Best Hobby Classes Near Me: Find In-Person & Virtual Training

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At the end of a long work week, most people just want to spend time doing something for themselves. Many choose to de-stress with a workout, while others may opt for a little video game night. Others prefer to spend their Saturdays painting, while others may opt for surfing. There are endless interesting hobbies to pick up. Taking the first step makes it possible to find the right hobby (or hobbies!) for you.

An Overview of Hobbies to Explore

With so many hobbies to choose from, it can feel overwhelming knowing where to start. What’s most important is that the hobby of your choice helps you feel fulfilled and gives you a moment to enjoy yourself. Here are a few types of hobbies that you may feel interested in exploring:

Creative: Hobbies that include artistic effort fall under this category, like photography, writing, music, visual design, and crafting. These activities can be relaxing and enjoyable such as taking pictures on nature walks, or more skill-driven such as entering painting contests.
Physical Activity: The beauty of physical activity hobbies is that they’re so customizable. There are seemingly endless options, from running and swimming to yoga and weightlifting. Not only that, but it can also be as group-oriented as you wish. For instance, you could join a sports league to work with a team or attend yoga classes that are laid-back and more personalized.
Tech-Related: Many people enjoy gaming as a way of unwinding, whereas some like to get their hands directly in the mix and learn more about mechanics or robotics. On the other hand, some prefer the development side of tech and learn several coding languages to develop games and platforms.
Outdoors: For those who enjoy nature, gardening, hiking, camping, and traveling are among the best outdoor hobbies. Whether you don’t mind getting some dirt under your nails or just prefer sightseeing, outdoor hobbies allow you to ground yourself, slow down, and unwind.
Cognitive: Many people have hobbies like cooking, blogging, or learning new languages to keep their minds sharp. Studies show time and time again that the cognitive benefits of learning a new language are invaluable. Plus, cooking requires mental clarity and, to an extent, physical dexterity. Blogging keeps the mind focused and improves overall thought processing.
Business: Many hobbies can turn into side hustles or small businesses. Those interested in selling their products and services can explore options for ecommerce platforms and marketing opportunities. Whether you offer DIY home improvements or event planning, there’s a market out there for you. Many crafty individuals sell their jewelry, art, and other handmade goods on Etsy, Amazon, and other related platforms.

How Hobbies Benefit You

The right hobby will benefit you in mind, body, and spirit. Hobbies help with stress relief most of all, which is sorely needed for most hardworking individuals. Not only that, but hobbies that focus on physical activity keep you healthy and active, likely lengthening your lifespan. Furthermore, hobbies can lead to more socialization. You can acquire many new friends if you find a crafting group, book club, or fitness studio that aligns with your interests. Ultimately, hobbies can help you become more mindful and well-rounded. This all can lead to more confidence and a greater sense of self. But most of all, hobbies are limitless — you can choose as many as you want and explore whatever seems to fit with your vibe as your desires shift and change.

Hobbies That Can Turn into Careers

Some careers can lead to full-blown careers. In many cases, creative or tech-based hobbies are the easier options for breaking into the professional sphere, but with determination and innovation, anything is possible. Here are just a few hobbies that are already desirable career paths.

Photographer

Documents life’s moments, from family gatherings to special events. Captures and edits photos to perfection and the client’s liking.
Average Salary: $39,000 to $72,000/year—Average: $52,000

Software Developer

Designs and creates software for various purposes, including financial tools and computer games. Often maintains and debugs software as well.
Average Salary: $76,000 to $119,000/year—Average: $95,000

Graphic Designer

Creates visual imagery (print and digital) for brands using tools like Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
Average Salary: $45,000 to $73,000/year—Average: $57,000

Interior Designer

Makes indoor spaces stylish and functional. Provides spaces that suit the client and user’s needs while adhering to the preferred aesthetic.
Average Salary: $47,000 to $84,000/year—Average: $63,000

Ideal Cities for Hobbyists

At the end of the day, hobbies can be started from anywhere in the world. But for those looking for a wide variety of hobbies to explore, these cities stand out the most. Read below to learn more about the hobby opportunities in NYC, Seattle, L.A., and San Francisco.

