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Has a stroll through a park ever taken you down memory lane, compelling you to think about the times when you used to hang around with your friends?
John from next door, Claire from school, or George who used to sit beside you on the school bus? You might think about these friends all the time.
When we move on from high school, the number of our friends starts decreasing. But even though we are not in touch with the people we befriended when we were children, we still have a group of enthusiastic teenagers who we call friends.
Then, college happens. Friends move to different schools, and we, too, move on with our lives and let the college get the better of us. At college, we find a few faithful friends and hope to stay in touch with them.
But then once we enter work life, we often slowly lose touch with almost all of our friends. Our lives now revolve around a series of deadlines and projects.
It is not that we have completely lost our friends. We tag each other on Facebook posts and share old pictures. But there is distance, work, and family between us and our friends.
Gone are the days when we can meet for a Saturday night out. All of us are living far away, and there is never a perfect time for everyone to come together to have lunch, dinner, or even a few drinks. This may leave people lonely, or surrounded by a limited number of people who don't bring anything exciting and fresh to our lives.
This loneliness from not having a friend to share life experiences with isn't limited to people living alone. Regardless of how much you love your job and how loving your immediate family is, you likely have the urge to meet new people and expand your social circle.
Meeting new people is an experience worth pursuing on its own merits. Every person has a unique way of looking at the world. When you meet new people, you learn about different perspectives, which in turn make you more empathetic.
Making new friends is not about reaching a celebrated number that only a few can reach. It is about meeting different people who may have experiences different than you. Your school and college friends are, to a large extent, exposed to the same experiences and same environment that you were exposed to.
When you meet people from different backgrounds—and sometimes even from different countries—you get to know learn their unique experiences and have a broader view of the world.
It is true that it is more difficult to make new friends as we grow older. But as an adult, friendships are not just about play dates or sleepovers.
You need a friend who can be by your side when you are down, who can lift you up when you are overwhelmed by the challenges that life throws at you, or who can just accept you as you are. After all, it has been shown that having friends can make you happier.
In this digital age, social networking and dating apps have caged people inside their houses. You can sit beside a person for hours on a bus every day and still not know their name. Why? Because you are more interested in checking out the photos posted online by someone from work.
It seems a difficult and nearly impossible task to venture out into the world and find new friends. And since we often don't know how to meet new people, we remain inside our houses binging on TV shows and movies.
But in this article, we'll explore the 47 best places where you can go to make new friends and live a happier life.
The 47 Best Places for Making New Friends
There are billions of people in this world, and there is no way that you've already met all of them. But from your local grocery store to the bank you visit every month, there are a large number of places where you can meet new people.
You may be familiar with the mantra that encourages you to “Say yes” to new things and not hold yourself back. You have to apply that same mantra in your life when it comes to finding new friends.
You may be surprised to know that many of the places you go every day without even thinking about it are places where you can make new friends.
1. Bars
Let's begin by talking about the “obvious” and easiest place to meet new people. Almost every other romance novel talks about the protagonist finding the love of their life in a cool bar they went to with their friends.
Even with platonic relationships, a bar is a place where you can definitely find someone to become friends with. On weekend nights, bars are crowded with cheerful people who are interested in sharing drinks with strangers and getting to know them better.
There are better chances of making a new friend at a bar than anyplace else—so do the obvious and go to a bar to meet new people. Be more approachable, and enjoy the experience!
2. Public Transport
The public transport system brings a lot of people together. Have you seen the videos shot inside the Metro where strangers start singing pop songs together just to kill time on their long commutes?
YouTube is filled with such videos, and it will warm your heart to see the extent to which different people connect with each other.
We understand that when people are on buses or trains, they are often preoccupied with their various thoughts.
Some are lost behind a book, wandering in a magical land. You shouldn’t disrespect their boundaries and start asking them all kinds of questions just because you think they might be interested in talking with you.
But the next time you see someone reading your favorite book, casually strike up a conversation.
If they show a willingness to talk with you, you can have a conversation with them. Then share your phone number (with consent) and lay the foundation of a good friendship started at an unexpected place.
