58 Fun Ideas To Do With Friends This Weekend

From wineries to 80s prom night to fishing to puzzling.

Last year’s birthday, girls night out!

I'll be 30 this year.

It feels like I'm stepping into a new definition of a life well lived—something a little more sophisticated and high-brow, yet somehow more free. Less performance, more indulgence. As I approach a new decade, I've been reflecting on my recent social outings with friends and feeling incredibly lucky to have people who not only say ‘yes’ but also show up ready to do something new beyond the usual bar hop (which I love, don't get me wrong!).

There's a lot of life to live, and in this busy season, I'm often juggling caring for my kid, working full-time, and squeezing in a little self-care hour. But I've realized it's equally, if not more, important to prioritize my village — no matter how tired I feel. Activities and ‘fun’ have never felt more paramount now that I'm older (ish!) and facing bigger responsibilities, bills, and serious adult decisions.

As a result of recent escapades with pals — here's a curated list to inspire your next hang.

Love y'all!

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A recent hike down South. We took the baby, duh!

Pick a Hike 2+ Hours Away

Local hikes are great, but the real adventure comes from setting an early alarm, grabbing a solid cup of coffee, and hitting the road. Explore corners of your home state you haven't seen yet, and reward yourself afterward with a nearby winery. Last weekend, we drove to Sonoita and ended the day with a glass of Pinot Noir to wash away the dust. Perfect.

Library Cultural Passes

THIS!!! Make use of your local library! Mine offers a variety of ‘cultural passes’ that grant free general admission for at least two people at participating attractions. Here in Arizona, that includes:

• Art museums

• Local zoos

• Botanical gardens

• Historical sites

• Farm tours

• …and so much more!

Try a New Restaurant

I mean, duh—who doesn't love discovering new food spots? My favorite local Substack for Phoenix-area dining is from my friend Lauren at Fête PHX; she's an incredible resource. My old high school tennis partner, Emilia (@emiliametidieri), is rocking the IG foodie game, constantly inspiring the next date-night destination.

Here are a few PHX favorites you need to try (if you haven't already):

• Valentine: A+ coffee and a perfect place to work remotely. (I'll slip away on Thursdays while my mom watches Reyna. I can easily stay here six hours in full laptop mode.)

• Pa'La: My ultimate date-night pick! Think wood-fired dishes, oysters, a jazz bar, quality cocktails…basically heaven.

• Liberty Market & Gilbert Farmers Market: Our family's Saturday ritual. Best breakfast in town!

Photo walks at sunset.

Collecting rocks.

Fishing at the Salt River!

Picnic at a Local Park

We need more ‘Third Places,’ and parks are perfect for that—great for gatherings or hosting a casual party. Pack up your favorite canned drinks and snacks, and soak in that winter sun (or bookmark the idea for warmer weather if you're somewhere chilly). Arizona's crisp 65-degree days with a hint of sunshine feel just right.

Puzzling

I don't puzzle enough, personally, but I love the idea of friends swapping puzzles, hanging out at home, binging a fun TV show, and sipping on a good drink. It's a cozy way to spend time together without breaking the bank.

Activity Spots

Local activity joints are always a crowd-pleaser. You can't go wrong with:

• Escape rooms

• Go-karting

• Petting zoos

• Arcades

• Mini-golf

• Movie theaters

• Bowling

• Laser tag

• Axe or rage rooms (I've been dying to try one!)

Watch Parties

For the past couple of months, my friends and I have been picking a TV series and getting together weekly to watch the latest episode. We started with From, moved on to Silo, and once we're caught up, we're watching the final episodes of Severance together. We usually make dinner, play a board game beforehand, and settle for some collective couch time.

Spa Days

I hear facials are way more hydrating when you bring a friend! Okay, maybe not scientifically, but it feels more fun—so book that massage, facial, or mani-pedi with your besties. You've earned it.

