How social gathering events can help you enhance your network in New York

New York is one of the most beautiful places you can ever visit. This place has a lot to offer to its people and if you have recently moved here, we are sure you are stunned by everything you see in this big city. New York never fails to bring a smile to the face of people. But someone times, this city can make you feel a bit alone. In all the hustle and bustle of this big city, you might not get enough time to make new friends and enhance your circle. It is extremely important to focus on socializing which could be a bit challenging in New York as it takes time to meet and bond with other people in this big city. But there is something that can help you expand your network and those are local events in New York or community events. Let’s dive right into it and learn more.

What are local events?

Local events in New York are events organized by the small local communities. People who share similar interests gather in one place and celebrate themselves. People who belong to different parts of the world but reside in New York organize these events to cherish their land. People who have an interest in a specific area also host such events. There are many different types of local community events in New York and each one of them is interesting. You do not have to be an event planner in New York to organize such events. Pick an interest and just go for it. Love music? Organize a musical event where music enthusiasts can come, meet each other and share their thoughts.

These local events give an open stage to people who want to experience a sense of belongingness. The best part is that these local events can even help you expand your network in this big city and who knows you can even find an amazing friend in this big city. Let’s check out the ways local events in New York can help you.

How local events can help you expand your network?

#1 Meet people with similar interest

There is nothing better than having who understands your area of interest in the best possible manner. These local events are based on the idea of bringing people together on the bases of a single interest. This means everyone you meet at these events shares at least one thing with you. This could be the beginning of something amazing.

#2 Less hesitation

Most people hesitate to begin a conversation with someone they do not know really well. But this is not the case when you visit a local event. Since you share a ground with people in these events, you will have something to talk about with other people. This means you will not hesitate to begin a conversation. It would be much more comfortable than talking to someone you do not know ANYTHING about.

#3 Support your community

Supporting your community is important because if you won’t, then who will? With these local events, you can support other people and encourage them to push their limits. There is nothing better than backing up someone who really needs support and if your presence is making a difference in someone else’s life, then you are doing something amazing.

#4 Amazing exposure

When you visit a local event, it is not just an occasion where people come together to celebrate something. It becomes an entire place full of amazing stories. You get to meet and talk to so many people and each one of them has something interesting to share. You can get to learn about many new things and will be exposed to so many different life experiences. It will not only be interesting to learn about something new but will also help you expand the horizons of your mindset.

#5 Someone nearby

New York is a big city and people from all around this city visit local events. Therefore, you are most likely to come across someone who lives near your location. They can help you become familiar with this location and you might even end up meeting again and again.

There you have it! These are some ways local community events in New York City can help you expand your network. Now, there are two things that we would like to discuss. The first one is you organizing an event and the second one is you visiting an event. Let’s address both these scenarios.

1. If you want to organize an event, you first have to come up with the idea of the entire event. The best way to organize an event is by considering your own area of interest. What do you like? Music? Painting? Or dance? Whatever it is, make it the foundation of your event.

2. If you want to visit a local event, find one with your interest. The best way to find these events is by visiting online and searching for them. You will find plenty of local events.

In the end, everything comes down to one thing and that is finding: how will I find the events and how will I find people to invite to my event? You can use social meet-up apps. These apps have many people just waiting for an interesting event to take place. These apps also have local events listed on them which makes it extremely easy for you to find the events.

At the end

Finally, we have come to the end and we really hope this post will help you. Now, you can finally go ahead and make some new friends in NYC. If you are looking for the best social meetup app that will help you make plans with contacts in New York, Leaf would be the right app to download. You can visit App Store to download this app. It is a very simple to use social meet-up app that is highly trusted and extremely reliable.

Check out the best tips for hosting home events in New York City

Hosting events is always and always stressful. But the stress takes a whole new turn when it comes to organizing events in your very own house. You simply cannot make a single mistake or else no one can save you from the judgmental looks of your guests (at least that’s why you think). In places like New York, it is very common to host home events. And that’s why New Yorkers are pros at hosting house events in New York. This also means that if you are organizing a home event in New York for the very first time, you need to take care of a lot of things because your New Yorker guests will easily catch the things that are not nearly perfect in your party.

Don’t panic if you do not know how to host events in New York because we are here to help you. We will tell you how to host amazing events at your place. So, let’s not waste any time and dive right into it.

Tips for hosting home events in New York

#1 Decide the place

The first thing you have to do is to decide where you are going to throw the party. Is it going to be inside your place or in the backyard or lawn? Both the places are amazing. Both have their own pros and cons. But there are a few factors that you need to consider, for example, if the weather is not good enough, you should host an event inside your house and if the guest list is long, then an open space such as a lawn or backyard would be perfect for your party.

#2 Choose the menu

Here comes the no.1 concern of every person who hosts house events in New York. Food is the most important part of your party and trusts us, more people who are about to attend your party are going to be there for the food. That’s why it is important to create a stunning menu. Make sure to start preparing your menu at least a week prior to the party. Go to groceries, get everything you want. Or, you can simply online. Also, you need to consider the variety. You cannot have an all-beef menu because some of your guests could be vegetarian or even vegan. So, you need to consider various options so that is something for everyone on the table.

#3 Decide the drinks

The drinks are crucial. In fact, are you throwing any party when you are not serving any drinks? And trust us, people will not be visiting the future events in New York that you will host if you do not serve drinks. First of all, you need to make sure to have alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic drinks at your party because of the different preferences of people. Then, make sure to buy different types of drinks. For example, rather than buying 3 bottles of vodka, you can get 1 rum, 1 scotch, and 1 vodka.

#4 The decoration

You need to pay attention to the decoration of your place. You cannot just call people over to your place with a chair full of laundry in your living room. You need to make sure to clean your place. Then, you can remove the furniture as it will give some extra space. If the weather is clear, you can keep your furniture on the lawn or backyard. Or you can adjust it in your room for the party. You can also hire a professional decorator if you want something extravagant or you can just call your couple of besties and ask for their help. You can take some decoration ideas from local events in New York as they sometimes have really interesting themes and ideas.

#5 The music

Music is what makes the guests vibe. That’s why it is important to have a dope playlist. If people usually appreciate your taste in music, then you can go ahead and make your own party song list. But if not, then you can ask for some recommendations. Here is something even easier than all this. Just visit online and search for the best party playlist and you will have countless recommendations. Great music will make people fall in love with your events in New York.

#6 Make a guest list

This is something you should get over a week before the event. Do not think that you will call everyone a day before and they will show up at your party. If you have recently moved to New York, then you must have realized that life here is pretty fast and that’s why people cannot make instant plans often. You need to send invites to your guests a couple of days before. Make sure they RSVP as it will make things more organized.

