Where To Find New Things To Try
Since trying fifty-two new things a year, one of the questions I often get asked is where I find new things to try.
You can easily find lists bursting with brilliant new things to try, things to add to your bucket list, and things to have a go at, but sometimes they can be a bit vague and don’t always signpost to where to try these things.
So, to help you find new things to try, this list contains places I regularly use to find ideas for new organised experiences. These are ways to find classes and workshops, tours and experiences which usually have a guide or instructor.
I’m not affiliated to any of them, and genuinely find them to be useful sources of ideas. I hope you find it helpful. I’m sure there are plenty of other places to find new things to try, so please let me know if there are any I’ve missed that you would recommend!
Find New Things To Try With Confirmed Dates And Times
The first ideas in this list are places where you can find ideas of new things to try which are confirmed with dates and times, allowing you to book onto specific workshops or activities.
1. Notice Boards
This might seem obvious, but, when did you last pay attention to a notice board?
These analogue advertising spaces still exist, and can be a great resource for finding upcoming events. I love stopping at them to see what’s going on, and have found several new things to try such as Salsa dancing.
Many clubs promote themselves in this way, often offering taster sessions so you can try something without necessarily having to commit. Sometimes the activities are free so it’s well worth a look.
2. Tourist Information Centres
When you live in a place and don’t consider yourself a tourist, it’s unlikely you visit the local tourist information centre. They are definitely worth a visit!
As well as advertising the local attractions, they often have details about groups and clubs that meet up in the area, and upcoming events.
Next time you’re passing why not call in and ask any of the staff what groups they know about and what activities might be coming up.
3. Local Newspapers and Magazines
You might not regularly get a newspaper or a magazine where you live, but if you do happen to see one, check out the events and what’s on sections.
You never know what might be advertised that is happening where you are. Most local publications also have an online presence where you can take a look at the local whats on pages.
4. Eventbrite
Eventbrite is a bit like an online noticeboard where anyone can advertise their events; from talks to tours, workshops and classes.
You can search by type of event, or you can search for what’s on in a particular location. The filters allow you to narrow down the results by dates, prices, category, and format.
This is where I found out about the fantastic Pub Painting event I went to.
Every event is individually priced, and there are often free events listed too.
5. Meetup
Meetup is a bit like eventbrite. Alongside the one off activities, you’ll find regular events and clubs advertising here.
You can search by event, or by location, and there are some online events you can join too. You can narrow results down by filtering days, types of events, distance and category.
Events include things such as writing groups, book clubs, photography classes, talks, workshops, coffee mornings and more.
Every event is priced individually, and there are usually some that are free.
6. Craft Course
Specialising in craft experiences, almost any craft you can think of is covered on the Craft Courses site.
You can search by location or category. Some courses are available online so you don’t necessarily need to travel.
From making candles, to blacksmithing, bushcraft to ceramics, mosaics to floristry, gardening to sculpture and stone carving and plenty more, this is a great place to find ideas of new crafts to try.
I took part in a brilliant Mosaic making class that I found through Craft Course.
7. Class Bento
Offering creative workshops across the UK and virtually, Class Bento also have some offers in Australia and the US.
Their mission is to promote wellbeing and the arts, and they do this by offering a big range of great classes to sign up to
You can search by location, with some classes being in designated venues, others can bring their craft workshop to you, and there is a range of virtual classes.
Including pottery and painting, cooking, flowers, crafting and art, there’s a huge selection of opportunities to try new things.
8. Class Finder
Listing sports and exercise classes that you can take part in, Class Finder has a search functionality that will pull up activities happening in your area.
From aqua aerobics, ballet, clubercise, tabata to zumba, there are so many options to choose from, and most of them are pay as you go so there’s no need to sign up to multiple blocks.
With specific dates and times, class finder is great for finding something near you that fits in with your schedule.
Find New Things To Try Through Experience Websites
This part of the list includes sites where you can buy a voucher for an activity, and then book onto a date.
