New to town? Here are reader suggested place for adults to make new friends!
New to town? Here are reader suggested place for adults to make new friends!
Finding friends as an adult in Williamsburg can be hard if you don’t have kids or aren’t part of a religious/spiritual or political groups. However, it’s not impossible. Here are some suggestions from our readers for best places for adults in Williamsburg area to meet friends! This was from a series of social media posts where readers gave their top suggestions to another reader who was new to the area.
Join an adult rec sports league
Adult recreational sports leagues were the most frequently recommendations by our readers, in particular the ones listed below. Many said that they were great to meet other adults, as well as getting in some fun exercise.
WISC
The Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex (WISC) has a variety of adult rec leagues, like Soccer Adult League.
Team WAAR Kickball
WAAR offers Co-ed Kickball Leagues for adults 21 and older in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and the peninsula. There are regular season games, a tournament, perks at the Sponsor Bar each week for every team, and lots of people from all over the area to get to know. Registration is usually open for the Spring and Fall Seasons, but signup and season dates may vary for your particular league and location.
Club WAKA – Hampton Roads
Club WAKA in Hampton Roads has a variety of different co-ed sports leagues that adults 21+ can join to have fun and meet new people. You can join as an individual, in a small group, or even as an entire team. There’s something for everyone, whether it’s cornhole, softball, flag football, bowling, or even the occasional beer pong competition. While Club WAKA is located in Hampton Roads, games and tournaments can take place in Williamsburg, Hampton, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, and York County, depending on the day and sport. With the various joining options, Club WAKA is a great option for hanging out with current friends, as well as meeting new friends.
Bowlero Bowling League
There are options for both new league bowlers and experienced league bowlers. If you’re new to bowling or unsure about joining a bowling league, Bowlero has a Fall League Open House where you can find out how the leagues work, which league would be best for you, the membership perks available, and you can bowl two hours for free! For more experienced bowlers, you can also bowl for two free hours in a league. As a league bowler, you can learn more about membership perks, including Bowlero’s new Professional Bowlers Association League Bowler Certification program!
Join a gym/Do an exercise class
Gyms and exercise classes were the second most popular suggestion by readers as best places for adults in Williamsburg to meet friends.
WISC
The Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex (WISC) offers more adult-geared fitness classes and sports sessions, such as Sports Performance, WISC Fit, Mind Body Yoga Studio, and Pickleball.
James City Country Rec Center
JCC has racquetball courts, an arts and crafts area, indoor swimming pool, basketball courts, and an open gym, among a slew of other amenities. There’s also a Destination Recreation program which features programs and events for all ages, including adult group adventures – there’s something for everyone. A membership is required to access JCC’s facilities. Individuals without a pass to the center have the option to purchase Daily, Monthly or Annual Passes.
Other gyms that our readers recommended were:
- Burn Boot Camp – Williamsburg
- GeddingFit – Home of Proelium CrossFit
- Iron-Bound Gym – Williamsburg
- Orange Theory Fitness – Williamsburg
Join a Dance Class
This was mentioned by a couple of readers as a very fun way to get moving and make friends was this particular program:
Bachata Vida – Salsa and Bachata
You don’t need to have a partner but you can go with one. They have Sunday dancing at the Vanguard in Hampton.
IDance – Check their schedule for adult dance classes
Educational Programs
One reader mentioned a more educational-type path for meeting adults locally and making friends.
Osher Institute at William & Mary | W&M School of Education
Tabitha Sewer Studio – Adult Meet & Makes
Tabitha Sewer Studio is hosting two Adult Meet & Make sessions geared specifically for adults to meet new people (and hopefully make new friends) while enjoying a crafting project. There will be music, drinks, and light snacks. Tabitha Sewer Studio also offers adult-only sewing classes and workshops as well as lots of kids and all ages classes. The next Meet & Make is Custom Fall Candles with Tabitha Sewer Studio on Sunday, October 20th, 2024 at 3 pm Learn more
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at William & Mary, associated with their School of Education, is a non-credit continuing education for people ages 50+. Participation in the Osher Institute at William & Mary is by membership each semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Visual Arts/Performances
Another reader suggested a very unique option for adults in Williamsburg to hang out: opera.
Opera in Williamsburg, Virginia
Opera in Williamsburg is dedicated to performing high-quality operas with world-class casts in the city of Williamsburg, VA. They work with the International Vocal Arts Institute (IVAI), and international artists.
Community Outreach
Many of our readers suggested that volunteer opportunities were a good way to make friends within the community.
