7 Amazing Cities for Solo Travel in the US

1. New York, New York

The city that never sleeps, where dreams come true – New York is at the top of the list! New York is a wonderful city for anyone nervous about doing things alone. With so many people living in the city, let alone visiting it, numerous people are out doing things alone. So you won’t be the only one, trust me. And because there are so many people doing activities by themselves, you are likely to meet new people along the way.  

Where to Stay:

Choosing the best place to stay in NYC depends on what you want to do while in the city. However, I’ve listed a few hotels close to the city’s center. One key thing to remember when booking a place in NYC is to make sure it’s near a subway station. This will make getting around less of a hassle. 

• Ameritania at Times Square 8.0 customer rating
• The Moore 8.7 customer rating
• Hyatt Place NYC Chelsea  8.3 customer rating

Top Attractions to Check-Out:

• Walk around Timesquare 
• Go see a Broadway play
• Try out a food tour
• Check out the Statue of Liberty
• Take a stroll in Central Park or Bryant Park

These are just some of the attractions in New York; there are many more to explore.

 

 

2. Washington DC

Washington D.C. is second on the list full of history, politicians, students, and many cultures. As one would expect, the capital of the United States has much to offer, from museums and political sites to shopping and yummy food. Here are some places to stay, things to do, and I’ve even included some spots to get some tasty food while you’re there. 

Where to Stay:

• Hyatt Place Washington DC/White House 8.1 Customer Rating – This hotel is located downtown. 
• Holiday Inn Washington Capitol-National Mall 8.2 Customer Rating – This hotel is in a good spot for sightseeing. 
• Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House 8.4 Customer Rating – This hotel is located in a vibrant cultural area. 

Top Attractions to Check-Out:

• The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is a must for those that love history! This museum is full of natural history specimens and human artifacts, and the best part is that it’s free. 

• The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum tells the history of the Holocaust from 1933 to 1945. This walk through history will leave all inspired to fight for those suffering injustice. 

• The National Museum of African American History and Culture is devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture.

Yummy Spots for Food: With D.C. being such a diverse area, there is a wide variety of cuisine! Here are some restaurants to try while you’re in town. 

• Ellē: a well-known bakery that also serves dinner! Yum. 
• Martha Dear: serves Neapolitan-style pizza.

• Anju: Serves delicious Korean food with a modern twist.

 

3. Boston, Massachusetts

Another ideal city for solo travel is Boston, Massachusetts. Like DC, Boston has a ton of history showcased in several museums, but arguably, a prettier street-view with cobblestone streets, brownstone buildings, and over 7 miles of connected parks. Boston is also home to over 30 colleges and universities; that’s a lot of educated people in one area! Not to mention there is yummy seafood on almost every corner. That alone is enough reason for me to visit! 

Where to Stay:

• Staypineapple, A Delightful Hotel, South End 8.2 Customer Rating – located in an excellent area for foodies. 
• The Boxer 8.3 Customer Rating – very close to the historic heart of Boston. 
• Boston Park Plaza 8.3 Customer Rating – located in the city’s center. 

Top Attractions to Check-Out:

• Watch a baseball game in Fenway Park. 
• Experience the beauty of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. 
• Take a ferry tour on the Boston Harbor. 

Great Spots for Food:

• Grab some tasty Italian food at Giulia. 
• Try out Tawakal Halal Cafe for some traditional East African food, mainly Somali and Middle-Eastern dishes.
• Of course, for a taste of seafood, try out Eventide Fenway.

 

If this is your first time traveling alone, check out my post on How to Prepare for Your First Solo Trip.

 

4. Austin, Texas

Known for its quirkiness, Austin, Texas, is a must-see city for any solo traveler.  Even though it’s the capital of Texas, the city has a small-town feel providing the perfect breather from big cities. Why visit Austin? Well, its yummy BBQ, nature spots, museums, and artistic wall murals make it a fun and adventurous place for all.   

Where to Stay: Each of these neighborhoods below is excellent for visitors!