But here is something your must know. If you have just moved to this big city, you might not be having a lot of friends here. But if you really need to hang out with some good people to socialize and create a new circle in this city, then you should definitely focus on making some new friends. There are some amazing ways to make new friends. You can use a social meet-up application or visit community events in New York so that you can meet new people. Those people will fill your guest list.

#7 Have a budget line

Organizing events in New York can cost you a fortune. In fact, it can even burn a hole in your pocket if you do not work with a fixed budget. You must make a budget line and try not to cross it. You should consider the cost of everything: food, drinks, decoration and whatever you are buying for the party. You can hit different stores to get some good deals which will help you save a lot of money.

#8 Arrange the bathroom

People will be using your bathroom and you need to make sure that they have everything they want inside. The soap, tissue paper, towels, and other toiletries must be in your bathroom.

#9 Ventilation

If you are hosting a party inside your house, you must make sure to turn on the ventilation. This is because the presence of so many people inside your house will make your place a bit suffocating which will be extremely comfortable for your guests. You can open your windows or tune on AC to make your place easy to breathe and comfortable.

There you have it! These are some of the must-know tips for organizing events in New York. These tips will make your event more interesting and fun than you can ever imagine. Now, you can go ahead and start hosting an event at your place. And if you are struggling to find friends in New York, you can simply visit the iOS App Store and download the Leaf App. This is an easy-to-use meet-up application that allows you to make new friends in your area. You can also host your events online with the Leaf app.  

A detailed guide to hosting your events online

It's the season of spring. Many places in New York witness flower blooming accompanied with butterfly dances and sweet, warm breezes. A faint, aromatic air fills every corner of New York at this time of year, signifying happiness, calmness, and tranquility. The timing could not be any better than this to host your events online.

Do you love meeting new people? Then, this is the perfect time to organize small or large gatherings, based on your preferences, and meet with new people. Although nowadays, it is not necessary to visit a community or spread posters to organize local events in New York, many scheduling apps for friends, family, and strangers, such as Leaf, are available on the play store and app store that allows you to host your event online.

You can create a local or community event and add topics, ideas, location, and timings of the event and post them online. Many meetup events are organized this way.

Several times, pre-planned meetings get postponed or canceled because of several reasons. Some could be valid others can be made up. But whatever the reason may be, holding an event or making plans with friends often is difficult.

It's a normal thing to face difficulty hosting an event. Of course, because you need to take care of everything on your own and ensure that meetup is fun and engaging rather than dull and boring.

So, if it's your first time hosting an event, organize a meetup with strangers. Below are some points that will help you host your first meetup successfully.

Journalize your Idea

• Our brain is surely a powerful tool in our body. However, it has its own limits. For example, you can only remember a part of your whole day. So remembering each and everything can be difficult. So start Journaling your thoughts and ideas on the meetup.

• Think about how you want to organize your party? Surely you won't get the idea on the first go, but you will have a trail of thoughts after thinking about it. These thoughts will help you understand how you want it to be? Is it going to be a leisure meetup, dinner, going to an amusement park, or simply having a cup of coffee in the library?

• Of course, you will have a ridiculously large number of ideas in your mind, and keeping a track on all of them is humanly not possible. So, keep a journal or notebook with you and write down everything you are thinking about. So that later on, you can look at them and get creative ideas to host your events online.

• After you write, strike off the unnecessary points or do not fit in with the overall goal of your meetup. You have to understand that every meetup has a goal, whether to learn more about each other, increase the network of people, discuss a common issue, or just hangout.

• Be sure to convey the aim of your meetup to people and attract people who have the same idea as you and want to contribute to your event. This is particularly true when you have a specific topic genre that can only interest a handful of people, and inviting other people can make all your work go in vain.

Organize your idea

• As we said earlier, jot down every idea you have, and once you have the collection of ideas, strike off what's inappropriate and consider useful ideas. Ideas can come from anywhere; maybe while organizing, an idea will cross your mind, which is better than your previously written idea, or mix a bunch of ideas to create a brand new idea.

• Whatever it may be, organizing your ideas will align your thoughts and come out with a clear intention for the meetup. Of course, if you are a group of friends, then anything is fine. However, if you are planning strangers meet up. Then directing the flow of meetings is essential to keep the fire alive during your event.

• Think about what you want to do, what topics you want to discuss, where to meet, and what fun activity you want to include in the meetup. Then, generally organize everything, to know what follows after usual hello and hi's.

• This will also help you and the attendees who run out of ideas get an idea and maintain an interesting conversation.

Sign up to meet up apps

• If you want to make plans in NYC, you need to use smarter ways. NYC is a city of technology that first finds a 'need' for technology and then develops the technology. And hosting meetings online is also the same thing.

• Meetup apps allow you to create an event and post it online to find interested candidates to join. You can select the number of people, adjust timings, choose a location, post the event, and ask people to join.

• You can send invites to your friends and ask them to join your event. Moreover, these apps also allow you to start a conversation and know about each other more. So that you can have a decent idea about the people you are meeting at the event.

Be courteous

• If you are hosting an event, reach the event location on time. As the host, you should be the first person to take the lead. This marks a positive impact on other people you have invited. Lastly, be kind and generous with your words. You don't need to be formal, but keep it appropriate and respect their ideas.

• Often in such meetings, despite having common interests, the thoughts may not match, which may lead to dispute. In such times, keep an open mind. It's unnecessary that you are always right and do not get defensive. Instead, respect the other person's opinion about the topic and understand why they think it that way.

• One of the fundamental principles during meetups is listening to understand, not respond. As many people are habitual of responding to people without thinking about what they are saying, this can be a big red flag in your event.

• Be respectful and mind the other person's boundaries and keep calm during the event. Pay extra attention to people's thoughts and try not to provoke people.

How are meetups beneficial for you?

Since the last few years, many people have stayed indoors and didn't have much opportunity to meet new people or even with their friends. So, as the rate of the pandemic is declining every day, people have started falling back to their old patterns and want to enjoy others' company.

Increase your network

• Meeting new people builds your network. So what's the difference between a politician and a normal man? The difference is between the size of the network. A normal man has a network of relatives and friends, but a politician has a huge network of people, including friends and relatives.

• Meeting people at events and connecting with them builds your network of people. This network of people can help you land a new job, find a new client, or maybe find someone to say 'I do' in the church.

Expand your knowledge

• Knowledge is the only thing that increases when you spend it. The more people you meet and learn from their experience, the deeper your knowledge grows.

• In events, you meet people from various backgrounds allowing you to understand and learn from their experiences. After all, people's experiences are more valuable than any degree or textbook.

There are majorly two types of people- Introverts and extroverts. While extroverts love talking to people and enjoy events, introverts do not. But introverts do have social batteries. So as long as their social battery is charged, they will indulge themselves and talk a lot. But as soon as it runs out, introverts disappear. But meetup events can work for both types of people.

