The USA is a country of diverse landscapes, cultures, and flavors. It's also huge. It takes 44 hours to drive non-stop from San Francisco to New York City. With so many destination options you need a shortlist of the best places to travel solo in the United States.
Unless you have a couple of months, you won't be able to see the whole country. You will need to set priorities. And you may even have to reset those priorities when you consider the pace of travel and all that you want to see.
Whether I'm on the move by car, bus, or train, my rule of thumb is a minimum average of three nights per destination. You can have a shorter stay some places but balance it out by staying longer in other places. Of course, a more leisurely pace is even better.
See below for US solo travel destination suggestions.
Shortlist of Best Places for Solo Travel in the US: Adventure
- National Parks. The National Parks of America are stunning. Each one is unique and well-cared-for. If you're an outdoors person you'll absolutely want to visit at least one.
- The Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is the first national park that most people think of. Its magnificent view is one that you will never forget. Read Solo Travel Destination: Grand Canyon.
- Death Valley National Park is a desert located west of Las Vegas.
- Monument Valley. Monument Valley was the setting of dozens of Hollywood westerns. It was a favorite for John Wayne films. The landscape is distinct with towering, red butes and messas.
- Kauai, Hawai. Hawaii's north island, Kauai, is known as the Garden Isle due to its tropical forests. It's also known for the Waimea Canyon, its version of the Grand Canyon, and the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast.
- Sedona, Arizona. Sedona offers lots of hiking options but at the end of the day you can return to an artsy, new age town.
- Moab, Utah. This small town attracts many adventure travelers as it's located near two National Parks, Arches and Canyonlands, and an amazing State Park, Dead Horse. Read Solo in Moab, Utah & Arches National Park.
Best Places to Travel Solo in the United States: Urban
This list is not exhaustive but, in each case, the city is recommended by a solo traveler.
- New York City. While New York City is in the USA, it is like a country unto itself. It is as unique as Paris is to France and London to the UK. You can easily spend a week and more in this fabulous city but give it at least three days. Read Best Places to Stay in New York City for Solo Travelers and Solo on a Budget in New York City: 50+ Tips to Make NYC Affordable.
- San Francisco. Rudyard Kipling said “San Francisco has only one drawback – ’tis hard to leave.” It is a beautiful city.
- Chicago. Chicago, the windy city, is well known for its blues scene and famous for its architecture. But don't forget local highlights like seeing a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Read: Budget Chicago: 32 Free and Low-Cost Tips.
- Portland. Portland, Oregon is known for its Maker culture, an indie music scene, craft breweries, cycling, and more. It's a modern version of a hippie lifestyle. See Positively Portland: Where Creativity Abounds.
- Nashville. The music scene in Nashville is incredible. A mecca for musicians, only really good ones get to play in the bars. Read Affordable Nashville: 32 Free and Low-cost Tips.
- Key West. Located at the southernmost point in the United States, or to be precise, “southernmost incorporated place in the contiguous 48 states,” Key West has been described as from a different planet. Read Solo Travel Destination: Florida Keys, USA.
- Seattle. Seattle is known for its rain and coffee shops but it is so much more. Read Solo Travel Destination: Seattle, United States.
- Washington, D.C. Like most capital cities, Washington, D.C. gets extra attention from government funding making it a special destination in many ways. Don't miss the political sights but definitely don't miss the Smithsonian Institution collection of your choice. All are free. Solo Travel Destination: Washington, DC.
- Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love has a small-town atmosphere with parks and tree-shaded downtown squares and streets, innumerable memorials to American history, and a vibrant foodie scene. Read Solo Travel Philadelphia: How to Enjoy 48 Hours in Philly.
How to Get Around Solo in the US: Planes, Trains, Buses & Cars
Public transit infrastructure in such a massive country can be a challenge. Some of the best places to travel solo in the United States may be well-served, some may be easier to access by car. And what a great place for a road trip!
- Flying between cities. Here's a list of the best airlines in the US according to a readers' choice survey. Be very careful about baggage weight and size limitations on domestic flights as they may be less than international flights. You can avoid removing shoes, electronics and liquids if you apply for (and get approved for) TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry.
- Know your highways. Two-digit highways often go directly through cities while three-digit roads go around them. Odd-numbered highways run north to south and even-numbered ones run east-west. “I” roads such as I95 are interstates and are the fastest way to get from A to B but not necessarily the most scenic. Read 10 Tips for Solo Road Trips.
