Where You Can Meet People & Make Friends In Bismarck-Mandan

An anonymous post was made on Bismarck's People Reporting News yesterday, and it got people talking. The person asked, "Where do people go to make friends? I am a 21-year-old girl. I work full-time. I don't go out very much. I just want genuine friendships that don't revolve around going to the bar."

To help anyone new to the area, we thought we'd put together a funny, but mostly serious, list of ideas.

1. Yoga

I had been in North Dakota for years, trying to make friendships and striking out, but the second I started taking yoga classes at a small studio in Mandan (The Studio Wellness Community), I started making friends. As so many of us know, the trickiest part of making friends as an adult is finding time to get together. Going to a scheduled class a couple of times a week keeps you connected with people, and you also get to do stretchy and bendy things.

2. Pickleball

Bismarck Parks will be offering pickleball classes this summer, and that might be a great way to meet with people each week and do something fun. I can promise you, Pickleball is addictive.

3. Volunteering

There are all kinds of youth groups and organizations that need volunteers. You could volunteer with the Optimist Club and help with Christmas gift wrapping, egg hunts, and the Avenue of Flags event.

I once volunteered for BIO Girls, and you would help empower young girls (grades 2-6) each week over the course of 12 weeks. It was actually really fun and rewarding. You would be paired up with another mentor and prepare for your lesson plans each week. This is a great way to do something good for the community and meet other adults. There are other organizations you can volunteer with like the BisMan Mentor Squad, and Salvation Army.

4. The River

If you're new to the area, chances are, someone with a boat will offer to take you out on the Missouri. Get out on the sandbars this summer, and I can all but guarantee you will make some friends.

Those are just a few ideas, there are many more ways you can form some friendships here in town like by going to the Y, dog parks, and church. Honestly, if you consistently show up to any activity or event, you will make friends in time.

5. Uber

This might sound a little ridiculous, but if a lot of Uber drivers are from different states and countries. Strike up a conversation with your driver, and who knows, maybe a friendship will form.