If you already use public transportation for daily commutes, don't hesitate to strike up a conversation with people who commute on the same route.
Who knows—maybe the person who gets off one station before you is a dog lover just like you, and knows amazing tips for solving behavioral issues. It may be uncomfortable at first, but if the other person shows interest, you can easily strike up a conversation.
3. Volunteer Work
It is nice to take time out of your busy schedule and give something back to your community. Volunteer in areas that are close to your heart.
For example, you can volunteer at a nursing home or a school for underprivileged children. You can also work at a dog shelter. These volunteering options will give you a chance to meet people who share the same interests as you do.
4. Hospital
A hospital is a place where you usually don't have good memories. It is hard for people to spend time in hospitals while simultaneously dealing with the hurt of seeing their loved ones in pain—and during those heart-wrenching moments, people don't really look around and think about meeting people.
But the hospital can be a place where you find people who can understand what you're going through. When you are at the hospital, look around and greet people who are waiting. Strike up a conversation with them and offer words of support.
Humans love companionship, and it is nice to stand beside someone in their time of need. Let them know that they can ask you for help if needed.
5. Book Club Meetings
Book clubs are one of the coolest groups to be a part of. You are surrounded by like-minded people who you can talk to about all kinds of books. Book clubs organize monthly meetings where members are expected to show up after reading a specific book.
Members then proceed to discuss the book and talk about the parts that moved them. Showing up at a book club meeting is not only a good way to learn about a specific book, but also to expand your social circle and befriend a large number of people.
6. Local Meetups
This is the age of the Internet and social media, and most of the people you talk with on the Internet are those you actually met on the Internet. Even though you haven't met your Internet friends in real life, you share a deep connection with them.
Facebook groups are a good way to bring thousands of people together. Travel enthusiasts share their travel experiences in a traveling group. Animal lovers have a separate group where people share cute videos of their pets and rescue cases.
Administrators of these groups can arrange Meetups for members to get to know each other in person.
The thought of finally meeting a person in real life can be super exciting, so don’t miss out on the chance of attending these Meetups. They are a great way to meet new friends, and to get to know your existing “digital” ones even better.
There are many other apps that you can use to help you get together with like-minded people. Check out this list of the best apps for making new friends.
7. Dog Parks
Dog parks allow your furry friends to go off leash and enjoy themselves in a controlled environment under your supervision. While you let your pet have a fun time, you can also spend your time talking to other people who have brought their pets to the park.
You can share your pet's food choices, or the shampoo brand that you use. It can be hard to find people who share the same interests as you, so if you are at a place that is filled with people who actually have your same interests, it will be sad if you don't make the most of the opportunity.
8. Gym
For most of us, the gym is the only place where we want the time to move quickly. The idea of a one-minute plank can be daunting! But the gym is also a haven for fitness enthusiasts.
It may seem like the best idea to just focus on your exercises and then go home as quickly as possible to take a hot shower and give your body some rest, but you should consider sticking around at the gym and talking to other people.
By building a special bond with these people, you can develop a group of people who will push you to do better. In a short time, you will be surprised to find that the friendships you have started have grown into special bonds.
9. Local Museum
Who doesn't love to visit the museum and learn about the history of a particular place? Don’t you want to know how your city looked thousands of years ago? When you suggest going to a museum, your friends may roll their eyes and say how boring that sounds.
But the truth is that the museum is not only interesting, but also a great place to mingle with people. You might even find a museum buddy who would love to go with you every other weekend.
10. Bus Tour
When you are in a foreign land, your first stop should always be a hop-on, hop-off bus, because bus tours show you all the important places in a city.
But when you are in your own city, you probably don't feel the need to book such bus tours. Yet have you ever thought about how these tours can provide you with an opportunity to meet foreigners?
As a local, you can tell them about the different activities that they can do. Grab a ticket and sit beside an excited tourist, then politely ask if they are interested in chatting.
Tell them about the city, and maybe, by the end of the tour, you will be sharing your phone number with a promise to meet up at the most famous music club in the city.
11. Music Club
Music clubs normally host small bands that are trying to get started in the industry. These bands often invite their friends and families to the show as well. In other words, there are a large number of people gathered in a small space, so you can easily make new friends.