Meetup for extroverts

Well, there's nothing to say. You are already good at speaking and love talking to people, so it is obvious that you will enjoy meetup events. As talking and knowing about other people is natural, hosting community events in New York will be easy for you.

Meetup for Introverts

As introverts are already shy, it can be a little difficult to push yourself out of your comfort zone. However, hosting events with fellow introverts and planning the topic beforehand will ensure that you host a successful event. Because 'Topic' is the only problem with introverts, and if you can come up with interesting and common topics, your event is successful.

Wrap up

A well-planned event will ensure your first-ever hosted meetup will be a great success. Host your events online using meetup apps like Leaf to post an event status, get the attention of like-minded people, and increase your network to ensure a successful event.

These apps are also helpful to make plans with friends and let you have responses from them. So next time you make a plan with friends, try using meetup apps.

Welcome in 2022 with a BANG: Make Plans in NYC with Social Meeting Apps

NYC remains the beating heart of the USA, forever charming and beautiful! New York is home to 10 million people; there are tons of things to do and see here, too. The city exudes an incredible vibrancy few other cities in the whole world can compete with. Thousands of restaurants, museums, plays and quirky things make it more fun. Here you will experience a vivid celebration of life throughout the year, especially in December, which will leave you euphoric. This year, too, celebrations are in full force and you will find yourself surrounded by lights, music, dance performances, market fairs and holiday events. This is the best time to plan an epic trip to New York and visit the evergreen attractions, like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park. If you are planning for a weekend, there is so much to see that you will need a lifetime to do it all. Here is an ultimate guide on how to make plans in NYC and make the best use of the holidays. What are the best things to do and see in NYC? When is the best time to visit? How can you make the most of it? You will find answers to your questions in this post.

What makes New York more special in December?

Holiday cheer: New York is one of the best cities to spend the annual holidays. It is also known as the ‘melting pot of the world’ as it witnesses extreme holiday celebrations from various cultures across the globe. The festive season starts with Thanksgiving and flows through December until the New Year. That is why most people prefer to spend their holidays and make plans in NYC.

Calm environment: The city witnesses two phases – the first couple of weeks don't have many tourists so you can enjoy shopping with fewer queues. But if you love a crowd and being in the thick of things, enjoy the last weeks of December when there is holiday madness all around. Flight and accommodation expenses reflect this as well; choose the kind of experience you want!

Shopping frenzy: New York has multiple sales during the Christmas market fairs and pop-ups. As a result, the city is ideal for festive shopping. Even window shopping is a treat here, going over the top with holiday decorations. In addition, you can see special shows, like a Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes and Nutcrackers, plus several music concerts to entertain you and the entire family.

Fabulous weather: If you want to make plans in NYC, make sure you choose December. Winter is in full force and temperatures drop during this month. The average daytime temperature is 7°C and it often goes down to 0°C at night. In addition, you can expect rain and windy snowstorms to hit the city towards the end of the month.

Top plans to make in NYC this December

First, let's check out what's happening this year. Not everything will be the same this year due to COVID but luckily, New York's famous celebrations are still going on as scheduled. In addition to that, new social events and virtual components have been launched. For instance, Lumino City Festival is a newly-launched fair. Randall’s Island hosts an immersive light show. Anyone looking for a little holiday magic can visit this with family and friends. Rather than showcasing houses, take a walk through colorful sculptures inspired by nature, history, art and fantasy. There are food trucks, gift shops, galleries and many more fun places.

Make it a music winter: a not-so-Silent Night: Not every winter activity is about New Year’s or Christmas. December 21 is known as the shortest day of the year. On this day, people make plans in NYC and join a free outdoor music-making celebration hosted throughout New York City to commemorate the winter solstice. The Make Music Alliance is a non-profit organization that uses music to connect New Yorkers with their community and, guys, we all need to connect after the horror of the 2020 pandemic! Anyone can attend or participate in this free musical festival to sing, dance or play their instruments, whether via a smartphone or a harmonica.

There are musical parades and each one is different; they’re encouraged to be outdoors with security this year. Be sure to read specific descriptions of each event before you go.

The famous Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Center: The Rockefeller Center is the hub of holiday season during December. The giant Christmas traditional tree takes you back almost 100 years and seeing the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is the highlight of the holiday season. All the lights and decorations will take your breath away and don’t forget to snap that iconic photo in front of the ice-skating rink. Visit the annual Christmas tree lighting during a ceremony featuring exceptional musical performances and special guests which all happens after Thanksgiving weekend. This event is one of the most crowded in the city but is a must when you make plans in NYC. However, this year, guests will be limited to maintain proper distancing. If you can't make it to the plaza, you can still watch the lighting of the tree from home.

NYC Saks 5th Avenue Christmas Lightshow: After visiting the Rockefeller Center, you must check out the Saks 5th Avenue Christmas Lightshow. It starts around 5pm and does the full light show every 10-15 minutes. You can also see the show from the Rockefeller Center. Saks 5th Avenue is located at 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022.

Radio City Music Hall: One of the best things to do in New York City is to visit Radio City Music Hall in December. Every New Yorker's bucket list includes Rockettes dance night. Radio City Music Hall has been the spark of Manhattan, New York City, since 1932. The address is 260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020. Book your tickets in advance to avoid any inconvenience. Here you will find the iconic giant red Christmas ornament and beautifully decorative court. Vendors are selling all types of goodies, including bags, paintings and wallets. If you don't manage to watch the show, make sure to go and see Radio City’s Christmas tree decorations; they are marvelous.

Ice-Skating: If you are making plans in NYC and still miss ice skating, your trip is incomplete. The three major ice-skating rinks, Rockefeller Center, Wollman Rink and Bryant Park, are favorite spots. When skating at Rockefeller Center, choosing to venture to one of the other rinks can be a safe bet. The crowds are smaller and you won't have to wait longer. Additionally, skating below the city's biggest Christmas tree is an amazing experience and a memorable moment. Wollman Rink is right inside Central Park, behind the zoo. The extraordinary combination of trees surrounding the city's architecture makes this the most enjoyable rink in the city. Finally, the Bryant Park ice skating rink is in the middle of the Winter Village. If you are looking to go skating at night, the Bryant Park ice skating rink is perfect.

It’s got classic holiday music, lights and food to entertain you when you’re not skating. This year at Bryant Park, reservations can be made online to limit the number of skaters on the rink. Also, instead of locker rooms for storing your stuff, you will get a free drawstring bag to carry things with you on ice.

Christmas Windows on Fifth Avenue: Window displays along Fifth Avenue are the most dazzling ones in the world; they glow more, especially in December. As you walk up and down the streets for holiday shopping, take time to admire these lights and decoration. The best ones are seen in Saks Fifth Avenue (right across the street from the Rockefeller Center). If you are there in the evening, be sure to stick around for the light show. The dancing lights and play on a loop every 10 minutes.