New York City: The city that never sleeps is an ideal spot for a budding hobbyist. It’s a city full of creative endeavors, including anything from photography and pottery classes to poetry slams and art galleries. It’s also a great city for foodies who want to learn how to cook a variety of cuisines. Music lovers will benefit greatly from the number of clubs, music halls, and concert venues to choose from.
Seattle: Seattle’s diverse environment means there are many outdoor activities to choose from. Many enjoy hiking and cycling through the gorgeous mountains or kayaking through the valleys and rivers. On the other hand, those who prefer artistic hobbies are in luck. The city is speckled with bookshops, DIY stores, and crafting studios that offer classes and workshops. Many choose to take up crochet to continue weaving cozy blankets and sweaters throughout the drizzly winter months.
Los Angeles: Between the entertainment industry, the beach, and the diverse population, endless hobby options exist for those in Los Angeles. Sports lovers can partake in surfing and beach volleyball, and catch local sporting events like the Chargers and Lakers games. Those with an acting streak can join improv groups and theaters, perhaps earning a chance to play in a local or national commercial. Lastly, there are tons of cultures in L.A., so it’s possible to learn about the history of Hollywood or various cuisines through tours and classes.
San Francisco: Many budding photography enthusiasts enjoy capturing the fog around the Golden Gate Bridge or even painting the gorgeous sunset on the beach. In addition, San Francisco is a great place for surfing and fishing, as well as hiking and biking through the various parks. Plus, San Francisco has a history of volunteerism, so there are always community events where folks can offer tutoring services.

Hobby Topics

Art

Art classes provide you with multiple creative activities, such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography to explore your artistic talents and express yourself in various artistic mediums.

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Pottery

Pottery classes let you explore your creativity and learn the techniques and skills necessary to create beautiful handmade ceramic pieces for personal enjoyment and self-expression.

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Mosaic

Mosaic classes let you learn the art of creating beautiful mosaic pieces by using a variety of materials, like paper, and several cut-up techniques.

Jewelry Making

Jewelry making courses provide you with a creative and hands-on experience designing and crafting unique pieces of jewelry. You’ll learn various techniques like wire wrapping, beading, metalwork, and stone setting to create beautiful accessories for personal or commercial use.

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Sewing

Sewing classes offer hobbyists like you the chance to learn basic to advanced sewing techniques to create multiple projects while enjoying the relaxing experience of sewing.

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Enamel

Enamel classes help you learn the art of enameling or fusing glass to metal and master techniques to produce vibrant and durable designs on jewelry, home decor, or decorative objects.

Watercolor

Watercolor classes teach you the techniques and methods necessary for using watercolors to create beautiful and expressive artwork at home for fun or profit.

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Photography

Photography classes teach beginner and intermediate photographers all about the skills and techniques needed to capture stunning images and to improve their creative eye for clever photo angles.

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Embroidery

Embroidery classes give you hands-on instruction and guidance in various techniques to learn and practice the art of embroidery and create beautiful and personalized projects.

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Floral Design

Floral design teaches you all about arranging flowers and foliage to create beautiful and aesthetically pleasing compositions and the opportunity to express your creativity and enhance your home décor.

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Woodworking

Woodworking classes provide you with hands-on instruction and guidance in learning techniques like wood carving, joinery, and furniture making to develop your skills and create personalized projects.

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Glass Blowing

Glass blowing classes teach you the techniques and skills required to create beautiful and unique glass art pieces and explore your creativity with glass creations.

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Craft

Craft classes offer you many hands-on experiences and the chance to learn techniques and create exciting projects to explore your artistic talents and produce unique and personalized pieces.

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Perfume Making

Perfume making classes teach you the art of creating unique scents, using a variety of essential oils and aromatic compounds to develop signature fragrances.

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Candle Making

Learn to create beautiful and aromatic candles at home with these beginner-friendly candle making classes. You’ll explore various techniques and materials to make unique candles for your personal enjoyment or gifting.

