The 10 best US cities for solo female travellers you might not have considered

The US is a diverse playground for solo travellers, whether you want to hike craggy canyons, drive through massive landscapes, or check out a skyscraper-topped metropolis. But a city is an specifically desirable place to kick off a wider journey, dropping you straight into a convivial scene with a great deal of sights, excursions and possibilities to meet people today.

We’ve all listened to about the highlights of New York, LA and Las Vegas, but other starting off details are a lot less trodden by solo woman travellers, inspite of currently being a lot more manageable, friendlier and cheaper than the biggest hitters.

What to glance for in a solo-pleasant US city? A compact city centre or various compact, walkable neighbourhoods include environment and allow you to explore on foot. A decent basic safety file is one more priority – the US is fairly harmless in standard, but criminal offense is a fact in all significant cities, and some have improved stats than other people. Finally, search for a comfortable foodstuff and drink scene, abundant arts and culture, and very low-important, cost-effective lodging.

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Boulder, Colorado

When you’re a fully commited town-dweller but really like the terrific outdoor, what is a girl to do? Effectively, head to Boulder, for a start out – the Colorado metropolis which is swathed in character, with climbing and cycling trails and rock climbing havens on your doorstep. This is a thoroughly contemporary American city with hipster espresso shops, a food items truck park and must-take a look at farmer’s current market – but teams of journey fanatics frequently strike out into the Point out Parks, lakes and mountains just exterior for a breath of clean air. It’s a good combine of sociable, protected and welcoming, with craft beer clubs and dwell audio evenings if you want to cross about with other solos, and peaceful nature trails if you just want to be with your self.

Get there: Lufthansa and United both fly immediate from London to Denver, from in which it is a 40-moment generate to Boulder.

Flight time: All over 10 hrs.

Huntsville, Alabama

By no means heard of Huntsville? You wouldn’t be on your own. But this considerably-south city, 115 miles south of Nashville, was named the very best area to dwell in the United states of america in 2022. Gals doing a solo excursion can encounter the thriving social, dining and purchasing scene which sprang up all over tech corporations that settled in this article – Lowe Mill Arts centre is your to start with end for art and stay songs, even though Downtown is food items central. Consider to parallel Jefferson and Washington Streets for barbecue, seafood, Mexican and exceptional cocktails. Traditionally, this was a major base for NASA, so STEM supporters will appreciate viewing Marshall House Flight Center you can chat to the retired area engineers who volunteer there.

Get there: British Airways flies direct to Nashville, two hours’ push absent.

Flight time: 9 hours.

San Diego, California

Los Angeles and San Francisco might get the the vast majority of column inches, but consider of San Diego as their additional chilled-out beachfront sibling. It’s famously protected, stacked with nightlife, and eminently LGBTQ+-helpful – Downtown and Pacific Beach front are the cool neighbourhoods the youthful group tends to continue to be in. Consider to the h2o to satisfy new people today: e book on to a team surf lesson, whale or dolphin seeing excursion, or a kayaking tour of La Jolla sea caves, or just enjoy currently being surrounded by greenery in the 1,200-acre Balboa Park.

Get there: British Airways flies immediate to San Diego from Heathrow.

Flight time: All over 11 hours.

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Charleston, South Carolina

Clapboard properties, tree-lined avenues, painted shutters, chocolate-box church buildings – this South Carolina metropolis is pretty as a picture. And it is calm, friendly and interesting to wander, as well. Continue to be Downtown, the walkable centre of the city’s historic architecture, venturing out for raved-about meal together Decreased and Upper King Streets. Joining a guided tour can help you dig into the record of this southern stunner. Significantly of Charleston’s classic splendour was developed on the back of slavery – do not go away with out finding out about it at the Old Slave Mart museum.

Get there: There are at present no direct flights from the Uk to Charleston – connect in Atlanta or New York with the likes of Delta, Virgin or British Airways.

Flight time: 10-14 several hours.

Read through extra: The ultimate guide to Charleston

Sedona, Arizona

This petite southwestern desert city is a single for totally free spirits and adventurers. Supposedly infused with mystic strength, it is a centre for choice spas and healers, the place you can have your chakras realigned before climbing into crimson-rock wonderlands with enormous rock formations and views for miles. Reasonably priced guesthouses and motels make for quirky bases wherever you will probably fulfill other healing-curious individuals passing by means of, eager to make use of the region’s famed “vortexes”. In the rocky landscape all all over, you’ll locate a lot more earthly pleasures checking out relaxing very hot springs and heading kayaking or rafting on close by waters.

