The first time I traveled completely alone, I sat at a restaurant table by myself, opened a menu, and waited to feel weird about it.
I didn’t.
I felt like I’d been handed the whole evening in a gift box and told I could do whatever I wanted with it. I ordered something I’d never tried before. I took as long as I wanted. I talked to the woman at the table next to me because I felt like it. Then I walked back to my hotel in the warm evening air and thought: why did I wait so long to do this?
If you’ve been thinking about taking a solo trip but haven’t pulled the trigger yet — this is the post I want you to read. Not because I’m going to tell you it’s all perfect and nothing will feel awkward, but because the awkward parts are genuinely small and the good parts are genuinely life-changing.
Solo female travel is having a real moment. According to Grand View Research, women now make up more than 75% of all solo travelers worldwide. US searches for “solo female travel” jumped 44% in 2025. A 2025 survey found that 87% of women who travel solo do it for freedom and flexibility, and 79% do it for self-care and “me time.” That’s not a trend. That’s a movement.
Here are the best places to travel solo as a Woman in the US.
What Makes a Place Great for Solo Female Travel?
Before we get into the list, here’s what I actually looked for when putting this together. Because “safe” alone isn’t enough — you want a place that’s fun, interesting, and easy to navigate when you’re on your own.
A great solo female travel destination has:
- Walkable neighborhoods. When you can explore on foot, you’re not dependent on anyone else’s schedule or comfort level.
- A good food and café culture. Solo travelers need places where sitting alone with a book or a laptop feels completely normal. Cities with strong café cultures are perfect for this.
- Reliable rideshare options. Uber and Lyft coverage matters when you don’t want to walk somewhere after dark.
- Things that are genuinely fun to do alone. Museums, markets, trails, food tours — activities that work just as well with one person.
- A generally friendly atmosphere. Some cities just feel more open to strangers than others. You’ll feel the difference the moment you arrive.
- Good accommodation options. From boutique hotels to female-only hostel dorms — the right bed makes or breaks a solo trip.
None of the cities on this list require a partner to enjoy. That’s the whole point.
The Best Places to Travel Solo as a Woman in the US
1. Savannah, Georgia — The Most Beautiful City for a Solo Trip
Best for: First-time solo travelers, history lovers, anyone who wants Southern charm
Savannah is the city I recommend most often when someone asks where to go for their first solo trip.
Here’s why. The entire historic district is laid out on a grid of 22 squares — small, park-like spaces framed by live oak trees draped in Spanish moss. It’s one of the most walkable downtown areas in the country, which means you can spend a full day exploring on foot without needing to plan a route or figure out buses. You’ll just wander, and things will keep getting more beautiful.
Southern hospitality is a cliché that happens to be completely true in Savannah. People at bars will talk to you. Restaurant staff will recommend where to go next. You will not feel invisible here as a solo traveler.
What to do:
- Walk all 22 squares — each one is different, and all of them are worth it
- Visit Forsyth Park in the morning before it gets busy
- Take an electric bike tour to cover more ground
- Eat at The Collins Quarter for the best solo brunch in the city
- Walk the River Street waterfront at sunset
Good to know: The historic squares are beautiful, but be mindful of which areas you’re in after dark. Stick to well-lit squares and busy streets in the evening, or take a rideshare if you’re heading to a different neighborhood.
2. Santa Fe, New Mexico — The Easiest City to Solo Travel in America
Best for: Art lovers, food explorers, anyone who wants to wander without a plan
Amanda Black, founder of The Solo Female Travel Network — a community of over 600,000 women — calls Santa Fe one of the most consistently popular solo female travel destinations in the country. Her explanation is simple: “Santa Fe removes friction. The historic downtown is compact and walkable. You don’t need a car. You don’t need a plan every minute. You can wander. And wandering while feeling safe and inspired is ideal when you’re traveling alone.”
That’s it exactly. Santa Fe’s Plaza district is tiny, beautiful, and full of art galleries, adobe architecture, handmade jewelry markets, and some of the best food in the Southwest. You can cover most of what makes Santa Fe great without ever needing to get in a car.
The food here is genuinely outstanding — New Mexican cuisine (green chile on everything, the best breakfast burritos you’ll eat in your life) has its own whole world to explore.
What to do:
- Walk Canyon Road — a mile-long stretch of galleries and studios
- Visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
- Eat at the Santa Fe Farmers Market on Saturday morning
- Soak in the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs an hour north (a perfect solo day trip)
- Browse the Native American jewelry market at the Palace of the Governors
Good to know: Santa Fe sits at 7,000 feet elevation. Drink extra water your first day. Altitude hits people differently, and it’s worth being prepared.