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Art History

Art history classes explore the historical context and significance of various artistic movements and styles to provide you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of art.

Sculpture

Sculpture classes give you the opportunity to explore your creativity and learn important sculpting techniques and play with various materials to create 3D art.

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Calligraphy

Calligraphy classes teach the art of crafting beautiful handwriting and focus on writing styles, techniques, and tools to create visually stunning lettering.

Welding

Welding classes provide you with hands-on training and instruction in various welding techniques to improve your skills and produce attractive metalwork projects.

Ring Making

Ring making classes give you the opportunity to learn the art of crafting unique and personalized rings to express your creativity and create beautiful pieces of wearable art.

Crochet

Crochet classes offer beginners and experienced hobbyists like you the opportunity to learn new crocheting techniques, patterns, and skills and provide a creative and relaxing outlet for your personal expression.

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Knitting

Knitting classes teach beginners the basic techniques and skills needed to create knitted projects, such as scarves, hats, and blankets, and to provide more experienced knitters with advanced techniques to expand their repertoire.

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Soap Making

Soap making classes let you learn the art of creating beautifully scented, handmade soaps with various techniques and ingredients.

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Carpentry

Carpentry classes help you learn fundamental woodworking skills and techniques, including mastering using various tools and materials to create and design customized wooden projects.

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Quilting

In this class, you can learn the art of quilting to create beautiful, personalized pieces using various techniques and patterns. You’ll gain the skills and knowledge needed to create intricate designs, stitch together fabrics, and bring your creative visions to life.

Weaving

Weaving classes let you learn the art of creating textiles by hand, exploring various techniques and materials to create unique and beautiful woven pieces.

Bead

Beading classes teach you the skills necessary for creating beautiful jewelry and accessories using beads, offering a creative and relaxing pastime for anyone interested in DIY crafts.

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Stained Glass

Stained glass classes provide you with hands-on instruction and techniques for creating beautiful stained glass pieces to create a rewarding and artistic hobby for people of all skill levels.

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Metal Working

Hobby metal working classes teach you the various techniques and tools needed to manipulate and shape metal so you can produce unique and functional objects like jewelry, sculptures, and decorative items.

Mixed Media

Mixed media classes teach you about various art forms and techniques that combine materials and styles to produce unique and expressive works of art.

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Makeup

Makeup classes teach you the techniques and skills needed to enhance your makeup application. You’ll experiment with different styles and develop your passion for creative makeup looks.

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Hair

Hair care classes teach you how to style and care for different types of hair and cover basic techniques to produce advanced hairstyles for personal or commercial use.

Cooking

Cooking classes help you learn various cooking styles to enhance your culinary skills while you explore different cuisines and discover a passion for cooking in an interactive environment.

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Baking

Baking classes teach you the techniques and skills needed to create various baked goods such as bread, pastries, and cakes and indulge in your passion for baking and further develop your culinary skills.

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Couples Cooking

Couples cooking classes offer a fun and interactive way for you and your partner to bond while learning new culinary skills and techniques together.

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Pasta Making

Pasta making classes provide you with lessons in making homemade pasta from scratch as you explore various doughs, shapes, and flavors to create delicious and authentic Italian dishes.

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Pizza Making

Pizza classes help you master cooking homemade pizzas from scratch, including skills like dough-making, sauce-preparation, and toppings-mixing through interactive and hands-on pizza making lessons.

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Bread Making

Bread making classes provide you with the opportunity to learn the art and science of baking bread, including mastering basic techniques and practicing advanced recipes, in a hands-on and interactive setting.

Cheese Making

Cheese making classes help you learn the art and science of crafting delicious and unique cheeses, including professional guidance in a hands-on learning experience.

Sushi Making

Sushi making classes cover basic and advanced rolling techniques and will guide you through the process of preparing sushi rice, and rolling sushi rolls while mastering important knife and cutting techniques.