Junior Women’s Club of Williamsburg
The Junior Woman’s Club of Williamsburg, a non-profit organization of civic-minded women dedicated to making a positive impact in this community through volunteering, fundraising, and donations is a great place to make and difference and make a friend or two along the way. It also runs the wildly popular Art of the Square Art Show.
Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg
The Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg sponsors Kiwanis family clubs and programs: K-Kids and Bringing Up Grades (BUG) for primary school children; Builders Club for adolescents; Key Clubs for teens; CKI club for university students and Aktion Club for adults living with disabilities. Members may participate in a variety of ways: fundraising, by working on projects or selling tickets; by volunteering in community service projects; by participating in monthly interclubs; and/or by actively working on their assigned committees.
Literacy for Life (ESL Tutoring)
Literacy for Life tutors provide both one-on-one and small group instruction in math, reading, writing, computer skills, financial literacy, English language, and more to adults who are looking to advance these skills. Before becoming tutors, newcomers first have to attend Literacy for Life Orientation, then apply and proceed through New Tutor Training, which is offered multiple times a year. Teaching experience and a second language are not required. You must be at least 18 years old, have completed high school or equivalent, have good English language skills (native speaker or advanced ESL), and be able to commit to one year of consistent tutoring.
Other
Below are other options for best places for adults in Williamsburg to make new friends.
Pickleball Courts at Veterans Park
A couple of readers suggested pickleball, particularly at Veterans Park. At Veterans Park, there are 8 pickleball courts which are open from 7 am to 9 pm daily. Free parking is available near the courts. There are also volleyball and basketball courts, all with built-in lighting for evening playtimes.
Other Local Pickleball Courts in the Burg
Find more pickleball courts open to the public in the Williamsburg area here.
Trivia Events – Precarious Beer
Every Wednesday starting at 6:30 pm, Precarious Beer has a Speedquizzing Trivia Night, hosted by The Matts of Squared Away Entertainment and Mullins Ent. The rounds range from General Knowledge to Specialty Themed Rounds. There are Themed Trivia Nights on the last Wednesday of the month. Plus, the top three teams win a Precarious Beer gift card and the top team is crowned the Speequizzing Champion!
Opinionation Game – Precarious Beer
Every Monday night from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Precarious Beer hosts Opinionation, a survey-based game with two hour-long rounds that blends Family Feud and trivia. Admission and attendance is free and open to all ages. Plus, every Monday score a Double Smashie and a draft pour for just $16.
Punchlines & Pints (Comedy Night) – Precarious Beer
Every Friday night from 9 pm to 10 pm, Precarious Beer hosts a comedy night, free of charge! There’s comedy, music, and drink specials. The events are 18+.
DoG Street Pub Running Club
The DoG Street Pub Running Club is free, casual and family-friendly in Merchants Square – Williamsburg, VA . The 5k runs take place every Monday. Registration begins at 5pm and the run begins at 6pm. After the run, delicious food and drink specials will be available at the Pub! After your 5th run, you will even receive a free t-shirt.
Outdoor FREE Concerts:
Merchants Square Free Concert Series
Great place to meet up and meet new people too. Grab a meal from the Cheese Shop, Illy, Blue Talon, Mellow Mushroom, or DoG Street Pub. Come early and get an umbrella table or bring lawn chairs from home. These concerts run on the first Friday of every month from May to October from 6 pm to 8 pm. See the band line up here.
Sounds of Summer & Rhythms on the Riverwalk
Free Concert Series in Historic Yorktown on the Riverwalk Landing (300 Water Street). Bring your lawn chair and your dancing feet – these bands always have the crowd dancing. From 6:30 to 9 p.m., enjoy an eclectic mix of Motown, R&B, beach music, pop, and more! Corn hole, a dance floor, food trucks and local restaurants round out the total riverfront outdoor music experience. Great place to meet up with new friends or maybe make some playing corn hole. Series is on Thursdays through August 22, 2024. Their Rhythms on the Riverwalk Fall Free Concert Series starts on Sept 5, 2024.
New Town Concert Series
Outdoor free concerts in Sullivan Square in New Town (area behind Legacy Hall, 4301 New Town Avenue. Bring a lawn chair and an appetite as this series usually features food and beverage trucks! Fall Concerts run Wednesdays Sept 4, 11, 18, 25 and Oct 4, 10, 2024. More info
For other events in the Williamsburg-Jamestown-Yorktown area, including best places for adults in Williamsburg to meet friends, check out our calendar and make sure to sign up for The Burg Weekender & The Burg Weekly our bi-weekly emails of things to do that coming weekend and week in the area!
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