US Singles Destinations
When is the best time for singles to travel to US destinations?
Singles obviously can travel at anytime if they are unburdened by a partner, or a child. So really, it's best to take advantage of those times when the road is less travelled by large groups of people and families. So I think really anytime during the traditional school year with the possible exception of the winter break and the spring break, and you need to make sure that you know what the calendar is and the place that your going are terrific times for singles to travel because they can avoid the crowds and save money when travelling to a US destination as a single.
What are popular East Coast destinations for singles?
Popular East Coast destinations for singles obviously have to include New York, Boston, and Washington. The cultural institutions, the museums, the arts, and so forth make if very easy for a solo traveller to be a part of the city and to blend in if he or she wishes, but to set his or her own agenda, which is very, very rewarding. So I really recommend all three of those places as places where you can feel very comfortable, feel very secure, and get an incredible cultural experience as a single traveller.
What are popular West Coast destinations for singles?
Popular west coast destinations for singles obviously have to include San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, and really any of the coastal destinations. California and the Pacific Northwest are very welcoming for solo travellers and it is very easy to feel the scene if you wish; or to feel apart from the scene if that's what you want. I can't recommend Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego enough as great destinations for solos. There are other western destinations that are terrific for solo travellers. Las Vegas is one that comes quickly to mind. Las Vegas is a city where you can be part of the scene or apart from the scene as you choose but it's very easy to be a solo traveller in Vegas I think just because there are so many people there. In 2006 I think there were about thirty-eight million people who visited Las Vegas. And if you can't find a buddy in almost thirty-eight million, if you don't want to, you don't have to. But it's a very welcoming city, it's a party city and if that's your scene than that's a great place for you if you a re a single traveller.
What are popular Midwest destinations for singles?
Everybody disses the Midwest, and I think that's a mistake, because there's a really welcoming quality to Midwestern cities. Kansas City, which is one of my former hometowns, St. Louis, Minneapolis especially has a very vibrant art scene. And if you want to talk really more Southwest, Austin, which has a great music scene, is great too. All of those places are very welcoming and warm to the solo traveller. They're family destinations, but they also welcome singles in a way that's really very different and really rewarding.
What are popular New England destinations for singles?
I think a solo traveller can feel comfortable going on a leaf peeping vacation in New England. And, of course, the fall is a terrific time, because kids are in school, and a solo traveller has the opportunity to see those places and see those destinations pretty much on his or her own, or as part of a group, and feel absolutely comfortable, and get a terrific respite from the rest of the world as a single traveller.
What are popular Southern destinations for singles?
When you talk about the South, obviously, South Beach is the number one singles destination that comes to mind. There are lots of places in Florida that are really designed for single travellers, especially those seeking a spring break adventure, but any time of the year South Beach is popular. One of the things I really enjoy about travelling in the South is, because it really is genteel. And as a solo traveller you feel welcomed into these places. One of my memorable experiences is being a solo traveller in Charleston, South Carolina and going into a restaurant and the Maître realized that I was there by myself and he actually paired me up with another diner. He said "You might enjoy this experience" and it turned out to be absolutely enjoyable. I think that Southerners generally tend to be very hospitable and they try to make you feel welcome no matter what your situations. So I really recommend places like Charleston and Savannah. Really, any place in the South, I think could be a really good destination if you are a solo traveller. And of course, there is Memphis, Tennessee. What traveller would not want to go to Memphis and go to Graceland? I mean, whether you're single or you're a couple, you have to make the pilgrimage and go to Elvis's home. It's absolutely required for anybody who's over 20, over 30, or over 40. Graceland is like no other experience you'll have. Where else can you come back with an Elvis bag of dirt? Where else can you get Love-Me-Tender hand lotion? A solo traveller has to have that experience.
What are popular US beach destinations for singles?
There are lots of popular beach destinations for singles in the US. I think certainly anywhere along the coast of Southern California, particularly Laguna Beach, and then any place south of there, works well for a solo traveller. The Gulf Coast is a place where singles, I think, can feel very comfortable but there are certain times of the year that you perhaps would not want to be there if you are not part of the spring break scene. And then, of course, there's Miami. You cant talk about solo traveller and beach vacations if you're not talking about South Beach. And most are very fond of the Atlantic Seaboard, particularly North Carolina. Ocracoke Island was just named the number one beach destination vacation by the fellow known as Dr. Beach who takes into account numerous factors including environmental factors. And it's therefore a great place for solo travellers.
What are some money-saving tips for singles traveling through the US?
You really don't save a lot of money as a solo traveller. But I think travelling alone is it's own reward. It pretty much makes up for it. Because you're not having to worry about that second person. In theory, when you travel with somebody, your costs are doubled. But when you travel by yourself, you have to keep in mind that your costs are cut in half, because you're not paying for two meals you're only paying for one. On the other hand, you're paying the full price of a rental car so you're not paying half of the cost of that. So there are things that balance each other off, but it can be expensive being a solo traveller. Sometimes you do pay a single surcharge, and those are things you need to watch out for as a single travelling throughout the US.
What are some safety tips for singles traveling through the US?
When you're travelling in the United States, I think it's always a good idea to get a feel for an area or a city where you're going - to understand where those areas are that you should not be in by yourself especially at night. I think also you should be hyper aware of your surroundings. It's not that as a single traveller that you are necessarily more a target of a thief, it's just that by being by yourself sometimes you stick out in the crowd because you travel less confidently. You don't walk with the same air of authority that you do. And that can send off very subliminal signals to people who would do you harm. So I think as a solo traveller you need to be first of all very aware of your surroundings but also be aware of the vibe that you give off. Be confident even if you don't feel confident. One of the great rules of travel is, and actually of life, is fake it and the feeling will follow. You really need to feel and show that you are confident that you know what you're doing and where you're going even if you really don't. This will help you keep safe as a solo traveller in the U.S.
What are some lesser-known US destinations for singles?
One of the places that I've recently become familiar with that isn't necessarily on the solo travellers list is Austin, Texas. Austin has a very vibrant music scene and if you're a single, a couple or a group that loves music Austin is a really refreshing destination. I really recommend that as a place that you can go and feel very comfortable, very confident. I also like places like Phoenix, especially in the off season. Phoenix's off season really is not the summer months, it's more the winter months. And, there are fewer families there. There are some great resorts in the Phoenix area that I think we often overlook simply because we think of Phoenix being a winter destination for couples, but I think its a really good winter destination for solos as well.
