Solo female travel in the US is having a moment, and Condé Nast Traveler's editors have rounded up nine destinations that make going it alone feel less like a gamble and more like the obvious choice. The picks range from small-town Wyoming to the Florida Keys, and each comes with practical advice on where to sleep, eat, and actually meet people.
Big Sky, Montana tops the list for women who want structure with their adventure. Every September, Lone Mountain Ranch hosts Cowgirl Up Week, a gathering that draws solo travellers from around the world for horseback riding, a guided Yellowstone trip, and an end-of-season rodeo. The writer's group still runs a chat called "Cowgirls Forever." More dude ranches now offer women-focused weeks, so saddle-up-solo is easier than ever.
Cody, Wyoming makes a strong case for small towns. Founded by Buffalo Bill, it's walkable enough that almost everything sits within a ten-minute stroll, so no rideshare anxiety. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is so large its tickets are valid for two consecutive days, and Yellowstone is under an hour away with pickup-from-your-hotel tours. Bonus: reportedly excellent cinnamon buns at Cody Coffee Bar.
For coastal calm, there's Carlsbad, California, a low-key alternative to San Diego where you can stay steps from the sand, join morning beach yoga, and wander Carlsbad Village's antique shops without a car. In South Carolina, The Dunlin on Johns Island, about 40 minutes from Charleston, spreads across 2,000 acres of sea-island habitat with dolphin safaris, a working farm, and 20 miles of waterfront trails.
City-lovers get options too. Boston rewards walkers with Cambridge, Charlestown, and crisp New England autumns (one editor stayed on a houseboat in the Charlestown marina). Kingston, New York, an easy Amtrak ride from the city, impressed one contributor with its calm, queer-friendly vibe, record-shop coffee at Hotel Kinsley, and bookshop browsing. Litchfield County in northwest Connecticut chains together antiques, pottery classes, and boutique hotels like Belden House and Mews.
Then there's Key West, where Duval Street's bachelorette crowds coexist with a genuinely welcoming arts scene. Open mic nights at Andy's Cabana, community classes at Key West Yoga Sanctuary, and camping under the palms at Fort Zachary Beach led one writer to friendships with fishing guides, painters, and van-lifers, plus at least one spontaneous sailboat invite.
The common thread: places where sitting at a bar alone feels normal, walkability removes friction, and there's built-in community if you want it. For women planning a first solo trip, these are low-stakes places to test the waters.
Condé Nast Traveler