Solo travel continues to grow in popularity as more people discover the freedom and self-discovery that comes with exploring new places on their own. The United States offers an incredible variety of destinations, from bustling metropolises to charming small towns, perfect for the independent adventurer.
Here are a list of 20 U.S. cities that have become favorites among solo travelers. Each offers unique experiences, easy navigation, and opportunities to connect with locals and fellow wanderers.
Portland, Oregon
Portland’s reputation as a haven for independent spirits makes it ideal for solo exploration. The city’s excellent public transportation system and bike-friendly streets mean you won’t need to worry about renting a car.
Wander through Powell’s City of Books, sample creative dishes at the food cart pods, or take a peaceful stroll through Washington Park.
Austin, Texas
Austin combines southern hospitality with an independent, creative energy that solo travelers find irresistible. The compact downtown area is easily walkable, and venues offer live music nearly every night of the week.
Barton Springs Pool offers a refreshing natural swimming spot during hot Texas days, while the Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony provides a unique evening spectacle.
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Savannah, Georgia
Savannah’s picturesque historic district feels like stepping into a different era, with its oak-lined squares and antebellum architecture creating an enchanting and navigable atmosphere. Solo travelers appreciate the city’s walkability and the friendly, unhurried pace that makes striking up conversations with locals natural and easy.
The riverwalk area offers plenty of cafes and benches where you can people-watch.
Denver, Colorado
Denver serves as an ideal base for solo adventurers who want to combine urban exploration with outdoor activities. The Mile High City boasts 300+ days of sunshine annually, a walkable downtown, and efficient public transportation, including free shuttles along the 16th Street Mall.
Solo travelers can spend mornings hiking nearby trails, afternoons exploring the arts district of RiNo, and evenings sampling local craft beers on social brewery tours.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans offers solo travelers a sensory feast unlike anywhere else in America. The compact French Quarter and Garden District are easily navigable on foot or via historic streetcars. Beyond the famous Bourbon Street, solo visitors can join walking tours exploring the city’s unique architecture, culinary traditions, and haunted history.
Street performers and live jazz create natural gathering spots where striking up conversations happens organically.
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Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s compact downtown makes it surprisingly manageable for solo travelers to explore. The iconic Pike Place Market provides hours of entertainment as you watch fish-throwing vendors and sample local specialties from independent merchants.
Coffee culture runs deep here, with countless cafés offering perfect spots to rest and people-watch. The efficient light rail connects the airport to downtown, while water taxis and ferries add scenic transportation options across Puget Sound.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston’s well-preserved historic district creates an intimate, walkable environment that solo travelers find both beautiful and approachable. The city’s famous southern hospitality extends to solo visitors, who often report being welcomed into conversations and given insider tips by locals.
Free walking tours provide an excellent orientation and opportunity to meet other travelers: Rainbow Row and the Battery offer picturesque stroll settings.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco packs incredible diversity into a surprisingly compact 7×7-mile area. Solo travelers praise the city’s excellent public transportation, including the historic cable cars and BART system. The colorful neighborhoods each offer distinct vibes, from the counter-culture legacy of Haight-Ashbury to the buzzing dim sum restaurants of Chinatown.
Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, exploring Alcatraz, or joining free walking tours of the city’s famous hills all provide opportunities to meet other travelers.
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Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville’s reputation as Music City makes it a natural choice for solo travelers who can instantly connect with others over shared musical interests. The famous honky-tonks on Broadway don’t require a partner to enjoy, and many venues have no cover charge, allowing you to bar-hop freely.
Beyond music, the city offers excellent food halls, coffee shops, and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods like 12South and East Nashville.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago combines big-city amenities with midwestern friendliness, creating an environment where solo travelers feel excited and at ease. The comprehensive public transit system simplifies exploring diverse neighborhoods from Ukrainian Village to Pilse. The lakefront trail offers 18 miles of scenic paths perfect for walking, running, or biking alongside locals.
Architecture, river cruises, and free walking tours provide structured ways to learn about the city while meeting other visitors.
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville has become a favorite for independent travelers seeking a perfect blend of nature, culture, and quirky charm. The compact downtown, filled with independent shops, galleries, and farm-to-table restaurants, is ideal for solo exploration.
The renowned brewery scene features taprooms with communal tables where conversations with locals happen naturally. Solo hikers appreciate the trails in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains, while the iconic Biltmore Estate can easily fill a day with solo wandering.