Holiday Shopping in December in New York City: One of the best things to make plans for in NYC is to check out our one-of-a-kind artists’ markets, flea markets, craft fairs or shopping festivals. The special market offers antiques, lots of food and drink, deep bargains and a festive shopping atmosphere. Explore the top markets in the city, ice skate, sip hot cocoa and shop your way through fantastic holiday markets. Shop for unique, memorable gifts for your family and friends. Review Grand Central Holiday Market, Shops at Winter Village Bryant Park, Union

Square Holiday Market, and more holiday market shopping tours. Cross off holiday shopping list like:

• Holiday Shops at Bryant Park - October 29, 2021 – January 2, 2022

• Grand Central Holiday Fair - November 15 - December 24, 2021

• Union Square Holiday Market - November 18 - December 24, 2021

• Columbus Circle Holiday Market - November 27 - December 24, 2021

Choose private NYC Christmas market shopping Tours if you want to be guided around the best markets in NYC. The December designer sample sales from L’Oreal, Autumn Cashmere, Diane von Furstenberg, and many more are worth a visit, too. Stay up-to-date with New York City’s Sample Sale Calendar.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights: Get into the holiday spirit with one of the largest zoos in the country. Bronx Zoo features a range of seasonal entertainment and decorations. Stilt walkers, holiday treats, costumed characters, the wildlife theater, Christmas trees, five animal lantern safaris and an ice carving competition – you can enjoy all of them here.

New York Botanical Garden Glow: The outdoor light experience will light up the grounds with thousands of energy-efficient LED lights. So, get ready for the second annual NYBG Glow! You can walk the expanded 1.5 miles with even more illuminated displays, including plant stories and picture perfect installations that reflect the surrounding garden. The Mertz Library Building and Haupt Conservatory are glowing centerpieces. There is a dance performance with other seasonal activities and snacks for people to enjoy. Tickets are on sale now!

New Year’s Eve Celebration at Times Square: Everyone has heard about the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration; it is grand and marvelous! Being the city’s biggest event of the year, it starts early at 6am on December 31 and people continue celebrating until the next morning. Folks line up to watch the famous ball drop. This year everyone is so excited to attend the event after the havoc from the pandemic of 2020. But in-person attendance will be extremely limited this year. Live elements will be significantly scaled back. Plans are made to enhance the virtual broadcast of the celebration and make it more immersive for everyone so people will feel like they are there.

Tips for managing the crowd and enjoying a safer environment:

• If you are dining at a famous restaurant, make an early reservation. If the establishment doesn’t accept reservations, visit at off-peak hours. Have lunch or do an early dinner there.

• Want to avoid crowds and people in your photo? Wake up early and visit to take better photographs. Early means waking up at the crack of dawn and give yourself time to travel around the city.

• Everything will take time during the Christmas rush; using New York’s public transit system will be a cost-effective and quick way to get around.

Save big on things!

New York City coupons and discounts are available for almost everything one can do or make plans in NYC (except for a few exclusive events). This time of the year will be expensive but you can save big on tours, shows and other attractions. Don’t forget to include Elf The Musical, The Big Apple Circus, the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, museums, and lots more.

Are we missing something?

Celebrating the holidays in New York City can be like a dream come true. Though you are busy in the city, do visit around during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. If we have missed anything, please drop us an email and give us your feedback. Also, note that some activity details and events listed above can be affected due to COVID but as of now, everything is scheduled as planned. It's 2021 and you are in one of the greatest cities in the world; celebrate like an animal. Get ready for a wonderful time of the year and welcome in 2022 with the best local events in New York. Get into the spirit and when you visit the holiday markets, shop for great gifts and create memories with your friends and family.

So, are you ready to explore and make plans in NYC? Have a great holiday and do leave a comment expressing your unique holiday story!!

À Bientôt :)

21 Best Things to do in New York in connection to meet and Greet Social Apps

A close knit community of people is what most aspires to in today’s digital world. There is no denying that digital world technology is the best helping hand to keep you connected in a better way with smart devices. Today, if you want to make friends easily using digital technology, meet and greet social apps are the ultimate saviors. They are the best way to make new friends without worrying about what others will feel or think about you. The apps connect people with similar interests and opinions, providing an opportunity to meet in real-time if they wish. From there, they can plan group outings in nyc for fun and enjoyment.

What matters most is the place they meet, and if you’re looking to make the best use of meet and greet social apps, New York is the best city to discover. It is known as ‘the city that never sleeps’ or Gotham, making it the ideal location to connect with friends as well as New York City’s (NYC) communities. These NYC communities of friends can plan for different ROCK and ROLL events to make sure that you are having maximum fun. In general, NYC events cover many different genres, like sports, arts, and literature. As a community of people, NYC has something for everyone, no matter what your interests, opinions and interactions are!

Due to the coronavirus, you may still have to maintain social distancing, wear a mask and follow guidelines in some places, but this shouldn’t stop you from having fun. If you plan to visit New York, you will see that this city has the most developed public transportation system; making traveling around with the friends you’ve met via meet and greet social apps easy. In addition, NYC offers the best shows, food, festivals, local events, and more, catering for every age group, too.

Here are the 15 best things to help you enjoy during your stay in New York City (NYC).

1. Visit the Statue of Liberty

The first thing you and your friends from meet and greet social apps can do is visit the Statue of Liberty, one of the most well-known, popular tourist attractions in New York City and probably the world. Standing on Liberty Island, just south of Manhattan, history recalls that this mighty statue was a gift from the French to help the USA commemorate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Because of its popularity, it’s better to book your tour in advance and plan 3 to 4 hours for it.

2. Explore Central Park

Central Park in NYC has become one of the top places for all kinds of fun and activities. As well as being popular with native people, it’s also one of the hottest tourist attractions. Even you’re late visiting your friends after interacting on meet and greet social apps, Central Park, one of the world's largest urban parks, is in the heart of the city that never sleeps. It is about 840-acre in size and home to lakes, forests, waterfalls, and more.

The still waters reflect the buildings on Upper West Side, and you can rent a boat at Loeb Boathouse to cruise along the lake, a great activity if you’re traveling with friends.

Strawberry Fields is on the western side of the lake and is dedicated to John Lennon; his famous song, Imagine, is immortalized in a mosaic here. Also, visit the Victorian Belvedere Castle, which overlooks Turtle Pond, and Shakespeare’s Garden next to it.

You’ll find several monuments throughout Central Park, such as the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, the Bethesda Fountain, and a Beethoven bust.

3. Check Out Times Square

Times Square has a steady stream of visitors every day. Sitting between 7th Avenue and Broadway, it’s a spectacular showcase of glamorous billboard ads, street performers, and the most beautiful sightseeing options.

