Solo Travel for City Slickers
The challenges — and rewards — are different when traveling alone to a city
Solo travel continues to be one of the most popular travel trends in 2024. Of course, the challenges — and rewards — are different when traveling alone to a city rather than to a beach destination.
Here, some cities to visit — without a plus-one.
New Orleans
For her 52nd birthday, Claire Meyerhoff, 63, a Washington, DC-area nonprofit marketing specialist, planned a weekend trip to New Orleans with a friend.
"The day before, my friend called me and said she was sick and apologized but couldn't go, and I decided to just go by myself since I already had the plane ticket," says Meyerhoff. "When I arrived, I cabbed to the hotel my friend had chosen for us, and didn't like it. So, I checked out the next morning for my new birthday hotel, the Renaissance Warehouse District Hotel, and when I told the front desk it was my birthday, I received an upgrade, breakfast and $25 credit for a drink at the bar."
Meyerhoff also informed the hotel concierge it was her birthday, and that she desired to ride a streetcar to a "non-touristy" part of town, have a po-boy and visit a New Orleans cemetery.
"Old cemeteries can tell you a lot about local people and the history of an area."
"Perfect," he said, sending her to his favorite neighborhood restaurant, Parkway, close to a "cool" cemetery.
"The streetcar ride was a great way to see everything," says Meyerhoff. "It's an open air ride and you can take in the town without any muss or fuss. My favorite thing in New Orleans."
Meyerhoff was also fascinated by the cemetery. "Old cemeteries can tell you a lot about local people and the history of an area. And there was a fun shop nearby, and I bought some Voodoo trinkets."
Parkway had a big bar, a scene out of "Cheers," says Meyerhoff. "There were a dozen people seated—the bartender said 'welcome'. I announced, 'This is my first time in New Orleans, it's my birthday, my friend got sick, so I'm going solo.'"
A young woman patted the barstool next to her, and Meyerhoff sat. "I ordered a po-boy, the bartender plunked down a cold birthday beer, and we chatted for an hour-and-a-half. My new friend worked at a local television station, this was her day off and she was a native New Orleanian." Meyerhoff previously worked in broadcast journalism so they had plenty to talk about.
"One of the great things about traveling by yourself is you get more of the local flavor because you strike up conversations," says Meyerhoff. "When you're with a friend or partner, it can be fun, but you still have one foot in your 'real world' — talking about the usual. When you travel solo, you're immersed in the locale, including the people, who love to share things you can't get from Google."
"Another great thing about traveling by yourself is you're on your own time and don't have to ask your companion what they want to do next."
Back at the hotel, a rooftop happy hour. "It could not have been better," says Meyerhoff. "I met some fun people, had a couple of drinks and snacks and when I was finished — I was finished. Another great thing about traveling by yourself is you're on your own time and don't have to ask your companion what they want to do next."
New Orleanians also guided her to the best spots to eat. "I always ask every local I meet 'what's your very favorite restaurant,' and if you hear the same place more than twice, you know that's where you should have dinner," says Meyerhoff.
On her last day, she visited the French Quarter's Cafe du Monde for beignets "because that's a must for a New Orleans's visitor experience," says Meyerhoff. "Of course, they were delicious along with the legendary coffee."
Las Vegas
When Jack Saint, 65, of New Hampshire, began to plan a solo trip to Aruba last year, he got some solid advice from a friend: If you go to Aruba there are very few solo travelers. You will end up walking behind some couple at night on the beach and they will be holding hands making you feel out of place. Instead go to Vegas. All sorts of solo travelers, you will feel at home.
"He was right," says Saint. "Gambling tables are often frequented by solo friendly travelers who make you feel like you are not alone. I stayed at the MGM Grand in a beautiful room and had a leisurely breakfast buffet there. There was a sports bar with cowboy music at night. I ended up seeing the Beatles Cirque de Soleil, and went down the Strip to see the Titanic exhibit."
After three days, Saint had exhausted the "whole casino action" and took a bus tour to Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. "All sorts of combinations of people on the day-long getaway," says Saint. "Capped off the trip by visiting a sports betting bar at one of the other Strip resorts. Great five-day day solo getaway. Never felt alone."