3. San Diego, California — The Best First Solo Trip in the US
Best for: First-time solo travelers, beach lovers, anyone who wants warm and easy
San Diego is the most beginner-friendly solo travel city in America. It’s warm year-round. It’s laid-back in a way that makes moving at your own pace feel completely natural. The neighborhoods — Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, North Park, Ocean Beach — are each walkable on their own and completely different in character.
The beach culture here means that solo travelers blend right in. Nobody looks twice at a woman sitting alone at a café in Pacific Beach or reading on the sand at La Jolla. It’s that kind of city.
The food scene is excellent (great tacos, incredible seafood, a strong brunch culture). The public transit and rideshare coverage is reliable. And if you want to meet people, the social scene is easy to plug into without effort.
What to do:
- Walk and kayak at La Jolla Cove (the sea caves are stunning solo)
- Explore Balboa Park — one of the best urban parks in the US, with 17 museums
- Eat your way through the Little Italy Farmers Market on Saturday morning
- Catch sunset at Ocean Beach Pier
- Day trip to Coronado Island via ferry
Good to know: San Diego is one of the safer large cities in California for solo female travelers. Still use rideshare after dark in unfamiliar areas — the same basic habits apply everywhere.
4. Asheville, North Carolina — For the Solo Traveler Who Wants It All
Best for: Nature lovers, craft beer enthusiasts, art explorers, the outdoorsy solo traveler
Asheville sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina and has this wonderful quality of being big enough to feel like a real city with great food and art, but small enough that it never feels overwhelming to navigate alone.
The River Arts District is a collection of old warehouse buildings that have been converted into working artist studios. You can walk from studio to studio, talk to artists in the middle of their work, and buy directly from makers. It’s one of the most interesting solo afternoon activities I’ve experienced anywhere.
The craft beer scene here is legendary — Asheville has more breweries per capita than almost anywhere in the US. This sounds like a group activity, but honestly, walking into a brewery alone in Asheville is the easiest way to start a conversation you’ll ever find. The Wedge Brewing taproom at Foundation is a local institution and always has a warm, friendly crowd.
For nature: the Blue Ridge Parkway is accessible from the city, and the hiking around Asheville — Chimney Rock, Black Balsam Knob, the trails in Pisgah National Forest — ranges from easy walks to serious day hikes.
What to do:
- Walk the River Arts District on a weekday morning
- Hike one of the Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks at sunrise
- Sample the local craft beer scene — start at Wedge Brewing
- Visit the Downtown Asheville Art Museum
- Eat at Cúrate (the best Spanish food in the South)
Good to know: Asheville’s downtown is very walkable. The hiking trails outside the city require a car or a tour — plan ahead if outdoor adventures are your main goal.
5. Nashville, Tennessee — The Most Social Solo City in the South
Best for: Music lovers, budget-conscious travelers, anyone who wants to meet people easily
Nashville is the most affordable major solo travel destination on this list, and also one of the most social. The live music scene means that every bar has something happening — and walking into a bar alone to watch live music is one of the most natural, easy things to do as a solo traveler. Within an hour at Robert’s Western World on Broadway, you’ll have talked to at least three other people. That’s just how Nashville works.
The Tennessee State Museum is free. The Parthenon in Centennial Park is free. The Music City Walk of Fame is free. For a solo traveler who’s mindful of budget — especially given that solo trips mean you don’t split accommodation costs — Nashville lets you stretch your dollar further than almost any comparable city.
What to do:
- Catch live music on Broadway (free to walk in most venues during the day)
- Grab a fried bologna sandwich and a beer at Robert’s Western World
- Visit the Johnny Cash Museum
- Walk the Germantown neighborhood for great food and coffee
- Take the free trolley around downtown
Good to know: Broadway gets very loud and very crowded on weekend nights. If you love that, great. If you prefer a quieter evening, the East Nashville and Germantown neighborhoods offer a completely different energy.
6. Portland, Oregon — The Most Walkable City in the Pacific Northwest
Best for: Coffee lovers, book people, outdoor enthusiasts, creative souls
Portland is extremely easy to solo travel. The Pearl District and Alberta Arts neighborhoods are dense with independent coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants, and galleries — the kind of places where sitting alone for three hours with a book is not just accepted but expected.
The coffee culture here is genuine. You can spend a full morning moving between coffee shops, and nobody will rush you or make you feel like you’re taking up space. Powell’s Books — a full city block of used and new books — is one of the best solo afternoon activities in the US.