Many people consider Times Square to be the soul of New York. It is a bustling hub of activity, especially at night, to spend quality time checking out the lively bars, restaurants, shops, and dramas.

A visit to Times Square is one of the paramount locations to connect with your meet and greet social app friends. When the sun sets, Times Square comes to life with street performers, outdoor dining, and music for everyone to enjoy and have fun. Other popular attractions include M&M’s World, MTV, Times Square Studios, and the Paramount Theater.

4. Glance your Eyes at “Empire State Building”

The Empire State Building is one of the most famous buildings in New York. It was the first skyscraper to have more than 110 floors, and for around 40 years, it was also the tallest skyscraper. Today, it’s still one of the top buildings and highly recognizable that was once used for shooting movies, such as King Kong. Your NYC visit wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Empire State Building. Never miss heading to the 86th and 102nd floors with your friends for the most outstanding views of New York City from this Empire State Building.

5. Pay a visit to Rockefeller Center

The iconic Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 Art Deco commercial buildings built in the 1930s and is recognized as one of the greatest projects from the Depression. Locals and tourists consider it a must-see attraction in New York City.

The landmark buildings have plenty for everyone who meets through social apps to experience, indoors and outdoors, including the underground dining and shopping square. In winter, the Lower Plaza becomes an ice-skating rink, protected by the beautiful Prometheus statue.

6. Cross the Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is a distinguishing structure in Ney York City that extends over the East River. At more than 130 years old, anyone can walk across the bridge and take in the beautiful views.

Standing at 1,595 feet tall, the Brooklyn Bridge was the extended suspension bridge for over 20 years and carried over 145,000 cars daily along with its lower level, while the upper pedestrian walkway helps locals get around the city.

7. Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the largest, most prestigious museums globally that represents the scenic beauty of New York as a city. The museum contains over 2 million works of art, and if you’re a first-time visitor, check out the Roman and Egyptian galleries with your friends from meet and greet apps.

A quiet, calm place to go in NYC with your friends to meet and greet social, the Metropolitan Museum of Art offers a wonderful experience including paintings and statues by the masters and drawings, prints, photos, and costumes depicting the city's history.

In addition, the museum hosts special exhibits throughout the year, so there’s always something new to see.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s rooftop garden is open in warm weather and offers sweeping views of Central Park and Manhattan. It is the place to go in New York City when it rains.

8. See a Broadway Musical

One of the best NYC evening activities is going to see a musical or play on Broadway. Even if you’re not a theater person, there will be something for you and your friends to enjoy.

There are over 40 Broadway theaters in NYC, and going to a Broadway show is a highlight of your visit. Adding dinner to the occasion is a perfect way to spend a night with your greet and meet social app friends.

9. Never Miss to Visit 9/11 Memorial Museum

A particularly poignant place to visit in New York City is the 9/11 Memorial Museum opened in 2014 at the former site of the Twin Towers and formed part of the World Trade Center complex.

While the historical significance of this museum is unparalleled; and it contains a tribute to the 2,977 people killed during the 9/11 attacks. In addition, visitors can listen to audio commentary while walking around the exhibits.

10.  Chase down the New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is a botanical garden at Bronx Park in New York City is a perfect place to learn about new things. The fascinating part of this place is that it’s located on a 250-acre site that contains a landscape with over one million living plants. Apart from living plants, you can eye for its major educational institution, teaching visitors about plant science, ecology, and healthful eating through NYBG's interactive programming.

This NYC city's exotic location has 90,000 annual visitors who are children from underserved neighboring NYC communities. An additional 3,000 teachers from New York City's public school system contribute to professional development programs that train them to teach science courses. In addition, NYBG operates one of the world's largest plant research and conservation programs.

Since 1967, the garden has been registered as a National Historic Landmark, and numerous buildings have been designated as official New York City landmarks. There are many more things to eye on in this Botanical garden when you visit this exotic location after meeting on meet and greet social apps.

11. Go on a Grand Central Terminal Scavenger Hunt

Recalled as the best place in New York to visit after connecting with your friends over meet and greet social apps, Grand Central Terminal has a wide-span history that cannot be overlooked. The best thing to enjoy at this location is rushing through the main concourse to catch the 6 train.

You can look for objects and spaces hidden in plain sight at this location, including a speakeasy-style bar tucked away deep within the station. If a tour is not your thing, barhop from the landmark Oyster Bar to the hidden Campbell for a special drink in a unique locals-only setting.

12. Spend the day on Governors Island

Located at the tip of Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York Harbor, Governors Island is recalled for its 172-acre public park, once an abandoned military base that offers you and your friends a great location to eye on.

 The fascinating part of this island is that it’s the home to loads of arts and cultural events from where you can have an overlook to the exotic views of the Statue of Liberty and downtown Manhattan.

The quality places to visit on this island are the free public events focused on conservation offered regularly and the vast green space around the Financial District.

13. Go on a Tour of Brooklyn Brewery

Grab a cocktail while learning a little about how Brooklyn brewery is made. The place offers free tours every Saturday and Sunday at its Williamsburg headquarters. Not to deny that somewhere, you can try new wines with your friends at this trending place to get cocktails for special events like comedy shows that feature the best Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue.

14. Give your Ears a Tune of Live Music on the Lower East Side

Gather your friends and get together at Lower East Side for a night of music at venues like Mercury Lounge, Pianos, or Rockwood Music Hall. At this place, you can enjoy live music tickets for less than $20, especially for artists on the rise.

15. Scroll up Art in Socrates Sculpture Park

Are you not able to decide between a museum day and a park day? Get the best of both worlds at Socrates Sculpture Park. Spanning 5 acres on the East River, the outdoor space features waterfront views as a backdrop for rotating large-scale art installations. The park also crowds free programming like movie screenings and local events.

16. Check out to meet on the Met Rooftop

The Cantor Roof Garden Bar at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the best place to see how you can spend happy hour with friends.

At this New York location, you can take an elevator to the fifth floor from the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts galleries.

17. Watch the Latest Indie film at the IFC Center

When you meet your friends in NYC, many of your friends are fascinated by their options of having fun. Watching movies at a great theater is often on the top list. If you have any such plans to watch movies, the IFC center is the ultimate option. This great place of NYC screens the indie releases you can’t find just anywhere. At this place, you can catch cult classics Fridays and Saturdays at midnight and special documentary series that are appreciated at the different trending Film Festivals.

18. Visit the Union Square Greenmarket

Located on the North and West side of Center Park, Union Square Greenmarket is a trending place that opens on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays years around. The best part of this Union Square market is that this market transforms into a farmers' market filled with seasonal goods fresh from the source. Somewhere, you can stop by the stalls for a taste of apple cider, fresh breads, cheeses, and more at this place. During the colder months, Union Square Greenmarket also hosts a special holiday market filled with kiosks selling unique gifts, plus delicious food and warm drinks to get to your home.

