Doing what you want, when you want; eating whatever and wherever; staying out late or checking in early … these are the perks of solo travel. And while tackling a destination all by your lonesome can be intimidating at first, vacationers who take advantage of this style of travel may find they never want to do it differently. OK, maybe not never, but traveling solo definitely has its perks. As someone who is often on the road unaccompanied, we asked one of our travel editors to share her favorite U.S. cities to explore alone. Here’s what she said.
New York City, New York
The heavy hitter of U.S. cities, New York City has a reputation for art, culture, entertainment, history and culinary greatness, and these same attributes are what make it such a fantastic destination for solo travel. Pair this with The Big Apple’s unmatched walkability and affordable, easy-to-navigate public transportation, and getting around town is as simple as punching an address into Google Maps. As “The City That Never Sleeps,” NYC offers opportunities for around-the-clock adventures, making it a worthy vacation spot whether solo travelers have a week or just a few days to explore.
Editor-Approved Activities for Solo Travelers:
For me, a visit to NYC is all about exploring new nooks and crannies, catching an exciting show and eating all the food. I recommend solo travelers kick off their visit with a guided tour of one of the city’s iconic neighborhoods — whether it be a food, ghost, history or architecture tour — and wrap up their first night by attending a new-to-them Broadway show.
My Top 5 Sights:
- Chelsea Market for lunch or dinner
- Greenwich Village for cutesy shops, as-seen-on-TV sightseeing and historic spots
- Central Park for a delightful stroll
- An adventure to China Town and nearby Little Italy for even more incredible eats
- A stop at a museum (or two or three … ) for a touch of educational fun
Palm Springs, California
An oasis in the desert, Palm Springs is charming and aspirational in equal measure. Celebrity-owned homes, lavish hotels and historic spots alike boast mid-century modern styles, while both high-end and accessible shopping line the city’s lively downtown strip. Neighbored by the San Jacinto Mountains to the west, and just a hop, skip and a jump from Joshua Tree National Park, the great outdoors is never far away. In the same breath, the area is rich in modern glamor with Palm Springs touting luxurious day spas, swanky poolside parties and high-end desert retreats. For solo travelers, the city is safe and inspiring; a perfect destination for tapping into your artsy side and unplugging to recharge.
Editor-Approved Activities for Solo Travelers:
I recommend solo travelers stay at a hotel near downtown so they can make the most of Palm Springs’ walkability. The mornings are chilly and the days are hot, so be sure to wear layers. Downtown is a great place to kick off the day at a local breakfast or brunch spot, of which, the city has many. From here, shopping is abundant with lots of stores lining Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon Drive. Alternatively, I’d hop in an Uber and head to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for an exhilarating ride paired with a view you’ll never forget.
My Top 5 Sights:
- The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for a once-in-a-lifetime ride
- Village Fest, a downtown gathering with food, shopping and music taking place each Thursday
- The Trixie Motel for fans of “Ru Paul’s Drag Race”
- Forever Marilyn, it just wouldn’t be a visit to Palm Springs without snapping a pic next to this starlet
- Joshua Tree National Park for an otherworldly adventure
San Juan, Puerto Rico
A tropical destination U.S. citizens can visit without a passport, San Juan, Puerto Rico, boasts the same sunny, equatorial weather as beloved vacation spots like the Dominican Republic, the U.S. Virgin Islands and areas of Costa Rica. Here, the local spirit is vibrant, the streets and buildings are colorful and the food and beverages are bursting with flavor, making San Juan an ideal city for solo travel. Here, vacationers don’t need to choose between a beach and urban vacation as San Juan has temperate waters, sandy shorelines, an intuitive downtown, historic forts and larger-than-life murals in spades. By day, the cobblestone streets feel safe and welcoming; by night, the city comes alive as music pours out of bars and restaurants resulting in an air of celebration everywhere you turn.
