If you’re wondering where or how to meet people in Madison, Wisconsin, then you’re in the right place. Madison is affectionately known as “America’s Dairyland” and “America’s Greenest City.” Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, college student or foodie extraordinaire, there are lots of places to make new friends in Madison.
Let’s Explore Where & How To Meet People In Madison and Start Making Friends
1. Most Popular Meetup Groups
Here are a few of Madison’s most popular meetups:
Find more of your favorite meetup opportunities here: https://www.meetup.com/cities/us/wi/madison/
2. Get Fresh on the Square
You’ll find the season’s best bounty of vegetables, flowers, meats, cheeses, and specialty products from approximately 275 vendors throughout the year at the Dane County Farmers’ Market. Over 150 members attend every Saturday. All of the items for sale are grown, raised, and produced in Wisconsin by the person behind the stand. The DCFM is reported to be the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country.
3. Step into the Campus Living Room
The Wisconsin Union, often referred to as “the heart and soul” of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, serves as the living room of the UW-Madison campus. The Union connects students, faculty, staff, members, and visitors through shared cultural, social, and recreational events and experiences. The Union’s two locations offer a jam-packed calendar of events, outdoor recreation, a safe place to socialize, and tons of live and big-screen entertainment.
4. Bike-n-Hike
As the bike capital of the Midwest, the Madison Area boasts more bikes than cars. In and around Madison, more than 200 miles of scenic biking and hiking trails are available for all biking and hiking enthusiasts. Traversing the city on a bike is both easy and beautiful, and a great way to meet people in Madison, especially those who are outdoors enthusiasts. See the best hotspots and trails here.
5. Meet Foodies on the Run
Madison’s street eats scene is diverse and expansive, providing a wealth of flavor throughout the city. The area’s food carts take the region’s fresh ingredients and create dishes that often reflect the owner’s own heritage. See a whole list of food carts here, then go sample them all and start a conversation over the experience.
6. Be A Badger
On game day, your best bet is to put on some Badger gear and join the festivities! Madison’s sidewalks turn into a sea of red, and Madisonians roll out the red carpet for a game day filled with music, food, and spirit. After the game, make the five-minute walk to Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry for an award-winning burger and Wisconsin craft beer.
7. The Holy Grail of Wineries
Wineries are a huge hit in Madison, and one of the best vineyards in the city is Baileys Run Vineyard. This place’s motto is “Where Wine Goes to Have Fun!” and that is definitely what you’ll feel when you visit this place. They are open all year round, and they host live music from Friday through Sunday. People from the city flock to this place, and if you want to meet more people in Madison, so should you!
Wine tastings can be an easy way to meet people in Wisconsin, as it’s elsewhere. When people are there to try new things and taste wine, let’s say they’re open to making new friends as well.
8. Get Ultimate
The Madison Ultimate Frisbee Association (MUFA) is an official not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for people to play Ultimate Frisbee. Join a league, pick up a game, or play on a team. Combining the non-stop movement and athletic endurance of soccer with the aerial passing skills of football, a game of Ultimate is played by two seven-player squads with a high-tech frisbee on a field similar to football.
You can meet people in Wisconsin, around frisbee because it’s as if you’re going back to how you made friends as a kid!
9. Travel Back in Time for Supper
Supper club culture, barely changed since the Mad Men days, remains a vital part of Madison’s dining scene, an essential social center for distant communities and a place of connection between the generations. Visit an authentic supper club and meet people in Madison with the help of this directory.
10. Wellness Surrounded by Beauty
The Olbrich Botanical Gardens offers a series of “Wellness in the Garden” classes for anyone interested in mindfulness, meditation or just trying something new. Choose from gentle yoga, tai chi, or meditation classes, or learn about roots and herbs straight from the source! Since the Gardens are a beautiful and centering place, it’s ideal for meeting potential friends in this vibrant city.
11. Participate In The Performing Arts
If you love to participate in the performing arts, there’s a place in San Antonio that will feel like home to you. The Overture Center of Arts is heaven to those who love this craft. It is home to over 10 different dance and theater companies and they provide experience and workshops to those who want to learn about performing arts. They aim to elevate the community’s creative culture and if you share that passion, you’ll fit right in here and you’ll meet people who feel the same way.
12. Traverse The Great Outdoors With Hoofer Outing Club
Do you love the outdoors? Do you enjoy looking at mother nature’s finest landscapes, then you should join the Hoofer Outing Club. Wisconsin is known for its beautiful outdoors and this club takes full advantage of that. Here you’ll be able to hike, trail, and camp at different beautiful spots. You’ll be surrounded by people who also enjoy the outdoors and with the atmosphere that you’ll be in, befriending people will come naturally.
13. Consider a Fitness Social Group
If you’re a fitness lover, or you’d like to work out or go for a run but not alone, then consider joining a Madison social group that’s about fitness. This could be a great way to meet new motivated friends.
When joining a social group of this sort, be sure to make conversation about a variety of subjects. Don’t get stuck talking about fitness or working out only. Venture into other subjects to get to know the people better. This will create a more solid base for creating friendships. They need to see you as a potential friend instead of just a “workout friend” they meet only to work out together.
Consider the November Project’s Madison Social Group.
In conclusion, remember that upgrading your social skills depends on how many times you try and make friends. It doesn’t depend on how many times you succeed at it, necessarily. You need to try again and again. If you need some extra help, then we’re here for it. Try our training or read my eBook and learn everything you need to know about how to make friends and build a great social life.