
- Safety: Travel with peace of mind
- Cost of living: Know what to budget for
- Number of attractions: Plan your itinerary
- Internet speed: Stay connected (or go off-grid)
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- Atlanta, Georgia
- Tampa, Florida
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Boise, Idaho
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Napa Valley, California
- Sedona, Arizona
- Austin, Texas
- San Diego, California
- Portland, Maine
- Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Miami, Florida
- Chicago, Illinois
- New York City, New York
- Lake Tahoe, California
- Bend, Oregon
1. Atlanta, Georgia
Great for solo travelers who want it all
- Safety score rank: 11
- Cost of living index rank: 7
- Number of attractions: 936
- Internet speed: 92.1 Mbps
2. Tampa, Florida
Great for solo travelers who love wildlife
- Safety score rank: 18
- Cost of living index rank: 3
- Number of attractions: 774
- Internet speed: 128.92 Mbps
3. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Great for solo travelers who thrive in the desert
- Safety score rank: 7
- Cost of living index rank: 6
- Number of attractions: 678
- Internet speed: 58.19 Mbps
4. Scottsdale, Arizona
Great for snowbirds
Luxury second homes in Scottsdale
See all- Safety score rank: 14
- Cost of living index rank: 12
- Number of attractions: 537
- Internet speed: 150.42 Mbps
5. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Great for solo travelers who love to go off-grid
- Safety score rank: 2
- Cost of living index rank: 10
- Number of attractions: 369
- Internet speed: 34.18 Mbps
6. Las Vegas, Nevada
Great for solo travelers who love nightlife
- Safety score rank: 30
- Cost of living index rank: 5
- Number of attractions: 995
- Internet speed: 119.23 Mbps
7. Boise, Idaho
Great for solo travelers who love greenery
- Safety score rank: 15
- Cost of living index rank: 2
- Number of attractions: 292
- Internet speed: 121.96 Mbps
8. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Great for solo travelers who love to be seaside
- Safety score rank: 4
- Cost of living index rank: 21
- Number of attractions: 418
- Internet speed: 97.68 Mbps
9. Napa Valley, California
Great for solo travelers who love Wine Country
- Safety score rank: 16
- Cost of living index rank: 36
- Number of attractions: 921
- Internet speed: 226.5 Mbps
10. Sedona, Arizona
Great for solo travelers seeking a spiritual place
- Safety score rank: 5
- Cost of living index rank: 28
- Number of attractions: 558
- Internet speed: 83.71 Mbps
11. Austin, Texas
Great for solo travelers who love live music
- Safety score rank: 34
- Cost of living index rank: 14
- Number of attractions: 1,255
- Internet speed: 133.18 Mbps
12. San Diego, California
Great for solo travelers who love warm weather and Mexican cuisine
- Safety score rank: 17
- Cost of living index rank: 45
- Number of attractions: 1,781
- Internet speed: 112.72 Mbps
13. Portland, Maine
Great for solo travelers who love seafood
- Safety score rank: 13
- Cost of living index rank: 30
- Number of attractions: 417
- Internet speed: 208.14 Mbps
14. Nantucket, Massachusetts
Great for solo travelers who love small-town charm
- Safety score rank: 8
- Cost of living index rank: 16
- Number of attractions: 156
- Internet speed: 180.63 Mbps
15. Ann Arbor, Michigan
Great for solo travelers who enjoy the energy of lively college towns
- Safety score rank: 10
- Cost of living index rank: 41
- Number of attractions: 175
- Internet speed: 164.03 Mbps
16. Miami, Florida
Great for solo travelers who love hitting the beach
- Safety score rank: 32
- Cost of living index rank: 25
- Number of attractions: 1,761
- Internet speed: 95.03 Mbps
17. Chicago, Illinois
Great for solo travelers who love to sightsee
- Safety score rank: 43
- Cost of living index rank: 20
- Number of attractions: 2,493
- Internet speed: 116.94 Mbps
18. New York City, New York
Great for solo travelers who love fast-paced and foodie-friendly living
- Safety score rank: 21
- Cost of living index rank: 49
- Number of attractions: 1,759
- Internet speed: 119.1 Mbps
19. Lake Tahoe, California
Great for solo travelers seeking peace/tranquility in nature
- Safety score rank: 24
- Cost of living index rank: 27
- Number of attractions: 485
- Internet speed: 154.6 Mbps
20. Bend, Oregon
Great for solo travelers who love mountain hideouts
- Safety score rank: 12
- Cost of living index rank: 19
- Number of attractions: 251
- Internet speed: 50.24 Mbps
Top 50 solo travel destinations
Here are the 50 top destinations for solo travelers — and all places to potentially find a second home.50 best destinations for solo travelers |
Atlanta, Georgia |
Tampa, Florida |
Santa Fe, New Mexico |
Scottsdale, Arizona |
Jackson Hole, Wyoming |
Las Vegas, Nevada |
Boise, Idaho |
Virginia Beach, Virginia |
Napa Valley, California |
Sedona, Arizona |
Austin, Texas |
San Diego, California |
Portland, Maine |
Nantucket, Massachusetts |
Ann Arbor, Michigan |
Miami, Florida |
Chicago, Illinois |
New York City, New York |