- Use state and city welcome centers. Many states have welcome centers at the state line of major highways. Almost every city and town has a visitor center. They offer great information for visitors including help with booking accommodation. They often have amazing deals on last-minute bookings if you're on a road trip.
- Recreational vehicles are common. It's easy to rent an RV and the infrastructure for RVs is extensive. There are RV parks everywhere. Malls have double-sized parking spaces for them and Walmart encourages overnight parking for RVs.
- Take an iconic train trip. Train is a fabulous mode of transit for solo travelers and Amtrak is the rail service provider, though the network is not as extensive as some places in the world. Check out one of their special routes. I've done the Coast Starlight and the City of New Orleans.
- Bus is the cheapest way to go. MegaBus is renowned for their cheap deals. Greyhound is the traditional bus service in the United States.
Traveling the USA Alone: General Advice
- Prepare to be friendly. Unless you're in a major city, expect to be greeted on the street with a “Good morning!” or at least a nod. And in major cities you can ask anyone for a little help. From New York City to small town Tennessee, I have found Americans to be very friendly and helpful – it's a point of national pride.
- Buy health insurance before you leave. The American healthcare system does not cover travelers to the US and it can be very expensive. Make sure you're covered before you leave home.
- Listen to National Public Radio. I love listening to NPR when traveling in the US. It leans a bit to the left on the political spectrum so keep that in mind but it does offer national shows and local programming to help you get a feel for the politics and culture of country. You can also download their podcasts.
- Savor the local food. While the US is known for large chain restaurants, there are distinct regional cuisines as well. From the bagels of New York City to the beignets of New Orleans, the US has fabulous food.
- Portions are large. Unless you're in a fine dining restaurant, you can expect the portions to be large. Don't hesitate to ask for a doggy bag. I once ordered take-out of two portions of a seafood pasta for three people. Those two portions actually served the three of us for two meals.
- The weather varies. At some point of the year almost every place in the US is really hot, much hotter than Brits or Europeans are used to. There are also parts of the country that get much colder than what most of the world experiences. Check the seasonal weather patterns before you go.
- Avoid the busiest travel time. From American Thanksgiving to New Years is the busiest travel time in the US. People are going home to big family gatherings and the prices of flights within the country go up. If you can, avoid this time of year.
- Do you need a visa? Check with the U.S. Department of State: Consular Affairs to determine whether you need a visa to visit.
- Embrace the new. The United States is a young country compared to most of the world but in the last century and a half it has rotated through multiple architectural styles that have not been affected by war. Great architecture is everywhere. Chicago is especially wonderful.
- Tipping is expected. Tipping is expected in the US. The minimum wage for employees who receive tips is very low so be generous. In restaurants tips typically range from 18% to 20% depending upon the level of service. The same goes for taxis, tour guides, and hairdressers. If a person helps you with your bags it should be $1 per bag or a $3 minimum. Leave a minimum of $3 on your bed for the maid service – $5 is much better.
- Accessibility is a right. While not perfect in every way, the Americans with Disabilities Act makes the US quite accessible to those with mobility issues. Having traveled with my mom who is in a wheelchair I have noticed how good it is.
- Where to stay? Accommodation ranges widely. Both couchsurfing and Airbnb started in the US and are options for solo travelers. VRBO.com is like Airbnb with a greater emphasis on resort condos and vacation properties. I used it when in Hawaii and saved a lot. There are hostels but they are not as ubiquitous as they are in other places in the world. I recommend those in the Hosteling International (HI) network. B&Bs and guest houses are an option. Cheap hotels are just that – cheap – and I would prefer to stay in a hostel or guesthouse. Check with welcome centers and visitor information centers for leads on last-minute hotel deals.
- Before you go for a walk. Some city centers are alive and vibrant while others are somewhat vacant, especially at night. Walking in the suburbs may be a challenge as sometimes there are no sidewalks. Check with a local first before you go for a walk.
Top Things To Do Solo in the US
It's one thing to know the best places to travel solo in the United States it's another thing to know what to do when you get there. Here are ideas of what to do.
- Take in the music. America is the birthplace of the blues and jazz which spawned much big band music and rock and roll. From the blues of Chicago to the jazz of New Orleans to the country of Nashville, going to festivals, concert halls, and bars for music is a fabulous way to enjoy America.
- Shop 'til you drop, but don't forget the tax. Unlike many countries, the price tag on an item is not the final price. Sales tax is added at the cash register. The prices in the US are really good but you have to add in the state sales tax to know what the real cost of an item is. Black Friday, the day after American Thanksgiving, is the hottest shopping day of the year.
