The USA is full of adventure, super easy to get to, and easy on your wallet, too. All the ingredients for a great solo trip!
Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of solo travel or you already have years of adventures under your belt, there’s always a great trip waiting on the other side of the border.
Check out our savvy Travel Experts’ tips on where in the USA to go and how to avoid paying a single supplement when you get there.
Why not start with the best? San Francisco tops our solo trip wish list because it just has so many darn options for everyone. You’ll find one of the widest varieties of hostels, bed and breakfasts, and even capsule hotels (more on this later). And whether you love hiking through wild national parks or exploring the veins of a big city, you’ll be glad your path led you here.
With very regular flight schedules from Canada’s major airports, New York is the ultimate city for a last-minute solo trip. There's always something going on, no matter what time of year you go and what you’re into. From food crawls to drag shows to history walks to shopping sprees, you’ll find more than you were looking for in the Big Apple.
You don’t just see Chicago, you hear it. And taste it, too. Join in the cheers from the stands at a Cubs game. Find an offbeat show at a neighbourhood theatre. Have your fill of Chicago style street eats and swanky speak-easies. The Windy City will blow you away.
Visiting Seattle feels like dropping in on that cool friend who’s always ready for an impromptu dinner party and games night. It’s easy to feel right at home, whether you’re sipping coffee in Capitol Hill, gawking at glass sculptures in the Chihuly gardens, or dipping a paddle into Puget Sound.
How will you set the stage for your Austin solo trip? Indie bands and outdoor music festivals? Wine tours and food trucks? Days at the swimming hole and nights looking for wild bats? Austin is full of character and solo-friendly accommodation alike, so dive in!
Mmm, mmm Memphis! Soul food and southern barbecue could fill up your entire itinerary if you let it. But you brought an appetite for good tunes, too. So make a bee-line to Beale Street for an endless supply of blues, jazz, hip hop, and rock’n’roll.
Iconic meets unexpected in a city that’s always worth another look. Plan your visit to must-sees like Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Check out Buckhead shopping district, Krog Street Market, LGBTQ bars and clubs like My Sister’s Room, and celebrations of art and culture like Atlanta’s Trap Music Museum.
Are you the type of person that packs workout clothes in your suitcase… and actually uses them? You’re going to love Phoenix. Home to scenic hiking routes and all kinds of desert adventures, you’ll never have a dull moment here. Check out the desert botanical gardens, South Mountain Park, Camelback Mountain, and Papago Park. Book a tee-time at a championship golf course or a day trip to the Grand Canyon. Every bead of sweat is so worth it!
From hiking a piece of the Appalachian Trail to grabbing an extra piece of fresh-caught lobster, Maine gives solo travellers plenty of ways to enjoy Maritime life. Plus with a wide variety of hostels, campgrounds, cozy inns and cottages to choose from, you can perfectly tailor your getaway to your liking.
How to Avoid Paying a Single Supplement for your USA Trip
Hostel Stays
For the adventurous, the budget-conscious, and the social butterflies. Shared common spaces keep rates low and your spirits high.
Capsule Hotels
Capsule or Pod hotels are designed for maximum space efficiency and an excellent rest. Many offer naps by the hour in addition to nightly rates, and most are priced per person, not room. Our favourite capsule hotels for solo travellers are:
- Hotel BnB Capsule Hotel in Chicago
- Sunset Edwardian B&B in San Francisco
- Nap York Central Park
- Pod Room O'Farrell St. Union Square, San Francisco
- Pod39, Pod51, Pod Times Square, and Pod BK (4 capsule hotels in New York City with rooms designed and priced for either 1 or 2 sleepers)
Bed and Breakfasts
Bed and breakfasts are innumerable across the USA and a super cool way to get a local’s perspective of your destination.
Scroll down to that fine print and look for the words “rates based on single or double occupancy”. This means your B&B host charges by the person, not by the room, so you won’t be paying double for your stay!