19. Make it a Game Night at Barcade

This “bar-meets-arcade” is situated at St. Marks Place that's a perfect option to get into a low-key game night with your friends with whom you have connected over meet and greet social apps. When you get into this bar, you can hassle-free purchase a handful of game tokens and order an appetizer before diving into a game of 1980s Tetris.

20. Join a Sing-Along at Brandy’s Piano Bar

Hidden away, on a side street in the most unlikely of places, Brandy’s is one of the Upper East Side’s best-kept secrets to get closer to your NYC friends who have connected through meet and greet social apps. This intimate spot showcases live talent every night and has been for over 35 years. Somewhere, this NYC city bar is centered on one piano and performer, and as songs are played, the whole room sings the song and land with the feeling of fun and enthusiasm on top. It will be spot-on to say that this place is like an old-school cool that helps you have fun without hampering your budget.

21. Spend an Afternoon at the Noguchi Museum

Founded by famous artists like Isamu Noguchi- the Noguchi Museum is best recalled for its extensive collection of artists' works, including pieces displayed in a serene outdoor sculpture garden that can leave you and your friend awestruck. Somewhere, this Museum can help you and your friends who have connected through greet and meet social apps to get the best view of the NYC classy locations.

Final Thoughts

These are some of the finest places to visit in New York City. If you want to connect with friends from greet and social apps to make the most of the top 21 New York City attractions, download Leaf . Here you can connect with more friends worldwide without the headache of planning.

Local Events in New York Calendar: Festivals You Can Attend Every Year

NEW YORK- the city that never sleeps!

Ask any New Yorker about their schedule and their calendar will be filled to the brim! NYC is the place to do and see everything. New York Community events are world-famous for their entertainment and fun elements. Spring and summer are the busiest seasons; most major festivals happen at this time of the year. In addition, New York hosts sporting events, art performances, seasonal food festivals, state fairs and plenty of other local events that you must visit. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, you must remember to maintain a social distance, wear a mask and follow other guidelines given by the State government. If you plan to visit New York next year, our list below will help you find the most happening events you can enjoy during your stay. We also suggest checking various websites and confirming details before making plans or reservations.

Community Events In New York (First Half Of The Year)

JANUARY

Winter Jazzfest - The festival features tremendous musical talent for you to discover. There are over 100 musicians’ sets to see, which are highly popular. Top venues include Webster Hall, the Bitter End and Le Poisson Rouge. Colin Stetson, Russell Gunn’s Ethnomusicology and Dee Bridgewater are among the best performers.

New York Jewish Film Festival - this local event is a collaborative effort between the Film Society of Lincoln Centre and the Jewish Museum. It aims to celebrate the Jewish experience. Two weeks of narratives, including shorts, documentaries and other cinematic offerings, are organized. In previous years, New York community events have highlighted films that have gone on to great national acclaim in Beaufort, Empty Nest and Africa.

New York Boat Show - don't miss the opportunity to attend one of the most famous local events in New York. You will find fishing boats, yachts and kayaks at the Boat Show. The festival has been here for more than a century now! Thousands of people attend this excellent event each year at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to browse the latest boats, fishing equipment and much boat-related items. In addition, visitors can attend daily seminars with a full slate of boating and fishing pros.

NY Must-See Week - The festival offers extensive attractions, tours, museums and performing arts venues. In recent years, people have included the iconic NYC skyline views, historic sites and world-class attractions in a similar vein. Most of them gather at free meetup sites and roam around the city.

FEBRUARY

Lunar New Year Parade - the beloved community event of New York usually takes place at prominent venues. The lunar parade is in Queens, Flushing, Manhattan’s Chinatown, Sunset Park and Brooklyn. Dazzling troupes make their way through the streets and draws thousands of crowds. Local organizations allow people to participate in marching bands, martial artists, elaborated floats, become musicians, magicians, and much more. Other programs include the Cultural Festival, the Firecracker Ceremony, the Lantern Festival and cultural events.

You may also like to read: Which are the best personal and professional local Meetup groups in New York?

New York Restaurant Week - celebrating dining at restaurants week takes place each summer and winter. The event offers you the opportunity to dine on two-course lunches and three-course dinners at top class restaurants in New York. People enjoy these community events in New York where they can be served by the city's renowned chefs in fabulous eateries. This year, NY Restaurant Week is debuted by the Signature dining and takeout experience, giving more dining options than ever. Hold on to see what they do next!

Orchid Show - NYC Botanical Garden is featuring a themed exhibition with thousands of brilliantly-colored orchids every year. The local events and shows related to the Orchid Festival take place in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. The beautiful flowers are surrounded by lush settings despite their natural habitat. Marvel the flowery local events of New York and stay in touch with nature.

MARCH

International Children Film Festival - redefine the genre of kid's movies with the New York International Children’s Film Festival which shines a light on the most engaging, uniquely thoughtful youth-oriented films. These movies are made outside of Hollywood so they range from animated short films to long action dramas. NYICFF aims to cover every style, age and cultural background, which makes it ideal for family and friends.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade - you do need to be Irish to get a kiss at events like the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This parade was first held in 1762 and that is one of the oldest, largest community events in New York. Started by the archbishop of NY, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebrates Catholic and Irish cultural faith. The parade is led by members of the National Guard’s Infantry Regiment, known as the Fighting 69th, and runs along 44th and 79th Streets Fifth Avenue.

APRIL

Easter Festival - every Easter falls between late March and early April. People love to showcase their festive side at local events in New York. For example, people start at 49th Street and travel north marching along Fifth Avenue. The best way to watch the whole parade is from St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Cherry Blossom Festival - more than 200 cherry trees bloom in Brooklyn Botanic Garden every spring. The event celebrates the weekend-long Cherry Blossom Festival as s festival of victory.  Also known by its Japanese name, Sakura Matsuri, people enjoy scores of Japanese cultural community events during the festival, like J-pop concerts, traditional dance and music, martial arts, taiko drumming, Bonsai pruning workshops, Manga art and tea ceremonies.

Also you must read this: Community Events in New York

MAY

New York City x Design - NYC celebrates design and creativity in the annual NYCxDESIGN event, which is known as the City’s official appreciation of global design. Multifaceted programming exhibitions, talks, installations, trade shows and studios take place. Among all the shows and famous design community events of New York are Collective Design, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), BKLYN Designs, Frieze New York and Wanted Design.

Bronx Week - Bronx stands out in the city of islands as NYC's emissary. The attachment gives the Bronx a distinctive flavor and quiet charisma. The city comes together each year and follows a tradition that has been going since the 1970s, celebrating the beautiful event with a parade, live music, trolley tour and the latest additions to the Bronx Walk of Fame.

