Traveling alone is having a moment. A recent survey from Talker Research, done on behalf of Road Scholar, found that most Americans have either tried solo travel or want to.
Even so, a fair number still find the idea a little intimidating, which makes picking the right destination matter more than usual.
Travel And Tour World recently published its list of top solo travel spots for 2026, weighing factors such as safety, affordability, ease of getting around, and the amount of culture and connection a place offers a traveler on their own.
The United States landed on that global list, and the outlet broke out its own ranking of the ten best American cities for solo explorers.
New York Takes the Top Spot
New York City claimed the number one ranking, and it’s easy to see why. Dining solo at a restaurant counter barely raises an eyebrow here, snagging a single Broadway seat is often simpler than finding two together, and a person could spend a full day just wandering the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The subway system and endless list of neighborhoods only add to the appeal for someone exploring without a plus one.
San Francisco came in second, prized for how much it packs into a small footprint. Riding a cable car, wandering Chinatown, watching sea lions at Pier 39, or catching a ferry out to Alcatraz all make for easy solo outings.
Los Angeles took third, though it rewards a bit more planning since its attractions are spread across a sprawling map. Building a day around one neighborhood at a time, rather than trying to cover the whole city at once, tends to work best.
Midwest and East Coast Cities Make Their Case
Chicago landed at number four, helped by how walkable its downtown attractions are. The Riverwalk, Millennium Park, and the Art Institute all sit close together, and an architecture boat tour is a favorite low-effort way to see the skyline. Seattle followed at fifth, where Pike Place Market alone can eat up half a day, with the Space Needle and a cheap ferry ride across Puget Sound rounding things out.
Boston ranked sixth, largely thanks to its compact, walkable layout and strong public transit, which makes a first solo trip feel manageable. The Freedom Trail and Beacon Hill’s cobblestone streets are popular stops.
Miami took seventh place, appealing to anyone who wants a beach chair and zero group planning, while still offering Art Deco architecture tours, Wynwood murals, and Little Havana’s food scene for days when the sand loses its pull.
Capital, Mountain, and Island Destinations Round Out the List
Washington, D.C. came in eighth, a strong pick for budget-minded travelers since many of its biggest draws, including the Smithsonian museums and the National Mall, are free to visit. Denver took ninth, offering a mix of city life and quick access to the outdoors, with Red Rocks Park less than twenty miles from downtown and Rocky Mountain National Park within reach for a day trip.
Honolulu closed out the top ten. Waikiki serves as an easy home base, and solo travelers can hike Diamond Head, visit Pearl Harbor, or head out to spots like Mānoa Falls Trail without needing anyone else’s schedule to line up with theirs.
Across the list, the common thread is simple. Each city offers enough on its own, whether that’s museums, food, hiking trails, or a decent transit system, that traveling without company never feels like traveling with less.