Rent a Stage

I'm considering hosting a friend's talent show for my birthday this year. Everyone would have to devise an act—monologues, singing, hacky sack tricks, you name it. That got me thinking about other possibilities, like:

• Recycled Fashion Show

• Spelling Bees

• Musical Theater Performances

• Slam Poetry

Group spa days and horseback riding!

Road trips, farmer’s market, and afternoons by the river.

Pool Days, Lake Days, River Days

Find a body of water, toss on your shorts, and soak up the sunshine with a sparkling beverage in hand. I'm lucky to do this year-round in Arizona, but I swear all your worries fade when that sun hits your face.

PowerPoint Nights

You can save these for a birthday or host one randomly. Themes can range from heartfelt (‘Reasons why I love you,’ ‘Best memories we've shared") to totally rogue (‘7 reasons why birds are terrifying,’ ‘My friends' scandals if they were famous’).

Group Classes

You're never too old to learn something new! Bonus: bringing a friend keeps you motivated and makes it way more fun. Ideas include:

• Ceramic classes (Pip + Clay in PHX looks excellent; it's still on my to-do list!)

• Belly dancing (I tried it in college with friends — very humbling)

• Cooking classes

• Spin, yoga, meditation, Pilates, sound baths

• Paint + Wine events

• Archery

• Jewelry making

Field Day

We did this for a friend’s birthday, SO FUN! Gather at a local park, bring fun drinks, and recreate your favorite childhood activities: dodgeball, egg tosses, hackeysack, and kickball.

House Renovations or Gardening

If you need help around the house, bribe friends with cold beer and hot pizza. It's a great weekend plan — everyone hangs out, you get stuff done, and it's a win-win.

The day Eunice helpe me for 5 hours doing yard work.

Backyard hangs and date nights in.

Nothing better than a pool day.

Karaoke Nights

Need I say more? Bonus points if it's outdoors by a fire with a projector screen.

Dinner Parties

Set up a long table outside, have everyone bring a dish, and serve your favorite drinks in cute glassware or decanters. It's the perfect way to combine good food and great friends.

Themed Dinners or Parties

Everything is more fun with a theme, even if it's simple. Some ideas I'm dying to try:

• '80s Prom Night Dance Party

• Tapas + Wine Backyard Soirée

• DIY Pizza Making

• Sleepover Brunch

• Trashy Jersey Shore Bar Hopping

• BBQ Potluck

• Mamma Mia!

• Bread Bowls and Movies

Murder Mysteries

Get your most organized friend to plan and host (it does take work and pre-planning). Once you do one, you'll be hooked. Our group has been doing them for over six years—perfect for October or really any time you need a little drama.

Cook Together

I recently saw a sweet IG reel where, instead of a traditional baby shower, friends gathered in the kitchen to prep freezer meals for those first six postpartum weeks. Genius! But you can extend the same idea to any occasion:

• Pasta making

• Sourdough bread

• At-home wine tasting on the patio

• BYOT (Bring Your Own Tapas)

• Ice cream sundae bar (we did a banana split bar while watching Severance—incredible)

• Pierogies

• Tamales

Craft Nights

Our friend group loves getting together for drinks, snacks, and crafts. Lately, we've been junk journaling, scrapbooking recent trips, or pooling supplies for homemade party décor.

A brisk 10K in the rain!

10K / Half-Marathon / Marathon

Train with someone for that extra push! I'm not a big fan of running, but there's something about the energy of a race—especially with a friend by your side. Many 10Ks are walk-friendly, so there's no pressure to sprint if you're not feeling it!

Book / Movie / TV Show Club

Pick something you love and find people who want to nerd out over it. Bonus points if you match your snacks or meals to the theme!

Volunteer

Admittedly, I don't do this enough, but bringing a friend makes the accountability easier and more fun. In Arizona, the State Parks and trails often need volunteers; since I use them all the time, it feels good to give back.

WFH Party

Not everything has to be about drinks and games. If you have work to do, the odds are that your friends do, too. Host a casual co-working session at home or meet at a coffee shop. Pop on headphones, power through emails, and enjoy each other's company without sacrificing productivity!

Any more ideas?! I'm all ears!