I let apps plan my social life, and honestly, it worked

At some point in adulthood, “What are we doing tonight?” stops sounding like an exciting question and starts feeling like a group project with no leader and even less motivation. That’s where the apps come in (fingers crossed). I already use Time Out to find the best restaurants and things to do in whatever city I’m in—because obviously—but sometimes I want something even more niche or spontaneous, especially when I’m traveling and trying to find something that I could share with (and impress, if I’m being honest) that city’s Time Out editor.

So I downloaded a bunch of apps promising to help. Some focused on live music. Others wanted me to “connect with my community,” even when I was just passing through. One kept pushing EDM yoga. I tried a few more than what you'll see, but those didn’t make the cut—and these are the ones that actually delivered. Whether I was in San Francisco, Brooklyn or killing time in a random airport-adjacent suburb, these apps surfaced events and experiences I wouldn’t have found on my own.

This isn’t about “maximizing joy” or “rediscovering wonder.” It’s about having plans when you don’t know the city, don’t know the people and still want to do something better than stare at your phone on a hotel bed. And at home, it’s about never hearing the words “We should’ve just stayed in” ever again.

Geocaching

Geocaching turns any city into a low-key treasure map, using GPS to lead to hidden containers called caches. It’s the perfect mix of outdoorsy and nerdy—think urban hiking with tiny rewards and bragging rights. I was pleasantly surprised by how many caches I found tucked into quiet corners of Woodside, California, and even scattered around my hometown in northern New Jersey. Here in the Bay Area, where I live, I’ve found caches hidden in Golden Gate Park, tucked behind Muni stops and once inside a fake rock near Ocean Beach. I started looking at everyday spots like they were puzzles. I also started noticing things I’d never noticed before. It’s a clever, surprisingly satisfying way to reintroduce yourself to the places you already thought you knew—and to get a completely different look at the places you’re just passing through. 

• Who’s on it: Curious introverts, outdoorsy couples, puzzle-loving families and people who like hobbies that feel secretive but wholesome.
• What it’s good at: Turning literally any neighborhood into an adventure. It gets you outside, gives you a mission and scratches that “I did something today” itch.
• Room for improvement: Some caches are missing, soggy or weirdly hard to access unless you’re part mountain goat. Also, explaining it to friends makes you sound slightly unwell.
  
• Where to find it
  Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Meetup

Meetup is for finding your people—whether that’s hiking groups, book clubs or strangers who also love 2000s pop punk. The app makes it easy to browse local events and try something new without the pressure of pretending you already have a social life. It’s great for niche interests and low-effort human interaction. Yes, event quality varies, and yes, some groups push essential oils. But I once brought an apple pie to a potluck lunch I found on Meetup and left with a date. Crust game strong. (Full disclosure: my friend, Erin, made the pie.)

• Who’s on it: New-in-town types, hobby collectors, extroverts in disguise and people looking for friends without committing to a group chat.
• What it’s good at: Helping you find niche communities without going down the usual rabbit holes on Reddit. It’s surprisingly efficient at turning “I should get out more” into an actual calendar event.
• Room for improvement: Some meetups feel like networking events in disguise. Others are great but vanish after two sessions. It’s a bit of a social gamble.
  
• Where to find it
  Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Bandsintown

Bandsintown is the friend who always knows when your favorite artist is in town—without the snobbery. In full disclosure, I’m not a live-music kind of guy, so feel free to judge me like the friend I just mentioned (who is real and who I talked to about this app). It syncs with your music library and streaming apps to send personalized concert alerts, plus it tracks smaller venues that most platforms ignore. It’s great for planning your next night out and/or maintaining your status as the person in your group—and the world—who knows the most about music. If you like live music, this app keeps your calendar honest. (I kid about my friend. I love him like the annoying older brother I never had.)