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Cake Decorating

Cake decorating classes teach the skills and techniques needed to create beautiful and intricate designs on cakes. This makes it an enjoyable and creative class for those who are passionate about baking and art as hobbies.

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Culinary

Culinary classes offer you an opportunity to learn various cooking techniques, explore different cuisines, and enhance your culinary skills in a fun and enjoyable environment.

Knife Skills

Knife skills classes teach you how to properly handle and use knives for cooking, including slicing, dicing, and chopping various ingredients.

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Wine Tasting

Wine tasting classes provide you with an opportunity to learn about wine types, their flavors, and the art of tasting to enhance your knowledge and appreciation of wine as a hobby.

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Wine & Cheese

Wine and cheese classes let you learn about and taste various wines and cheeses, expanding your knowledge and appreciation for these culinary delights.

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Mixology

Mixology classes offer you a fun and educational way to learn how to make cocktails as you, explore different flavors and techniques to create personalized drinks.

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Butchery

Butchery classes let you explore the techniques of cutting, preparing, and presenting various types of meat. Develop your skills and knowledge in this hands-on class to create delicious dishes at home.

Vegan Cooking

Vegan cooking classes give you the opportunity to explore plant-based culinary techniques and recipes to provide a creative and sustainable approach to preparing delicious meals without animal products.

Vegetarian Cooking

Vegetarian cooking classes teach you about plant-based cooking techniques and recipes to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

Italian Cooking

Italian cooking classes help you learn authentic Italian recipes and techniques to recreate beloved favorites such as pasta, risotto, and tiramisu in their own kitchen.

Indian Cooking

Indian cooking classes teach you to create delicious traditional Indian-style dishes from scratch using a variety of fragrant spices and traditional cooking techniques in a fun and engaging hands-on environment.

Croissant Making

Croissant making classes teach you all about the art of making delicious croissants from scratch, mastering the techniques of dough preparation, shaping, and baking to create flaky and buttery pastries.

Chocolate

Chocolate making classes teach you the art of creating delicious and aesthetically pleasing chocolate as well as covering techniques like tempering, molding, and decorating.

Dumpling

Dumpling making classes offer you the chance to learn how to cook delicious and authentic dumplings from scratch and explore various fillings while mastering the technique of folding and cooking them to perfection.

Hip Hop Dance

Hip hop dance classes offer you a fun and energetic way to learn the latest hip-hop dance moves and techniques and provide you with a creative outlet while you improve your coordination, rhythm, and performance skills.

Belly Dancing

Belly dancing classes offer you a fun and expressive way to explore this unique dance style and develop core strength, flexibility, and body awareness.

Bollywood Dance

Bollywood dance classes teach you a fun and energetic hobby that immerses you in the vibrant and dynamic world of Indian cinema as you learn traditional and contemporary dance styles.

Twerk

Twerk classes offer you a unique and fun way to exercise and express oneself through rhythmic and energetic dance movements that will build confidence, improve coordination, and tone muscles.

Drawing

Drawing classes help you to develop artistic skills, unleash creativity, and find relaxation and enjoyment by mastering the art of drawing.

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Figure Drawing

Figure drawing classes let you improve your artistic skills by teaching you to accurately depict the human form using various advanced drawing techniques and practical mediums.

Life Drawing

Life drawing classes give you the opportunity to improve your artistic skills and explore the human form through the study of live models, which makes it a popular choice for hobbyists interested in mastering drawing and painting.

Botanical Drawing

Botanical drawing classes give you the opportunity to learn how to accurately and artistically depict plants and flowers through careful observation and skilled artistic techniques.

Portrait Drawing

Portrait drawing classes provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills capturing the likeness and unique features of the human face in a variety of mediums to encourage expression and growth in this popular artistic hobby.

Illustration

Illustration classes provide you with a creative outlet if you’re interested in developing your drawing and storytelling skills in various mediums and using multiple techniques.

Cartoon Drawing

Cartoon drawing classes offer you a fun and creative outlet to learn the basic techniques and skills needed to bring fun, funny, and imaginative cartoon characters to life.