- Get a City Pass and save. If you're going to one of the major cities, one of these passes could save you a lot of money. Whether you're looking for a tour, visit an attraction or two, take in a museum, consider a City Pass.
- Go to the theater. The United States has great theater and it's not all on Broadway in New York. There are summer stock theaters all over the country. You know those actors who you haven't seen on film for a long time? They're likely on the stage somewhere in the US. If you're in New York go to the TKTS Discount Booths in Times Square for your tickets to save money and support the non-profit Theatre Development Fund.
- Take in a sporting event. Americans love football, basketball, and baseball. In the northeast they're passionate about hockey as well, though the sport is growing in popularity elsewhere in the country too. Get involved with locals and take in a pro or college game.
- Take in a parade or a state fair. These are events that really attract locals. The state fairs are in the fall. Parades can happen at any time of year. Check the visitor information site in advance of going.
- Go to an industrial museum. Americans have been the inventors of many new products and sometimes in small towns you'll find a fabulous museum celebrating an invention.
- Try whitewater rafting. There are many great rivers for whitewater rafting – a fabulous day trip – especially in the west. Colorado is especially known for the sport. Check the reviews of the companies you're looking to book with to ensure that they have a good reputation for safety.
Readers Weigh In On the Best Places to Travel Solo in the United States
We asked the members of our Solo Travel Society on Facebook, “For those of you who live in the United States, what popular US destinations would you recommend to a solo traveler and what off-the-beaten-path destinations would you suggest? For those who have visited from other countries, what have been your favorite places to travel solo in the United States?”
Here are some of their picks of the best places to travel solo in the United States.
Ecologically, there’s nothing like Florida. Beautiful beaches, yes, but go inland too, especially to some of the springs. I'm not a city person, I like nature and small towns. St Petersburg doesn't feel like a big city but we have great museums, street art/murals, and food including a world class Dali museum. Gorgeous waterfront. In my area, the county park, Fort De Soto is both historic and wins national awards for its non-commercial natural beaches. One caveat: avoid visiting between June and October because of the heat and humidity and especially August to late October because of hurricanes.
Shannon
I’ve lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for so long now, so I’d recommend visiting. I’m also from Louisiana, so I’d recommend New Orleans – there's nowhere like it in the US. I like photography and nature, so a roadtrip from the Bay Area to Yosemite National Park then out to the Eastern Sierra (along Hwy 395) then to Death Valley National Park then out to Las Vegas. I shall say this is a photographer’s paradise: Mono Lake, Bodie State Historic Park, Alabama Hills, Kings Canyon NP, Sequoia NP, Devils Postpile NM, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Valley of Fire State Park, and so much more!
Alex
I am in love with Southern Oregon, and lucky, as a Realtor, that I get to share it and introduce so many to our charms. First off, Crater Lake National Park is mind-blowing! The small town of Jacksonville is an historic old mining town full of vibrant history and shops. There are farmers markets, so much music, great events, foods (including Rogue Creamery and their world famous blue cheese) and all nestled in an amazing wine-producing region with so many unique wineries. Wooldridge Creek Vineyard even has a farm and makes their own cheeses, crackers and meat for their charcuterie boards. There are fantastic hiking, walking trails and parks everywhere, and so many fun outdoor activities for all seasons! There are the arts, including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Britt Music & Arts Festival. We are hours from the ocean and giant redwoods. Oh, I could go on and on!
Kim
May I present the idea of traveling to Mobile, Alabama? One of the great underrated cities in America! Not only is everyone there friendly and willing to extend Southern Hospitality, it's ideal for history buffs. Mobile is also the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the USA (just don't tell New Orleans). I went there in December for a week and loved it! I stayed at the historic Battle House hotel.
Sabrina
Boston and Cambridge are great cities, walkable and car-free friendly options. Many day trips can be done by train. Instead of Cape Cod go the North Shore towns like Rockport, Gloucester, Manchester-By-The-Sea, and Salem. There are many historical towns such as Concord and Lexington. Lowell has a cool indoor shopping mall called Mill No. 5. It's also easy to get to Maine. Ogunquit and Kennebunkport are beautiful and offer tourist trolleys to get around town. Rhode Island is another great place to explore as well. Providence is a smaller city than Boston but has plenty of offbeat things to do and a great restaurant scene. Newport isn't far away and has a great coastal walk with mansions that you can explore.
Joseph
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