• Who’s on it: Live music fans, playlist curators and anyone with a Google calendar just for tour dates.
• What it’s good at: Delivering perfectly timed “just announced” alerts. It makes discovering live music feel effortless. Bonus—its logo is awesome.
• Room for improvement: Venue info isn’t always crystal clear and some lesser-known shows can slip through the cracks. It’s smart—but not psychic.
  
• Where to find it
  Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Eventbrite

Eventbrite is how I ended up at a dumpling-making workshop in a warehouse that doubled as an art gallery—because, of course, it did. Unlike Meetup, which is more about recurring social groups and community bonding, Eventbrite is built for one-off moments that feel spontaneous but still well-organized. It’s not about finding your people, it’s about finding your plans. I use it when I want to do something fun, interesting or vaguely productive without having to commit long-term.

• Who’s on it: People who like to “do things,” overschedulers, culture chasers and anyone who’s ever RSVP’d just because it makes them feel a little more loved.
• What it’s good at: A wide range of events, solid filters and a clean interface that makes committing to plans dangerously easy.
• Where it falls short: Some events are weirdly overpriced or suspiciously vague. You’ll want to read the fine print before you end up at a “networking mixer” in a basement.
• Where to find it
  Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Vivid Seats

Vivid Seats is my go-to when I need tickets fast—usually because I forgot they went on sale weeks ago. It’s a resale platform, kind of like StubHub, but in my experience, the prices are often better and the app feels a little less like a spreadsheet. You can browse by artist, venue or event, and there’s a rewards program if you’re the kind of person who goes to enough shows to rack up points. The music friend I mentioned earlier recommended I use it to grab last-minute seats to see Kumail Nanjiani at Oakland’s Fox Theater in February. Yet again, he was right.

• Who’s on it: Concert diehards, sports fans with no chill and anyone who forgot to buy tickets when they were normal-human priced.
• What it’s good at: Wide selection, decent deals and a clean interface that makes panic-buying feel kind of classy. The rewards program’s a nice bonus if you're a frequent flyer.
• Room for improvement: Service fees still sting and resale prices can fluctuate wildly. Also, not every seat photo matches the view, so manage those expectations.
• Where to find it
  Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Eatwith

Eatwith is the favorite app of food and travel lovers—the kind who prioritize their trips around what's on the plate before what's on the itinerary. Unlike other apps that treat food like a logistics problem, Eatwith makes it personal with everything from rooftop dinner parties and hands-on cooking classes to gastro-tours led by hosts who know their city like a well-seasoned recipe. You’re not just eating—you’re swapping hot sauce with graphic designers, film students and people who’ve definitely been to Burning Man. I booked both a brunch in San Francisco hosted by a jazz guitarist and his wife, and a bar crawl in Denver led by a chef who knew everyone from the bartenders to the fry cooks. Eatwith covers 130+ countries, which is great, because once you’ve tried it, you’ll want to do this everywhere. Think of it as Airbnb for your tastebuds, but with more butter and less small talk about towels.

• Who’s on it: Solo travelers chasing connection, foodie couples dodging prix fixe fatigue and cool Gen Xers who actually want to talk to strangers at dinner.
• What it’s good at: Authentic meals in real homes, curated experiences that feel less like tourist traps and more like underground supper clubs, and a solid way to meet people without downloading another app.
• Room for improvement: The interface could use a glow-up and it’s not always clear what you’re walking into until you’re literally walking into it. A little more consistency with host info and vibes would help—especially if you’re not in the mood for improv jazz mid-bite and want to weed out brunch DJs from the actual chefs.
• Where to find it
  Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Localie

Localie pairs you with a local who picks you up—airport, hotel, wherever—and shows you the city through your own hyper-specific lens. In LA, I said I liked street art and tacos, and by lunch, I was photographing murals in the Arts District and debating salsa heat levels in a spot with no menu and no social presence. The app builds half- or full-day itineraries around your interests, minus the tourist crowds and awkward group tours. It’s like having a friend in every city, if that friend also did logistics and knew every shortcut anywhere, including the coffee shop.