Lake Tahoe, California |
Bend, Oregon |
Aspen, Colorado |
Savannah, Georgia |
Los Angeles, California |
Steamboat Springs, Colorado |
New Orleans, Louisiana |
Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
Portland, Oregon |
Honolulu, Hawaii |
Gatlinburg, Tennessee |
Boston, Massachusetts |
Charleston, South Carolina |
Telluride, Colorado |
Salt Lake City, Utah |
Asheville, North Carolina |
Key West, Florida |
Pensacola Beach, Florida |
Seattle, Washington |
Breckenridge, Colorado |
Flagstaff, Arizona |
Santa Barbara, California |
Park City, Utah |
Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Washington, D.C. |
Delray Beach, Florida |
Palm Springs, California |
San Francisco, California |
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California |
Malibu, California |
Memphis, Tennessee |
Anchorage, Alaska |
Solo traveler checklist

Before you book
- Research your destination: Learn the best time to visit and identify must-see attractions and activities.
- Budget: Create a travel budget, including accommodations, transportation, food and activities.
- Calculate travel time: Select a mode of transportation and see how long it would take to get from the airport to your hotel and other attractions.
- Create a rough itinerary: Map out potential accommodations and attractions, and draft a schedule around your must-do activities.
Before taking your trip
- Book your flight: Secure your transportation to and from your destination.
- Get travel Insurance: Purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations and theft.
- Choose accommodations: Select a home base for your adventure.
- Notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid card issues.
- Make copies of important documents like hotel reservations and tickets.
- Share your itinerary with friends or family and establish regular check-ins.
While packing
- Pack light: Choose versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate.
- Pack climate-appropriate items like sunblock or thermal layers.
- Prepare necessary medications: Bring enough for the entire trip.
- Bring electronic essentials like phone chargers, power banks and a camera.
- Pack a reusable water bottle to avoid having to buy single-use plastic bottles.
- Take a first-aid kit in case of an emergency while you’re alone.
While traveling
- Know where you’re going: Download navigation apps and offline maps for your destination.
- Use reputable transportation options like public transport or verifiable rideshares and taxis.
- Avoid notoriously risky areas, especially at night.
- Sign up for social events: Go to public spaces and engage in group tours or activities to meet fellow travelers.
- Carry cash: This is ideal when visiting mom-and-pop shops or off-the-beaten-path excursions.
- Keep your belongings securely attached to your person and be mindful of pickpockets.
- Send souvenirs: Avoid heavy bag fees by sending yourself and your loved ones souvenirs by mail.
- Document your travels: Whether that means just for yourself or sharing on social media.
- Get plenty of rest: You can’t enjoy your adventures if you’re exhausted.
Methodology
This study was conducted in September 2023. To determine the best destinations for solo travelers in the United States, we compared four ranking factors across 50 cities.The following ranking factors were used to determine how suitable a city is for solo travelers and assigned out of a weight of 100:- Safety — 35 points: The crime rate of each destination was taken into consideration to ensure that solo travelers feel safe during their trip.
- Number of attractions — 30 points: It’s important to have a wide range of both group and independent activities to choose from.
- Cost of living — 25 points: The average cost of a meal and accommodations can help you understand which destinations are in your budget.
- Internet speed — 10 points: Staying connected is a great safety precaution and can also help digital nomads get the job done while traveling solo.
Best destinations for solo travelers FAQ
01: What is the safest destination for solo travelers?
According to our study, Telluride, Colorado, is the safest destination for solo travelers.
02: How do I find friends when solo traveling?
To find like-minded friends while traveling, consider spending time in the kinds of places you would at home. If bars aren’t your scene, head to a coffee shop every morning. You can also search social media for meetups in your area.
03: What are some affordable destinations for solo travelers?
According to our study, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the most affordable solo traveler destination, followed by Boise, Idaho, and Tampa, Florida.
04: What are some solo-friendly activities to do while traveling?
Solo travelers can enjoy everything from hiking and kayaking to wine-tasting and seaside dining. If you enjoy social activities, consider joining a guided group tour of local landmarks or museums. Depending on your destination and travel dates, snorkeling and skiing are also solo-friendly activities.