12. Airport
Have you ever missed your flight or dealt with a misconnection? The thought of spending long hours at the airport can be frightening.
With travel fatigue weighing heavy, you don't often think of anything else except for going home and lying down in your comfortable bed. But when life gives you a lemon, you should make a lemonade—and drink it with style.
If you get stuck in an airport, don't sit in the corner cursing your luck. Talk to your fellow passengers. If it is an international flight, you might meet foreign nationals who may have different things to talk about.
You can learn more about their country or customs. In fact, with little more than a short introduction at the airport, you may befriend a person who is willing to host you when you plan a trip to their country.
13. Family Functions
Apart from the political arguments that you may have to deal with, you can actually have a good time at family functions. You can spend time with people you love, and get to know new members of your extended family. And you might just find that, despite your political differences, you have more in common than you thought!
14. Hiking
Hiking can be physically demanding, but it is also a great way to meet other people out in nature. Talk to the people you meet, and you just mind find yourself enjoying a beautiful view with a beautiful new friend.
[Hiking is a great physical activity with many benefits you might not think about at first glance. See the 33 top hiking benefits for mental and physical health?]
15. Flash Mob
Have you ever witnessed a flash mob?
Dozens and even hundreds of people dance in sync at random places in a city, putting on incredible shows!
While you could record the entire experience on your phone to enjoy later, you could also keep the device in your pocket and join the mob. It doesn't matter if you know the steps—sing along and dance and meet new people.
16. Yoga Class
Meditation is very important to reduce your stress levels, so sign up for a yoga class to live a happier life. And while you are at it, get to know the people in your class.
Yoga is best done in silence, but there is nothing wrong with smiling at each other during the warm-up session or sticking around at the yoga center for 15 minutes after the session to catch up with your classmates.
17. Local Running Races
Another place where you can meet people is at local running races, where people come together to run and support a good cause. This is a great way to meet people who actually take interest in issues that are close to your heart.
18. Weekend Classes
Are you thinking of taking that photography class whose ad keeps appearing on your news feed? Do it. Short classes provide you with a good opportunity to meet people and make new friends. You can also learn some pro tips from them if you missed what the teacher said during the lecture.
19. Your Local Neighborhood
One of the best places to meet new people is your own neighborhood. In today's busy life, we kind of forget about working on our relationships with our neighbors. We live on the same street, but we often have no idea what our neighbors are like. Either host a party and invite your neighbors, or bring them a cake or some other baked good to bond over.
20. A Cultural Event
Book festivals, art exhibitions, readings, and other discussions are normally conducted as cultural events. A large number of people attend these events, and you will be glad to meet them. But don't just sit quietly waiting for a chance to meet people! Take an active part in sharing your thoughts.
21. Debate Club
You may have heard about Toastmasters or other debate clubs where people from different fields come together to talk about pre-approved topics. These places are a good way to meet new people and expand your social circle.
22. Community Centers
Almost every city has a community center that hosts political discussions, book launches, slam poetry, and other activities. People who visit these places are interested in learning more about things that you may be interested in. Whenever you hear about a discussion at a nearby center, make sure that you go.
23. On a Trip
Foreign trips aren’t just for ticking items off of list. They also provide you with the opportunity to meet the locals and get to know about the culture and traditions of the place. When you are on a trip, select activities where you can meet new people.
24. Coffee Shop
Freelancers and other people working remotely often head to coffee shops to work on projects. These places are typically filled with people with their laptops, hard at work. At other tables, you might find people buried in books. But the next time you see them waiting either behind or in front of you at the counter, say hi and start up a conversation.
25. Charity Work
A hurricane or other natural calamity can be a good reason to volunteer at a charity center. In times of tragedy, there are always those who need aid. Charity organizations invite people from different background to come together and work for a common cause. As a bonus, these activities are a good way to meet new people.
26. Part-Time Job
If you are doing a part-time job during your studies or for other reasons, you have the opportunity to meet new people and make friends.
