Summer in the city: your guide to finding community

City-bound this weekend? What could be better, summer in the city is a great time to discover and connect with your local community, when those you typically hang with have left the gridlock behind.

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1. Visit Farmers’ Markets and local businesses

By visiting, you can support small-scale agriculture and artisans, reduce carbon emissions, and foster a greater sense of connection to your neighborhood. A few of our favorite summer markets are Union Square Greenmarket (Manhattan), McGolrick Park (Brooklyn), Morningside Park (Manhattan, UWS), Forest Hills (Queens). Check out this comprehensive map + list for every market in the city.

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2. Take a class or workshop

Taking classes will sharpen your abilities and expose you to diverse groups of individuals. Choplet ceramics studio in Williamsburg has a range of classes - and workshops in their backyard! Thinking you’d prefer some A/C? 92nd Street Y will have you covered with plenty of classes. Consider checking out one of their many lectures as well.

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3. Volunteer

Whether you're passionate about a specific cause or simply want to contribute to your neighborhood's well-being, volunteering is an excellent way to broaden your perspectives and connect with your community at a deeper level. If you’d like to get outside, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Central Park Conservancy welcome helping hands. 

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4. Join community groups online and in-person

Local clubs and communities are a hotspot for like-minded people who are also wondering what all the rage is about pickleball. Why not join your local club to see if you could go pro? There’s also platforms and apps such as Geneva that can assist in discovering new communities. Join Facebook groups and follow local Instagram accounts like Greenpointers for local updates and events. If you happen to live in a Daisy-run building, like-minded neighbors can connect through various interest groups right in our app! There’s something for everyone.

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5. Socialize at neighborhood establishments

Sometimes, all it takes to meet new people are casual encounters at neighborhood cafes and parks. Casual conversation over a coffee or knowing your dogs are sworn frenemies are great ways to spark new friendships. If you’d prefer to combine the two, there are plenty of spots to schmooze with your pup in tow. An outdoor table at Novita in Gramercy or uptown at Cafe du Soleil come to mind. 

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In a city as vast and diverse as New York, there’s always an opportunity to find and engage with a local community that shares your interests and values. Connections are just around the corner if you know where to look, and hopefully this list serves as a jumping off point for you!