The Best Places to Solo Travel in the US

When you think of travel you tend to think of far flung places requiring multiple flights and border crossing. In reality there are so many places close to home that can make a great destination. Particularly when most borders are closed! I love to travel solo, but the US can be kind of a difficult place to do so. It is so huge, has so many different places to visit that it can be difficult to meet people. I’ve asked some other travel bloggers what they think the best places to solo travel in the US are and they came back with some great recommendation.

Contents

Table of Contents

The Best Places to Solo Travel in the US

Boise, Idaho

Like most of the Great Plains states, Boise, Idaho is unfortunately an overlooked gem in the United States. However, it is one of the best places to solo travel in the US. The city is young, with most of it’s population coming from the university. So there are always fun things to do in Boise like pop-up events, poetry slams, and indie film showings nearly every day of the week. Plus, being in the Northwest region, Boise has a great selection of microbreweries. A few local favourites are Boise Brewing and Sockeye Brewing, but all of them are fantastic choices.

Boise is also an incredibly walkable city, which comes in handy when the city’s main concentration of bars and nightlife are all within a few blocks of each other! You can easily make new friends, then catch a safe taxi ride (or walk under the bright and abundant street lamps!) back to your hotel. Or, if you aren’t feeling pub food, Boise has some of the freshest farm-to-table restaurants such as Fork, Madre Taqueria, and Vegan Soul. Boise even has the largest Basque community in the nation, so you can taste authentic Basque cuisine! Idaho does not have any National Parks, but there are a few nature areas outside of Boise that are fun to visit, like Shoshone Falls and Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Kay from The Awkward Traveller, follow them here

Joshua Tree National Park, California

The out-of-this-world scenery of Joshua Tree National Park creates the perfect backdrop for a solo trip to the desert.

Located about two hours east of Los Angeles, it’s super easy to make it out to Joshua Tree, making it an accessible and beginner-friendly solo trip. Joshua Tree offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, rock climbing, star gazing, and photography opportunities.

Some of the best attractions include the cholla cactus garden, a flat half mile walk through acres of teddy-bear like cholla cactus that stand in sharp contrast with the desert landscape. From the main park road, you can also find Arch Rock and Skull Rock. Which are stunning rock formations with easy hikes nearby.

You can also drive about 30 minutes through the Joshua Trees all the way to Keys View for a panoramic view of the desert below. On clear days you can see all the way down to the Salton Sea and even Mexico!

While you can easily make a Joshua Tree day trip from Southern California, the best way to experience the park is by spending the night so you can stargaze. Joshua Tree is a dark sky designated location.

Joshua Tree is one of the places to solo travel in the US, particularly women. The park is safe and there’s plenty of activities to do on your own. Joshua Tree is an amazing place to visit for solitude, reflection, and a ton of fun.

By Ale from Sea Salt and Fog

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia is exactly what you think of when you think of the American South. Spanish moss draping over the many squares, buildings harking back to many centuries ago, and beautiful churches dot the Savannah landscape.

Savannah is much more than just a beautiful location, however: there is so much to do in this small city. Spend the day strolling along River Street (where you can drink in the street!), check out City Market, or shop along Broughton Street. If you’re into history, there are tons of mansions that host frequent tours. If you like creepy things, I always recommend taking a Bonvanture Cemetary tour after-hours. There are even ghost tours where they drive you around in a hearse!

If you’re a foodie, Savannah you’ll love Savannah. There are so many delicious restaurants in this city that I felt like I was constantly waddling around from being so full. The local specialty is decadently rich crab soup. It doesn’t matter if seafood isn’t your thing: this stuff is delicious.
From foodies to history buffs to partiers, Savannah offers something for everything. Everyone is so friendly and the city is quite safe, which makes it one of the best places to solo travel in the US!

By Gabby from Office Escape Artist follow them here

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is one of America’s best cities and it’s a fantastic destination to visit on your own. The culture of the city is so unique; blending French, African, Caribbean and Spanish cultures. The result is a city that you’ll never forget or feel lonely in because there’s always so much going on.

In New Orleans, live music is a huge part of the nightlife scene, and stepping into a music venue alone to listen to jazz or even karaoke is an easy activity. There are plenty of museums as well like the National World War II museum which is a perfect solo activity. Even the plethora of tours from ghost walks, swamp cruises and cemetery tours are suited for the solo traveler.

New Orleans is also known for its unique food scene. With so many influences, the city has many staples like French inspired beignets and the cajun classic like po’boy sandwich and gumbo.The biggest reason why New Orleans is a great place to visit on your own is the friendly nature of the citizens. It’s a mix of southern hospitality and the welcoming open-mindedness of New Orleans that makes it one of the most unique places to solo travel in the US. The city is very progressive and accepting of all types which also makes gay New Orleans a popular LGBTQ travel destination.

