Free indoor adult-friendly solo activities away from home

I don't know how closely this is to OP, but even before the pandemic I was looking for 'a third place' to hang out after work before commuting home as public transit can be too busy for my liking. There's a lot fewer options than you might think. Few coffee shops are good to staying more than 10s of minutes (annoying music, too much traffic, etc). Not many libraries in the city core. I often just had an early dinner trying something new if I could and sat for a while more, which isn't quite what I was looking for.

Now with 'the office' being the same as home, I really need to find a 2nd place. The only thing I'd found was driving less and walking to stores and coffee shops within distance.

I tried some co-working spaces, but they were too worky. Seems like an opportunity: co-hanging spaces. Some places were good, but after I had a coffee, a tea, biscuits, I didn't know what else do to but leave.

Why does it have to not cost anything? If you can spend $5 you open up entire categories of businesses that exist specifically as adult hangout spots: cafes, bars, wine bars, board game cafes, whatever. You said you're doing FIRE but also are a SWE. Surely you can pick up a side project or something and pay for like an entire year of these hangouts for a few days of work. Your mental health is worth it, no?

$5 for a few hours of hanging out in a safe and curated space really isn't a bad deal at all (it might be for the business, but not for you).

Back when I was in a similar boat, spending time at these community spaces and just being among people, whether I was working or reading or goofing off or people watching, really helped keep me sane.

If you can spend a little more, $10 or $20, it also opens up bowling, golf ranges, climbing, various lessons, concerts, lectures, etc.

The hard part here isn't the solo adult activity, it's being too cheap to support businesses that provide those activities.

Find your nearest juggling club on https://jugglingedge.com

Not exactly free but very cheap - you can buy props for a few bucks and they last for years. Not exactly solo but pretty close - many Jugglers are introverts that go to juggling clubs mostly to practice by themselves in a corner.

As a bonus a large proportion of Jugglers are also SWEs so it's a great networking opportunity. I have personally received multiple job offers from fellow Jugglers.

- art classes (ceramics, painting, drawing, cooking, music)

- guest lectures at local colleges

- live music at restaurants or bars (not always free, but sometimes it is)

- any sports/exercise at YMCA (not totally free, but incredibly inexpensive and saves money in the long run if it helps you exercise)

You are really limiting yourself by limiting free and indoor activities. Free and outdoor, that's the whole world. A walk, a hike, camping, watching a sunset, fishing, hunting, wild life photography, star gazing, bird watching, geocaching, rock hounding, survivalist training, surveying, gardening, going to a park...

Why would you quietly read books at Barnes and Noble, rather than your local library? They will even let you borrow the books.

As for a simple search term: free museums in if you are willing to drive there, 5-10usd shouldn't make a difference and you will have lots more options.

If your budget doesn't allow you to spend money while you're making money now, how's the quality of FI/RE life gonna be later?

A JCC/YMCA/gym membership is worth it even as an investment for your future health. Or go volunteer at your local food bank, or pick up a weekend retail shift.

Going to work during weekends. My manager used to do this as a way to escape from his family.

What is the goal of the time spending, is it teambuilding for a group of people? Or maybe you are just bored of sitting in front of computer?

Edit: did not see "solo" word. How about sport activities? Running costs literally zero, some other sports like longboarding requires a little bit of gear. Hiking/bikepacking is another popular choice which costs absolutely nothing.

If you have any public library in your vicinity, then that could be a place to hang out.

Just go to the nearest indoor mall and walk laps. Good for your health and free.