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Washington, D.C. might not be the first place you think of when it comes to amazing travel destinations in the U.S., but you shouldn’t overlook the nation’s capital for a great solo trip.
D.C. has been exploding in popularity as a tourist destination lately, with a record number of visitor arrivals in 2023.
There are tons of amazing things to do in the city, and it’s a surprisingly excellent destination for solo travelers too.
I’ve spent a lot of time exploring D.C. on my own, and these are the top reasons I think it’s the perfect place to go as a solo traveler:
Lots Of Solo-Friendly Activities
One of the biggest reasons you should visit D.C. as a solo traveler is because of the abundance of solo-friendly activities and unique things to do around the city.
There are tons of museums and monuments around every corner, and as a solo traveler, you can pick and choose what you’re interested in. With over 70 museums around the city, you can spend several days checking out impressive collections.
Along the National Mall, you’ll find some of the best museums, including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Air and Space Museum.
Checking out the city’s many monuments and memorials, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the World War II Memorial, is another must while in D.C.
You can even take a free tour of the White House, which was the coolest thing I did in D.C. — it just requires arranging it in advance (you can make a request 21 days to 3 months in advance, and it’s best to have some flexibility in the preferred dates and times of your visit.)
Easy To Get Around
Another reason I’d recommend D.C. for a solo trip is because it’s really easy to get around on your own. You don’t need a car, because it’s a very walkable city that also has good public transportation.
All of the museums and monuments mentioned above are walkable from each other.
If you want to give your feet a rest, you can also take D.C.’s Metro, which is well-connected and a quick way to get around the city.
It’s Very Safe
If you’re traveling on your own, especially as a solo female traveler, safety is probably a factor you take into consideration when choosing where to go.
D.C. is an extremely safe city, so you don’t have anything to worry about traveling here solo.
Obviously, you should always take safety precautions when traveling solo, but in general, D.C. is a very safe and secure place to visit.
Lots Of Different Neighborhoods
Washington, D.C. has a lot more to offer than just government buildings, museums, and monuments. Many of the top tourist attractions in D.C. are located in Downtown, which is why I’d recommend staying there as a first-time visitor.
Another great neighborhood to stay in is Georgetown. This historic neighborhood is a little further away from Downtown, but it’s incredibly picturesque and walkable.
While in D.C., you should also make sure to visit Chinatown and Dupont Circle, two other cool and lively neighborhoods.
Easy To Get To From Other Cities
Finally, D.C. is perfect for a solo trip because it’s easy to get to from other places in the U.S. More than 60 cities across the U.S. have regular nonstop flights to D.C.
There’s also a direct Metro line from the Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Downtown for just $6.
And if you’re already on the East Coast, you can take Amtrak to D.C. easily. The high-speed Acela train connects Boston, New York, and Philadelphia with D.C., while other Amtrak train lines connect Southern cities along the East Coast to D.C.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.