re visiting Spain, encourage your pals to bring tapas-style dishes. In Greece, embrace Mediterranean flavours. And don’t forget to wash it all down with local drinks. If you are in France, make it a progressive drinking event by giving every friend a wine region to bring one bottle from. In Scotland, host a whisky tasting with your potluck dishes.
To add an educational element, have each person share a fun fact about the dish or its place of origin. For instance, did you know that pizza used to be viewed as peasant food in Italy? This not only leaves you with more cohesive meals but also allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Creative Projects
Crafting
Express your creativity with your friends by exploring a variety of fun and inspiring crafts together. One of the best options is to take local craft workshops in your destination. In Ubud, Bali, you can sign up for a traditional Balinese mask-making class for about $30 per person. Not only do these classes grant a fun activity, but they also provide insight into the local culture.
Another suggestion is to hold a friendship bracelet-making party. Before your trip, stock up on some colourful threads and beads. Then, set aside a quiet afternoon at your destination and sit down to make personalized bracelets for each other.
Painting
Perhaps painting together is a memorable souvenir of your travels. Take a “paint and sip” class, which has become more popular in many tourist destinations. In New Orleans, you can find classes for about $35-$45 per person, in which you’ll paint iconic local scenes while sipping on local wines.
If you want to get a bit more adventurous, try plein air painting. Sign up, pack some portable watercolour sets and small canvases and go painting at picturesque locations. Whether you’re gazing over the edge of the Grand Canyon or sipping on a café au lait in a village square in Europe, you’ll be making unique souvenirs of your trip.
DIY Projects
Some of the best DIY projects can be done during the travel of a lifetime for you and your family. One idea is to collect small pieces from each place you go – ticket stubs, maps, pressed flowers, etc. – and make a group scrapbook. You can work on this project along the way, spending an evening at each stop updating your book.
Another fun DIY activity is making your own travel journals. Before you leave, gather decorate and personalize blank journals. Create unique journals with washi tape, stickers, and drawings. Then write about your travels with these journals throughout your journey.
For a more practical DIY project, use upcycling maps from your destinations into practical items. Make map-covered coasters (great for hostels or Airbnbs), decoupage map designs onto luggage tags or have fun creating map-themed picture frames to showcase your travel photos.
Adrenaline-Packed Fun
Go-kart racing activity
Go-kart racing is a unique experience for you and your friends! This fast-paced sport is ideal for any adrenaline junkies while exploring new places. Most cities also have indoor tracks, so you can race in rain or sunshine.
For example, the popular American chain K1 Speed has electric karts that are able to hit 45 mph. Prices usually vary from $20 to $50 per race, depending on the race city and package selected.
If you want something different consider going to the Nürburgring in Germany. Technically not go-karts, but you can rent sports cars to drive on the famous Nordschleife track, the Green Hell. It can cost as little as €25 per lap in your own car, essentially a dream for any car enthusiast.
Scuba diving and snorkelling adventures
Discover a whole new world with friends by going scuba diving in the depths of the ocean. Both certified divers and complete beginners can expect something to suit their needs. If you’re a beginner, do the introductory scuba training or start with snorkelling. Try places such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives.
If you’re prepared to dive in the deep end, popular scuba destinations include Cozumel, Mexico or Palau in the Pacific Ocean, with diverse and breathtaking dive sites. Most resorts offer PADI certification courses, costing around $300 to $500. Once certified, dive trips cost around $50 to $150 per person, depending on the site and how long you are there.
Surfing lessons for beginners
Catch some waves with your mates and learn a new skill as a group! Here is a great activity that pushes your boundaries and allows you to visit gorgeous coastal places, surfing. Bali, in Indonesia, is a surf paradise and there are lots of schools that offer lessons for beginners. Group lesson prices generally range from about $30 per person for a two-hour lesson.
For a local choice, head to San Diego, California. La Jolla Shores is famous for its gentle waves, ideal for beginner surfers. There are many local surf schools that offer group packages and prices run around $75 to $100 per person for a two-hour lesson, including equipment rental.
Zip-lining
Experience the thrill of zip-lining through the treetops and soaking in breathtaking views as part of unforgettable group activities with your friends. This group activity combines the thrill of heights with the beauty of natural landscapes. Costa Rica is known for its zip-line tours and one of the best is the Sky Trek in Monteverde. Charges are usually between $50 – $100 per person, depending on the length and complexity of the course.
Or, for something a little different, be sure to check out Icy Strait Point in Alaska, a zip-line across the treetops. ZipRider is one of the longest zip lines in the world, it’s 5,330 feet long. It can speeds of up to 60 mph and is sure to get your adrenaline going. It’s an unforgettable ride and prices start at around $130 per person.
Team-Building and Bonding Fun Activities
Scavenger Hunt
You and your friends can take part in exciting fun activities such as scavenger hunts to strengthen your bonds while exploring a new destination. Many cities have organizing hunts, such as the “Big City Hunt” in New York City, which costs roughly $20 per person and guides you to iconic landmarks.
Or design your own hunt via apps such as Actionbound or Scavify where you can customize challenges and clues based on where you’re at and your group interest.
Music or Dance Workshop
Engage with the local culture and take a workshop together to learn a song or dance. In New Orleans, for roughly $50 per person, you can attend a jazz workshop at Preservation Hall, where you will learn the roots of the genre.
If you find yourself in Seville, Spain, sign up for a flamenco class at La Casa del Flamenco, where you’ll learn the passionate moves and rhythms for about €30 per person.
Sports Tournament
Host a mini tournament with your friends for a little friendly competition and teamwork. There are some great sporting fun activities at many destinations. In Queenstown, New Zealand, you can host a frisbee golf tournament at the beautiful Queenstown Gardens, which is free to play.
If you’re in Dubai, try your hand at camel polo at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, a thrilling and unusual sport that runs about $100 a person.
Volunteering Together
Giving back to the community you’re visiting can be a rewarding bonding experience. In Costa Rica, the Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Center takes volunteers to assist with caring for injured and orphaned animals for roughly $60 a day.
If you’re in Thailand, spend a day at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, where for around $80 per person you can help feed and bathe rescued elephants.
Wrap Up
There would be countless lasting memories and strengthened bonds while discovering new places with your friends. Pick fun activities like outdoor adventures, game nights, cooking together and creative projects, the list has no end.
So when planning your next group getaway with friends, make sure that the main focus is spending quality time together. Select fun activities choose to your group’s interests and comfort zone and don’t hesitate to try something new. Getting out of your comfort zone and doing fun things you are scared to do with your friends will strengthen your friendships.