Editor-Approved Activities for Solo Travelers:
A destination known for its coffee, I would urge solo travelers to start their morning in San Juan at a local cafe where they can grab a fresh cup of joe — and, if they really want to get the party started, I recommend pairing the drink with a Pan de Mallorca pastry. From here, vacationers can spend some time wandering the cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial architecture of Old Town before heading toward the coast to check out The San Juan Gate. As a certified “cat person,” I would keep an eye out for cats along the way and greet the friendly ones with a pet or two before checking out El Morro, a 16th-century coastal fortress, and grabbing another local specialty after lunch: The Piña colada.
My Top 5 Sights:
- A food tour of Old Town San Juan for some of the most incredible food on Earth
- A visit to El Morro for a blast from the past and to support The National Parks Service
- Santurce for a self-guided walking tour of local street art and murals
- Save a Gato, a cat sanctuary that’s perfect for animal lovers
- El Escambrón for the beach-goer who still wants an urban escape
Las Vegas, Nevada
A solo outing to Sin City? While it might sound ill-advised, Las Vegas is a fantastic destination for food, shopping and entertainment, and with so much going on at all hours of the day (and night), this place known for drunken revelry can also make for an incredible solo adventure. Want to dine at a restaurant ideated by a celebrity chef? Many of the big names have something to offer here. Want to check out a quirky museum or interactive art exhibit? You can do that too. Are you in the market for unforgettable shows and live entertainment? You guessed it, Vegas has it. This little pocket of Nevada has undergone some major transformations over the last several decades, and even if they’ve gone in the past, solo travelers might find the Vegas of today has done a 180 from the one they remember 20, or even 10, years ago.
Editor-Approved Activities for Solo Travelers:
First things first, if you don’t plan on staying up all night, do yourself a favor and pack some earplugs for your nights spent in Vegas. Seriously, I once had a room facing The Strip and the chaos went well into the wee morning hours. Now that we have that out of the way — and please, don’t let it scare you off — solo days in Vegas are best spent doing some good old fashioned sightseeing, and if I were doing it, it would be from the comfort of a guided food tour as they take participants from property to property, indulging in decadent eats along the way. After exploring The Strip, I’d encourage travelers to hop in a Taxi or an Uber and head to Area 15 to check out Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart or, if they’re of the spooky variety, Zak Bagan’s Haunted Museum a few minutes north.
My Top 5 Sights:
- The High Roller Ferris wheel for unbeatable views
- Zak Bagan’s Haunted Museum for chills and thrills
- A guided food tour to sample Sin City’s abundant eats
- The Neon Museum for fun photo ops
- The Sphere for a show like no other
Chicago, Illinois
Nestled along Lake Michigan, Chicago is the third-largest U.S. city. It’s also criminally underrated (if you ask me). Here, summer days are cherished with folks gathering along the lakefront and Chicago River, while long winter nights are cozy and festive thanks to the city’s beloved Christkindlmarket during the holiday season and indoor spaces that were designed to endure long, relentless winters. Museums are plentiful and The Windy City even boasts a world-class aquarium. Solo travelers will find downtown is delightfully walkable with various neighborhoods to explore. While those hoping to venture off the beaten tourist path can easily access the L Train to quickly get across the city.
Editor-Approved Activities for Solo Travelers:
The Chicago River is the beating heart of this city which is why I’d urge any solo traveler to begin their visit there — perhaps at Goddess and the Baker, one of my favorite cafes. If the weather is nice, travelers can sign up for an architecture boat tour to learn more about the buildings that make up the skyline or simply spend time enjoying the sunshine and soaking up the vibes. Nearby Michigan Avenue is good for shopping and big-name brands and the street spits out to a bustling local beach along Lake Michigan.
My Top 5 Sights:
- An architecture boat tour on the Chicago River
- A museum stop — the Museum of Ice Cream, the WNDR Museum, the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry are all favorites
- Tiki drinks at Three Dots and a Dash
- Food at the Chicago French Market
- A photo op in front of The Bean, a true “must” for any tourist
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