27. At Your Workplace
At work, most people only talk with the members of their teams, or with people who are working in their departments. But your company is likely quite large, and full of people to meet. Say hi and start a new friendship with someone you might not have met otherwise!
28. Stadiums
Nearly everyone loves sports. We are often obsessed with them, and can't get enough. That’s why we love to watch our favorite teams live at stadiums. When you go to a stadium to watch a match, don’t forget to meet the other fans who are there with you. You already have shared passions, so it shouldn’t be hard to strike up a friendship.
29. Outside a Store
People often line up for hours and even days to buy the newest gadgets. If something you are interested is being released, join the line and get to know your neighbors. You will leave with a new toy and a new friend!
30. Bookstore
Many people go to bookstores, browse through the shelves, pay at the counter, and then leave. Instead, spend a bit of extra time exploring titles and getting to know the people who are shopping near you. You might both end up loving the same book, and have a friendship develop over that!
31. Informal Gatherings
Parties can be a great place to meet people, as everyone there is usually in a good mood and looking to mingle. Leave your inhibitions at the door and strike up a conversation with the first person you meet.
32. Anonymous Meetings
When you are struggling with an addiction, it is good to be surrounded by people who can understand your struggles and appreciate the fact that you are fighting for a better tomorrow. Friends made at group therapy meetings share a strong bond, as they were there to give you support when you were at the lowest point in their life.
33. Study Circles
Even though the Internet can now teach you virtually everything you want to learn, nothing beats a study circle where a group of people meet to learn about a new topic.
Activists often hold study circles and invite people to join and learn more about various causes. These are great opportunities to meet people with similar passions as you.
34. Wedding
A wedding is the classic event where a large number of people come together to party and mingle. You may be celebrating the new couple, but you also have a great opportunity to get to know lots of new people who have mutual friends like you.
35. Protests
Whether you are speaking out against the demolition of a historical building or trying to raise awareness about recent price hikes, protests bring like-minded people together and allow them to fight for a cause.
Protests also help you learn more about a particular subject and understand why a certain topic is important to a group of people. If you ever come to hear about a scheduled protest that is of interest to you, take some time out to attend it. You will love the energy, and are more likely to meet new people.
36. Sports Team
For those who are highly athletic and sporty, finding a sports team in your area can be a great way to meet new people.
Research shows that sports activities connect people because they provide a common goal and a unified sense of purpose. People who have a shared passion for the same game or sport can find it easy to build long-lasting relationships.
It’s not a problem if you are not good at sports. All that mattes is having fun and making connections. You get to make new friends while keeping your body fit and healthy—what’s better than that!
Not all local communities have sports teams, of course. If you can’t find one in your area, there are good websites like Zogsports and Sportsville that help athletic people meet online. Just go through the search bar, input your area, and you’ll definitely find one nearby.
37. Dance Class
Just like joining a sports team, engaging in dance classes doesn’t require one to be a good or even experienced dancer. After all, you’re joining a dance class because you want to learn! As long as you know how to groove and enjoy the music, you are more than welcome to enroll in dance classes.
When you look for classes to join, it is a good idea to pick a genre that you like. Ballroom? Waltz? Tango? Hip-hop? Whatever it is, pick something that will make you move those feet. Who knows? You might just find the perfect partner or the perfect group, and soon we’ll be watching you on TV, competing in national dance competitions.
If you don’t know where to start when looking for a dance class, you can check out Groupon and find the best classes near you.
38. Professional Networking Groups
If you are a business-minded person, then a professional group of businessmen is a good place to meet new people. You not only build personal connections, but also construct a referral network.
Some of the best and longest-lasting relationships are those that start through shared passions and interests. Indeed, hard work and dedication are contagious. If you surround yourself with people who have the same goals as you, you are more likely to arrive at your destination together.
39. Religious Groups or Cultural Clubs
One of the best ways to meet new people is by joining groups where you can share the same beliefs and principles, such as religious groups. Go to your local church or place of worship and join the organization that best fits your personality. For instance, you can serve as a knight of the altar or sing worship songs with the choir.
If you are not much into religion, you can check out cultural clubs have that the same innovative ideas as yours. Discover and explore new things with your new circle, and together start something new in your community.
