While one can argue that traveling in groups or with your friend or two can be great fun, some people just prefer to travel alone. To them, a solo trip is a chance to get the most out of destinations they pick, as it affords a certain freedom that they otherwise wouldn’t have had.
Thanks to a ranking by Passport Photo Online, this article will give you a rundown of the best places to visit in the US as solo travelers. Based on several important factors, you’ll discover the best destinations for a lone wolf type of traveler such as yourself.
How do you find the best solo travel destinations?
Like every other vacation, a solo trip requires a traveler to do their homework and put some effort into researching destinations they find attractive. It’s also important to note that what you should consider is not only where but also why?
Perhaps you love attending festivals all around the world and enjoying streets bursting with life and countless attractions. Or maybe you’re into more contemplative places where you lose yourself in local, national parks and other breathtaking pieces of land?
This ranking itself focuses on three key aspects that dictate the validity of a destination for solo travel:
- affordability;
- the destination’s entertainment value;
- weather agreeableness.
Of course, opinions differ, and it is impossible to find an objectively best destination for a solo traveler, but the best places in the ranking are a great combination of all of these.
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#10 Jacksonville
We begin the ranking with Jacksonville in Florida – a city full of attractions for both male and female tourists traveling by themselves. The Florida Theater, which is one of the most notable historic sites in this part of the US, is just one of the countless places you can enjoy to the fullest as a solo traveler.
If that doesn’t pique your interest, solo travelers can admire the amazing and vast zoological garden home to a wide range of local and exotic flora and fauna.
In this part of the country, you will be blessed with beautiful weather all year round, so the whims of the skies will likely never cause you to change your plans. Jacksonville also ranks high in terms of affordability when it comes to both attractions and cost of living, and you will have plenty of opportunities to have fun while you’re there.
#9 New Orleans
Now we are moving a bit west to a city that will surely never run out of things for travelers to explore. Famed for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, it’s an absolute jewel of a destination for all solo travelers who like the smooth sounds of jazz.
If that’s not your style, however, you’ve still got plenty of places that will make your solo trip absolutely worth it. For all you cocktail enthusiasts, New Orleans is also home to several award-winning bars.
Unlike the previously mentioned Jacksonville, you will need to save a bit more for a trip to New Orleans. The good news, however, is that you’re not likely to struggle because of the weather, and the wealth of options will certainly prove too vast for a single trip. There’s just so much to do in New Orleans.
#8 Louisville
Next up, we move to a city in Kentucky, a place known far and wide as the birthplace of a boxing legend, Muhammad Ali.
Louisville is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most affordable destination for solo travelers so far. You will no doubt see noticeable differences between the previously mentioned cities, but that’s not the only thing great about Louisville as a travel destination.
While you’re there, every solo traveler should go to Fourth Street Live! – by all accounts, a very lively place in downtown Louisville, with plentiful bars, music venues, and high-end restaurants.
If that’s not your speed, The Louisville Mega Cavern is an attraction you must put on your to-do list. You can explore it both on foot and in a tram, and it’s bound to be quite an adventure.
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#7 El Paso
Not the only city in Texas state in this ranking, El Paso is one of the best places to travel alone. This charming city is another destination for those who value great weather as key to a successful trip, as well as those who wouldn’t prefer to pay much for a solo trip.
Home to, for instance, the Hueco Tanks State Park, a beautiful piece of land to hike through, El Paso will find many fans among more outdoorsy kinds of travelers. That’s not to say, however, that that is all the city and its outskirts have to offer.
Not as lively as other destinations in the ranking, El Paso will still give solo travelers a number of attractions to see, such as the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, the El Paso Museum of Art, and plenty of museums, all within walking distance of each other.
#6 Houston
For now, we stay in Texas a bit longer as we explore Houston, a remarkably culturally diverse city with rich art history. If you’re the type of traveler who loves meeting new people of all backgrounds, we’ve hit the jackpot.
The city offers a wide variety of attractions, and every tourist will find something exciting to see. The one thing, however, that most people are drawn to is the Space Center Houston, which will make an impression on just about everyone.
