The 12 Best Places for Solo Travel in the United States

I’ve traveled solo for most of my life, and I’ve learned the importance of tailoring a trip to match a specific moment. I’ve gone through phases of yearning for unplugged solitude in destinations where my only company is nature and wildlife. During other chapters, I’ve actively sought out small group trips with like-minded people to places I might never visit on my own.

What you need from your travels this year may well shift through the seasons. This list has you covered for a solo trip in the United States whatever your desires. Whether you want to finally learn to surf, delve into the history, go on a culinary or wildlife tour, or escape to an island to reset, you’ll find inspiration here. — Katie Gavin, Editor

Contributors: Morgane Croissant, Suzie Dundas, Katie Gavin, Nickolaus Hines, Tim Wenger

We hope you love the places we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.

Photo: Wild Terrains

• Why we love it: Solo-traveler-friendly group trips to New Orleans run by women, for women
• When to go: November

This November, Wild Terrains, a B-Corp company specializing in luxury small-group travel for women, is running a culture-rich trip through the heart and soul of New Orleans. (The company also runs annual excursions to Argentina, France, Iceland, Mexico, and Portugal.) In New Oreleans, the itinerary ventures beyond the typical tourist trail on a four-day trip offering a deep immersion into the Crescent City’s history, art, and cuisine through the lens of its remarkable women.

Wild Terrains supports female-run businesses at each of destinations it runs tours, ensuring your dollars directly benefit local communities. Founder and CEO Lauren Bates started the company to foster connections between women across cultures. There’s a multigenerational element to group dynamics, too. On the New Orleans itinerary, you’ll encounter inspiring women entrepreneurs, delve into the city’s past, and savor unforgettable culinary experiences while connecting with a community of fellow travelers.

The stylish and luxurious Hotel Saint Vincent is the home base for this trip, and you have the option of a shared room (which is slightly more affordable) or a private room. The four days will be jam-packed with historical tours, private dinner parties with renowned female chefs, shopping at women-owned boutiques, cocktail parties with local designers, live jazz performances, a boat trip, and more. Prices start at $3,290 per person.

Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority/Tor Johnson

• Why we love it: Beginner-friendly waves, world-class surfing culture and teachers, and a welcoming and safe community
• When to visit: May to September

Maui welcomes responsible tourism with open arms. The kindness shown to strangers is not the only draw: thundering waterfalls, white-sand beaches, clear waters, enchanting road routes like the Hāna Highway, and the stunning Haleakalā National Park make deciding what to do (without overloading your itinerary) the hardest part of planning a solo trip to the island. It’s also a brilliant place to learn to surf thanks to world-class waves and exceptional surf schools.

Hawai’i has surf spots fit for all skill levels. Maui is ideal for beginners in part because other islands like Lanai, Molokai, and the Big Island act as barriers and push more gentle waves to Maui’s shores. Learning to surf here also means learning the importance of respecting and listening to the ocean from locals who surf the waves daily. That bit is just as important as the act of standing up on the board for the first time.

Consider basing yourself in Kihei, home to one of the best beginner breaks, The Cove. There, you’ll find the renowned surf school Maui Sports Unlimited, which offers small-group classes at every level and provides all necessary equipment — from high-quality surfboards, to rash guards, to reef shoes.

Travelers are spoiled for choice when it comes to places to stay. If your budget allows, there are jaw-dropping beachfront hotels with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from luxury Hawaiian hospitality groups. Or, if you prefer a more local stay, check out Matador’s guide to the best Airbnbs on the beach. For those who would like to foster a sense of community, look to Aloha Surf Hostel in Paia, where you can become buddies with fellow surfers who can show you the best waves. The hostel also runs free daily tours to destinations on the island.

Photo: Explora Journeys

• Why it’s notable: A luxury transatlantic cruise with a solo traveler discount
• When: April

Few cruise lines cater to solo travelers. Even though many cruise lines display the price of a journey per person, the rooms are based on double occupancy. Which means if you want to take a cruise on your own, you have to pay for two people. Explora Journeys, the luxury branch of MSC Cruises, is one of the few companies that does things differently: Explora only adds a 25 percent surcharge to the per-person fare (no matter the sailing or the type of room) on board the company’s opulent yacht-style ships.

