If you want to go to places like the bowling alley, with friends you need to invite them to travel with your phone. If they aren't working or sleeping they should be able to go with you. First, call them on the phone, then choose the Sims you want to travel with, then you will be taken to the Worlds page and you can choose a world like Newcrest, then the lot with your bowling alley. Anyone from any world can go with you, as long as you know them. Once you invite Sims to go with you they will be in your group and have a special plumbob over their head, and you can now choose to do things together that will include the group. To meet Sims you can travel to their home (though everyone may not be there). Then once you know a Sim you can meet their family by playing that Sim and inviting the first family over to hang out or go to the spa or whatever (this is also done by phone). You can also meet people by hanging out in public areas. Send your Sim to a bar or the bowling alley, what have you, and see who shows up.