Get there: American Airlines flies immediate to Phoenix, Arizona, a two-hour generate from Sedona.

Flight time: Around 11 several hours.

Study additional: On the trail of strength vortexes in Sedona, Arizona

New Orleans, Louisiana

The town most effective recognised for spring’s Mardi Gras festival is a joy calendar year-spherical – and amazingly welcoming to solo travellers. In simple fact, you are going to uncover it much mellower and slower paced outside of the bead-hurling February to March festivities. With a attractive, compact outdated city to stroll (the French Quarter), as well as quite a few satellite neighbourhoods to venture to for wonderful meals, tradition and sightseeing, it is a enjoyment to uncover on foot. Virtually European in its quaintness and French impact, NOLA (as the locals phone it) is 1 of the best sites to get into Creole and Cajun foods – examine out the city University of Cooking – pay attention to are living jazz, and study about voodoo (consider the no cost walking tour).

Get there: British Airways’ direct connection to New Orleans has not returned due to the fact the pandemic fly by using Charlotte, Dallas or Washington DC with any quantity of transatlantic airlines.

Flight time: 12-14 hrs.

Washington, D.C.

The US capital manages to be hugely well recognised, with out seriously becoming on America’s vacationer path. But it is got tons to continue to keep a solo traveller occupied, from historical, political and as-seen-on-display screen tours to its possess cherry blossom period (close of March into early April). Neat lodges like Eaton persuade mingling and local community, while economical sightseeing consists of free walking tours, self-guided audio tours and free landmarks, from the Lincoln Memorial to Smithsonian museums. See the White Household and the Capitol Building, then head to just one of the city’s 14 food marketplaces for an informal bite with a facet of people today-observing.

Get there: Virgin Atlantic and British Airways the two fly direct from Heathrow.

Flight time: About 8 several hours.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Established on the planet-well-known Waikiki Seashore, this coastal capital is arguably the most touristy bit of the wild, distant Hawaiian islands. But for the solo traveller, that implies a thoroughly fleshed-out city with museums to investigate, browsing streets to browse and cafes and dining establishments to suit every single funds. The teenage home of President Obama was also ranked the US’s most secure metropolis in MoneyGeek’s 2023 report. To see more of its island, Oahu, hop on the 55 bus from the city heading east, which circles around the east and north coasts, taking you to key sights and beaches for just a few of pounds. Or just remain in town and stroll the surf-heaven sands of Waikiki, hiking up to Diamond Head, checking out the excellent Bishop Museum, and having banana pancakes in its beachside cafes.

Get there: The quickest way to fly is through LA (British Airways, Virgin, Delta) and then on to Honolulu (Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska, United).

Flight time: Close to 16-20 hrs.

Austin, Texas

Texas’s small business capitals Dallas and Houston are improved regarded, but choice, hipster-magnet Austin is a uncommon come across for women flying solo. Guided excursions of the city’s sights, parks and active pursuits make it uncomplicated to locate good friends, when good quality hostels and budget accommodations start off from just £70 per evening. Will have to-dos in town contain seeking out some live audio (Austin’s regarded nationwide for its band scene and venues) hoping the local barbecue joints and, in the hotter months, cooling off in the city’s premier swimming place, Barton Springs.

Get there: British Airways flies immediate to Austin from London.

Flight time: Just above 10 several hours.

Seattle, Washington Point out

Not only did the Solo Vacation Basic safety Index discover Seattle to be the world’s safest city for solo travellers in 2023, this city’s sights and meals scene have been delighting its readers for yrs. Bucket-list food items markets mean casual dining in the town centre, though team mountaineering excursions into Mount Rainier National Park mean you can get an effortless, nourishing nature deal with. Zoom up the legendary Area Needle building for key sights of the city, then attempt some of the state’s ever more lauded wines at a vineyard exterior of city. Keep Downtown or in cool Belltown to be closest to the ideal eats.

Get there: British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both equally have direct flights to Seattle from Heathrow.

Flight time: Close to 10 hours.

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