5 Solo Vacations Perfect For Escaping Life

Sometimes, you just want to get away from everything and everyone.

When that happens, you need a safe destination for solo travel that is accommodating and not filled with screaming kids or snuggling honeymooners. I found and visited a bunch on my own that I’d recommend.

Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

This five-mile island off the coast of Hilton Head, South Carolina is only accessible by ferry — and no cars are allowed. The result: Pure, blissful quiet. A golf cart rental is essential (and if these don’t come with your Airbnb, they are easily accessible for about $65 per day). Then, you’re free to meander under Spanish moss trees to nearly deserted sandy beaches that put any Hilton Head beach to shame. Spend the day horseback riding (I went on a beginner’s trail, which was as rejuvenating as an hour at the spa), napping on the beach and dining with locals on fish tacos at Old Daufuskie Crab Company Restaurant. The island only has 400 residents, so while you can spend your entire day without spotting another person, the locals will be very happy to chat with you if you sit at any of the very few restaurants. There are no hotels on the island, but you can stay within the gated community of Haug Point at The Mansion, which has four rooms — or snag a short-term vacation rental throughout the island.

Kohler, Wisconsin

Sure, Kohler may be famous for its toilet, sink and shower fixtures (there’s even a small museum here dedicated to all things Kohler bathroom), but those in the know come to Kohler, Wisconsin for its spa. At the Kohler Waters Spa, the water treatments are renowned (the scrubs and various bath services are something everyone must try), but you can’t go wrong with any treatment. When you’re done, wander through the three-story Art Preserve, where it’s difficult to separate art from the environment. Guests at the Kohler resort can also check out River Wildlife, 500 acres of wilderness just waiting to be hiked, kayaked and explored. The entire experience appears to be designed for solo travel, as it’s quiet and fantastic for deep contemplation. 

Greenville, South Carolina

Repeatedly ranked the number one place to live in all sorts of surveys, this is also the perfect place to explore alone. It’s super safe: I wandered around at all times of the day and felt comfortable on my own. It’s well-lit at night, the people who live here are friendly and excited for visitors, and there’s plenty to do. Wander through downtown Greenville to hit plenty of independent stores: The Mast General Store is deceivingly huge and contains really quirky items ranging from crystals to nostalgic candy to local grits. Restaurants including Soby’s New South Cuisine, Passerelle Bistro and Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery highlight the local food scene, while The Press Room (a speakeasy inspired by the local newspaper, The Greenville News) will help you understand the small feel of this town. My favorite thing to do here was to rent a bicycle from Reedy Rides. I hopped on the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit trail, a 22-mile trail that’s been awarded the number one Best Urban Bike Paths by Fodor’s Travel Guide (stop at Southernside Brewing Co. on the way for a necessary craft beer and a side of crispy cheese curds). Greenville is a fantastic spot if you want to travel alone but still want an exciting vacation filled with great food, shops and activities. It’s the perfect distraction.

Portland, Oregon

Everything about Portland screams “solo vacay.” The weather tends to be rainy and a little cold at all times, which is ideal for hitting an independent bookstore (Wallace Books, Powell’s City of Books and Annie Bloom’s Books are my faves) with a cup of coffee and squirreling away the day. On Saturdays from spring through fall, the Saturday Market at Tom McCall Waterfront Park offers more than 400 stalls of crafts, art and food to explore. And then there’s the food. Portland is overflowing with food carts and food pods where you can get everything from Thai, Greek, Ethiopian and everything in between. I love dining on food trucks while I’m traveling alone, as you can eat and explore without sitting solo in a restaurant.

 Macon, Georgia

If you love live music — especially hip hop or rock and roll — this is your place, and you will find your people here. Once the home of Little Richard, The Allman Brothers and Otis Redding, Macon (like bacon with an “m”) is all about its music scene. After getting acclimated through a super thorough walking tour by Rock Candy Tours, I spent a lovely morning at Capricorn Records, where the public can explore a small museum and listening room. I made my way through the Otis Redding Museum. Along the way, I met others eager to talk about music and musical history. It seems like everyone in Macon is there for a common purpose: To keep the music alive, and they’re incredibly welcome to anyone helping them with their cause. The food scene is also thriving. Want to meet your music people? Come on your own, and you’ll find your friends.

Want to know more about solo travel and companies that offer trips for solo travelers? Then read this.
 
Have any of you ever taken a solo vacation? Where did you go? Let us know in the comments below.