The best outings our company has ever provided for us were:
  • an afternoon of go cart racing
  • an afternoon of playing "Survivor" in a local park
  • an afternoon of Playland with rides and a BBQ
  • an afternoon at Hastings Park (horse racing)

The first two were team events and actually were a lot of fun! Playland was great because you had choices: if you weren't into rides you could play miniature golf and just simply relax with your colleagues - no pressure. Also, families were invited to the Playland event - it was so appreciated by the parents in our company. The horse racing event was such a different venue, again without pressure, just social.

Other events that WERE NOT too successful:
  • 18 holes of golf at a local course - very expensive but wasted on people who do not enjoy golf (and there were many)
  • a baseball game - most people left early

I agree with Sara - this is a difficult choice to make because everyone is different. We have also foregone semi-formal Christmas parties (with spouses) in our company and instead, get the staff together at a local pub for an afternoon with lunch, billiards and darts for those who are interested, and a cab ride home, if necessary. We have prize pools and stupid games for anyone who wants to play - somehow it works.