Solo journey isn’t “unhappy trip vitality” anymore—it’s choose-your-own-adventure journey.
And it’s booming: Skyscanner’s survey discovered a majority of respondents planning a number of solo journeys within the 12 months forward, with a number of vacationers aiming for 2–5 journeys.
At Travel Off Path, we love solo journeys as a result of they’re the final stress reducer: you get up, you resolve the vibe, and no one can veto your museum day (or your 2 p.m. nap).


Earlier than we get into the checklist, right here’s the short “solo journey cheat code”:
- Choose a walkable base (or a spot with stable transit).
- Guide at the least one group exercise early (strolling tour, meals tour, class). It’s the best technique to really feel “not alone” with out forcing small speak all day.
- Select lodging that matches your social battery: hostels/social resorts if you would like associates; boutique resorts if you would like peace.
Now, the six U.S. locations that persistently ship for solo vacationers:
1) New York Metropolis, NY


NYC is principally constructed for doing your individual factor. You possibly can disappear into the group (in a great way), bounce between neighborhoods on public transit, and by no means as soon as really feel bizarre a few desk for one.
Do that solo:
- Trip the Roosevelt Island Tram for skyline views on a daily MTA fare (and sure, OMNY is accepted).
- Choose one “anchor” museum, then wander a neighborhood with zero agenda. NYC rewards aimless exploring.
The place to remain (solo-friendly logic):
- Midtown/Occasions Sq. is chaotic, however for first-timers it’s handy and busy (a plus if you’re alone at night time).
- Brooklyn (Williamsburg/Greenpoint) if you would like chiller cafés and a extra native vibe.
2) Washington, D.C.


If you would like a solo journey that feels productive (with out truly being productive), D.C. is your house. It’s walkable, monument-packed, and stacked with free museums—so you may fill full days with out continuously spending.
Do that solo:
- Construct a “museum hop” day with Smithsonian spots, then take breaks everytime you need (solo vacationers win right here).
- See the monuments at night time—both with a small tour or by sticking to well-lit, standard areas.
Getting round:
- For those who use Metro, WMATA’s tools make it simple to plan routes, and SmarTrip is the traditional pay technique.
3) New Orleans, LA


New Orleans is likely one of the best locations to journey solo when you’re good about it—as a result of the town is social by nature. Music spills out of doorways, bartenders truly speak to you, and it’s regular to finish up chatting with strangers (in a non-cringey manner).
Do that solo:
- Make Frenchmen Street your live-music house base—it’s well-known for precisely that.
- Guide a meals tour or a cocktail historical past tour early in your journey. It’s leisure and immediate group.
Solo security vibe test:
- Keep conscious at night time, preserve your route easy, and don’t settle for “random useful guiding” from strangers. New Orleans is magical, however don’t let the vibes override fundamental avenue smarts.
4) Asheville, NC


Asheville is for the solo traveler who desires mountain air, nice meals, and slightly artsy wandering—while not having a hardcore outside résumé.
Do that solo:
- Spend a day popping into galleries and studios, then reward your self with a brewery patio dangle (simple, low-pressure social setting).
- Plan a scenic drive or hike day—however test situations first. Winter closures can have an effect on sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the world additionally posts alerts for closures tied to restoration and upkeep.
- If you would like your journey {dollars} to really feel significant, Asheville’s tourism org has explicitly been sharing updates about being open and welcoming guests.
5) Sedona, AZ


Sedona is the solo reset button: dawn hikes, red-rock views, and the type of quiet that makes your mind lastly unclench.
Do that solo:
- Hit one of many iconic trails early, then spend the afternoon doing a spa session, sound bathtub, or simply… sitting someplace fairly with a espresso.
- Use the Sedona Shuttle system when it matches your plan—Sedona particularly promotes utilizing the TransLoc app for real-time data and reserving.
Sedona can be improbable when you’re solo however don’t need to really feel remoted—standard trails have loads of folks round, which will be reassuring with out being annoying.
6) San Diego, CA


San Diego is “simple mode” in one of the best ways: seashore air, laid-back neighborhoods, and sufficient to do you could keep busy—or do completely nothing and name it wellness.
Do that solo:
- Wander Balboa Park and decide museums primarily based purely on what you are feeling like that day.
- Base your self in a neighborhood with a vibe you want (Little Italy for meals, seashore areas for calm, and so on.).
Bonus: airport logistics are painless
- San Diego’s transit company notes Route 992 connects the airport with downtown in about quarter-hour, linking up with main transit at Santa Fe Depot.
Yet another factor: use U.S. solo journeys as your “confidence ladder”
A whole lot of vacationers begin solo in a U.S. metropolis, then go larger as soon as they notice: “Oh… I’m truly nice at this.”
For those who’re already excited about a next-level solo journey (solar + ocean + simple resort logistics), The Cabo Solar has just a few genuinely helpful reads—like an insider breakdown of whether Los Cabos is safe for solo female travelers, plus a sensible information on whether Cabo all-inclusives make sense when you’re traveling alone.
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