Solo travel is on the rise.
In fact, 50% of Americans plan to travel solo this year.
And it makes sense: why wait for someone else’s schedule if you’re ready to explore the world now!
But where should you go?
Domestic travel is a great choice for solo travel newbies, making it easy for those thinking of dipping their toes into the solo experience.
And according to a new report from Kayak, Washington DC has been revealed as the top U.S. city for solo travelers. Here’s why:
A Place For Cultural Exploration
Washington is jam-packed with things to see and do.
It boasts some of the best museums in the country, and if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be pleased to know that many of them are free!
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, The National Museum of African American History, and the National Gallery of Art are all located in Washington DC, and all have no entry fee attached, for example.
One of the biggest attractions in the city is to stroll along the National Mall, where you can stop at the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. If you have an interest in history, politics, or both then they are considered must-visit attractions.
And if you’re less interested in history and more interested in doing something a little more active on your solo trip? Then Washington DC has you covered on this front too.
I love watersports, so this is the first thing I look for when I go to any new city. In DC you can take a boat ride, hire a kayak, or even paddleboard (my personal favorite) through the city’s 2 rivers. Both the Potomac and the Anacostia flow through the city.
There are dozens of paddleboard and kayak-hire shops in Washington DC. One example is the Key Bridge Boathouse where paddleboard hire starts from $16 an hour and double kayak rental starts from $23 an hour.
Memorials, monuments, and monumental fun on the river: frankly, that’s all the ingredients you need for a perfect solo weekend!
Eating Solo In Washington DC
One of the aspects of solo traveling that I like least is having to eat alone.
While exploring museums and wandering old cities solo is a lot of fun, asking for a table for one always makes me feel self-conscious.
But Washington DC has a reputation for its culinary experiences, and it is worth the minor discomfort of dining alone to try them!
As part of the Kayak research, OpenTable looked at the best restaurants for solo travelers in the U.S.
Some of the best places to eat in Washington DC, according to this research, included Ted’s Bulletin on Capitol Hill and Via Sophia Washington DC, which is in the city’s downtown area.
As 52% of US consumers plan to dine solo this year, this is a list well worth knowing. And actually a reason why the stigma of solo dining is something we should shed the shackles of: everyone is doing it!
Getting Around Washington DC
From a practical point of view, Washington DC is an incredibly easy city to explore as a solo traveler.
You can get around the city’s main tourist attractions on foot, and if you don’t want to walk then there is an abundance of accessible public transportation options here too.
The metro system in the city is extensive, safe, and reliable. If you plan on using the Metrorail & Metrobus to get around then you can buy a one day unlimited pass for $13.50 or a 3 day unlimited pass for $33.75.
A fun way of exploring the city, and one which is an experience in its own right, is to hire bikes.
Capital Bikeshare is the Metro DC area’s bikeshare system with a single ride costing $0.05 per minute or $8 for a full day hire.
I love hiring bikes in any new city, and the opportunity to see that city from a whole new perspective.
But however you want to get around, it doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated to explore Washington DC.
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