The world is meant to be explored, and so often, we compromise self-care on holiday to accommodate family, friends, and work [1]. For those who want to unwind from the daily routines and to wander without distraction, travelling solo does wonders for the soul.
There are endless adventures sprinkled across [2] the United States, each of which will illuminate a certain side of you. Push through your comfort zone and walk the streets of a new city for a weekend. Whether you prefer to be pampered, immerse yourself in nature, or find a steamy party scene, these are some of the most awesome getaways to take all by yourself [3].
Wild and Magical in Savannah, GA
This city, draped in Spanish moss, is a mix of art, party culture, stunning architecture, and history. Wrap yourself in luxury at the Mansion on Forsyth Park [5], a lavish hotel built in 1888 with bohemian dining rooms that used to be the funeral parlor's viewing areas. It has a hidden courtyard pool and a cooking school where guests master skills from a Southern kitchen. If you prefer to be pampered, make an in-room appointment with Beettan [6] for an organic beet-based spray tan that's buzzing among locals, or check out Spa Bleu [7]. Saunter to the historic district for a trolley tour or explore on foot to enjoy the vibrant art galleries and boutiques. For colourful rooftop cocktails and cornhole at sunset, pop over to the chic Perry Lane Hotel [8], followed by a sit-down dinner or to-go charcuterie board at The Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market [9]. From there, some sweet Savannahians may even invite you to join in the nighttime festivities.
"Om" in Ojai, CA
About 20 minutes inland as one drives from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara is a town of Spanish architecture, orange groves, and dusty mountains that seem to always glow in the hot sun. Ojai has a cool main street with a casual pizzeria, great Mexican restaurants, and fun boutiques and galleries. But the secret to finding solace in this dessert oasis is atop Meditation Mount, a modest centre with exquisite panoramic views, plus classes and events to help grow your meditation practice. To keep the weekend a peaceful one, stay at the Ojai Retreat [10], a child-free, yoga-focussed inn with a zen library and tree-house-like cottages dusted on the mountain's edge.
Fun and Local in Venice Beach, CA
Venice used to be the epicentre of skateboarding and grunge beside the sea. Over the last decade, this village-like Southern California paradise has boomed into a health-conscious shopping beacon for bourgeois bohemians. But the town itself has a heartbeat as steady as the waves, and it's a wonderful place to be. Rent a surfboard or beach cruiser at Jays on Ocean Front Walk [11] to explore the water and boardwalk best. Stop in for a midday beer and burger at one of the last surviving staples, a beachside dive bar called Hinanos [12], just steps from the ocean, where you'll find locals fishing off the pier.
Historical Healer in Bath County, VA
This sprawling area of Virginia has an interesting history. The town is home to Jefferson Pools [13], a wobbly, old bath house built around the area's natural hot springs. It's said that a Native American discovered the pool's healing powers and it later became a spa resort in the 1750s for wealthy Americans, US presidents, and European visitors. The pools recently closed, but the town is working to revive them so the landmark lives on. There are several small bed and breakfasts and inns as well as the Omni Resort and Homestead [14], where guests can enjoy an area of dining, spa treatments, and old-fashioned rooms as they horseback ride through the landscape.
Jazzed Up in New Orleans, LA
New Orleans may be known for Mardi Gras and debauchery, but the city is the ideal getaway for someone with an appetite for great music and food. Aside from the many musicians speckled throughout the French Quarter's walkable streets, there are endless opportunities to see incredible live music. The food is culturally rich and the city offers everything from a quick on-the-go po' boy to decadent French and Creole fare at restaurants like August [15] and the iconic Commander's Palace [16]. Stay at Lafitte's Guest House [17] for antique 1800s interiors or rent a room in the quieter and shoppable Garden District.
Charming and Artsy in New Hope, PA
This river town nestled in Bucks County nearly halfway between New York City and Philadelphia has an array of cosy bed and breakfasts, eclectic art galleries, and beautiful views of the Delaware River. If you're a lover of American history, New Hope is just miles from where George Washington won the Revolutionary War. The town can be explored mostly by foot and boasts an array of vintage boutiques and head shops, restaurants, farm markets, breweries, and bars. The community's energy remains inspiring to artists and writers, as it has for nearly a century, and it ignites during Pride Week and motorcycle events.