20 Best Trips a Woman Should Take Solo
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Sometimes the act of getting away comes with its own set of stresses—especially for take-charge kind of people. Going on a family road trip adventure is all well and good until there’s a spill in the backseat or you’re tasked with figuring out old-school maps and barging into gas stations to ask for directions when Siri has done you wrong. Taking a budget-friendly vacation is fine for the bottom line, but if you’re the one adjusting the mental ledger after each and every single of your husband’s purchases, you’re going to come home exhausted. And going on girls’ trips is the best, unless you’re the one who feels the need to make all the dinner reservations. After a few minutes of polling your nearest and dearest about dining allergies and preferences, you’re going to need another vacation.
When you count yourself among the most organized and particular about vacation planning, there is but one solution: vacationing solo. Think about it: You’ll have total and complete control of the budget, the menu, and the activities. There will be no complaints, last-minute alterations, or unwanted suggestions unless they come from you, and you alone! So go ahead and take those other “vacations” with family and loved ones—just be sure to carve out time for yourself by booking a little independent R & R. No idea where to go or what to do? Close your eyes and imagine yourself in your happy place, whether that’s a big city, tourist trap, or remote part of the country, or simply check out our ideas for some pretty spectacular solo sojourns. Then get to booking.
Napa, California
Long before Tina Fey and Amy Poehler starred in the comedy Wine Country, gangs of BFFs have congregated in Northern California for a little boozing and a lot of bonding. But there’s absolutely no reason that you can’t do this lovely town as a party of one. Hire a car or rent a bike and enjoy some of your favorite varieties at your most favored vineyards. People are friendly, so talk as much or as little as you like. If you’d rather focus on wellness rather than wine, there are few places as beautiful to walk or run than Napa. You can even register for the Napa to Sonoma half marathon or Rose 5k that happens every summer.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Sure, it’s fun to drink your face off, gamble your life savings away, and stay up for days on end, but there’s also a way to do Vegas and actually leave feeling like a million bucks. Instead of wasting the day at tables raising and asking for a hit, hit the hotel pool and spa. Get a little exercise and edification while walking around the incredible (and free!) 117,000-gallon reef aquarium, complete with mermaids, at the Silverton Casino Hotel or perusing the fine art at the Bellagio’s gallery. Then treat yourself to a super cool show at the globe-shaped theater, The Sphere. (This thing cost $2.3 billion to build—it’s worth a visit.)
Marfa, Texas
Treat yourself with a stay at an AirBNB or a fancy hotel like Cibolo Creek Ranch. (They have their own private airport, so if you have a jet, you’re all set.) Once you get settled, you can head over to nearby Valentine to take the requisite photo with Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset’s Prada Marfa installation. Keep the art vibe alive with visits to Ballroom Marfa, the Werrick Gallery, and the Chianti Foundation, which houses a permanent collection of Donald Judd’s sculptures. You can think about all the art you’ve seen while fueling up with TexMex. You’ll need the sustenance for an afternoon hike and evening excursion to catch sight of the world-famous Marfa Lights.
Rosemary Beach, Florida
There’s no better place to read a book in peace—or simply close your eyes and listen to the waves—than the white beaches of 30A. When you’re not frolicking in the Gulf, you’ll want to pop by Cork & Barrel for a bottle of bubbles and find a little inner peace doing beach yoga. If you’re feeling sporty and competitive, there are plenty of opportunities for rounds of golf and sets of tennis. Whether you work up a sweat or lie around all day, it’s important to end the day with a treat. Head for Sugar Shak, which offers an abundance of candy and ice cream options.
Asheville, North Carolina
We all have that one friend who brags incessantly about how rich she is. You can shut her down with your photos from a tour of the Biltmore Estate. (A possible captions includes: “I don’t know anyone in my neighborhood— not even Olivia—that has a 175,000-square-foot mansion built by the Vanderbilts.”) But this is not a vacation built solely on spite! Post touring and posting, it’s time to enjoy a snack and a beverage at Cúrate. Then figure out what you’re up for, whether that’s a hike on the Max Patch bald on the Appalachian Trail, shopping on Lexington Avenue, or quests for art in The River Arts District.
