Traveling solo can be one of the most invigorating experiences, and today more than ever, individuals are embracing the opportunity to take off on an adventure by themselves. With the freedom to come and go as you choose, change plans on a whim and revel in the joy of your own company, solo travel offers many the time to recharge the battery and reconnect with oneself spiritually.
In a recent survey of 21,000 people around the globe, 76% indicated that they have either traveled alone already or are considering it, regardless of age, gender and nationality. As you ponder venturing out on a solo trip, here are a few awesome travel destinations that provide memories of a lifetime.
1. Pacific Coast Seaside Renewal at Carmel by the Sea
Nestled along California’s Central Coast on the Monterey peninsula is the charming seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, an ideal destination for a laid back solo getaway. Better known as Carmel, this one square mile village is famed for its natural scenery and rich artistic history.
Enjoy personal renewal at one of the many Carmel-by-the-Sea vacation rentals for a cozy, home away from home experience. Many of these homes and cottages have easy access to Carmel Beach, the perfect setting with its Monterey Cypress backdrop for a reflective early morning walk. This enchanting hamlet has always attracted artists and authors since the early 1900s. For a fun afternoon of historic interest, take a tour of Tor House, built by poet Robinson Jeffers, who arrived in Carmel in 1914 and built his oceanfront stone residence.
Carmel has over 100 galleries with which to peruse and offers golf enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy a round of golf at nearby Pebble Beach, the nation’s No. 1 public golf course. Adventurous parties of one can take in a surf lesson, as well as scuba diving and kayaking at Point Lobos State Reserve, in the company of harbor seals and sea otters.
2. Great Lakes Adventure in Michigan
The midwest is home to the state of Michigan, one of the most extraordinary spots for the single traveler. The Great Lakes state boasts the nation’s longest freshwater coastline and lakes that feel like oceans! For pictures of a lifetime, the natural beauty found in Michigan is boundless. Home to the highest freshwater sand dunes in the world and stunning multi-colored sandstone cliffs, a trip to embrace the natural world can include visiting two National Lakeshores and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron, the only national marine sanctuary in the Great Lakes. Dotted along the shoreline are 129 lighthouses, numerous maritime museums, ten shipwreck-diving preserves, and historic military fortifications.
Spy wolves and moose roaming free on Isle Royale National Park, the remote wilderness retreat in Lake Superior and plan a visit to Mackinac Island, the sumptuous 19th-century car-free resort community with its 18th-century fort and the hundred-year-old Grand Hotel, America’s largest summer resort hotel.
Get things in full swing with a lively Lansing trip. Known as the “The Heart of Michigan”, Lansing is not only the state capital, but chock full of restaurants, theaters, museums, festivals, and points of interest, making it one of the best cities to visit in all of Michigan. Foodies will revel in the abundance of food trucks, dining deals, and numerous eating events. With no shortage of historical sites, museums and points of interest, Lansing’s state capitol building is a must-see with its over nine acres of hand-painted surfaces.
3. Outdoor Exploration of Oregon
For undaunted and awe-seeking solo adventurers, Oregon’s pacific northwest beauty and outdoor splendor offer a lifetime of memorable experiences. From hiking in Crater Lake National Park to reveling in the splendor of Moon Falls’ 120-ft high cascade within Willamette Valley to taking pleasure in biking along Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway, Oregon is a nature-rich paradise. Binoculars are a must as this part of the country is known to have more than 500 bird species. The entire region is a site for shore eyes, namely the Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston area which offers some of the most thrilling and majestic sights year-round as one of the country’s top spots for windsurfing and kiteboarding along the span of Columbia River near Hood River. When deciding to step inside for a while, nearby casino amusement rounds out the day’s fun.