• Downtown: The Driskill 8.5 Customer Rating
• South Congress: South Congress Hotel 8.6 Customer Rating
• East Austin: Heywood Hotel 9.6 Customer Rating

Top Attractions to Check-Out:

• Explore the Hamilton Pool Reserve.
• Swim in the natural water hole at Barton Springs Pool
• Visit the highest peak in Austin, Mount Bonnell, to view the city skyline. 

Great Spots for Some Grub:

• Seoulju Korean Kitchen and Bar – who doesn’t love Korean food?!

• The Peached Tortilla – modern Asian comfort food with a Southern twist. Yum!

• JewBoy Burgers – Burgers, Burgers Burgers!

• Franklin Barbecue – and we can’t forget the BBQ. Delicious. 

 

5. Houston, Texas

A few hours west of Austin lies Houston, TX, aka H-Town. This thriving, diverse city has some of the best food in the US, is home to NASA & Queen-Bee, and has a thrilling nightlife scene. Not to mention, it’s budget-friendly, so anyone wanting to explore somewhere new without breaking the bank is most welcome here!

Where to Stay:

• Downtown: best for first-time visitors & sightseeing – Cambria Hotel Houston 8.8 Customer Rating 

• Midtown: best for nightlife – La Colombe d’Or Hotel 9.5 Customer Rating
• Montrose: best for art fans – Holiday Inn Express – Houston – Galleria Area 9.0 Customer Rating

Top Attractions to Check-Out:

• Take a trip to the Space Center
• Explore the Houston Museum of Natural Science
• Spend the afternoon visiting butterflies at the Cockrell Butterfly Center

Tasty Spots for Some Grub:

• • Try out the must-have, ever-delicious BBQ at Truth BBQ
  • You can’t leave Houston without sampling some Tex-Mex & The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation is just the place to get some!
  • And lastly, the fried chicken at Himalaya Restaurant is absolutely mouth-watering. Yum!

 

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6. Pensacola, Florida

If you want a relaxing beach vacation for your solo trip, then Pensacola, Fl is the place for you! Sitting on the west side of the Emerald Coast, Pensacola has blue waters, white sand, and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay forever. Trust me, you won’t be in any hurry to go home. Besides chilling on the beach, there are many watersports and beach-related activities to enjoy. When you’re not at the beach, explore what the city has to offer (great food & lots of shopping). 

Where to Stay:

• Downtown: Holiday Inn Express Pensacola Downtown 8.7 Customer Rating
• On the Beach: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Pensacola Beach 8.9 Customer Rating
• For families & budget travelers: Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Gulf Breeze – Pensacola 9.1 Customer Rating

Top Attractions to Check-Out:

• Spend a day (or more) at Pensacola Beach
• Go dolphin sighting at Dolphin Express
• Do some shopping or grab a bite to eat on The Pensacola Beach Boardwalk 

Tasty Spots for Some Grub:

• Get a nice juicy steak at Jason’s steakhouse
• You can’t go to the beach without eating some fresh seafood. Try out The Fish House
• In the mood for Mexican food? Taqueria El Asador is muy delicioso!

 

7. Atlanta, Georgia

Lastly, but certainly not least, is Atlanta, Georgia. While the traffic is an absolute nightmare, this city is full of southern charm, rich culture, an insane food scene, and much more. This is one of those cities you can visit multiple times and have a different experience each trip, so you might need to take several trips to get everything in!

Where to Stay: Midtown & Downtown are the ideal spots for travelers.  

• Midtown: Loews Atlanta Hotel 8.8 Customer Rating
• Downtown: Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center 8.9 Customer Rating 
• Buckhead: Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead 8.7 Customer Rating

Top Attractions to Check-Out:

• Learn about the history of Coca-Cola at the World of Coca-Cola
• Take a CNN Studio Tour
• Explore the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

Yummy Spots for Food:

• You can’t go to ATL and not get some soul food. The Busy Bee Cafe is delicious & has some of the best mac and cheese. 
• Eat some yummy Puerto Rican food at My Abuelas Food
• If you’re a fan of Ethiopian food, Feedel Bistro is a must. 

 

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Regardless of where you choose, you are sure to have an adventure in any of these destinations. Let me know in the comments which city excites you the most! 

 

This blog post was all about solo travel in the US.