Solo travel means you have no one to tie you down, and you can enjoy spontaneous adventures whenever you want. In these top cities, it’s easy to fly solo and live your best life, as you’ll find a long list of fun things to do and keep your itinerary full. Embrace your freedom and visit new places, whether you dream of hitting the picturesque shoreline of Florida or want to see the big-city lights in New York City. Enjoy a vacation that offers the opportunity to mingle and a whole lot more at these best cities for singles in the U.S.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is renowned for its year-round party atmosphere, ranking high on surveys when it comes to amazing cuisine, bars, trendy clubs, festivals and wild weekends, making it a great destination for singles. The French Quarter is just the beginning. It’s not just about collecting beads during Mardi Gras; there are lots of fantastic places to mingle with the locals, like the Erin Rose with its friendly bartenders and awesome jukebox – while it’s just a block off Bourbon Street, it’s considered to be a locals’ neighborhood bar. The dance parties at the Hi-Ho Lounge and the Gold Mine Saloon are just two of the other great options, ideal for dancing among a crowd of locals well into the wee hours of the night. Be sure to take time to chat with at least a few New Orleanians – nearly everyone has an interesting story to tell, and who knows who you’ll meet in the process?
Miami, Florida
Miami is another ideal destination for singles who want to mingle and party until dawn. In addition to luxury beachfront hotels, it boasts hosts a wide range of nightclubs, with some of the hottest including places like E11even, Club Space, M2 Miami, and Pilo’s Tequila Garden. But Miami isn’t just about partying – if you’re into art, taking a stroll through the galleries and gazing at the street art by joining the Wynwood Art Walks is another great way to meet singles. If you visit during basketball season, try to catch a Miami Heat game. Not only are there bound to be lots of singles, particularly men, but it’s also a great place to stop a celebrity, with Hollywood stars often seen courtside.
New York City, New York
In a city that never sleeps, there is so much to see and do; no matter what time or day of the week in New York City, it can be almost overwhelming. The Big Apple is a great place to go whether you want to meet someone or just hang out and enjoy some time exploring the city on your own. New York has one of the world’s liveliest dating scenes, as a place where it’s easy to strike up a conversation with a stranger in a nightclub or bar without feeling weird about it. If you go in the summer, you’ll be able to take advantage of open-air breweries and rooftops. There are also boats that have been transformed into cocktail bars which have become one of the hottest daytime spots for singles to enjoy hanging out in the sunshine. Just wandering city streets or visiting museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art can be a great way to meet locals and other single travelers.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Possibly the ultimate singles destination, Las Vegas offers an endless number of activities that bring the chance to meet people, from the rooftop and poolside parties at multiple hotels, like TAO, XS Nightclub, Omnia Las Vegas, Hakkasan Nightclub, and Marquee Nightclub. Brooklyn Bowl, the 32-lane alley known for attracting lookers to its live music shows, offers a more casual scene. If you want to catch a show, Thunder From Down Under is a risque show created for the ladies, while single guys will enjoy X Burlesque.
Houston, Texas
Houston, known for its smart and stylish locals, fabulous barbecue, and world-class art, also ranks high when it comes to American cities for singles. If you enjoy sipping excellent craft beer while listening to great live music, head to Axelrad Beer Garden with more than 30 beers on tap and never a dull crowd. Wine lovers might want to check out the city’s oldest bar, La Carafe, a wine bar with a mellow atmosphere and one of the best jukeboxes in town. As the bar tends to take as much space as the area for customers, it sometimes means cozying up to a stranger on a crowded Saturday night, but you might just meet “The One” while bumping elbows. If art is more your style, gaze at the contemporary surrealists at Hooks-Epstein.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is a great destination for art, history, and outdoor-loving singles. It’s a rare place that combines peace and serenity with lots of adventure, including a wealth of historical sites, the chance to explore both ancient and modern culture, miles of hiking trails in the surrounding mountains, a great dining scene, and some 250 art galleries, along with one of the largest art markets in the nation. If you sign up for one or more of the 200+ workshops and classes available here, like photography, glassblowing, painting, and pottery, there are bound to be other single attendees, and with a common interest, you’ll have a better chance of discovering that certain someone.
Austin, Texas
Austin claims itself to be the “Live Music Capital of the World,” with live music venues per capita than even the most famous music spots like L.A., Nashville, and New York City. That makes it a great place for single music lovers to meet others with similar tastes at venues like the Broken Spoke, Antone’s Nightclub, and the Continental Club. The Texas Capital is also an excellent spot to mingle with foodies. Enjoy tasting some of the best it has to offer while checking out other singles doing the same at The Picnic, a trailer park that hosts Cannone Cucia Italiana, The OG NOLA Poboy/Gumbo Shop, and Have a Taco.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is known for its glitz, glamour, and beautiful people with lots of styles. For the ultimate glitzy singles scene, head to West Hollywood with its diverse opportunities for nightlife, and be sure to hang out a while at Chateau Marmont‘s upscale bar. Here, not only will you have a pretty good chance of spotting a star or two, you’ll find a fantastic ambiance and usually a great mix of crowded but not jam-packed, which means more opportunities for meeting singles. The Den of Hollywood is right across the street and houses a fire pit along with plenty of board games. There are few better ways to make a friend or two than over a game of drunken Jenga.
Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
If an exotic beach destination with plenty of opportunities to enjoy hopping nightlife is your thing, Oahu is one of the ultimate spots for a single to escape. Not only does it offer a wealth of activities and beautiful scenery, but as a true “melting pot,” you’ll have the chance to meet people who arrive from all over the U.S. and countries around the world. Get out on the sand and mingle, or go bar hopping in downtown Honolulu. Manifest in Honolulu offers incredible hand-crafted cocktails in a hip, trendy atmosphere where you can dance the night away.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the place for all types of music-loving singles. While it’s famous for its country tunes, Music Row and honky-tonks aren’t the only draw here. The city also has a thriving rock scene that can be found at a number of venues, including The Basement, located just below Grimey’s New & Preloved Music. You can also catch a show at the Grand Ole Opry, visit the Country Hall of Fame & Museum, or get your honky-tonk on at Robert’s Western World. Also, Marathon Music Works hosts a variety of outstanding standing-room-only shows that are great for mingling.