40. Facebook Groups & Events
These days, nearly everything can be done online. Shopping and purchasing are just a few clicks away, and you can register for just about anything through the Internet. There are tons of things you can do just with a computer or smartphone, including making new friends.
Facebook has become a global phenomenon, and is a great place to look for long-lost friends or relatives. You can even do business on Facebook marketing. But the platform is just as good for meeting new people, and making life-long friends is certainly possible.
The best way to meet people is by joining Facebook groups or attending Facebook events. Just go to the search bar and type in a keyword, and all the groups and events that are connected to that keyword will show up. Select those which resonate with you and start hitting those friendship buttons (Like, Share, and Comment).
41. Music & Art Festivals
If you want to meet a lot of people—and we mean a LOT—then festivals are the place to go. Festivals are centered around fun and entertainment, and are attended by tens of thousands of people. It's hard to think of a better way to bond with new friends than by sharing happy memories and dancing the night away.
Festivals often include games, live shows, contests, and exhibits. You can check out upcoming festivals in your area by looking in your town’s newspaper or municipal board, or browsing through different platforms and websites (e.g., Facebook events).
42. Friendship Apps
There are tons of social media platforms out there—beyond Facebook and Twitter—where you can find new people and create new relationships.
These platforms are specifically dedicated to matching people, but they are not dating sites or dating apps. They are friendship apps that allow individuals from all over the world (or locally, if you narrow down your search) to meet and become friends.
Just a reminder, though: If you are planning to check out these apps, make sure you only join the legitimate ones. Conduct thorough research on which apps keep your data secure. To check out the best and safest apps for making new friends, click this link.
43. Chat Rooms and Forums
If you are more of a computer person than a phone person, you might find chat rooms and forums more convenient. Like friendship apps, these platforms are a great way to encounter new people online, especially if you want to meet those who share the same interests as you.
Again, be careful when joining group chats (or video chats for that matter) and forums. You have to make sure that the sites you are using are legitimate. Otherwise, your data—or worse, your identity—could be put at risk.
44. Meetup.com
Meetup.com is a platform specially designed to help people within local communities find each other and build relationships. It provides a space for people to learn together, support each other, get out of their comfort zone, chase their dreams, and follow their passions.
This website commonly organizes and hosts events where people with the same interests can gather together. It supports almost all kinds of niches—from business to fitness, teen advocacies to parenting, and a lot more.
Simply go to the website and type in the city where you reside, then start looking for groups that you want to join.
For other ways to make friends in a new city, check out this blog post.
45. Open House
We only recommend having an open house if you are the type of person who’s ready to mingle with a lot of people. If you have the time and resources, try inviting your friends, workmates, or neighbors for a casual dinner or grill party.
Ask them to bring their friends so you can expand everyone’s network. The whole point of having an open house is to bring people together and create new circles of friends.
46. Online Courses
This is a good idea for those who are fond of learning new things. There are tons of platforms and institutions that offer online courses.
Even if you’re home-schooled or did not attend university, you are more than welcome to join as long as you have the passion to learn. Joining these online courses is one way to meet new friends who share your passion for learning.
47. Video Games and Mobile Games
There are tons of people playing video and mobile games, so you could meet thousands of people from all over the world just by playing. And what is better than making friends while enjoying a new hobby?
One thing to consider is that you don’t want to become dependent on video games. Computer and mobile games are quite addicting and can get out of hand if not controlled.
Final Thoughts on How to Meet New People
It is fascinating how many places we’ve never considered can be opportunities to meet friends and develop long-lasting relationships.
You may have visited these places occasionally, but perhaps you never considered finding a friend there. The next time you go to any of these places, try to strike up a conversation with people and make new connections.
And if you're looking for more resources on meeting new friends, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 63 Affirmations for New Friends & Current Friendships
- 8 Simple Steps to Become a Good Friend to Others
- 11 Ways to Make Great Friends as an Introvert
- No Friend Quotes For When You Feel Friendless and Alone
Finally, one proven way to improve your happiness and life satisfaction is to focus on goals that truly matter. To get started, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals.