In 2025, one of the most exciting voyages solo travelers can take with Explora is a 12-night, 13-day cruise that starts in Miami and ends in Lisbon. (Yes, this is a stretch farther than just a US-based solo trip, but hey, it starts in the country.) The sailing will take you across the Atlantic with stops in Bermuda and two of the Azores islands (Faia and Sao Miguel) before reaching its final destination. This transatlantic voyage includes eight days at sea, which is the perfect time to meet fellow passengers, relax, and enjoy the high-end amenities available, such as the ship’s five pools, six restaurants, the 12 bars and lounges, and the large Ocean Wellness spa. When on land, you’ll have the choice between a variety of activities, including snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, whale and dolphin watching, and more.

Photo: EB Adventure Photography /Shutterstock

• Why we love it: Hikes, bikes, brews, and views
• When to visit: May to October

Solo travelers with a passion for outdoorsy activities are likely to find plenty to do in Bellingham, a medium-sized outdoorsy town not far from the Canadian border. The city’s compact size and pedestrian-friendly layout makes it easy to explore the downtown area’s quirky bookshops, trendy coffee shops, and open-air breweries.

But if you’re in B-ham, you’re likely there for the town’s hiking and mountain biking trails (the town is particularly renowned for the latter) and there’s a strong community for both in town. All you have to do to find a riding buddy is stop and say “hi” to someone at the top of a trail or ask for advice on a trail feature. And the food trucks at Transition Bikes Outpost are always so busy on a Saturday afternoon that it’d be near impossible not to find people to chat with.

But if you want to stay solo and find peace in a gorgeous Airbnb, Bellingham works well for that, too. Trail systems like those at Galbraith and Chuckanut Mountain are well-marked and easy to follow, whether you’re biking up a summit, hiking down to a beach, or taking a jog past a waterfall in Whatcom Lake Park. That means solo exploring is safe and easy, with plenty of other people nearby if you do need directions in a pinch. And with a population of just under 100,000, the town hits the sweet spot for whatever level of socialization you’d prefer. You’ll find plenty of trivia nights for when you want to be social but also enough of a low-key vibe that you can go into restaurants and get plenty of space to yourself if you’d prefer to hang out and read a book in the sunshine somewhere like Trackside Beer Garden or Boundary Bay.

Photo: Nick Starichenko/Shutterstock

• Why we love it: Luxury wildlife trips with some of state’s most knowledgable guides
• When to visit: June to August

It’s no secret that Alaska is one of the best destinations in the US for outdoors-minded folk. The state’s immense landscapes are filled with unparalleled wildlife. You don’t need to make a huge effort to view moose, bears, and caribou on land, or spot orcas or humpback whales as they breach the water. In fact, it’s likely you can do so even from an Anchorage Airbnb. But you’ll need a guide if you’d like to safely have a closer look and learn about Alaskan culture, language, animal behavior, and Alaskan’s relationship to the land.

One of the better wildlife-focused trips for 2025 is National Geographic’s Journeys: Discover Alaska program. The 10-day trip takes you from the coast of the Kenai Peninsula to rugged Denali National Park, encountering incredible wildlife by land and sea all along the way: beluga whale sighting, halibut fishing, orca spotting, catching a glimpse of bears in national parks. Rustic lodging in the wilderness of Denali National Park is the final destination, where guests will learn about the connection Indigenous Alaskans have with with the land.

Offered in collaboration with G Adventures, National Geographic Journeys trips are led by a team of knowledgeable local guides, and groups are small (around 16 or fewer guests), making a more intimate and personalized experience. It’s a trip perfect for a solo traveler with a keen interest in animals who prefers the company of other passionate souls. Prices start at $4,649 per person for the 10-day expedition.

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

• Why we love it: A large number of independent bookstores and literary events for all ages
• When to visit: October

Avid readers of all stripes will find a comforting home in Harrisburg. The town of about 50,000 people has one of the highest number of independent bookstores in the country, each with carefully curated selections. The highlight is Midtown Scholar Bookstore, a literary hub located in a renovated 1920s cinema house. More than 200,000 books line the shelves and warehouse, covering new, used, discount, and rare titles. Author readings, lectures, and other public events fill the calendar each month. Or check the calendar of the local library system to see what book-lover-friendly programming is going on. There is simply no shortage of ways to mingle with like-minded readers and then escape to somewhere private to dig into the pages of a classic or new favorite.

Plan a trip for October. The cozy fall vibes and changing leaves provide a scenic backdrop, of course, but that is also when the Harrisburg Book Festival takes place. The five-day event has been hosted by Midtown Scholar Bookstore since 2018 and has a diverse lineup of authors hosting events, bargain sales, and various other programming. Extend your trip (and find even more gorgeous scenery) with a road trip stopping at remote cabins and A-frames. Or take a chocolate-themed detour around the state ending in Hershey.