By Derek from Robe Trotting, follow them here

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Nantucket is such a cute island and while it’s a perfect weekend trip from Boston by car. There is also an airport on the island so it’s easily accessible from the whole country. There is a super cute hostel at the island where it’s easy to get to know other travelers if that’s what you want, otherwise there are great places to stay for more privacy. To make it budget friendly, you can explore the whole island by bike. Make sure you go to Siasconset to chill at the beach, walk the Sconset Bluff Walk and visit the Sankaty Head Lighthouse for sunset.

There are also great museums in Nantucket that showcase the whaling history and the African American history of the island. For shopping enthusiasts there are cute boutiques and cafes to take a break and people watch or maybe you even get to chat with some interesting people.

You also have hiking opportunities in the forest in Millbrook. There are several trails going through a dense green forested area and if you’re lucky you might even see wildlife. Nantucket is a safe island to travel solo and full of wonderful nature experiences as well as a lively nightlife in downtown.

By Linn of Brainy Backpackers, follow them here

Annapolis, Maryland

If you’re looking for a great solo traveler weekend away then Annapolis is the perfect destination! With plenty of things to do and limited crowds, Annapolis is often overlooked for the bigger cities of Baltimore and Washington D.C. This walkable city is home to the United States Naval Academy where you can learn about military history and culture as well as honoring our veterans. The entire city is safe and walkable – making it a great destination for solo travel.

Annapolis dates back to the American Revolution so history buffs will especially love visiting. The Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol building in continuous legislative use and the only one that ever served as our capital. Just by walking around the city, you can see James Brice’s elegant house, the governor of Maryland in 1792. Nearby, you’ll find William Paca House & Garden. William Paca was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. You can take a tour of the garden and five-part Georgian mansion. One hidden gem that we stumbled upon unexpectedly was the Old Fox Bookstore. A homey bookstore where you can relax in the garden in reading nooks, or pick up a wrapped book for a “blind date,” or relax at the cafe with a cup of coffee.

There are plenty of delicious restaurants in Annapolis. For breakfast, have a delicious crepe and Sofi’s Creperies. Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is a great place to get your seafood fix (you are in Maryland after all!). For happy hour, visit Red Red Wine Bar – don’t worry they have more than wine! Reynolds Tavern and 1747 Pub has a great dinner menu with a bit of history. To satisfy your sweet tooth, head to Uncle Bob’s Fudge Kitchen for some homemade fude.

Annapolis’ walkable streets, historical sights, and delicious food makes it one of the best places to solo travel in the US!

By Pamela from The Directionally Challenged Traveler

Yosemite, California

My favorite destination for a solo trip in the US is Yosemite National Park. It’s the perfect choice for solo travelers looking to unplug and enjoy the outdoors.

A Yosemite road trip is the perfect way to explore the park with recommended stops at Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point, Tunnel View and Yosemite Valley.

At Mariposa Grove solo travelers can hike to Yosemite’s largest grove of giant Sequoias, with over 500 in total. From Glacier Point, you’ll find exceptional views of Half Dome, the High Sierras, and three waterfalls.

Over at Tunnel View, you’re greeted with the most iconic viewpoint in the park with El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and Half Dome off in the distance.

Once you enter Yosemite Valley, you’ll have dozens of activities to choose from, all of which can be enjoyed solo. Some of the most popular activities are hiking the Mist Trail, biking the paved trails around the valley floor, or tubing down the Merced River.

Spring and fall are the best times for solo travelers to visit. You can avoid the summer crowds and excess noise while having many of the park’s trails all to yourself.

By Eden from Rock a Little Travel, follow them here

Apostle Islands, Wisconsin

Some traveling adventures are worth trying on-your-own, like visiting Apostle Islands, Wisconsin. Situated in the Midwest, Great Lakes, and north-central-regions of the US, the Apostle Islands is a large-region, made up of 22 distinct islands, of varying extents. So, there certainly is a lot to explore in the area. Like Madeline Island, some are huge enough to have maintained roads and a ferry-service that can take you over to the island. Others, like Eagle and Gull Islands, are so-tiny that they hardly constitute an island.

The islands are home to many majestic-waterfalls, like Potato River, Upson, Manitou, etc. Yet, one of the best things to do in Apostle Islands is touring the Apostle Island National Lakeshore. It’s a stunning destination with a chain of 21 islands with eight historic lighthouses, widespread sea-caves, aquatic-wildlife, and seashores. Besides that, you’ll get great opportunities for scuba diving, and camping in the pretty-great hiking-trails on the mainland.

Apostle Islands is a must-visit-destination to solo travel, especially if you’re a nature-lover. It’s one of the most attractive and relaxing places you can ever be to. So, if you’re traveling solo, paddling, hiking, and cruising is the best way to experience Lake Superior’s views and beauties.