Amazing access to nature, friendly locals, comfort food, and a creative spirit make Asheville an excellent solo travel destination. Get off the grid at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is great for solo hikes and camping, or mingle with locals at one of many breweries. We recommend staying downtown, which puts you in walking distance of many shops and restaurants.

Philly offers prime U.S. history, lively art and music scenes, and incredible food that’s affordable and approachable. Hit up Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed), grab a bite to eat at Reading Terminal Market, and take a self-guided walking tour of the city’s best murals. Be sure to jog the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, immortalized by Rocky Balboa, whose statue stands out front. 

Hawaii’s backpacker culture is unlike anywhere else in the U.S. Inexpensive car rentals make it easy to explore remote, locals-only beaches, where you can hike and spot marine life. Solo travelers can join a surf camp or yoga retreat, or book a funky Airbnb with communal accommodations. For food, focus on cheap, mom-and-pop joints.

The U.S. capital is great for history buffs traveling solo. Visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and The White House; stop by the National Mall and take a photo in front of the Capitol and Washington Monument. Spend your evenings at communal tables and bar-tops in leafy Georgetown or buzzy Adams Morgan.

From whale watching to exploring the redwoods, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this stunning seaside city solo. Bike the 18-mile waterfront, hike through Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Big Sur, and explore Pebble Beach’s tide pools. The surrounding area is home to more than 200 vineyards and 60 tasting rooms, which you can sample on foot as you make friends along the way.

Thanks to its walkable neighborhoods and many attractions, Brooklyn is a great home base for exploring NYC. Here,  there's something to do every night of the week (live music, happy hour, comedy, galleries, and rooftop bars). Dining and drinking solo are common, so it’s easy to make friends. While you're in town, be sure to stop by Brooklyn Bridge Park, and, afterwards, head to one of the many restaurants along the revitalized DUMBO waterfront.

Page — located two hours north of Flagstaff — offers easy access to some of America’s most astonishing national and state parks. The popular Horseshoe Bend and Instagram-famous Antelope Canyon have attracted a cadre of travelers of late, which makes it easy to find friends at campgrounds to hike with, and (more importantly) snap your pic.

Boston is the perfect place to experience American heritage. In just a few hours, you can trace the brick-lined streets of the Freedom Trail, walk along the Charles River, admire the Boston Public Library, and taste your way through Boston Public Market. Pick up a vacation read at the famed Trident Booksellers (which is also a café) and post up on the lawn at Boston Common, the oldest public park in America.

This safe college city is an adventure seeker’s paradise. Boulder is home to an abundance of free biking and running groups; upscale hostels attract likeminded travelers who are looking for friends to set out their next day’s hike or coordinate a shuttle to nearby Red Rocks Amphitheatre for a concert. Plus, there are excellent cafés, bars, and food trucks galore. 

Southern hospitality packed into a small, charming downtown make Charleston especially welcoming toward solo visitors. Book a family-style B&B or post up at one of the new hip hotels in town. Walk  — or hop a free tram — to the Old Slave Mart Museum, Charleston City Market, and many of the area’s best restaurants. Rent a car for a day to see Fort Sumter and the magnificent Angel Oak Tree.

This fun domestic island offers historic vibes coupled with laidback beach culture. Stay in a charming B&B in walkable Old Town, which is lined with bars and restaurants. For extra adventure, drive from Miami (about four hours to Key West); stop for a photo op at the iconic Seven Mile Bridge; or take a glass-bottom boat tour of John Pennenkamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. 

Hop the trolley or rent a bike to explore Golden Gate Park, the ruins of The Sutro Baths, the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood (a former hippy haven), and the Castro District (which was central to the LGBT movement and is known for its colorful Victorian homes). Take a ferry to Alcatraz (book in advance) or see the noisy seals at Fisherman’s Wharf. For panoramic city views, hike Twin Peaks; afterwards, refuel over a bowl of noodles in the largest Chinatown outside Asia.