Comic Drawing

Comic drawing classes teach you to create unique characters, develop dynamic storylines, and bring your ideas to life in drawing.

Gardening

Gardening classes teach you the knowledge and skills necessary to cultivate and maintain a variety of plants, flowers, and vegetables for personal enjoyment and relaxation.

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Painting

Painting classes give you the opportunity to explore your creativity, learn new painting techniques, and express when painting to develop an enjoyable and fulfilling hobby.

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Oil Painting

Oil painting classes give you a creative and relaxing outlet to learn the techniques and methods of oil painting to express your artistic abilities and develop imaginative paintings using vibrant colors and textures.

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Screen Printing

Screen printing classes teach beginners like you screen printing techniques and fundamentals, including creating and preparing screens, mixing inks, and printing designs onto various surfaces.

Acrylic Painting

Acrylic painting classes offer you the opportunity to explore acrylic painting techniques and styles to find a creative outlet and develop your artistic skills as a hobby.

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Watercolor Painting

Watercolor painting classes give you the opportunity to explore and develop your artistic skills in the versatile and expressive medium of watercolor.

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Abstract Painting

Abstract painting classes provide you with a creative outlet to explore your artistic skills and express yourself through non-representational forms and colors in this exciting hobby.

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Paint & Sip

Paint and sip classes provide you with a fun and social hobby and learning experience to unleash your inner creativity while enjoying your favorite glass of wine or another beverage.

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BYOB Painting

BYOB painting classes give you a fun and creative hobby in which you can unwind and socialize while exploring your artistic abilities and creating unique masterpieces.

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Acting

Acting classes give you a creative outlet to explore and develop your performance skills in character development, improvisation, and scene work to improve your self-expression and confidence in a supportive environment.

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Improv

Improv classes offer a fun and creative outlet for you to learn and practice spontaneous storytelling and comedic performance with supportive and friendly teammates.

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Swing

Swing classes provide you with a fun and social way to learn and practice the energetic and rhythmic dancing style, which can improve your coordination, musicality, and confidence on the dance floor.

Performing Arts

Performing arts classes provide you with a creative and enjoyable way to explore art forms like music, dance, and theater, letting you express yourself and develop your talents in a caring and supportive environment.

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Film

Film classes provide you with a comprehensive understanding of filmmaking techniques, storytelling, and cinema history to explore your passion for film and develop practical skills in directing, writing, editing, and cinematography.

Dance

Dance classes teach you various dance styles and techniques and let you practice exciting moves with partners to gain physical fitness and coordination while improving your artistic expression.

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Music

Music classes let you explore your passion for music, develop your skills, and gain a deeper understanding of important musical concepts and techniques.

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Learn More About Hobby Courses

An Overview of Hobbies to Explore

How Hobbies Benefit You

Hobbies That Can Turn into Careers

Ideal Cities for Hobbyists

Hobby Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Hobby Training Map & Top Locations

594 Courses Available in NYC

Hobby Topics

Art

Pottery

Mosaic

Jewelry Making

Sewing

Enamel

Watercolor

Photography

Embroidery

Floral Design

Woodworking

Glass Blowing

Craft

Perfume Making

Candle Making

Art History

Sculpture

Calligraphy

Welding

Ring Making

Crochet

Knitting

Soap Making

Carpentry

Quilting

Weaving

Bead

Stained Glass

Metal Working

Mixed Media

Makeup

Hair

Cooking

Baking

Couples Cooking

Pasta Making

Pizza Making

Bread Making

Cheese Making

Sushi Making

Cake Decorating

Culinary

Knife Skills

Wine Tasting

Wine & Cheese

Mixology

Butchery

Vegan Cooking

Vegetarian Cooking

Italian Cooking

Indian Cooking

Croissant Making

Chocolate

Dumpling

Hip Hop Dance

Belly Dancing

Bollywood Dance

Twerk

Drawing

Figure Drawing

Life Drawing

Botanical Drawing

Portrait Drawing

Illustration

Hobby
Corporate & Onsite Training