10 of the Best Places in America to Travel Solo
Solo travel feels different when a place naturally supports wandering without pressure. Some cities make it simple to follow instinct, while others offer moments of quiet that feel good to experience alone. These destinations stand out for the subtle ways they welcome independent travelers.
Washington D.C.
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In Washington’s museum corridors, the sheer range of free cultural encounters can fill days without ever reaching for a wallet. The Smithsonian complex alone includes over a dozen galleries along the National Mall, from the National Air and Space Museum’s historic spacecraft to the Portrait Gallery’s rotating exhibitions of influential figures.
Savannah, Georgia
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Savannah’s original colonial layout laid out 22 squares across streets like Bull and Congress, each designed as shared green space and social anchor in the heart of town. These range from Johnson Square’s historic monuments to the restored Ellis Square at the City Market.
Moab, Utah
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Moab is in eastern Utah, surrounded by striking red sandstone formations. Just outside town, Arches National Park protects more than 2,000 named natural arches. Some trails are short and easy to reach. The Windows Loop is about a mile round trip and brings you close to North and South Window Arches from a nearby parking area. Longer hikes, such as the Devil’s Garden trail, lead to larger formations, including Landscape Arch and Double O Arch.
San Francisco, California
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When in San Francisco, you can begin near the Embarcadero and move through the city on foot. Stop at the Ferry Building Marketplace for coffee, then follow the waterfront toward Pier 39 to see the sea lions. From there, continue to Fisherman’s Wharf for clam chowder served in a sourdough bowl. Public transit and ride-share options make it easy to extend the day with visits to Golden Gate Park or Chinatown.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
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Canyon Road packs nearly 100 galleries into a short, walkable stretch shaded by trees and lined with adobe façades. Most spaces allow casual browsing, so you can move in and out at your own pace. The historic Plaza remains the city’s central gathering point, framed by centuries-old architecture. For a broader view of regional and Indigenous art, the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts provide focused collections nearby.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
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Downtown Chattanooga connects easily to the riverfront and nearby arts areas. The Tennessee Riverwalk runs for about 13 miles along the water, passing Coolidge Park and the bluff-top Hunter Museum of American Art. In the city center, the Tennessee Aquarium features more than 12,000 animals and offers an indoor option between time spent outside.
Portland, Oregon
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In Portland, hundreds of food carts exist in clusters like the 5th Avenue pod, offering everything from Korean tacos to artisan ice cream. Powell’s City of Books covers an entire city block with used and new titles, while the nearby Portland Japanese Garden presents carefully maintained landscapes and seasonal tea ceremonies.
Nashville, Tennessee
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Music permeates Nashville in concrete ways, like the guitars resting on walls in honky-tonk bars and the exhibits inside the Johnny Cash Museum, which has been recognized by major travel outlets for its deep dive into the artist’s life and influence. Live performances run almost constantly along Broadway’s neon strips, supported by walk-up venues and local songwriting showcases.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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In Philadelphia’s Old City, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are close together on the same cobblestone streets where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. Nearby, the Reading Terminal Market brings together more than 80 vendors under one roof for regional favorites like soft pretzels, roast pork sandwiches, and local produce.
Kennebunkport, Maine
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Dock Square forms the center of Kennebunkport, with shops and galleries inside former 18th-century warehouse buildings tied to the town’s maritime trade. A short drive leads to Goose Rocks Beach, known for its broad sandy shoreline. Nearby, the Seashore Trolley Museum displays restored trolley cars and runs a demonstration line that reflects Maine’s early transit history.