By Erica Chayes Wida, POPSUGAR
The world is meant to be explored, and so often, we compromise self-care on vacation to accommodate family, friends, and work. For those who want to unwind from the daily routines and to wander without distraction, traveling solo does wonders for the soul.
The world is meant to be explored, and so often, we compromise self-care on vacation to accommodate family, friends, and work. For those who want to unwind from the daily routines and to wander without distraction, traveling solo does wonders for the soul.
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There are endless adventures sprinkled across 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.
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, 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 for an organic beet-based spray tan that's buzzing among locals, or check out Spa Bleu. Saunter to the historic district for a trolley tour or explore on foot to enjoy the vibrant art galleries and boutiques. For colorful rooftop cocktails and cornhole at sunset, pop over to the chic Perry Lane Hotel, followed by a sit-down dinner or to-go charcuterie board at The Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market. From there, some sweet Savannahians may even invite you to join in the nighttime festivities.
Cool and Colorful in Williamsburg, NY
[post_ads]Williamsburg is known for its adorable shops and relatively recent hipster takeover. But if you haven't been, it's worth the weekend trip, and what better way to have a thrift store selfie-montage than by your little old self? The freshly opened Williamsburg Hotel is in the center of it all and has vibrant rooms, a rooftop pool, a restaurant with flaky chocolate croissants and a lovely cacio e pepe dish, turquoise velvet and orange leather booths, art installations overhead, and an atmosphere that welcomes solo travelers and those who work from home. It's also pet-friendly, in case you don't want to be all by yourself.
Fresh and Adventurous in Stowe, VT
Stowe's challenging Winters melt into Summers buzzing with activity. Stowe has an supercool one-road downtown and, for beer and wine enthusiasts, several fabulous craft brewing companies and vineyards. The scenery itself is worth the weekend away, but there are plenty of opportunities to hike, zipline above the trees, or kayak the crystal-blue waters. The ski resort, Stowe Mountain Lodge, transforms to a Summer paradise with farm-to-table food events, an outdoor pool below the verdant slopes, and an ice-skating rink turned farmers market. Stowe is also home to the Ben and Jerry's factory that offers tours and tastings.
"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 center 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, a child-free, yoga-focused inn with a zen library and tree-house-like cottages dusted on the mountain's edge.
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Warm and Outdoorsy in the Adirondacks, NY
Get outdoors this Summer and explore upstate New York's stunning scenery. Whether you're looking to try new outdoor sports or are already well practiced, places like Mirror Lake Inn on Whiteface Mountain will have you covered. The hotel offers private and group boating excursions, mountain biking, and fly-fishing, which its guides say ignites a calm akin to yoga. You can take a Summer gondola ride to the top of the mountain for breathtaking views and book yourself a trip to the spa for an indoor respite.
European Wanderlust Fulfilled in New York City
When you're looking to keep the passport at home, nothing beats Manhattan to fulfill your European wanderlust. Munch on Barcelonan tapas at Boqueria, which has five locations throughout the city, epic paella, and a souvenir-worthy cookbook; quench your thirst for an Aperol spritz with the World Cup playing in the background at Epistrophy, owned by three Italian friends and open all day; or park at the bar for an espresso and croissant at the bustling West Village bistro Buvette. For a boutique hotel in Midtown, stay at Cachet or head downtown, where there are plenty of spoil-yourself solutions like the Soho Grand.
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Fun and Local in Venice Beach, CA
Venice used to be the epicenter 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 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, just steps from the ocean, where you'll find locals fishing off the pier.
Historical Healer in Bath County, VA
[post_ads]This sprawling area of Virginia has an interesting history. The town is home to Jefferson Pools, 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, 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 and the iconic Commander's Palace. Stay at Lafitte's Guest House for antique 1800s interiors or rent a room in the quieter and shoppable Garden District.
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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 cozy 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.