Boston
Boston has all the feels of a big city but fits comfortably into the small town category, nice for solo travelers who don't want to feel overwhelmed.
Boston's culinary scene continues to evolve in a town famously known for its lobster, chowder and baked beans, thanks to Julia Child, who lived across the river in Cambridge. Her "French Chef" cooking show was hosted on WGBH, Boston's public television station.
Boston has all the feels of a big city but fits comfortably into the small town category, nice for solo travelers who don't want to feel overwhelmed.
One of Child's favorite restaurants, Harvest, is still in Cambridge in the heart of Harvard Square.
Or go for water views: Woods Hill Pier 4 in the Seaport District has patio seating and locally-sourced ingredients.
France meets Boston at Bistro du Midi across from the colorful Boston Public Garden; the street-level bistro and bar are spot on for people watching.
For cool cultural experiences, the Venetian palace-inspired Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, dating to 1903, has lovely paintings and gardens.
And there are many walking tours including the Freedom Trail Foundation's history tours and Live Like a Local Tours for cultural insight into the Roxbury, Dorchester and Jamaica Plain neighborhoods.
There are also many places to stay that appeal to solo travelers, especially those who appreciate Boston's history.
The Omni Parker House Hotel is the oldest continuously operating hotel in the U.S. dating to 1855 and where Boston Cream Pie was invented (it's still on the menu here.)
The intimate Beacon Hotel has guest rooms with views of Charles Street, one of Boston's most desirable, oldest addresses; complimentary continental breakfast is served.
The Newbury Boston across from the fairytale Boston Public Garden, has guest rooms that overlook those gardens and 1920s-inspired speakeasy Street Bar for cocktails, dinner and bar conversation.
And The Ritz-Carlton has charmed guests for a century and The Ritz-Carlton Club® Level is a hotel within a hotel with a concierge and breakfast, hors d' oeuvres, sweets and spirits.
New York
A trip to NYC earns solo travelers bragging rights and is a frequent bucket list item.
New York City is an easy walking town. Streets are laid out in a grid pattern, and strolling is a great way to explore and get some fresh New York air (well, okay, maybe not fresh.)
Ramble aimlessly or join a walking tour. Joyce Gold History Tours are led by the former New York University history teacher who's been giving walking history lessons for decades. Central Park Conservancy tours delve into the park's history. Foods of New York Tours take a bite into the Big Apple's neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and include nibbles from shops/restaurants. And The Brooklyn Botanic Garden's "Celebrity Path" has stepping stones inscribed with the names of Walt Whitman and Jackie Robinson and other Brooklynites.
A must: Walk the Brooklyn Bridge, a one-mile span with wow views of Manhattan.
And The High Line, a stretch of abandoned, elevated railway along the West has Hudson River views for sunsets.
Of course, when it comes to dining, the city is a culinary melting pot.
Pickles and corned beef define the Lower East Side where the earliest immigrants set up shop; Katz's Deli, dating to 1888 is the place. And Astoria, Queens, is home to the largest population of Greeks outside of Greece — restaurant row is on Ditmars Boulevard.
Of course, when it comes to dining, the city is a culinary melting pot.
In Manhattan, the Museum of Modern Art's Cafe 2 is ideal for solo diners; tables are communal so you'll enjoy an Italian-inspired menu with others.
And there's always NYC pizza. John's Pizzeria in Greenwich Village is a City institution. And, bagels. Bagels at H&H Bagels — bagel, Nova lox and cream cheese, a meal.
For an epic New York City cultural experience, there's Broadway. Buy discounted tickets at the TKTS booth in Times Square.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's seasonal Cantor Roof Garden Bar is a clandestine spot that even savvy New Yorkers don't know about.
Where to stay? There are the iconic spots to like the Plaza Hotel. But also many lesser-known interesting historic jewels, too.
The Algonquin Hotel, around the corner from the New York Public Library, is famed for the literary Round Table; Dorothy Parker is everywhere in this hotel.
The High Line Hotel in Chelsea, once a dormitory in the General Theological Seminary, is where poet Clement Clarke Moore wrote 'Twas the Night Before Christmas; guest rooms feature throwback rotary phones and embossers.
And the swanky Loews Regency New York Hotel, a boutique hotel known for its signature Power Breakfasts, is a skip from Central Park.