For outdoor time, the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood are accessible day trips from the city. The Northwest Portland Hostel runs group hikes, which is a great option if you want outdoor adventure with built-in company.
What to do:
- Spend a morning at Powell’s Books (budget more time than you think)
- Walk the Pearl District and Alberta Arts neighborhoods
- Visit the Portland Japanese Garden in Washington Park
- Take a day trip to Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge
- Eat at Pine Street Market food hall for a solo meal with tons of options
Good to know: Portland’s central neighborhoods are very safe and easy to navigate. As with any city, stick to lit, busy areas after dark in unfamiliar parts of town.
7. Washington D.C. — The Best Free City in America
Best for: History lovers, museum enthusiasts, travelers on a tighter budget
Washington D.C. has an extraordinary solo travel advantage that no other major American city can match: the Smithsonian Institution. Nineteen museums and galleries, all completely free, all walkable from one another on the National Mall. You could spend three days in D.C. without spending a single dollar on admission.
The city has excellent public transit (the Metro is reliable and covers the whole city), a strong café culture, and neighborhoods like Dupont Circle, Georgetown, and Capitol Hill that are genuinely wonderful to explore on foot. It’s also one of the most politically and historically interesting cities in the world — walking the National Mall past the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Washington Monument, alone, at your own pace, with no one else’s timeline to consider, is one of those travel experiences that stays with you.
What to do:
- Spend a morning at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (book timed-entry tickets in advance — they fill up fast)
- Walk the National Mall at sunrise or sunset
- Explore the Georgetown neighborhood for shopping and food
- Visit Eastern Market on weekends for great food and local goods
- Take an evening walk past the memorials when they’re lit up
Good to know: Book your National Museum of African American History tickets weeks in advance. They are genuinely difficult to get without a reservation.
8. Charleston, South Carolina — History, Food, and Southern Grace
Best for: History lovers, food travelers, anyone who loves beautiful architecture
Charleston is one of the most photographed cities in America, and for good reason. The pastel-painted houses of Rainbow Row, the wisteria-draped alleyways, the cobblestone streets — it’s the kind of place where the walk between attractions is as good as the attractions themselves.
The downtown is very walkable, and there’s a free trolley that covers the historic district if your feet need a break. The food scene is outstanding — Charleston has one of the best collections of Southern and Lowcountry restaurants in the country.
Southern hospitality means you’ll rarely feel like an outsider eating alone. At most Charleston restaurants, a solo diner at the bar is treated as a regular guest, not an afterthought.
What to do:
- Walk the Historic District — Rainbow Row, the Battery, White Point Garden
- Visit Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
- Eat at Husk (one of the best Southern restaurants in the country — solo bar seat is perfect)
- Take a harbor cruise
- Explore the City Market on a morning
Good to know: Summer in Charleston is very hot and humid. Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are the ideal times to visit.
9. Sedona, Arizona — The Solo Wellness Trip
Best for: Nature lovers, hikers, anyone who needs to actually recharge
Sedona is different from every other city on this list, because Sedona isn’t really a city. It’s a small desert town surrounded by red rock formations that look like they were painted by someone who had never heard the word “subtle.”
The solo travel case for Sedona is simple: it’s one of the best places in the country to be completely alone in nature, without the isolation feeling scary. The hiking trails are well-marked and well-traveled. The town itself is small and walkable. And the wellness culture here — spas, yoga studios, meditation centers, vortex sites — means that solo visitors are completely normal and fully catered to.
A solo trip to Sedona is less about exploration and more about restoration. You go to Sedona when you need to reset. And it works.
What to do:
- Hike Cathedral Rock at sunrise (one of the most dramatic views in the US)
- Book a spa day at one of Sedona’s resort spas
- Do a Jeep tour of the red rocks (great solo option — you join a group)
- Visit Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village
- Watch the sunset from Airport Mesa Overlook
Good to know: You need a car in Sedona — public transit doesn’t really exist here. If you’re flying in from a major city, rent a car at Phoenix Sky Harbor and drive the 2 hours north. The drive through the Oak Creek Canyon is stunning.
10. Naples and Sarasota, Florida — The Gulf Coast Solo Trip Nobody Talks About Enough
Best for: Beach lovers, food explorers, culture seekers, anyone who wants warm and easy
Here’s the one that surprises people: Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast — and specifically Naples and Sarasota — is genuinely one of the best solo female travel regions in the United States. And almost nobody puts it on their list.
Let me tell you why it deserves to be on yours.
