Yahoo
Skip to main content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

We Asked 3 Travel Pros for the No. 1 Domestic Solo Travel Spot—and They All Picked the Same Place

Savannah’s walkable historic district, welcoming locals, lively food scene, and easy-to-join tours make exploring alone feel effortless.

City Market in Savannah, Georgia.Credit: Heather Durham/Travel + Leisure
City Market in Savannah, Georgia.
Credit: Heather Durham/Travel + Leisure

According to data from GetYourGuide , solo travelers now account for roughly one in five bookings on the platform. Going it alone is no longer reserved for the brave few. And there are more destinations catering to these solo travelers than ever before. But in the U.S., all the travel experts we spoke to agree that one place does it better than any other: Savannah, Georgia .

"There is nowhere else like it," Steve Schwab, CEO of Casago , shared with Travel + Leisure . "It's stunningly beautiful, and it has a completely unique charm. It's great for solo travelers because there is a lot to do just by walking around: visit charming neighborhoods and take in all the historic houses, check out museums, and just see where the city takes you."

That world-class meandering is what all the experts seemed to love most about Savannah for solo getaways. Nina Banducci, a travel expert at Polarsteps , described it as a place that is practically designed for solo exploration. "The historic district is built around 23 garden squares , and the city feels like it's set up for wandering about," she said. "Plus SCAD has spent decades buying and restoring many of the old buildings, so they are fully functional relics."

Advertisement
Advertisement

For first-timers, Banducci suggests starting with Forsyth Park , then doing a free walking tour to get the lay of the land. "Most people are solo or in pairs, so it's completely natural," she said. Bonaventure Cemetery , which is covered in the region's famed Spanish moss, is another "hauntingly beautiful" must-see. And before you go, stop for a souvenir at E. Shaver Booksellers, Banducci says, where the resident shop cats reportedly offer their own reading recommendations.

Then there's the history, which Banducci says is equally fascinating. One of her go-tips is to see the city after dark. "It's one of the most haunted cities in America, so consider this your sign to book one of their famous ghost tours," she said. Schwab shared the same advice, calling ghost tours "so fun and so popular," adding that they offer solo travelers a natural way to connect with others who want to bond over a spooky experience. 

Drew Dutoit, general manager of Perry Lane Hotel and a Savannah local, believes the city's hospitality is its defining quality for solo visitors. "You're never really alone here unless you want to be," he said. "What people say about Southern hospitality is true, and that is something that has stuck with me since the first time I visited Savannah. People are welcoming, conversations happen naturally, and there's a genuine sense of community."

And, as Dutoit added, the city isn't afraid to have a little fun, either—especially over a well-made beverage. "Savannah takes its cocktail culture seriously, and being one of the few open-container cities means visitors can grab a drink and take in the scenery," he said. As for the best spot to pair some food with that drink, Dutoit wholeheartedly recommends Brochu's . "There's no fuss, it's not fancy, it's just really good food."

Advertisement
Advertisement

But Savannah isn't just mossy squares and ghost stories—it's also a coastal city through and through. "Seeing the coastline from a different perspective is a must," Dutoit said. "Whether you're renting a boat, taking a sunset cruise, or going on a tour, spending the day on the water is one of my favorite ways to experience the Lowcountry."

By land or by sea, Dutoit says, Savannah is "just an easy city. It is walkable, easy to navigate, and there is a charm here that is hard to describe until you experience it."

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure

Advertisement
Advertisement
Mobilize your Website
View Site in Mobile | Classic
Share by: