For first-time travelers, venturing somewhere closer to home could make the experience much more comfortable. Lucky for those who live in the continental U.S., there are endless destinations to explore coast to coast. You could say it’s one of the biggest perks of living in the States. Whether you feel the most at home in a big city or prefer something quieter with big open spaces, it’s impossible not to find exactly what you’re looking for, and solo travel ensures you don’t have to compromise for anyone or anything. When it comes down to choosing a destination, ask yourself a few questions. What are you looking to get out of this trip? What are you most excited to see and do? And what do you want to take away from it?

To help get started, below are ten destinations in the U.S. worth considering for a solo trip.

Boston, MA

Boston has so much going for it. It’s a coastal city, very walkable, rich in history, full of great food, and yes… even friendly! From trendy neighborhoods to the oldest university in the country, Boston has plenty to offer for a solo trip. Walk back in time by stepping through historical sites along the Freedom Trail. Make a mess biting into a jumbo cannoli from Italian bakeries in the North End. Live out Harry Potter fantasies exploring the Harvard campus. Take a moment to soak it all under the vibrant trees filling the Boston Common. Shop till you drop along Newbury Street in the Back Bay. Get into a lively conversation at a pub with Southie residents. Boston is full of cozy coffee shops, award-winning restaurants, and cobblestone streets that make comfortable shoes a necessity, not a suggestion. This city has a certain charm in every season, and regardless of how many times you visit, there will always be something new to discover upon your next return.

Chicago, IL

Named the “Best Big City in the US” for the 8th year in a row by Conde Nast Traveler, we’d be remiss not to include Chicago on this list…especially since it’s where we call home. While deep dish pizza, ‘da Bears, and the Bean might be what most people think of when it comes to Chi-town, this Midwestern city has so much more to offer. With 77 communities and over 200 neighborhoods, Chicago is a melting pot of culture and history. Immigrant communities have been the lifeblood of this city for nearly its entire existence, and they’re represented in everything from food to art. Venture outside the central downtown area to experience the “real Chicago.” From indie bookstores to artisan markets, family-owned restaurants to craft breweries, there’s truly an endless number of things to discover in Chicago. With a stunning lakefront that will have you questioning whether it’s actually an ocean, Chicago is beautiful to see in every season, but if you come during winter, pack solid layers. The cold doesn’t keep locals down for long.

Denver, CO

Another walkable city – there may be a theme here – Denver is a great destination for travelers who want a city vibe but easy access to nature as well. Start a trip to Denver exploring the city – tasting many different cuisines, discovering murals and public art, visiting the second-largest performing arts center in the US, and sipping craft beer. Once you’ve had your fill, head to the mountains for a nature-filled retreat. Enjoy hiking in the warmer months and snowy, winter fun in the colder months. Slow down and enjoy your coffee in the morning before taking walks through the trails. Grab a live show at a local bar or - if someone’s playing - at Red Rocks. You don’t have to go far outside of Denver for a proper mountain escape, so might as well take advantage of the opportunity while you can!

*Photo by* *Nils Huenerfuerst* on *Unsplash*

Madison, WI

With one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country, Madison is a friendly city that you could say offers training wheels for solo travel. More of a mid-size city, Madison is a great place to visit over a weekend. It’s walkable but also has a unique bicycle program that makes it even easier to explore. Similar to Denver, Madison is surrounded by parks and trails, making it a perfect destination for a nature-filled experience. It’s also home to several lakes, a large part of the city’s summer festivities. Expect local farm-to-table cuisine, craft beer, cheese curds, and a surprisingly robust art scene from this Wisconsin gem.

Monterey, CA

California stole our hearts in 2024, particularly the Monterey area. Monterey is the perfect choice for a trip focused on slowing down. With stunning views of the Pacific, this coastal California city has a charming downtown with homey restaurants, small shops, and lots of sea life. Known for being a complex and thriving marine ecosystem, Monterey is a great destination to spot all kinds of wildlife, from seals to whales. Take a whale-watching cruise to see Humpbacks, Orcas, Blue, and Gray whales, depending on the time of year. Chances are you’ll also mingle with sea lions, dolphins, and more! Take a drive over to Carmel-by-the-Sea, spend a few hours making stops along the 17-mile drive, or go inland for hiking trails in the mountains.

New York City, NY

The city of all cities, New York is an excellent destination for anyone unafraid to dive into the deep end of solo travel. Jokes aside, blending in is easy because NYC is so massive, and there are so many people. Adopt a few handy tips from locals - like don’t stop in the middle of a sidewalk – and have a goal in mind whenever you venture out. The trick with NYC is that because there’s so much to do, it can be easy to let overwhelm waste precious time (and money). Start by focusing on what you want to cover and map it out - literally. Choose a hotel in the general area where most of those things are located. Brooklyn is worth a trip all on its own, but if most of the things you’d like to see are around Central Park and Times Square, it’s probably not the best borough to call home for this trip. Instead, plan a day trip if you have one to spare - it’ll save lots of travel time getting to and from Manhattan. Once the home base is determined, it’s easy to plan a scheduled itinerary or an overall plan of action for how you’ll be filling each day. Purchase tickets for any shows you want to see, make reservations at restaurants that are harder to get into, check the hours for museums and other activities, and be ready to immerse yourself in the energy that is New York City.

San Francisco, CA

For a workout that rivals the most challenging stairmaster, welcome to San Francisco! You don’t fully understand how steep the hills of San Francisco are until you find yourself sliding down one on a slick, rainy day, even though you’re supposed to be climbing up. San Francisco does a seamless job of blending urban, city life and California’s natural beauty. Between the parks, the mountains, and the bay, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a city like this anywhere else. San Francisco is a cultural goldmine, known for its vibrant arts community, and the culinary scene isn’t something to ignore either. From quirky shops to abandoned prisons, captivating views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and near-perfect weather, the best part of San Francisco is that there’s always something to bring you back.

Savannah, GA

While Savannah is better known for group travel, it’s a wonderful option for a solo trip. Known for its hospitality, you won’t find a kinder people, which makes venturing out alone much easier. The enchanting Spanish moss draped over the city gives it an almost haunting quality, and as one of the oldest cities in the U.S., Savannah’s roots run deep. The city is a cultural hub thanks to a vivid arts scene, vibrant culinary community, and historical sites for days. Sit on a bench in the same square as Forrest Gump, stroll through Forsyth Park, and wander down Broughton Street for a bustling afternoon in the heart of the city. If time permits, Tybee Island makes for a great coastal retreat, or take the longer trek out to Hilton Head Island for a true seaside escape.

Seattle, WA

Seattle gives us quite a bit to be grateful for: Nirvana, Sleepless in Seattle, Starbucks, and Grey’s Anatomy to name a few. The home of grunge rock and fish markets, Seattle is known for taking its coffee a little too seriously, having gray skies, and being home to the high school where 10 Things I Hate About You was filmed, but there’s so much more to it. See a few live music performances, tour a vineyard, sit in a coffee shop pretending to have coffee with Frasier, Niles, and Daphne, visit the original Starbucks, visit Pike Place Market…shall we keep going? The locals are known to be friendly, and for those looking to venture outside of the city, Seattle is surrounded by stunning natural parks, including Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic.

Washington, D.C.

According to Forbes, the best city in the U.S. for solo travel in 2024 was awarded to Washington D.C. and we can understand why. The nation’s capital is one of those places that is so approachable even schools send groups of students there for class trips. There’s a lot going for it – D.C. has some of the best museums in the country along the National Mall, it’s exceptionally walkable with great public transportation options, most people in D.C. are visitors or transplants themselves, the people are very friendly, and so much more. Another great reason D.C. is an ideal spot for beginner solo travelers is that there are many people doing things alone. So that unease while dining out is a little less intense when you’re one of ten other people grabbing a bite to eat at the bar.

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