Americans are looking for more places to work, relax, and socialize outside the home and workplace.
1. Coffee Shops
Coffee shops are becoming unofficial offices for remote workers.
A 2026 survey of 600 American remote workers found 60% work from cafés during the week, with 31% going at least once or twice weekly. About 41% said they have intentionally chosen a café to avoid loneliness.
2. Libraries
Libraries are attracting people who want a quiet alternative to working from home.
The Survey Center on American Life found 37% of Americans live within easy reach of a local library, making libraries one of the more accessible community spaces.
3. Parks
Outdoor spaces are becoming important third places because they offer something many indoor venues cannot: free space to walk, exercise, or simply spend time.
Trust for Public Land research found 51% of Americans with a regular third place identify parks or other outdoor spaces as their most popular option.
4. Gyms and Fitness Centres
Gyms increasingly function as social spaces as well as places to exercise.
The Survey Center on American Life found 39% of Americans live near a gym or fitness centre, giving millions of people another regular destination outside home and work.
5. Hotel Lobbies
Hotel lobbies are quietly becoming flexible spaces for working, meeting, or simply changing scenery.
Nextiva’s 2026 remote-work survey found 24.3% of respondents had worked from hotel lobbies, putting them ahead of libraries and restaurants as alternative work locations.
6. Community Centres
Community centres remain less common than cafés or parks but can serve several roles at once.
The Survey Center found 29% of Americans have a community centre nearby, creating another place for classes, activities, and informal social interaction.
