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Ticket to Ride is a great pick for families and friend groups who want a board game that is easy to teach but still interesting for adults. Players collect colored train cards and claim railway routes across a map.
The rules can be learned in a few minutes, games are reasonably short, and there is enough strategy that it stays fun after many plays. It is a modern classic that often gets people into board games, and it works well at different player counts.
It works best with at least three players, and the two-player game feels less competitive. There are also many map expansions and versions, so check which edition you are buying. If your group prefers cooperative games, Pandemic is a popular alternative.