Lone travelers should also definitely go to Montrose, a neighborhood like no other, filled with art galleries, boutiques, and lovely restaurants. Just keep in mind that it’s not a destination for those with a limited budget.
#5 Tampa
Now we’re going back to sun-kissed Florida and one of the most popular tourist destinations around. Because Tampa sees countless tourists all year round, be prepared for higher prices and, most certainly, crowds of people everywhere you go.
There’s a plethora of amazing attractions to get the most out of your solo trip, like the Florida Aquarium or the Busch Gardens, so being bored is not an option. Everywhere you go, you’ll find impressive museums to explore, charming bars and restaurants, and of course, lovely beaches.
Just keep in mind that for everything Tampa has to offer, it is also the most expensive destination in this ranking.
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#4 Albuquerque
While many people recognize the name because of the famous TV series Breaking Bad, Albuquerque in New Mexico is actually a popular tourist destination. Definitely one of the best places for solo trips, Albuquerque gives travelers plenty of reasons to visit.
The International Baloon Fiesta is a sight to behold, that’s for sure, and that alone makes the city a great solo travel destination.
If you’re into admiring the landscape and would like a better look at the city, you can also book a ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway and experience some of the most breathtaking views in these parts of the US.
Luckily, even though the city gets its share of tourists, the costs of living are too high and are, indeed, very reasonable considering all the attractions in and around the city.
#3 San Antonio
We’re staying in the southeast for now as we explore San Antonio, another solid choice for solo trips.
Like most destinations in the ranking, it’s a place where you’ll rarely find reasons to complain about the weather, and whatever plans you make will surely come to fruition.
Everyone, including solo travelers, must pay a visit to Morgan’s Wonderland – an amusement park that will bring a smile to your face regardless if you’re young or older. Like most attractions around here, the prices are very reasonable and won’t harm your budget too much.
Other notable places you should visit while in San Antonia include the famous River Walk, the local botanical garden, or the Natural Bridge Caverns, the biggest natural caves in the US.
#2 Tucson
The second place goes to Tucson, which is arguably one of the best places to visit in the US in general. Regardless of whether you travel solo or not, Tucson is bound to leave quite an impression on you.
The city seemingly effortlessly mixes affordability with flawless weather and plenty of attractive places to visit. The best example is the Old Tombstone Western Theme Park, which lets you experience the wild west fantasy. It’s grand fun!
You should also check out the local Reid Park Zoo, with four distinct sections for a vast array of animals, as well as the San Xavier del Bac Mission.
A very safe place thanks to a lovely local community, Tucson rightfully grabs the second-best place in the ranking.
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#1 Las Vegas
Perhaps hardly a surprise for most, Las Vegas is by far the best and most exciting place for solo travelers in the US. Bursting with life and rich in thousands of attractions of all kinds, Las Vegas.
The jewel of Nevada, Las Vegas, almost bombards you with countless places to visit, all equally as exciting. Take High Roller, for example. A ride on the tallest Ferris wheel in the world surely goes to every traveler’s to-do list.
You can also experience higher culture at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, as well as do some shopping at the Neonopolis, or just go sightseeing on those Big Bus Tours you’ve seen in movies.
Absolutely at the top of the ranking when it comes to weather agreeableness and seemingly endless attractions, Las Vegas is also, at the same time, not the most expensive destination. If you’re hungry for excitement, you’ve certainly come to the right place.
To sum up
If you’re into solo travel and looking for the best places in the US to go on your own, there’s no shortage of exciting destinations. You can pick from quite a few states to visit, from east to west, and whichever you pick, chances are you will have plenty of fun.
You just ought to remember that depending on what type of tourist you are, certain cities may prove to be significantly more suited to you in the end.
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Bio
Michal Laszuk – a writer at PhotoAiD during the day and an avid traveler at night. Always ready to embark on another journey, he has a soft spot for any and all supposedly “underrated” and less obvious destinations others would omit.
