In today’s fast-paced world, balancing personal duties with unpredictable weather and an ever-growing reliance on technology can make it challenging to meet new people. Expanding a social circle or settling into a new area often needs purposeful effort. Bergen County provides a wealth of activities organized to encourage face-to-face connections. From trivia nights to fitness classes and chatting at the nail salon, numerous ways exist to engage with others. Explore our list of 10 ways to meet new people in Bergen County, New Jersey.
Run Around: Join a Running Club or Train for a Race
For those interested in running while meeting others, joining a running group has become increasingly popular. Runners can keep a steady pace and enjoy conversations, making the miles feel more effortless. The Palisades Run Club welcomes runners of all ages + skill levels.
Pedal Your Way to Friendship: Join a Cycling Club
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Along the scenic Palisades Parkway, it’s common to see groups of cyclists enjoying the ride. The Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey provides a great opportunity to stay active, form friendships, and experience scenic biking tours. The Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey also hosts happy hour events, creating an admirable chance to socialize after a rewarding ride.
Read More: The Filling Station Opens Its First North Jersey Location in Westwood
Head to a Dog Park
Photo Credit: Danielle Raskin
- Fort Lee Dog Park | 519 Stillwell Avenue, Fort Lee
- Wood-Ridge Dog Park | 1 Passaic Avenue #22, Wood-Ridge
Dog lovers often find common ground, making dog parks outstanding places for meeting fellow dog owners. Bringing a furry friend to a park can lead to conversations and the possibility of planning doggy playdates. The Fort Lee Dog Park is a magnificent spot that frequently hosts events such as “Paws in the Park” and Halloween costume contests for pets. Additionally, the BG-approved Wood-Ridge Dog Park is a cozy option, ensuring a welcoming environment for pets without overwhelming them.
Move + Grove: Take a New Fitness Class
Finding shared interests can pave the way for new friendships. With various fitness options available in Bergen County, trying a new class provides an opportunity to strike up conversations with fellow attendees, which could lead to friendships, or perhaps a post-class cocktail or mocktail. Here is a list of BG-approved fitness classes in the area.
Flex that Brain Power: Participate in Local Trivia Nights
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- Tommy Fox’s | 32 South Washington Avenue, Bergenfield
- The Orange Lantern | 15 East Firehouse Lane, Paramus
- MacMurphy’s | 8 Godwin Avenue, Ridgewood
Trivia nights offer a fun way to engage with friends or meet new faces. The competitive spirit can unite individuals, with events hosted at venues like Tommy Fox’s in Bergenfield, The Orange Lantern in Paramus, or MacMurphy’s in Ridgewood.
Start or Join a Hiking Group
Local Facebook communities in many Bergen County towns make creating a hiking group easy. A quick post asking for fellow hikers can ignite interest in outdoor adventures. There is also the already formed Bergen County Hikers Facebook group, which one can easily join here.
Try a Creative Class
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- From Scratch | 44 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood
- Ridgewood Art Institute | 12 E Glen Avenue, Ridgewood
Taking an uncommon class alone or with friends fosters connections. At From Scratch, cooking classes provide a memorable opportunity to meet others while creating delicious dishes. The Ridgewood Art Institute also has engaging classes, from oil painting techniques to mastering watercolor art, with monthly schedules posted online.
Make a Difference: Volunteer Locally
Volunteering presents a special way to connect with others and contribute to a local community. Dedicating time and energy to various causes can build friendships and make a positive impact. Bergen County Volunteers organizes multiple events throughout the year, providing numerous chances for involvement.
Mani/Pedi + Chit-Chat
- Belle Nail Ramsey | 21 Interstate Shop Center, Ramsey
- Horizon Nail + Spa | 505 River Road, Edgewater
- Uni Nail + Spa | 10 Sylvan Avenue #1FL, Englewood Cliffs
While it may seem bizarre, visiting a nail salon can encourage social interactions and help individuals set aside their devices. Many connections have flourished in salon chairs (trust us — we know from experience), as unexpected conversations can lead to new friendships. BG recommended spots include Belle Nail in Ramsey, Horizon Nail and Spa in Edgewater, and Uni Nail and Spa in Englewood Cliffs.
See More: A Guide to Farmers’ Markets in Hoboken + Jersey City
Connect with Fellow North Jersey Locals — Join Our Facebook Group
The North Jersey Locals The Montclair + Bergen Girl Insiders’ Group on Facebook is an awesome platform to connect with locals from Bergen County. This resource delivers useful information on local news, events, and more. Because the community is constantly growing, it’s a good way to stay up-to-date and build relationships.
Alfalfa Opening 1st Bergen County Location in Edgewater
Alfalfa, a Hoboken-based eatery known for its fresh salads, wraps, breakfast burritos, and gluten-free doughnuts, continues to grow. The brand’s sixth location — and first in Bergen County — is set to open soon in Edgewater at 725-1 River Road, in the former Mr. Bagelsworth space. With a focus on balance and quality ingredients, Alfalfa is bringing its popular menu to a new neighborhood. Read on to learn more about Alfalfa’s sixth location opening in Edgewater soon.
The Space + Transition from Mr. Bagelsworth
Alfalfa is preparing to join the bustling Edgewater Marketplace, a shopping center that sees steady foot traffic throughout the day. This addition will bring fresh, fast-casual healthy food options to the Bergen County community. Located alongside popular spots like Trader Joe’s, Kuppi Coffee Company, Sushi Cruise, Rumble Boxing, Orangetheory Fitness, and others, the center continues to grow with recent openings such as K-Beauty Outlet and SWTHZ (Sweat Houz). Alfalfa’s new space will sit on the corner of the shopping center, highly visible to drivers heading down River Road.
Before Alfalfa, the space was home to Mr. Bagelsworth, one of the few dedicated bagel spots in the Edgewater area. In its last stretch, Mr. Bagelsworth shared the space with Saladworks in an effort to attract more customers, though the partnership was short-lived. With its closure, Bagels & More at 1040 River Road remains the sole bagel-focused shop in town.
The Alfalfa team is refreshing the space at 725-1 River Road, bringing a new menu and fresh flavors to the neighborhood. As of this writing, a construction permit on the window of the space lists an interior demo to make way for Alfalfa.
Inside the Alfalfa Brand + Menu
Dan Sobsey, along with fellow co-founders Andrew Arrospide, Dan Londono, Ben Sobsey, and Luke Leonard, all grew up in Hoboken and attended St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City. From the beginning, their goal was to create a space centered on quality ingredients and a cozy atmosphere — something they’ve continued to deliver with each new location. What began as a small stand at a farmers’ market has grown into a multi-location concept, now preparing to open its sixth spot. There are currently Alfalfa two stores in Hoboken as well as other locations in Jersey City, Princeton, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica.
Alfalfa’s menu provides a range of fresh, flavorful choices with something for everyone. There is a wide variety of signature salads and wraps available, along with the option to build a custom creation. Team BG has made plenty of visits to the Hoboken and Jersey City locations — mostly for the West Coast Salad. This salad comes loaded with Alfalfa mix (a blend of butter lettuce, organic romaine, and organic kale), avocado, California Medjool dates, strawberries, red onions, creamy goat cheese, sliced almonds, and house-made balsamic vinaigrette.
The menu also includes a few breakfast burritos, all of which are BG-approved. Guests will also find plenty of options for different dietary needs, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian items. For something sweet, the gluten-free doughnuts are a must — especially the fairy bread flavor, a BG favorite.
An official opening date has yet to be revealed — The Bergen County Girl has reached out to Alfalfa and this post will be updated with any further information.
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