Find Your Next Activity Partner In Chicago
From sunrise runs along the lakefront to Saturday hikes in the Forest Preserves, these are the activities our members ask for most. Every listing shows group size, pace or skill level, and how matching works before you RSVP.
Real Plans Beat Another Bio To Scroll Through
A matching quiz can point you toward compatible people, but a friendship still needs somewhere to actually happen. That's what our activities are for — a standing reason to show up, meet people in person, and see whether a connection is worth following up on.
Every activity on this page is organized by My Mate Finder, not pulled from a third-party listing site. Group sizes stay small on purpose, usually six to fifteen people, and a trained host is on-site to make introductions, keep the group moving, and make sure new faces don't end up standing on the edge of the group.
Activity Categories Our Members Love
Eight formats we come back to again and again, because they consistently turn strangers into activity partners — and often into real friends.
Running & Fitness Crews
Sunrise runs along the Lakefront Trail, pace-grouped 5K training, and weekday strength meetups for every fitness level.
Hiking & Outdoors
Weekend trips to the Forest Preserves and beyond, plus shorter lakefront walks for members easing into a new routine.
Cycling Groups
Group rides along the 606 and the lakefront path, split by pace so nobody is left chasing the group alone.
Cooking & Food Meetups
Hands-on cooking classes and potluck-style dinners that give the whole group something to do together besides talk.
Board Game Nights
Casual weeknight game nights at neighborhood spots — easy to join even if you've never met a single player before.
Book Clubs
Monthly discussion groups organized by genre, hosted at member apartments and neighborhood coffee shops.
Volunteering
Group shifts with local Chicago nonprofits — a low-pressure way to meet people while doing something worthwhile.
Pickup Sports
Weeknight basketball, volleyball, and soccer runs at neighborhood gyms and parks, organized by skill level.
Beginner-Friendly To Serious Training Partners
Not every runner wants a sub-8-minute pace group, and not every hiker wants a fourteen-mile Saturday. When you take the matching quiz, we ask about your current fitness level and what you're working toward, then tag you into groups that actually fit — not just the nearest one with an open spot.
If a group turns out to be the wrong pace once you show up, tell your host or message us and we'll help you find a better fit for next time. Nobody has to grit their teeth through a mismatched group twice.
Neighborhoods We Cover
Activities run all over Chicagoland. Every listing includes the exact address plus parking or CTA transit notes.
Activities FAQ
Most activities run $10 to $25 to cover the venue, instructor, or gear rental. Some, like lakefront runs and hiking meetups, are free. The price is always listed on the activity page before you RSVP.
For running, hiking, and cycling groups, you'll need your own basic gear — shoes, a bike, weather-appropriate layers. Cooking classes and board game nights supply everything needed on-site.
Hosts message the group at least two hours ahead with a reschedule time or an indoor backup plan. You'll never show up to an empty meeting point.