Perhaps considered as ‘big ticket’ experiences, they are often curated into categories and locations, offering lots of opportunities to try something new.
These sites are mostly aimed at people looking to buy gift experiences for other people, you’ll often see a filter to sort the experiences by recipient, but of course you can buy them for yourself too.
If you find an activity you like, you can usually see who the provider is and contact them directly if you have further questions or queries.
9. Red Letter Days
One of the first companies to specialise in experience vouchers, Red Letter Days have been operating since 1989.
Their categories include driving, adventure, attractions and tours, drinks and dining, pampering, short breaks and flying. You can also search by location.
With over 6000 experiences to choose from, you’re sure to find something you’ve not tried before.
10. Virgin Experience Days
Take a look through the different categories, such as driving, flying, arts and crafts, adventure, animal and food and drink.
You can also browse Virgin Experience Days by location and see what might be in your area.
With over 4000 adventures available, there’s sure to be something there to spark an idea of something new to try.
11.Buy A Gift
Buy A Gift sell vouchers for experiences across the UK.
Searchable by location, or from the categories including spa and beauty, short breaks, days out, food and drink, driving, adventure, and flying. Vouchers are often valid for several different locations.
It’s a great place to look for inspiration or new things to try.
12. Into The Blue
Into The Blue have plenty on offer to spark ideas of things to try, whether it’s something to get the heart racing like wing walking, or something more sedate such as dining on a steam train.
Search by location or type of experience and you can buy a voucher to book onto something you’ve never tried before.
13. WonderDays
WonderDays have a whole section of accessible experiences, unlocking a world of opportunity for everyone, regardless of ability.
Specialising in experience gifts, you can search by the type of experience, such as water sports, flying, food and drink, adventure and animal.
New experiences can be found by location too, so it’s worth a browse to see what you can try nearby.
14. Uniquely Local
Uniquely Local offer experience gifts across Yorkshire, with some virtual activities too.
They seem to offer some more unique experiences that I’ve not seen on other sites.
From food and drink, crafts and creative to outdoor and adventure, there are lots of ideas of new things to try on their site.
I’ve been on a night time photography workshop from Uniquely Local that was brilliant.
15. Experience Days
Offering a wide variety of different types of experiences, in different locations across the UK.
You can search Experience Days by location, or through the categories and view any events ‘near me’
With a good mix of classes, pampering and adventure, there are a lot of new things to try on this site.
16. Activity Superstore
Activity Superstore are experience enthusiasts, offering a wide variety of different types of experiences, in different locations across the UK.
Search through experiences or locations, they also have an inspiration section.
Experience categories include days out and short breaks, adventure, driving, spa and theatre.
Find New Things To Try From Gift Websites
These next sites are not exclusively experience sellers. Alongside the physical gifts, they offer a selection of vouchers for experiences, and potential new things to try.
17. Not On The High Street
A great place for personalised and unique gifts, Not On The High Street also sell experiences across the UK.
From days out to more adrenaline fuelled activities, they’ve catagorised their experiences into food; art; sports; music; photography and adventure.
From masterclasses, driving experiences, one on one lessons, crafts and unusual locations, there’s plenty of ideas of new things to try here.
18. Prezzybox
Prezzybox sell gifts, including experiences such as adrenaline, driving and short stays.
You can search through their experiences which are filtered by recipient or by interest, and find something new to have a go at.
Find New Things To Try Through Travel Sites
You may have used these websites and apps when you’ve been on holiday or travelling, and they are great places to look for new things to try.
They’re also worth a look to see what’s available around your local area.
Perhaps there’s a tour of somewhere nearby that you’ve never been before, maybe there’s a class or a workshop that you can try, or an activity you can be part of.
19. Get Your Guide
Get Your Guide is a brilliant resource if you want to book onto a tour or activity and immerse yourself in the culture of a place.
Not just a fantastic site if you’re travelling, it’s also worth taking a look at what is available in your local area.
