As told by local newbies, newcomers, and Ottawa natives.
In-Person
Ottawa Sport and Social Club (OSSC): Like recess- but for adults.
Arguably, one of the best ways to make friends in Ottawa is through things like sports, classes, leagues, and programs. OSCC is Ottawa’s one-stop shop for all of the above year-round. However, it is their approach to the whole concept that really makes them great. They specialize specifically towards adults by offering a very wide range of sports and social activities. With their motto being, “Recess for adults…just play”, it’s clear that they really do put fun first.
The best part? For many of their leagues, they offer Individuals Teams. When registering as an individual in their Individuals Teams, OSSC will create a specific team with you and other members who too are looking for teammates! A few days before your first event, everyone within your team will also have access to one another’s names and contact information. That way you can get those connections started before you even meet.
Registration for their activities can be done via their website at a very reasonable rate depending on the type of class, league, program, or event that you are interested in.
Volunteer: Give back and get back.
An awesome ‘kill two birds with one stone’ way to make friends in Ottawa is through volunteering. Not only is it a way to open yourself up to meeting other people with similar interests and values, but it’s also a wonderful way to help support the community. With Ottawa being a capital city, the volunteering opportunities are nearly endless and fairly easy to come by.
One of the best ways to find a volunteering opportunity that best fits your interests and schedule is through Volunteer Ottawa. Their online database allows you to filter through postings by location, time commitment, interest, and demographic. From event planning to food prep and all in between, this site offers something for everyone. Other sociable volunteer opportunities can be commonly found through:
- Ottawa Festivals – Make connections in a lively and exciting setting while volunteering at one of Ottawa’s many festivals, events, and concerts.
- Habitat for Humanity – Connect with other alike volunteers in a more one-on-one setting.
- Ottawa Food Bank – Work together and amongst other likeminded people all while supporting the local community.
- City of Ottawa Recreation – Connect with other volunteers in a long-term setting while assisting with the operation of Ottawa’s many recreation programs.
Attend a Class or Workshop
If there is one thing that Ottawa has a lot of (besides shawarma spots and friendly people), it’s classes and workshops. Not only is this a way to learn a new skill and take part in an activity, it’s also a great way to make friends in Ottawa with people who share the same interests as you.
• The City of Ottawa offers a variety of inexpensive in-person and virtual recreation classes. Whether you are looking to stretch out at a yoga class, get busy in the kitchen, or even have some fun with pottery- they offer it all! Registration must be done in advance but you can view all of their fabulous options in advance here.
• If you are looking for a more hobby-focused class, Eventbrite is a great option. Their ever-changing list of group activities not only helps you meet and connect with new people but also works towards teaching new skills.
• If you prefer to break the ice in a more virtual setting, Ladies Go Local cooking classes offer fun activities in a social environment all from the comfort of your own home. Their classes are offered monthly and focus heavily on connecting local women all while supporting local businesses and learning new skills.
The Online Way
Facebook Neighbourhoods: Connect with your local community.
New to the Facebook world is ‘Neighbourhoods’, a tool designed to connect you with your local community. Separate from your personal profile, Neighbourhoods slots you into a feed based on your location with other users in the area. The entire premise of this tool is to interact, share, and communicate with your neighbors in a positive way. Users can customize their own profiles with a bio and a list of their interests and favorite local places. From there, they can share posts in their neighborhood’s news feed, give recommendations, highlight their day, and more.
This is known to be one of the more natural and effective ways for those of all ages to make friends in Ottawa in an online setting versus the Bumble BFF way which tends to gear more towards students and younger residents.
Facebook Neighbourhoods can be accessed via the app only and should be available to most over the age of 18 in the Greater Ottawa Area.
Bumble BFF: The online friend-making app.
Like a dating app, but to match with your future BFF’s. Much like a dating app or social media profile, this tool allows you to create a profile with a bio, images, and links to your favorite apps. From there, you can specify who you want to match with based on location, age, and other details.
Different from Facebook Neighbours, Bumble BFF is very popular amongst Ottawa’s students and those under the age of thirty.
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