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Three ways to make friends in Charlotte

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

The curated articles collectively highlight three primary ways to make friends in Charlotte: participating in fitness activities, joining social clubs, and attending local events.

Each article offers insights into different approaches to building connections. One article discusses forming friendships through Charlotte's fitness community. It suggests attending group fitness classes or exploring social meetups, like those offered through a weight-training app, to find workout partners.

Another piece guides newcomers to join Charlotte's social clubs.

It emphasizes trying out activities like running with the Charlotte Running Club or participating in climbing events at Inner Peaks. These settings offer chances to meet other people with shared interests.

Additional strategies include attending local arts and music events or visiting dog-friendly spots, as the articles suggest. Walking a dog or joining an improv class can naturally lead to meeting new friends in the area as these activities encourage social interactions. These approaches underscore the importance of stepping out and engaging with the community to foster new friendships in Charlotte.

Charlotte social groups such as The Soft Black Girl Club can provide a place for you to find your people. By Patty Barham

NO. 1: NEED TO MAKE FRIENDS IN THE QUEEN CITY? HERE’S YOUR GUIDE TO CHARLOTTE’S SOCIAL CLUBS.

Get to know new people with social clubs, tailored to any niche, in Charlotte. | Published August 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mari Pressley

Quinn Reynolds, Melissa Oyler and Titus Tard at Arrichion Hot Yoga after the Charlotte Marathon in 2014. By Jeffrey Oyler

NO. 2: INTO FITNESS AND JUST MOVED TO CHARLOTTE? HOW TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS AT THE GYM.

It can feel intimidating moving to a new place, and now you’re surrounded by sweaty people engrossed in exercise. But secretly, Charlotte is “a small town that feels like a big city” — and we all want to chat. Here’s where to go. | Published February 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Melissa Oyler

Sunny Hubler, Barry’s coaches Chelsea Cox, Matthew Makar, John Abdallah, Meghan McCollough and fellow Barry’s attendees. By Courtesy of Sunny Hubler

NO. 3: HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS IN CHARLOTTE: A NEWCOMER’S GUIDE TO BUILDING CONNECTIONS

From dog parks to yoga mats, here are some of Charlotte’s friend-making hotspots. | Published June 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sunny Hubler

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.