JUNE

Celebrate Brooklyn Festival - the fun event goes through to August and has a wonderful opening. The Celebrate Brooklyn event has offered free dance, music, film, theatre and commissioned projects for four decades now and is one of the longest running art festivals and local events in New York. It has featured acts like They Might Be Giants & Maceo Parke. You can't miss this amazing music and movies program where recognized artists mix with the screening of silent, short and animated movies.

Pride Week - New York is home to the most vibrant transgender, gay, lesbian and bisexual communities. The whole week/month is dedicated to them as a pride moment. The city embraces its beauty and incredible diversity. Such community events are a source of strength and showcase the progress of the LGBT community. The whole month is dedicated to PRIDE and most of the major events happen in the last week of June, including the famous march down Fifth Avenue Street on the last Sunday.

Local Events In New York (Second Half Of The Year)

JULY

Lincoln Center Summer – the summer season is welcomed at the Lincoln Center. An annual program with different themes is launched; the first is Midsummer Night Swing where people can take dance lessons and try out their unique moves to live music under the stars. The whole local event is based on dance, music, family shows and spoken word events, all for free. The second is Mozart performances of the acclaimed composer’s works.

Hot Dog Eating Contest - with a combination of highly expandable, steely grit stomachs, people compete in a competition called Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. Being one of New York’s local events, the contest takes place in NYC Dogs to delight of screaming fans. A group of selected people eat hot dogs at high noon for 10 minutes and stop for nothing, not for mustard or ketchup or even French fries! This is everyone's favorite event to attend each year!

AUGUST

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival – In the early 1950s, Charlie Parker made his home in Alphabet City. The neighborhood hasn't forgotten him although he’s been gone a long time. The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival was first organized in 1993 at Tompkins Square Park, across the street from his home. All the events are held over there but some performances take place uptown in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park.

Summer Streets - large sections of Park Avenue and neighboring streets are closed to traffic on three Saturdays in August. Between 7am and 1pm, the streets are open to the public for biking and dancing. Haven't you always wanted to slide or walk right down Park Avenue, free from shoulder-bumping and honking horns? If yes, this event is made just for you!

SEPTEMBER

New York Fashion Week - Fashion Week showcases new styles and promises a week of star-studded stories for the upcoming season. Top NYC designers and those from around the world debut their collection on the runway while industry insiders and style-conscious celebrities look on. Register yourself on the guest list. NYFW is considered one of the most reputable, prominent local events in New York.

Commemorating 9/11 - every September, New York honors and remember the victims of the World Trade Center attacks. A variety of memorial events taken place in churches, synagogues and temples throughout the city. In addition, special community events are hosted for people affected by the tragedy, such as memorial concerts and fundraisers throughout the month. The 9/11 Memorial Museum is a year-long tribute to those who lost their lives on 11 September 2001 and 26 February 1993. The whole event is an educational resource for all.

New York Film Festival - the festival brings the world's most inventive cinema to NY and has done since 1963. Here you will see cutting-edge movies before they hit the big time. In the past, the New York Film Festival has showcased the likes of Pedro Almodóvar, Jean-Luc Godard and Martin Scorsese. Adventurous cineastes check out the Projections sidebar a selection of recent Avant Garde films.

OCTOBER

New York Comic-Con - geek culture is being established, creating an undeniable influence over the mainstream entertainment world. Comic-Con is now more popular than ever! The event is gaining more and more ground. Even if you don't hit the fest booths, screenings and panels, you can expect to see a lot of costumed players to gawk at. All this can be seen at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

New York Broadway Week - the popular annual program typically takes place in winter, usually in February, and fall in October. It offers 2-for-1 tickets to off-Broadway productions. In past years, the event has featured many famous shows, including Stomp and Blue Man Group. Whilst the event is not taking place in 2021, get ready to enjoy it in 2022!

Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks Open – many of New York’s ice skating rinks open in winter and give you the first glimpse of the holiday season. People get excited in attending the event and share their skating experience with others. All of this comes with a killer view; enjoy the spectacular surroundings of the seasonal rink in December at the Rockefeller Center. The Bank of America Village at Bryant Park is open from late October to March. 

NOVEMBER

TCS New York City marathon- This is one of the biggest sports community events in New York. It often proves to be a life-changing event, and people experience a lot as a physical challenge. The New York city race covers 26 million miles. Like all marathon NY also offer the same but sounds and sheer excitement of NYC marathon are incredible. It extends from Staten Island to Central Park. The field this year is limited to 33,000 runners. In fact, it is two-third of the usual number. Corona has affected things badly!

New York Comedy Festival - most big names and local events embrace the New York City stage during NYCF. Past year participants have included Bridget Everett, Hannibal Buress, Iliza Shlesinger, Judd Apatow, Ricky Gervais and Norm MacDonald. In addition, professional people share the schedule with over-the-top nights in small venues and large-scale shows, at venues like Town hall and Madison Square Garden.

The Art Show - ADAA (Art Dealers Association of America) presents their annual show which curates exhibitions at Park Avenue Armory. You can see solo projects and group shows from the late 19th century until today. A special community event in New York takes place each year that includes a panel discussion and a gala to benefit the Henry Street Settlement. It is a Lower East Side social service and health care organization. The art show is usually held in spring but this year, it took place in November.

Holiday Train Show - every family hops upon the Holiday Train Show happening at the New York Botanical Garden. The favorite train show features toy trains going along 175 city landmark replicas. The trains are made from the seed, bark and other plant materials. The highlights include the famous Coney Island rides, the Yankee Stadium, assorted Midtown skyscrapers, a sound-and-light show and the George Washington Bridge which spans the exhibition’s entrance.

DECEMBER

Holiday Shops - December is the best time of the year to enjoy the holiday shops and satisfy your thirst for shopping. Get into the holiday spirit by visiting outdoor holiday shops that pop up around the city. Grand Central Terminal, Union Square, Columbus Circle, Bryant Park and hundreds of merchants set up their shops offering clothes, food and gift items. In addition, help local merchants and find a little something for yourself, too.

The Lighting of the World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah - Celebrate Hanukkah week with the world's largest lighting community events in New York. The event takes place at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in Manhattan. The gold-colored, 32-foot long, 4,000 pond, steel-weighted holiday icon is a sight to behold. The menorah sits across the river at the head of Prospect Park in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza. A candle is lit on each menorah every evening of the holiday.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker - for more than 50 years, New York City’s Ballet have brought the visions of marching toy soldiers, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Mouse King to life with the Lincoln Center’s production of The Nutcracker. The performance is full old-fashioned costumes, magical sets, a one-ton Christmas tree, Tchaikovsky’s timeless music and the spectacle of an on-stage snowstorm.

