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If I go for a trip to New York City but don't know anyone there, what are best ways to find acquaintances?

I'm a 20 year old Australian and I plan to go to for a trip to New York next year and because I don't know anyone there, what are the best ways I can find acquaintances so that I can do activities (especially going to restaurants and maybe nightclubs) with? Ideally, I would like to get into contact with people first before I go there, so that I have something planned and to look forward to, without the risk of arriving there feeling 'stuck'. Also, would sites such as Craigslist, Gumtree, etc. be a safe option or not?

Public Comments

1. Stay at the Pod Hotel and use their "meet up" forum. http://podculture.thepodhotel.com/ (Forum) http://thepodhotel.com/ (Hotel)