Both cities are safe, walkable in their downtown cores, and built around a lifestyle of beach days, beautiful food, and the particular pleasure of watching the Gulf of Mexico do extraordinary things with light every single evening. They have strong café cultures, excellent restaurant scenes, and the kind of warm, unhurried energy that makes solo travel feel effortless rather than effortful.
Sarasota is the more artsy of the two — home to the Ringling Museum of Art, world-class theatre at the Asolo Repertory, the Sarasota Art Museum, and Sarasota Jungle Gardens — alongside Siesta Key, which consistently ranks as one of the top beaches in the country. The best restaurants in Sarasota range from a James Beard-nominated farm-to-table spot to casual waterfront seafood. And eating alone at the bar at Libby’s or Indigenous is a completely normal, completely comfortable thing to do.
Naples is the more polished cousin — quieter, more refined, with extraordinary beaches and a sunset culture that makes the end of every day feel like something worth planning your afternoon around. Fifth Avenue South has excellent solo dining — pull up a chair at an outdoor table, order a glass of wine, and watch the Gulf Coast evening happen around you. It is one of the great underrated pleasures in American travel.
For a solo day trip that doubles as one of the best travel experiences in Southwest Florida, the Naples to Key West ferry is genuinely worth doing alone. Three and a half hours on the open Gulf, arrive in Key West, spend the day wandering the most interesting small city in Florida, return at sunset.
What to do in Sarasota solo:
- Spend a morning at the Ringling Museum of Art and the sculpture garden
- Have lunch alone at the bar at Indigenous or Selva Grill — both totally solo-friendly
- Walk Siesta Key beach in the early morning before anyone else is there
- Visit Sarasota Jungle Gardens for a slow, animal-filled afternoon
- Stay for the Saturday Farmers Market at Lemon Avenue
What to do in Naples solo:
- Walk the Naples beach at sunrise — you’ll have it nearly to yourself
- Have dinner on Fifth Avenue South with a good book and a glass of wine
- Take the Naples to Key West ferry for the ultimate solo day trip
- Browse the shops on Third Street South and catch a movie at the local theatre
- Watch the sunset from Vanderbilt Beach with the rest of the city
For figuring out what to wear across a Sarasota or Naples trip — from beach mornings to dinner reservations — the Sarasota style guide and the Naples style guide are both useful reads before you pack.
And the Sarasota vs. Naples comparison is perfect if you’re deciding which city to base yourself in — or how to split a longer Gulf Coast trip between the two.
Quick Comparison: Which Destination Is Right for You?
| If You Want… | Go To |
|---|---|
| The easiest first solo trip | San Diego or Savannah |
| Walkability + no car needed | Santa Fe, D.C., or Charleston |
| Beach days and great food | Naples or Sarasota, FL |
| Live music and social vibes | Nashville or Austin |
| Art, coffee, and city walks | Portland or Asheville |
| Nature and total reset | Sedona |
| History on a budget | Washington D.C. |
| Southern charm and architecture | Savannah or Charleston |
Solo Female Travel Safety Tips That Actually Matter
I want to be honest here. Solo female travel in the US is genuinely safe — especially in the well-touristed cities on this list. But “safe” doesn’t mean “no thought required.” Here are the habits that actually make a difference.
1. Tell someone where you’re going. Before you leave each day, send a text to a trusted person back home: where you’re going, what time you expect to be back. It takes 30 seconds and gives you a real safety net. Set a check-in time — something like “I’ll text you when I’m back at the hotel.”
2. Pay the “safety tax.” If a flight lands late and the bus feels uncertain, take an Uber. If a hostel looks nothing like the photos, book somewhere else. Your safety is always worth the extra cost. Build a small buffer into your travel budget specifically for these moments.
3. Keep your phone charged. Always. A dead phone means no maps, no rideshare, no emergency call. A portable power bank is one of the most important things in your bag. Charge it every night.
4. Download offline maps before you leave your hotel. Looking lost on a phone screen while standing on a street corner is not the situation you want to be in. Review your route before you leave, and download the map area so you can use it without data.
5. Use rideshare after dark. This isn’t about fear — it’s about making smart, easy choices. Rideshare apps are reliable in all the cities on this list and remove the need to figure out unfamiliar public transit or walk through unknown neighborhoods at night.
6. Book your accommodation thoughtfully. Ask for a room above the ground floor and not next to a stairwell or emergency exit. These are small details that matter. For hostels: female-only dorms or a private room if the communal setup feels like too much for your first solo trip.
7. Don’t volunteer that you’re traveling alone. This doesn’t mean lie. It just means you don’t need to announce it. When booking, use your first name only if possible. When making conversation with strangers, “my friends are meeting me later” is a perfectly fine thing to say.
8. Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it usually is. Leave the situation. You don’t need a reason that would hold up in court — you just need to feel uncomfortable. That’s enough. Get up, leave, take a rideshare, go somewhere busy.
9. Carry your bag in front of you in crowded areas. Crossbody bags with secure zippers are ideal for solo travel — they stay in your field of vision and are much harder to grab quickly than a backpack.
10. Eat at the bar. This is actually a joy, not a safety tip disguised as one. Sitting at the bar alone is the fastest way to have a genuine conversation with a local or a bartender who knows everything about where you are. Do it. You’ll be glad you did.
What to Pack for a Solo Trip
You don’t need much. Solo travel rewards packing light — you’re carrying everything yourself, you’ll be moving through a city on foot, and you’ll inevitably buy something you’ll want to bring home.
The essentials:
- A crossbody bag with a zip closure for daily use
- A portable power bank (charged every night)
- A small personal alarm (clip it to your bag)
- Offline maps downloaded before each day
- Two credit cards — one for daily use, one stored safely at the hotel
- A good pair of walking shoes you’ve already broken in
- One nicer outfit for dinner (most of the cities on this list have great restaurants)
- A lightweight scarf (works as a wrap on cold planes, a beach cover-up, a shawl for chilly evenings)
- A reusable water bottle
For a beach-focused solo trip to the Gulf Coast, the beach to brunch outfit guide is actually a really useful packing resource — the formulas it covers let you get from a morning on the sand to a dinner reservation without hauling an extra outfit.
And for a Florida trip specifically, the what to wear in Florida in summer guide covers the fabric and footwear choices that hold up in Gulf Coast heat — which matters more than people expect.
Where to Stay: Airbnb vs. Hotel for Solo Travel
The accommodation question is real. For solo travelers, hotels often feel safer for a first trip — front desk access, staff on-site, clearer security protocols. For longer trips or when you want to feel more like a local, a well-reviewed Airbnb in a central neighborhood can be genuinely wonderful.
The Airbnb vs. hotel guide for Florida trips covers this decision honestly — it’s Florida-focused, but the logic applies to most US destinations. Worth reading if you’re going back and forth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the US safe for solo female travelers?
Yes — especially in walkable, well-touristed areas. The US is one of the most beginner-friendly solo female travel destinations in the world: English-speaking, excellent rideshare coverage, strong tourism infrastructure. Safety comes down to good habits rather than specific destinations. Stick to reviewed neighborhoods, use rideshare after dark, and share your itinerary with someone at home.
What is the best US city for a first solo trip?
San Diego is the most forgiving and easiest to navigate for a first trip. Savannah and Santa Fe are excellent alternatives if you prefer a smaller, more walkable environment.
What percentage of solo travelers are women?
Women now make up more than 75–84% of all solo travelers worldwide, according to multiple 2025–2026 travel surveys. Solo female travel is more common and better supported than ever.
Is Florida good for solo female travel?
Absolutely. Sarasota and Naples in particular are underrated solo female travel destinations — safe, walkable in their downtown cores, with excellent food, beautiful beaches, and the warm, unhurried Gulf Coast energy that makes solo travel feel easy.
How do I eat alone without feeling awkward?
Sit at the bar. Bring a book or your phone. Order something you genuinely want. Talk to the bartender. Within about ten minutes, the awkwardness disappears entirely, and you realize this is actually one of the best things about traveling solo.
What’s the most important safety item to pack?
A fully charged portable power bank. Every other safety decision — rideshare, navigation, emergency calls — depends on your phone working.
Do I need to tell restaurants I’m dining alone when I make a reservation?
You can, but you don’t have to. Many solo travelers simply book a table for one online. Sitting at the bar is often easier for solo diners — you get faster service, better conversation, and don’t have to feel conspicuous at a table set for four.
The Bottom Line
Solo female travel in the US in 2026 is well-supported, more popular than ever, and genuinely one of the best things you can do for yourself. The destinations on this list — from Savannah’s Spanish moss squares to Sedona’s red rock trails to the Gulf Coast evening light in Naples — are all places where being alone isn’t a limitation. It’s an advantage.
You get to go where you want. Eat what you want. Stay as long as you feel like. Leave when you’re ready. Talk to strangers when the moment is right. Sit in silence when it isn’t.
That first dinner alone where you sit down, open the menu, and wait to feel weird about it?
You won’t. I promise.
Looking for Gulf Coast travel guides, packing tips, and destination inspiration? Belle on the Boardwalk has everything you need to plan your next solo trip to Southwest Florida and beyond.