• Who’s on it: Travelers who want personal tours without the matching t-shirts, solo explorers who hate planning and anyone allergic to group itineraries.
• What it’s good at: Custom half- or full-day city tours built around your interests, with locals who meet you wherever you are and actually know their stuff. Great if you want context, culture and good coffee without wasting a minute.
• Room for improvement: It’s not in every city yet and it's not available for Android phones. Also, availability can fill up fast. A few more upfront details about your local’s vibe wouldn’t hurt either.
• Where to find it
  Apple App Store

AllEvents

AllEvents is like the classified section of every site in the country got dumped into one app, handed a calendar, and told to get its life together. It’s a little chaotic, occasionally weird, but shockingly useful if you know how to scan for the gems. It’s not flashy, but it’s thorough, and sometimes that’s what we all need. I used it to find a late-night board game group in the Bay Area that turned out to be weirdly competitive and completely great. Again, not the sleekest app, but it’s really reliable, like your grandma’s landline—always on and pretty easy to figure out.

• Who’s on it: Curious locals, hyper-organized planners and people who purposefully use the most stripped-down version of everything (you know who you are).
• What it’s good at: Covers everything from big festivals to niche community meetups you didn’t know existed. Great if you want options and don’t mind digging a little.
• Room for improvement: The interface isn’t exactly chic, and some listings feel like they were written in a rush. Still, it gets the job done—and then some.
• Where to find it
  Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Discotech

Discotech is a secret weapon for people who want to go out but refuse to wait in line like civilians. The app handles guest lists, table bookings and entry info for clubs and lounges, all without the awkward texting of someone’s “promoter friend.” It’s slick, surprisingly organized and way less chaotic than other nightlife apps I’ve tried. Since I’m not a live (or loud) music fan, this app isn’t really for me. There are a lot of clubs and concerts, so I asked a friend (a different friend who likes to go to the occasional rave) to use it and get back to me. Her take? She used it for a small group of friends in Brooklyn, and yes—it actually worked. No wristbands, no drama, just entry.

• Who’s on it: Nightlife pros, birthday planners, bottle service people and anyone allergic to standing in lines
• What it’s good at: Smooth bookings, real-time club info and no need to DM someone named “DJ Leo” to get in. Everything’s upfront and mostly drama-free.
• Room for improvement: Heavily favors big cities, so if you're not in L.A., Vegas or Miami, options can be sparse. Also, not every venue updates consistently—check twice, party once.
• Where to find it
  Apple App Store | Google Play Store

GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide is my go-to when I want to book tours and activities without falling into a tourist trap. Everything on the app is clean, organized and trustworthy, feeling like it’s either run by or personally vetted by GetYourGuide. You’ll find food walks, museum access, day trips and offbeat experiences that don’t feel like they were scraped from the internet at random. I used it to book a dinner with a Parisian local who took me to a small place on the Ile de la Cité for pot-au-feu and conversation. Ten out of ten, would awkwardly overstay again.

• Who’s on it: Travelers who want unique experiences but also love a well-formatted itinerary. Basically, people who read reviews and pack backup chargers.
• What it’s good at: Everything feels curated and legit—nothing sketchy, nothing slapped together. Great mix of cultural deep-dives, food and “I can’t believe I booked this online” moments.
• Room for improvement: To some people, a few experiences may feel a little too polished, like they were designed for Instagram. But then, there are a lot of people on Instagram who would argue with me.
• Where to find it
  Apple App Store | Google Play Store

If you’re hoping one app will solve your social calendar issues, don’t. They all have quirks, varying vibes and at least one feature that makes you think the developer was targeting you. But try a few, mix and match, and you’ll probably stumble into something fun. At minimum, you’ll have plans. At best, you’ll have stories that start somewhere better than your hotel lobby—or your couch, watching your group texting “what’s everyone up to?” for the sixth night in a row.