Photo: Tourism Santa Fe

• Why we love it: A small town with a big art scene
• When to visit: Fall

The highest elevation state capital in the country is famous for its art community and galleries. Fittingly, it is also home to a diverse set of museums that focus on everything from Indigenous culture, to international folk art, to nature, to contemporary collections. The city’s layout makes it easy to walk from one to another whether you choose to explore the offerings downtown or head to Museum Hill. Spend hours perusing the Museum of International Folk Art to see a global tapestry of community creation, or keep it local with the New Mexico Museum of Art‘s collection of works from the state and broader Southwest. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is filled with pottery, textiles, jewelry, and other artifacts that bring a historical perspective to the traditions that live on today among Indigenous communities, while IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts showcases modern Indigenous artists. Then there is the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, where her paintings can be experienced in the state that inspired so much of her work.

Santa Fe is a small town — under 100,000 people — though its popularity with travelers interested in art, wellness, spirituality, history, and food make the cultural impact feel larger. The size makes it equally easy for solo travelers to find a sense of community or escape to one’s own thoughts. In the warmer months, split up museum days with a visit to the thriving Santa Fe Farmers Market in the Railyard District for local food, goods, and the state’s famous Hatch chiles. The Plaza is the historic heart of Santa Fe, and is where you’ll find shops and vendors selling Indigenous jewelry, art, clothing, and handcrafted souvenirs (as well as regular cultural performances). On Canyon Road, a long line of art galleries, studios, and boutiques sit side by side. Plan your trip around the events in the fall like the Santa Fe Indian Market (one of the largest Native American art markets in the world), the Santa Fe International Film Festival, and the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta.

To keep things easy to explore, stay at Piñon Court by La Fonda, or pick an Airbnb either close to downtown or near the trails.

Photo: Natalia Bratslavsky/Shutterstock

• Why we love it: An historic city with a lively present to match
• When to visit: Spring or fall

Among small cities in the South, Savannah is perhaps the best example of good urban design. The town center is lined with 24 interspersed squares (small parks built strategically throughout the walkable and bikeable city core) that are all laid out in a perfect grid. Savannah offers a welcoming atmosphere for solo travelers with historical tours covering the city’s architectural and revolutionary history, along with ghost tours (this literary city is often dubbed one of the country’s most haunted), organized pub crawls, and trolley rides, so you can engage with others interested in the same stuff even when traveling alone. Or you can rent a bike, which is a fantastic way to navigate the city’s streets at your own pace.

Beyond sightseeing, Savannah offers ample opportunities for relaxation and indulgence. Solo travelers can unwind on Tybee Island’s beaches, head to City Market for live music and Southern cuisine, or shop the trendy boutiques of Broughton Street.

Savannah’s hotels embrace history and many establishments have a storied past. There’s a variety of luxurious options, ranging from five-star mansions and repurposed industrial spaces to boutique hotels in the historic downtown. Or, if you’d prefer a vacation rental, check out Matador’s selection of Savannah’s top Airbnbs. Regardless of where you decide to lay your head, expect exceptional Southern hospitality.

Photo: Bjorn Bakstad/Shutterstock

• Why we love it: Walkable wine tastings and solo-friendly soft adventure
• When to visit: Year-round

Healdsburg is a perfect destination for solo travelers looking to immerse themselves in wine country without feeling isolated (or going broke, as you might in some of the state’s other wine regions). Healdsburg’s compact downtown offers a walkable, social atmosphere with numerous tasting rooms, artisan shops, and farm-to-table restaurants, all within easy strolling distance. The town plaza serves as a lively hub with events and festivals on most weekends throughout the year, and the friendly vibes of most tasting rooms make it easy to strike up conversations with fellow travelers and locals alike.

The town offers a variety of group activities welcoming to solo travelers, ranging from walking tours to group bike tours (and the “group bike” part is literal). And if it gets hot, the nearby Russian River is the perfect place to post up on a chair and chat with locals floating in the shade or rent a kayak for a morning of solo exploration. Healdsburg is the kind of town where you can find art galleries where you’ll be uninterrupted for hours and casual wineries where you can sit out on the lawn and take in the beautiful landscape.