Times Square’s New Year’s Eve - every New York calendar is not complete without Times Square’s New Year’s Eve event. A New Year’s Eve without the crystal ball drop in Times Square is a flop! Everyone gathers around to watch performances and countdown to midnight. Unfortunately, the NYC event that ushered in 2021 was virtual for most people so check and research precisely before attending local events in New York.

Endnote

No city other than New York has more fun things to do! The city has world-class museums and is home to an amazing community as well as local events all year long. Here is a list of things and events you can attend to discover the best of New York City. It is people's dream city and that is why most popular events take place here. New York has something for everyone so whether you are looking for nightlife, food, history or art, New York will never disappoint you!

Adios :)

Get Connected with People Around You on Free Meetup Sites

Are you all spending time on the phone right now and still don't have anyone to talk to? What else do you do when you are not at work? Are you looking for ways to improve your social skills? Wondering about expanding your network by talking with people or attending events? If so, you are not alone in this!

All of these questions are on the minds of many lately.

Showcasing confidence in social environments sounds easy, but actually, it's not! In recent years, many easy to use and free meetup sites have been explored. Meetups are organized for people with a common interests, hobbies and personalities. They can communicate on the internet and get together in real life. These meetings are fun and informal. They focus on personal development, self-improvement and enhancing the social skills of members. Basically, a person organizes a meetup and other interested persons can join the meetup. The meeting structure varies greatly on every platform, but the main objective remains the same. These sites focus on converting strangers into friends, groups, and clubs. Building a close-knit group, fostering deeper relationships with friends is the meetup sites ultimate purpose.

What do meetup sites create for their members?

After you figure out who the members are, it's easier to guess what you want from that group. It's best to have events; it's good to discuss different topics. These free meetup sites do many things for their members. They create a vision for them on the internet of how it would be like when they meet in the real world. This becomes realized when they meet in person and have a conversation. Many ideas are exchanged, and people gather information they haven't heard before. The group links an individual with the right person for a long-term relationship. Goals are important as they are something that keeps people focused. Moreover, you can generate many new resources through active membership and increase brand awareness. It is a great option to grow membership with as many people as you can!

Free meetup sites: Building a wider network globally!

Many people have the wrong idea about social networking. This is not important just for businesses or companies, but networking is essential for every individual. Don't just attend the events organized by free meetup sites; actually, participate in them and put in the effort. Attending a meetup event is something you should make a habit. It doesn't need to be every week or month, but put yourself out there, explore your city and connect with new people at minimum a few times a year.

You may also like to read: Safety Tips You Should Consider When Using Social Planning Apps

The most obvious reason for joining groups is to make a strong network with like-minded people who share the same interests. People who attend such meetups will say this opportunity is the most valuable part of the session. Individuals feel more connected when they share their thoughts and ideas in front of other attendees. Everyone comes from a different background and various cultures. By sharing the space, they interact with people of diverse industries, socioeconomic backgrounds and other portions of world whom they have never met before. It inspires them, and free meetup sites offer the opportunity to spend more time in the real world away from their laptops.

"You will only grow if you are willing to feel awkward while trying something new."

Reasons to join Meetup sites:

• Meet new people - The number one reason to join the free meetup sites is chatting with new people and separating them from the internet. We all know how thrilling and addicting it is to meet people in your city that you have never known before. Everyone has their own story, something to share with others and things they have learnt. Social outings allow you to meet a lot of people in a small circle at regular intervals. By joining the groups, you will meet people who might become your close friends someday. This thing is sure; you will encounter individuals and learn something interesting every time!

• Discover hot places - Free meetup sites are based on niches like traveling, writing, hiking, clubbing, and the list goes on! Depending on the types, you can join them and possibly find a new place that you haven't explored. It can be a new restaurant, art gallery, club or trail. Believe me, hidden gems are found like this. Such meetups usually happen in well-reputed places where a group can meet and connect with each other. It's always nice to meet people that show you around.

• Enhance social qualities - Attending random group meetings can be terrifying at first! Everyone fears it! This is a huge step coming out of your comfort zone. Meetups encourage people to talk about their lives outside of work and get to know one another on a deeper level. You will probably ignite some confidence and gain some social skills. Engage yourself with free meetup sites and speak with everyone you like. Many groups kick off with ice breakers that help kill the awkwardness. Take part in activities that enhance your social skills. All this will be difficult for the first time, but once you gain confidence, you will feel the vibe every time.

Small Tips to behave on meetups:

1. Avoid the boring questions like what you do and where are you from? Instead, make a list of interesting queries to start a conversation and keep that going. Ask things like what brings you here in New York? What is your favorite destination to visit here? Which restaurant amazed you?

2. Develop new interests - You can find new interests and hobbies just by meeting various people. Introduce them to your passion and hobbies, take some of their good points, and discover some new interests. For example, since you were so busy at work, your friend from a meetup website invited you to go gym together. It sounds cliché, but you are never going to know what you like until you try it. You may explore a new hobby or get hoped in new things while meeting your new friends.

3. Manage the extra time efficiently- We all have busy schedules and don't have much time to do something productive. We go around talking about our stresses, the hours we sleep, how long we worked today, and all the problems going on in ours lives. But let's just forget all this and utilize this time for better things. Improve the general outlook on life and make sure you work more effectively and get stuff done. Join the free meetup sites and reassess your stress and priorities. Realize the importance of planning the future, happy gatherings, extracurricular activities, sharing feelings, making new friends and much more.

4. Earn leadership skills- This is the hidden and unexplored part of meetup sites. Joining a group often comes with the opportunity for leadership roles, too. You can lead an event, meeting or outing on a certain discussion. Become a major part of the club board and attain leadership roles. Expand your skills while talking with people in leadership positions. Who knows, you may begin to lead others?

5. Mentoring & Advising- Who is not struggling today? Everyone is tensed and stressed about their life problems. Another major reason for joining free meetup sites is they give you a chance to learn from mistakes and take advice from others for a second opinion. You will encounter a different kind of people daily, and you will gain many experiences. The meetings focus on inviting people together and making them understand each other individually. You will learn skills, mentoring and other roles along with it. Get advanced with every little detail today. Visit various meetup sites and gather details from there.

How do these free meetup sites end up being an excellent treat for you?

When you join a group through the internet and connect with unknown people with the same personalities, interests and skills, it helps you develop a life-long relationship with them. Meeting people regularly forms a structure of social and fun activities. You learn to rely on people and seek their support. You can also count on others in difficult times. It goes both ways. You will be responsible for supporting others in a close network in times of need. Build a new network if you don't rely on the current one. But without taking the first step, you won't get any benefits. Attend your first meeting and note down the experience. Start excepting and hope for good things to happen. Ultimately, they will happen! Go pick up your place, pick up a site and be the guest.

Have you ever attended an event through free meetup sites or organized one on yourself? Share your experiences and tell us about your good or bad meetups. Leave a comment below!