Feeling safe is the foundation of a great solo adventure.
The freedom and empowerment of traveling alone as a woman is an incredible experience, but the foundation of any great solo trip is a feeling of safety and security. While no city is completely free of risk, a number of major American cities have a well-deserved reputation for being particularly safe, comfortable, and easy to navigate for a woman who is exploring on her own.
These are the cities where you can feel confident walking the streets, where the public transportation is reliable, and where the overall vibe is friendly and welcoming.
1. San Diego, California has a famously laid-back and safe vibe.
San Diego is a fantastic choice for a solo female traveler. The city’s famous, laid-back Southern California vibe is very real, and its neighborhoods, from the beaches to the downtown area, are generally very safe and clean, Passport of Living. The city is easy to navigate, and there is a huge variety of things to do, from learning to surf to exploring the world-class museums in Balboa Park.
Here in California, we know it as a city where you can feel comfortable walking around on your own, even in the evening in the main tourist areas, which makes for a relaxing and worry-free trip.
2. Boise, Idaho, consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the country.
Boise is a city that has been quietly gaining a reputation as one of the most livable and safest places in the entire United States. The city has a very low crime rate and a friendly, welcoming, small-town feel, even though it is the state capital, according to World of Wanderlust. The downtown area is clean, walkable, and packed with great restaurants and shops.
The city is also a paradise for outdoor lovers, with a massive network of hiking and biking trails located right at the edge of the city. It is a perfect destination for a solo traveler who wants a safe and active vacation.
3. Honolulu, Hawaii is a secure tropical paradise./im
Honolulu offers the exotic beauty of a tropical paradise combined with the safety and infrastructure of a major American city. The main tourist area of Waikiki is incredibly safe, with a heavy police presence and a family-friendly atmosphere, as reported by CNBC. The city has a low violent crime rate, and the local culture is famously warm and welcoming to visitors.
It’s a place where a solo woman can feel completely comfortable walking from the beach to a restaurant in the evening. The city’s reliable public transportation system also makes it very easy to explore the rest of the island of Oahu on your own.
4. Boston, Massachusetts is a walkable, historic, and safe city.
Boston is one of the most walkable major cities in the country, and its compact, historic nature makes it a perfect destination for a solo traveler. You can easily spend your days exploring the Freedom Trail, wandering through the charming streets of Beacon Hill, and visiting world-class museums, all on foot. The city also has an excellent and easy-to-use public transportation system.
The main tourist areas are very safe, and the city’s large student population means that there are always a lot of people around, which adds to the general feeling of security.
5. Seattle, Washington has a friendly, independent spirit.
Seattle is a city that is very well-suited to the solo traveler. It has a culture that values independence and a friendly, laid-back Pacific Northwest vibe. The city’s main neighborhoods, like Capitol Hill and Fremont, are very walkable and have a vibrant and safe street life. The public transportation is excellent, including a light rail that runs directly from the airport.
It’s a city where you will feel completely normal sitting alone in a coffee shop or a craft brewery. It is a perfect destination for a solo woman who wants to blend in and explore at her own pace.
6. Washington, D.C. is a monumental and secure city.
The monumental core of Washington, D.C., which is home to the national monuments, the memorials, and the Smithsonian museums, is one of the safest urban areas in the country. The entire area is under the jurisdiction of a variety of federal police forces and is incredibly well-patrolled and monitored. A solo woman can feel completely safe exploring this area, even at night.
The city’s excellent Metro system makes it very easy to get around without a car. While you still need to be aware of your surroundings in any big city, the heart of D.C. is a very secure place.
7. Minneapolis, Minnesota is known for its friendly Midwestern charm.
Despite the turmoil of recent years, Minneapolis remains a city with a very friendly and welcoming heart. The city is known for its clean, well-designed urban spaces, its beautiful parks and lakes, and its strong arts and culture scene. The locals are famously “Minnesota nice,” and the city generally has a very safe and comfortable feel.
It’s a very easy city to navigate on your own, with a great network of bike paths and a decent public transportation system. It is a city that is much safer and more pleasant than its recent headlines might suggest.
8. Portland, Maine is a small city with a big heart.
For a smaller city with a big-city feel, Portland, Maine, is a fantastic and very safe choice for a solo traveler. The city’s historic Old Port district is a charming and completely walkable maze of cobblestone streets, with a huge number of excellent restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries. The city has a very low crime rate and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
It’s a city that is famous for its world-class food scene, and you will feel completely comfortable dining alone at one of the many incredible restaurants. It’s a perfect destination for a safe and delicious solo getaway.
9. Madison, Wisconsin is a safe and vibrant college town.
Madison is a city that consistently ranks as one of the safest and most livable places in the country. The presence of the University of Wisconsin gives the city a youthful, energetic, and very safe feel. The beautiful downtown is located on an isthmus between two lakes and is incredibly walkable and bike-friendly.
The city has a great farmers market, a vibrant cultural scene, and a huge number of beautiful parks and trails to explore. It is a friendly, progressive, and very safe city that is perfect for a solo woman traveler.