Photo: lunamarina/Shutterstock

• Why we love it: A safe destination with a small-town atmosphere and plenty of outdoor activities
• When to visit: June or September

For a laidback vacation with the option to be sociable or retreat into isolation, Cape Cod is a safe bet. Your choice of where to stay on the cape depends on your interests. Provincetown is walkable and bike-friendly, and has ferries directly from Boston. If you have access to a vehicle, there are 15 towns in the Upper Cape, Mid-Cape, Lower Cape, and Outer Cape to choose from.

Chatham offers a refined Cape experience with beautiful beaches, golf courses, high-end fashion boutiques, and chic restaurants. If you’re perfectly fine in your own company and would prefer a more authentic experience, the Upper Cape area, specifically North Falmouth and Wood’s Hole, are away from the main tourist areas. You can also find quieter beaches like Gray’s Beach, Mayflower Beach, and Corporation Beach there. Or if you’d like to tour the entire region, staying in Mid-Cape is within an hour’s drive of it all.

Plan a trip around the shoulder seasons when temperatures are mild and crowds are smaller. The high season offers more opportunities for festivals (the world-famous Wellfleet OysterFest is held in October, and Provincetown is known around the world for its LGBTQ events through June), but unless you have your heart set on attending, you might want to skip, as you’ll find sky-high prices and will be jostling for a spot on the beach.

There are numerous opportunities for outdoor activities that are well-suited for solo travelers. And you don’t need a jam-packed itinerary; the expansive Cape Cod National Seashore does most of the work for you. But if you’d like to pencil down a few outdoor activities, Province Lands Trail, a 5.25-mile trail with dunes, marshlands, and cranberry bogs, is worth exploring on a bike. You can also book a whale-watching tour from mid-April through October, with the best conditions from June to September. A tour of the local winery Truro Vineyards is also must.

The Airbnb scene in Cape Cod is just as charming as its towns and beaches. Book ahead to secure something special, though, because rental calendars are blocked out the closer you get to summer. Many on the coast have private beach access and smaller, affordable homes for solo travelers. For P’Town, check out this one-bedroom cottage just over 100 yards from the beach. Those wanting a Chatham base should bookmark this three-room cottage in the Old Village. It’s within steps of Lighthouse Beach and a 15-minute stroll to town. For a waterfront retreat, this Airbnb is dreamy. It has a little more space with two bedrooms and is situated on Wequaquet Lake near Barnstable. The rural stay is ideal for those who want to unplug and relax in solitude.

Photo: Mia2you/Shutterstock

• Why we love it: Great weather, a party-fueled atmosphere, and a stunning overseas drive
• When to visit: Spring or fall

Key West is the perfect place for a beach road trip because the islands always feel like they’re just waiting for you to arrive to get the party started. Duval Street is famously raunchy and rowdy every day of the year, and the island is lined with historical spots like the southernmost point in the continental United States, and cool activities like jet skiing and boat tours abound.

If you appreciate fresh seafood, stiff rum cocktails, and getting out on the water (not necessarily all at the same time, but hey, it is Key West), there’s no better place in Florida for a beach-filled road trip with the windows down and the music up (a Jimmy Buffett playlist is suggested, but not required). The best beaches are found on the way in from Miami on the Overseas Highway, also known as the Florida Keys Scenic Byway, including Sombrero Beach in Marathon and inside Bahia Honda State Park. On the island, stop by Fort Zachary Taylor State Park.

Key West is also home to some of the best island Airbnbs in the US. There are almost too many options, from houseboats with rooftop terraces to stylish apartments with resort-like amenities.

Photo: Markus Mainka/Shutterstock

• Why it’s notable: Amtrak’s newest route takes you directly to the Sunshine State
• When: November to April

Launched in November 2024, The Floridian is Amtrak’s latest addition to its network of over 30 routes across the US and Canada. This new itinerary allows unhurried and sustainability-focused travelers to journey directly from Chicago to Miami. Anyone who has had dreams about the allure of rail travel (and maybe finishing up that novel along the way) will find The Floridian a good option. The daily service only makes six stops, but takes 47 hours, which means two nights on board.

The most affordable type of accommodation for solo travelers on board The Floridian is the roomette. Roomettes have two window seats that transform into bunk beds at night, and because you’re on your own, you can choose whether you prefer to be on the upper or lower berth without compromise. All roomette passengers also benefit from complimentary lounge access at the train station and complimentary meals while on board. While there is no observation car on The Floridian, the dining car is the best place to watch the world go by and meet other travelers, if you feel so inclined. If you want peace and quiet, your roomette will provide all the tranquility you need.