Best Places for Solo Travel

There is something special about solo travel. From picking your dream destination, to meeting new people, to checking things off your bucket list, and everything in-between, traveling alone is a truly unique experience. If your goal for the new year is to take more trips, then this article is for you! Keep reading as we discuss some of the best places for solo travel this winter season.

Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

Winter is a magical time to visit Townsend, Tennessee. Surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains, the Peaceful Side of the Smokies has much to offer to the solo traveler.

Get Outside

Townsend is one of three gateways to Cades Cove, one of the most popular spots to visit in the Smoky Mountains. It offers a peaceful respite during winter months. The Loop Road is open throughout the year and should be far less congested during the winter months. We do recommend checking for seasonal and weather-related closures before your visit.

If you are hoping to see snow, then we recommend checking weather forecasts before your visit. Snowfall tends to be more likely in January and February but that can change. If it does snow during your visit, the mountains will offer a delightful winter wonderland to explore. Cades Cove can also be a great place to spot wildlife, even during winter months. Keep your eyes peeled for active squirrels, colorful birds, bounding deer, and even the occasional coyote.

Go Shopping

In addition to snowy mountain scenery and breathtaking views, the Peaceful Side of the Smokies is a great place for a solo traveler to go shopping. The region offers a wide range of shopping opportunities, perfect for the solo traveler who always brings an extra suitcase. Some of the must-see spots to shop include the following:

  • General Store
  • Bigfoot Popcorn
  • Cades Cove Cellars
  • E-clec-tique
  • The Shoppes at Homespun
  • The Village Tinker

The best part of traveling solo is creating your own itinerary. That means when you visit The Peaceful Side of the Smokies you can decide whether you want to spend the day embracing the beauty of the outdoors or shopping until you drop.

Start planning your solo getaway to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies today! Request your free print and downloadable Smoky Mountains Vacation Guide.

Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska

Solo travel can be a great way to experience destinations that are on your bucket list. If the Last Frontier is on your bucket list, then this is the year that you should cross it off! One of the best places to visit in Alaska is Anchorage. From the northern lights to outdoor adventures, Anchorage has so much to offer during the winter months.

Catch the Northern Lights

Anchorage is one of the best spots to chase the aurora borealis. Some of the best viewing locations are located near the city. If you don’t want to chase the lights on your own, then we recommend booking an outing with a local guide. Some of the top choices in the area include the following:

  • Gondwana Ecotours
  • Snowhook Adventure Guides of Alaska
  • Alaska Outdoor Gear Rental
  • Alaska Photo Treks
  • Alyeska Resort
  • Greatland Adventures
  • Salmon Berry Travel & Tours – Anchorage
  • Alaska Skylar Travel LLC

Seek Outdoor Adventures

Anchorage is the place for outdoor adventures! The area features 60 glaciers within 50 miles of downtown, 300 miles of wilderness trails, and one of the largest state parks in the nation. You can choose your own adventure on a snowmobile, snowshoes, dog sled, or even a plane.

If you are looking for wildlife, Anchorage and its surrounding wilderness offer ample opportunity for wildlife viewing. Keep in mind that you don’t actually have to set foot outside of the city for a walk on the wild side. Anchorage is home to about 1,500 resident moose. This makes it one of the best places for moose sightings. In addition to moose, there are plenty of other wildlife to view during the winter months including:

  • Dall sheep
  • Mountain goats
  • Sea otters
  • Foxes
  • River otters
  • Coyotes
  • Birds

Anchorage is the perfect place for a solo getaway. It offers all of the amenities of a city set in the beauty and wilderness of Alaska. Now is the time to start planning your solo Anchorage adventure! Request your free print and downloadable Official Guide to Anchorage Alaska today!

Montana’s Glacier Country

Montana's Glacier Country

Montana’s Glacier Country is simply spectacular! It is a place with so much to see and do that the solo traveler will have trouble deciding where to start. That’s why it is the perfect destination to return to again and again and again. If you are a traveler who likes to stay active, then this is the destination for you!

Pack Your Skis (or Snowboard)

One of the best ways to experience the joys of winter is by going down a mountain. Glacier Country has plenty of places for downhill powder play. The area boasts seven downhill ski areas with more than 11,500 acres of skiable terrain and over 385 marked trails. Not to mention the more than 300 inches of yearly snowfall guaranteeing an epic adventure.

Glacier Country is also home to thousands of acres of untouched off-trail powder. If you are traveling solo we recommend exploring the backcountry with a guide or group. Safety should be a top priority on every trip. Guides and groups are a great way to stay safe while accessing more challenging terrain. Luckily, Montana’s Glacier Country is home to knowledgeable guides who can take you where you want to go.

Create Your Own Itinerary

The list of things to do in Montana’s Glacier Country during the winter months is endless. Traveling solo means that you can create your own itinerary. You don’t have to do it all but you can do all that you want to do when you are traveling by yourself. Considering some of the following winter activities when you are creating your custom itinerary:

  • Dog sledding
  • Exploring Glacier Park
  • Fat biking
  • Hockey
  • Ice fishing
  • Ice skating
  • Live music
  • Shopping
  • Skijoring
  • Sledding
  • Sleigh rides
  • Snowmobiling
  • Snowshoeing
  • Spas
  • Strolling through downtown
  • Taking a scenic drive
  • Wildlife watching

What will you include in your itinerary when you visit Montana’s Glacier Country? Request your free print and downloadable Glacier Country Travel Guide today!

Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula

Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula

Located just 90 minutes from Seattle, Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula is a world unto itself. The area is home to Olympic National Park, a rainforest, beaches, quaint seaside towns, native cultures, and a scenic byway. All of these places can be experienced while traveling solo, making it the perfect destination for your next solo adventure.

Take Advantage of Off-season Rates

Solo traveling can be great– you get to make your own schedule and choose your own itinerary. However, solo traveling can also present unique challenges. One challenge that solo travelers may face involves the cost of hotel rooms for just one person. Luckily, the flexibility of solo traveling means that the traveler can offset this cost by traveling during the off-season.

If you want to experience a beautiful destination during its less crowded off-season, then you should check out Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula during the winter months. During the winter months there are smaller crowds and fewer lines. The off-season also means lower rates and greater availability for accommodations. The best part? Nearly everything is still open and accessible during the off-season. This means that you can get the same great experience without the peak season crowds or price tag.

Plan your trip to the Olympic Peninsula today! Request your free Olympic Peninsula Travel Planner.

Plan Your Solo Sojourn Today!

Plan Your Solo Sojourn Today!
Plan Your Solo Sojourn Today!

Just because you are traveling alone doesn’t mean you have to plan your trip on your own. Travel Guides Free offers countless free print and downloadable travel guides to help you plan the perfect trip. Embrace the new year and start planning that solo trip today!

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