Waco, Texas
If you’re among the most ardent fans of Waco’s most famous couple, Chip and Joanna Gaines, you need to book a trip to the Fixer Upper-mecca already. You can literally devote your entire weekend at the altar of the Gainses, no questions asked. Admire their renovation handiwork by booking a room at the totally renovated The Hotel 1928; book a bus tour with Waco Tours, which will take you by a number of the very homes that appeared on the show; enjoy a delightful meal at Magnolia Table; and shop until you drop while enjoying a delicious “shiplap” cupcake at The Silos.
Pawhuska, Oklahoma
Once upon a time, a sassy redhead named Ree Drummond married a cowboy, moved to a ranch in Northern Oklahoma, started a family, and then launched a blog about her life. If this isn’t news to you, and you have, in fact, been a diehard fan who has followed her life since 2006, it’s time to head to the Sooner State. There, you can spend time in The Pioneer Woman’s Mercantile sampling delectable dishes like the chicken pot pie, Ladd’s Favorite Chicken Sandwich, and pecan pie; buying baked goods at the new bakery; and shopping for Pioneer Woman merch. Even better, you’ll sleep tight in the glow of Ree at The Pioneer Woman Boarding House.
Laurel, Mississippi
If you consider yourself an HGTV-head with a special affinity for Home Town, then it’s high time to rub shoulders with other fans in Mississippi. There are plenty of opportunities to see Erin and Ben Napier while shopping at their stores, which include Laurel Mercantile, Scent Library, and Scotsman General Store. The Napiers will also keep you well fed via the Scotsman Food Truck Park, which features pizza and barbecue. And while you can’t actually enter the Scotsman Woodshop, it’s worth looking in the window. Bonus: You might just catch sight of a camera crew filming an episode you can dissect later in the year.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Love all things true crime, ghost story, and eerily unexplained? Let the other tourists have Bourbon Street because you’re way more interested in the very things in the Big Easy that will leave you all uneasy (in a good way!). Start with a ghost tour and a walk in Louis Cemetery No. 1 and then move on to a literary-inspired stops at Faulkner House Books. People claim to have seen the ghost of the author at his writing desk and smell his pipe! If you prefer your hauntings with a side of bourbon, head over to The Old Absinthe House, where you might share a round with the likes of Andrew Jackson and pirate Jean Lafitte while bottles and chairs move without explanation.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Chances are, you’re logging hours that last much longer than 9 to 5. When work gets to be too much of a grind, it’s time to pour yourselves a cup of ambition, put in for PTO, and pay homage to the hardest working woman in show business, Dolly Parton, with a trip to Dollywood. Stay on property and prepare to have the time of your life. While daredevils can ride the Lightning Rod and Tennessee Tornado, those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground can check out Dolly’s tour bus and see some live shows. If you’re someone who used to love waterparks but can’t remember what they were like before you had children you had to keep alive, now’s the time to find out—Dollywood’s Splash Country is calling your name.
Scottsdale, Arizona
If it’s wellness you seek, there are few destinations that are more restorative than Scottsdale. Go ahead—imagine a treatment, whether it involves skincare, massage, reiki, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, cupping, and more. You will absolutely find it all here—and more!—because there are more than 50 spas in the 184 square miles of the city, and many of them even win awards. Spend the entire weekend spa hopping or take some time to look for inner peace on the paths of Camelback Mountain. If you tend to find happiness while shopping, eating, and people-watching, set course for Old Town Scottsdale. You just might see the wife of a Diamondback or two!
Palm Springs, California
Pack the caftans and head for the desert for a getaway you won’t soon forget. Get the lay of the land with a guided midcentury architecture tour by the folks at Modern Tour—you even get to go inside some of the houses! After that, bike or walk around town or spend the morning window shopping before settling in by the pool. (You have to sit by a pool for at least 30 minutes every day. It’s mandatory.) By the time it’s 5 p.m., change into a new caftan and sample the snacks on the happy hour menu as you sip skinny margaritas and house cosmos at Lulu California Bistro. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, head over to the iconic piano bar, Melvyn’s, which just so happened to be a Rat Pack favorite back in the day.
New York, New York
If you’ve been choosing NYC as a girls’ group destination, you’ve been doing it all wrong. Here’s why it’s better to go alone: It’s way easier to get a last-minute single ticket to the hottest Broadway plays than, say, six. You can visit—and leave—exhibitions at The Met and MOMA without having to check in with a single soul. You can still have super special meals—like a lunch at Tavern on the Green—but you’ll do it without having to ask for separate checks. You can also go off the beaten path on a whim. When you want to do some learning at the Tenement Museum, see art at The White Cube, or laugh your tail off at the hilarious Titanique, The Musical, at Daryl Roth Theater in Union Square, you absolutely can.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Break out your blanket coat and turquoise-and-silver jewelry for a trip to the Land of Enchantment. Don’t fret if you’re short on the latter, you can shop in peace for handcrafted pieces at Malouf on the Plaza. There’s actually tons of shopping to be done here, and if art is on your must-buy list, you’re in luck. There are more than 250 galleries, many of them lining Canyon Road. If you’re more in the mood to look than buy, enjoy a lovely afternoon at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum or the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. And if all you want to do is close your eyes and enjoy the silence, Ten Thousand Waves is a must for massages, facials, and soaks in the Grand Bath.
Jackson, Wyoming
Sometimes the greatest way to celebrate being alone is by being outside. Jackson more than delivers with plenty of things to do in the great outdoors all year long. Go in the summer, and you can seek adventure while white river rafting, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fly fishing. But there’s just as much to do here in colder months, including sleigh rides, snowmobiling, skiing, and even soaking in the Astoria Hot Springs. After a long day of immersing yourself in nature, why not belly up to the bar at the Silver Dollar Bar? Even if you opt for a splash of sparkling water, you’ll enjoy the ambience and the live music.
Charleston, South Carolina
Whether you book a historical guided walking tour or choose to aimlessly wander the streets of the Holy City, you can’t help but get sucked into the charm and history. That’s partly because you’ll have no distractions, but the cobblestone streets and countless examples of classic architecture styles go a long way, too. You might even be tempted to adopt a Southern accent (don’t). There’s no reason you can’t continue getting your steps while shopping for cute clothes on King Street. Later, you’ll definitely need to cool off with some cocktails at the Palace Hotel, the bar owned by Southern Charm star Shep Rose.
Chicago, Illinois
There’s a little something for every mood you might be experiencing in the Windy City. If you could use a laugh, book a seat at iO Improv or Second City. Maybe you’d like to read a book while you enjoy a spot of tea? Make a reservation at The Drake. When key lime or white-chocolate-and-caramel-pretzel pancakes are in order, head to brunch at The Bongo Room. Maybe you’re looking for a new perspective. It might be worth a ride on the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier. And finally, every mood will be improved when you stop by the Palmer House for drinks and a sweet treat—the brownie was supposedly invented here!
Memphis, Tennessee
Let all the bachelorettes and bridesmaids congregate in Nashville. After seeing Sofia Coppola’s film, Priscilla, you’ll need to focus on more important matters—namely seeing for yourself how she and the King lived in Memphis. Start with some sustenance and eat your way through town sampling barbecue. Then clean up that face and those hands before dressing to impress at Graceland. Once there, you’ll be able to see up-close and personally how Elvis lived, dressed, and traveled. (Yes, his plane is there!). After you stock up on merch, keep the music theme going with visits to Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, Sun Studio, and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
Savannah, Georgia
If you go on a trip and don’t post to Instagram, did it even happen? You won’t need to ponder that deep question when you strike a pose in front of the iconic fountain in Forsyth Park, an idyllic 30-acre expanse in the Historic District. You won’t even have to take a break from sipping your cocktail, because Savannah allows for open containers within the confines of the district. Settle in for more libations—and ghosts—at the Moon River Brewing Company on Bay Street, which is said to be home to some hauntings. If you feel like rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous, head on over to Tybee Island, located only 20 minutes away, which has been a destination for stars like Miley Cyrus, John Travolta, and Ben Affleck through the years.
Salt Lake City, Utah
If you’re more more interested in hobnobbing with Real Housewives than hiking among the state’s red rocks, then Salt Lake City is by far the most logical choice. In the spirit of the show, you’ll need to book a sprinter van (and driver) for the occasion and prepare to visit all the monuments —Heather Gay’s Beauty Lab + Laser, Meredith Marks’ eponymous jewelry store, Mary Cosby’s church—while you sip Lisa Barlow’s Vida Vodka and slather your face with Whitney Rose’s Wild Rose Beauty products. Later, treat yourselves like the Bravo-lebrity you were meant to be at restaurants you’ve seen on the show, including Prohibition and Handle.
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