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Boston, Massachusetts
Boston’s rich history and walkable scale make it perfect for solo travelers interested in American heritage. The Freedom Trail provides a 2.5-mile route connecting 16 historic sites, with plenty of cafés and parks for breaks and people-watching. The efficient T subway system connects diverse neighborhoods from Cambridge’s academic atmosphere to the Italian charm of the North End.
Solo travelers often mention how the city’s many universities create youthful energy and opportunities for free lectures and events.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.’s abundance of free museums and monuments makes it ideal for solo travelers who can move at their own pace without compromising anyone else’s interests. The comprehensive Metro system and logical grid layout make navigation straightforward.
Solo visitors appreciate the ability to join free walking tours of the National Mall or various neighborhoods, which provide structured opportunities to meet others. The city’s diverse food scene includes many fast-casual concepts born in D.C., like Sweetgreen and & Pizza, offering quick, quality solo diner options.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe offers solo travelers a distinctive cultural experience in a manageable, walkable setting. The adobe architecture and high desert landscapes create a sense of place unlike anywhere else in America. The compact historic plaza serves as an easy focal point for exploration, with museums, galleries, and shops radiating outward.
Solo travelers frequently mention the warm welcome they receive from locals eager to share their city’s heritage. The robust calendar of markets and festivals provides natural gathering opportunities.
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Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis surprises solo travelers with its combination of big-city culture, outdoor activities, and midwestern friendliness. The extensive skyway system—enclosed pedestrian bridges connecting downtown buildings—makes year-round exploration comfortable, regardless of weather.
The city’s commitment to public art and green space is evident in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and the chain of parks surrounding its many lakes. The comprehensive bike share program and dedicated paths make two-wheeled exploration accessible, while the Metro Transit system connects you to neighboring St. Paul and the massive Mall of America.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia’s rich history, walkable downtown, and unpretentious vibe create an approachable environment for solo travelers. The logical grid system laid out by William Penn makes navigation straightforward, while the comprehensive SEPTA public transit connects diverse neighborhoods.
Beyond the famous Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, solo visitors can explore the vibrant murals throughout the city, wander through Reading Terminal Market, or run up the “Rocky Steps” at the Art Museum. The city’s signature cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches are perfect grab-and-go options for solo diners.
Miami, Florida
Miami offers solo travelers a vibrant mix of cultures, beautiful beaches, and year-round sunshine. The city’s distinct neighborhoods each provide different experiences, from the colorful street art of Wynwood to the historic architecture of Coral Gables.
Solo visitors frequently mention how the city’s Latin influence creates a social atmosphere where striking up conversations feels natural. The comprehensive Metrorail and free trolley systems connect major areas, while rideshares fill any transportation gaps.
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Tucson, Arizona
Tucson gives solo travelers space—literal and figurative—to explore at their own pace. The stunning desert landscape provides a backdrop unlike the typical urban experience, with Saguaro National Park accessible via public transport.
Solo hikers appreciate the trails within city limits at places like Sabino Canyon. The vibrant university area offers affordable dining options and cultural events, while the historic downtown and colorful barrios reward wandering photographers.
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City offers solo travelers authentic Midwestern hospitality alongside surprisingly sophisticated cultural offerings. The free KC Streetcar connects major downtown attractions, while the city’s grid layout makes navigation straightforward. Solo visitors frequently mention how locals go out of their way to make recommendations or even offer impromptu tours.
Beyond food, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (with free admission) and the American Jazz Museum provide cultural experiences. At the same time, the Country Club Plaza offers Spanish-inspired architecture and upscale shopping in a walkable outdoor setting.
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington combines small-city charm with progressive values and outdoor recreation opportunities, creating an environment where solo travelers quickly feel at home. The compact downtown centered on Church Street Marketplace—a pedestrian-only thoroughfare—features local shops, cafés, and street performers, creating a lively but manageable atmosphere.
The waterfront path along Lake Champlain provides scenic cycling and walking opportunities, while the nearby Green Mountains offer accessible hiking. The influence of the University of Vermont creates a youthful energy and events calendar, from free summer concerts to farmers’ markets.
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The American Solo Experience
These twenty cities represent the incredible diversity of solo travel experiences across the United States. From coastal enclaves to mountain retreats, historic centers to modern metropolises, America offers solo adventurers endless possibilities for discovery and personal growth.
The common thread among these destinations isn’t just their attractions, but their ability to welcome independent travelers into their unique urban tapestries, proving that sometimes the most memorable journeys are the ones we take on our own.
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