Searchable by location, you can then filter through categories, interests, attractions, and more.
My experience of Walking on the edge of Tallinn TV Tower was through Get Your Guide.
20. Viator
Another tour group provider, Viator are great for finding tours and trips to be a part of when you’re away, but also worth a look to see what’s on in your home town.
Offering a range of tours and workshops, it’s a good place to have a look to see if there’s something new you can try.
21. Airbnb
Not just for accommodation!
Airbnb also offers experiences, either in person, or virtually, with prices to suit all budgets.
These experiences are great for when you are visiting new places, but also worth a look to see what is offered in your local area too.
In-person experiences often include tours that take guests off the beaten track, food and drink tours, cookery classes making specific things, photography experiences, craft workshops and plenty more. In person experiences can cost from around £12 upwards
Online experiences can let you travel the world without leaving the house. There are lots of opportunities to try new things such as dance classes, astrology readings, cookery classes from locals showing you how to make traditional dishes, virtual tours from around the world where a local guide will show you the sights of their home, practice a language with a native speaker, and you can learn from experts about different topics, such as shark scientists and historians.
Prices start from as little as £5 per person.
I took part in an amazing live virtual safari in South Africa and a virtual K-Pop dance class through Airbnb
22. Trip Advisor
Not just restaurant and attractions reviews, Trip Advisor also highlight different tours and experiences for different destinations. Viator mentioned above is a Trip Advisor company so there is likely to be some overlap.
Worth a look to see what’s availabe where you live as you might uncover some things you’ve not tried before.
23. Time Out
Time Out is all about helping people to go out. Offering the ultimate guide to the best art and entertainment, food and drink, attractions, hotels and things to do in the world’s greatest cities.
The What’s On section is full of ideas. It’s great to check out for your home city and further afield as you’ll find plenty of ideas of new things to try.
Other Ways To Find New Things To Try
This last part of the list is a bit of a miscellaneous group, providing plenty of ideas for new experiences.
24. Google
Or your preferred search engine. Perhaps an obvious one, but still worth including.
Search for ‘what’s on’ and a location, and you’ll return a list of upcoming events that might spark your interest.
Many towns and cities have their own ‘Visit X’ pages which list events and things to do, so have a search to see what you can find.
25. Friends, Family, Colleagues
Talk to friends and family about their hobbies or any clubs they may be part of. You never know what ideas it might spark for you.
They will be able to give you details and may be able to take you along to try out their activity.
A friend of mine let me know when his golf club were doing open taster days so I was able to try golf for the first time.
26. Social Media
This could be a whole post in itself as there are so many ways to use social media to find new things to try. However, I’ve kept it brief with just a few recommendations.
Facebook groups. Have a look for facebook groups in your area. These are a great way to find out about events and activities that you can try.
Instagram. Many accounts are for places, and they’ll often share what’s coming up in that area, so keep an eye out for anything that might be happening near you that sparks your interest.
Pinterest. Whilst Pinterest doesn’t always specifically link to providers of activities and specific dates, you can find lots of ideas of new things to try, which you can then search for to see if there’s anything like that happening near you.
27. Blogs
It would be remiss of me to not include Challenge Fifty Two here!
My aim is to share the fifty-two new things I try each year on this site, and details so that you can try them yourself.
There are plenty of useful and helful blogs online, and many of them will share experiences and how you can give them a go too. These are two that I have regularly visited.
Bucket List Journey is all about ticking things off a bucket list, and shares lots of great ideas on her site.
100 new things to try, from Dominika who is trying 100 things she’s never tried before, and has lots of helpful suggestions including ideas in the jar and card decks providing inspiration and encouragement to try new things.
Let Me Know What New Things You Try, And Anything I've Missed
I’m certain you will be able to find something you’ve never tried before by using some the links and ideas in this list.
Let me know how you get on, what you find and what you try.
I also know there are bound to be lots of resources I haven’t included, so please share any that you use and find helpful.