The Best Cities to Travel Alone in the USA

Updated: April 2022

As you guys already know, I love solo travel. Seeing the world on your terms is one of the most empowering, exciting experiences I have ever had.

I firmly believe that solo travel for women is one of the best ways to learn about yourself and the world. Taking a solo trip is a fantastic way to grow.

While I love getting around with my friends and family, sometimes I need some “me” time.

Solo travel lets you take your time and linger in your fave spots. It’s prime time for me to geek out on things that I love a bit more than the average person.

If you’ve seen my rundown of the Best Destinations for Solo Travel, you know that some places around the planet were just made for solo female travel. And, with many, you don’t even need to book a flight to get there!

There are so many exciting and safe places to travel alone as a woman in the US!

Ready to indulge yourself in some solo travel? Here are the best cities to travel alone in the USA!

New York City

New York City is one of those places that can be something to everyone. It is perfect for a romantic escape, a girlfriend getaway, or a solo trip.

There are so many things to do in New York City that I keep going back time and time again to see the city in a completely different light.

I’ve explored the city by myself over the holidays, in the beautiful blooming spring, and I’ve even been able to show my husband, Meyer, around the Big Apple.

With an efficient transportation system and an endless list of sights for any budget, New York City is one of the best cities in the US to travel alone.

Orlando, Florida

If you love theme parks, get thee to Orlando! I did a solo visit to the WWoHP (that’s the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for the uninitiated) at Universal Studios and had an amazing experience.

I also loved visiting the Universal Studios Resort Orlando. There is so much to take in, and the weather is fab during pretty much any time of year.

Even in the winter, you will see sunny afternoons into the 70s, so it’s a dream warm-weather getaway.

Portland, Oregon

One of the hippest cities in the US, Portland has an unbeatable cool factor. From Japanese gardens to bookstores to one-of-a-kind boutiques, Portland is a U.S. city that is easy to explore alone without ever getting bored.

Try to plan a solo trip to Portland in autumn. The Japanese gardens hosts moon-viewing nights with sake, live music, and tea!

San Diego, California

This list wouldn’t be complete without my hometown! While I actually grew up 45 minutes north of San Diego, in Temecula, I went to college here and spent my late teens and early twenties living in and loving San Diego—and I just bought my first home here!

Known as “American’s Finest City,” it truly is one of the safest places to travel alone in the U.S.

Come here for a solo weekend getaway and explore San Diego’s beautiful beaches, bustling craft brewery scene, and countless outdoor attractions. 

Here’s how to spend one week in San Diego!

Washington DC

Whether you are a history buff or you want to get a deeper sense of American history, Washington DC is the place to go.

In my experience, museums and galleries are perfect for solo travel, and you can take your time exploring whichever one piques your interest.

Seattle, Washington

This cozy and eccentric Pacific Northwest destination is the perfect place for anyone who loves music, art, and the great outdoors.

From taking in the grunge music history to savoring the coffee culture to catching a fish at Pike Place Market, Seattle has so much to offer solo travelers! It’s a great solo travel destination for women, or for a girls’ trip.

Seattle has fostered artistic and cultural movements throughout its history — most famously, the grunge movement of the 90s spawned bands such as Nirvana or Pearl Jam.

You can drive about an hour outside of the city to see a handful of natural wonders such as the awe-inspiring Snoqualmie Falls.

You can spend your time exploring some of the notable tourist attractions in the city or you can choose a more adventurous itinerary and find unique things to do in Seattle (that aren’t the Space Needle).

Whatever you choose to do, this iconic PNW city is an ideal spot for solo trips. long weekend Here’s how to spend three days in Seattle!

Austin, Texas

Solo travel for women is a dream in Austin!

Texas is such a fun and an often underrated destination. I especially love Austin because it’s home to so many amazing festivals!

While there are always events happening in the summer, Austin is a year-round dream destination. The weather is always fairly warm and sunny, and there is always something going on, making it easy for solo travelers to meet people.

Charleston, South Carolina

I spent three days traveling solo around Charleston and I absolutely adored it.

I would argue that Charleston is one of the best places to solo travel for women.

Of all the places I’ve visited, this is one that surprised me the most. While I’d heard it was lovely, I didn’t expect to fall head over heels in love with Charleson like I did.

Staying at the cozy, romantic 86 Cannon Historic Inn in Charleston, I actually found myself not wanting to leave in the morning! That is more than a little rare for me, but the welcoming inn was a key part of what made Charleston so charming.

Full of incredible food and Southern charm, you’ll definitely want to check out my Charleston foodie guide to start planning out your meals for your solo trip!

A seriously romantic restaurant that’s well worth making a reservation at way ahead of time is the (slightly hidden) Chez Nous. The chef at this adorable neighborhood spot, located in a 19th-century home (no less), serves up a new menu every single day and only uses the freshest ingredients.

I’m telling you, if you’re looking for a foodie spot, Charleston should not be missed! And yes, trying all the delicious restaurants is a must, especially when traveling solo!

You could easily spend three days in Charleston, and then if you wanted to extend your trip, you could pop on over to Savannah (it’s about a 2-3 hour drive from Charleston).

Boulder, Colorado

Attention, ski bunnies! If you are looking to hit the slopes and enjoy après ski, you have got to get to Boulder!

With a huge outdoorsy and college-aged community, Boulder is one of my favorite cities in the country. You can spend your vacation on top of the world-famous mountains of Colorado and then mingle with other travelers in downtown Boulder.

It’s one of the coolest solo travel destinations in the U.S.!

New Orleans

I fell in love with New Orleans during my Mardi Gras adventure there. I would highly recommend doing the same if you love meeting other travelers from around the world.

But, there’s so much more to New Orleans than Mardi Gras! The French Quarter is the place to be at any time of year for a wild night out. Some of you might be wondering about safety.

This isn’t the “safest” city in America, but this list is all about the best experiences for solo travelers. You should use common sense and be mindful of your surroundings in New Orleans, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an amazing city to explore.

And…if you’re a serious foodie like me, you’ll love NOLA — you absolutely must try these local foods in New Orleans. Taste the mouthwatering Creole cuisine that the city is famous for and sample sweet treats like fresh beignets and pralines.

With a culture unlike anywhere else in America, it’s one of the best places to travel solo in the USA.

Here’s my ultimate New Orleans itinerary!

Nashville

Another jewel of the south is Nashville. On a bucket list Southern USA Roadtrip, I spent a weekend in Tennessee’s capital and fell head over (cowboy boot) heels in love with it.

Of course, it is a must-see for music lovers, but there is more to the city than just that. Bring your camera and save room for cobbler!

San Francisco, CA

Last but certainly not least, San Francisco deserves a spot on every solo traveler’s bucket list. I had many great adventures here over the years and try to come back whenever I’m visiting my family in the U.S.

You can visit the famous Golden Gate Bridge, geek out in front of the Painted Ladies (any Full House fans?), or go vintage shopping at Haight-Ashbury!

Overall

Never done a solo trip before? Never fear! While it can feel intimidating, it is so worth it. To get ready to dive into the world of traveling alone, check out my ultimate guide to solo female travel!

What are your favorites cities in the U.S. for solo travel? Let me know in the comments!