This International Women’s Day, TTM is celebrating women who embrace travelling solo, seek meaningful experiences, and aren’t afraid to explore the unknown. Here is some travel inspiration from the USA destinations we represent…
Additional images can be found here: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/K0ICnRd6cf
For those seeking a blend of coastal serenity, cultural depth and restorative indulgence, Mississippi offers a beautifully varied solo escape.
Visit Mississippi
Solo travellers will love Ocean Springs in Coastal Mississippi, a walkable, artistic town where you can browse galleries, cafes, and boutiques – in just a few days, you’ll see murals and live oaks, taste fresh seafood, catch a festival, and drift through the downtown shops. Solo travellers love the local vibe and small-town appeal.
Oxford in Mississippi is a pretty college town and perfect for literature lovers. Square Books is a nationally famous independent bookstore, where you can grab a book and a coffee for some self-care time. Founded in 1979 by Richard and Lisa Howorth, the store has become a central hub for literary culture, hosting over 150 author events annually. Oxford is frequently referred to as the “literary centre of the South”.
When it’s time to unwind, head to The Alluvian Hotel in Greenwood. The Hotel features The Alluvian Spa, Viking Cookery School, Giardina’s and Yoga Studio. The Hotel also has live music and gorgeous skyline views.
For a slower way to travel you can explore along Mississippi’s coastline on the new Amtrak Mardi Gras service. Travelling twice daily between Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana you can stop at Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay St. Louis.
Visit New Orleans
Adventures await solo travellers in every corner of this vibrant southern city. Pack your walking shoes and immerse yourself in the sultry splendour of New Orleans.
The city’s picturesque French Quarter brings together the soaring St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, elegant Royal Street, all framed by beautifully preserved architecture filled with independent shops, restaurants and art galleries. Let the sound of live music guide you as you explore the oldest neighbourhood in the city on a French Quarter Walking Tour.
The Big Easy is widely regarded as the birthplace of the cocktail and is home to recipes celebrated around the world. To try one of its most famous creations, visit the Sazerac House on historic Canal Street. Here you can explore Louisiana’s rich drinking heritage and learn the story of the iconic Sazerac the best way possible – by tasting one for yourself.
For locally made art and jewellery, browse the co-op galleries spaces along Magazine Street and in the Uptown neighbourhoods or make time for Fleurty Girl and Dirty Coast – both with multiple locations across the city, for witty gifts and apparel that capture the character and charm of New Orleans.
https://www.neworleans.com/blog/post/solo-travel-to-new-orleans/
Explore Louisiana
Beyond the city, Louisiana invites solo discovery, particularly in its small towns.
Ryan Street in downtown Lake Charles offers a lively mix of restaurants, galleries and coffee shops. In romantic Natchitoches, the oldest city in Louisiana, Front Street overlooks Cane River Lake and provides a picturesque setting for an atmospheric evening stroll.
For those drawn to the outdoors, kayaking or canoeing through Louisiana’s swamps offers a different perspective on the state’s lush landscapes. The guided Louisiana Swamp Tour reveals a remarkable ecosystem of birds, alligators and turtles, along with the opportunity to reconnect with nature at your own pace.
Food lovers will also find plenty to explore. Louisiana Food Tours is a rewarding way to sample the state’s culinary heritage. Cajun cuisine reigns in Lafayette, from family run eateries to refined dining rooms, while the capital city of Baton Rouge presents an eclectic mix of flavours. Nearby, the River Parishes provide a thought-provoking insight into life in this distinctive part of Louisiana.
https://www.explorelouisiana.com/
Tennessee Vacation
Tennessee is a solo traveller’s dream: from quiet mountains and scenic road trips to iconic music history and charming small towns, the state offers a rich blend of adventure, culture, and Southern hospitality.
For those seeking tranquillity, the Smoky Mountains provide the perfect escape. The peaceful side is home to many of Tennessee’s best waterfalls like Abrams Falls, Spruce Flat Falls and Laurel Falls. The Smoky Mountains offer no shortage of hiking trails, several of which depart from Tremont Visitor’s Centre. Most notable is the one-way, 11-mile, pedestrian-friendly Cades Cove loop that doubles as one of the Smokies’ most iconic bike rides. Also nearby in Pigeon Forge is Dollywood, the namesake of its owner and icon Dolly Parton. Dollywood boasts the DreamMore Resort & Spa and Heartsong Lodge & Resort in Pigeon Forge. And later this year, Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel will open in Nashville, housing artefacts from across her incredible career.
For an iconic USA road trip, explore Tennessee’s small towns. From the quaint streets of Bell Buckle to the picturesque charm of Lynchburg, solo travellers can take their time discovering hidden gems and creating spontaneous adventures along the way– like the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and taste local whiskies and moonshine or the Tennessee Music Pathways for musical history and culture
In Memphis, Graceland preserves the home and legacy of Elvis Presley. Visitors can tour the mansion, view personal possessions and explore exhibits that celebrate Presley’s music, cultural influence and enduring global impact. Sun Studios in Memphis and RCA Studio B in Nashville continue the story. For those who don’t want to drive, Vonlane operates a luxury coach service between the two cities.
Tupelo CVB
In the birthplace of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, discover a city that’s charming, full of local gems and great food, perfect for those looking for a solo city break.
A standout place for your stay is Hotel Tupelo, featuring subtle Elvis-inspired decor and an energetic local vibe. With its sophisticated mid-century modern design, it brings a boutique hotel vibe to downtown Tupelo. For those looking to learn more about the legend and explore the area, hop on the Elvis’ Tupelo Self-Guided Bicycle Tour that takes you to 14 significant landmarks all influential in Elvis’ life growing up in Tupelo, including the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum.
For some quiet retail therapy while you are on your own, explore Tupelo’s three shopping districts – Downtown, Midtown, and Barnes Crossing – each offering unique charm.
From antiques to boutiques and everything in between..
Taste classic Mississippi fare with a Tupelo twist as local chefs turn tradition on its head. Find the best chicken sandwich from a gas station or that game-changing blueberry donut that comes from a fried chicken restaurant – the city has a big appetite with more than 200 restaurants ready to serve up some Southern charm.
Find inspiration: https://www.tupelo.net/blog/sip-stroll-and-stay-awhile-a-girls-getaway-in-tupelo/
Meet Boston
Boston is home to 23 district neighbourhoods, each offering a unique experience for solo travellers.
A guided tour is a good way to meet other solo travellers in Boston. Check out On Location if you are a movie buff, Women’s Heritage Trail for a female take on this historic city or Live Like a Local for a chance to connect with Boston’s African American cultural community. Cooking classes at Pagu will teach you a new skill but also offer an insight into Japanese heritage in the city.
For those looking for solitude and quiet reflection along the cobblestone streets, visitors can lose themselves along the Freedom Trail , a 2.5 mile path through Boston’s revolutionary past.
Explore Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum where art and atmosphere combine to showcase one woman’s passion for international art and the city she loved and gifted it all to.
Literature lovers can spend hours browsing independent bookstores. Spend the day searching for your next favourite read at Boston’s top bookstores. Or, grab a book and coffee from the Boston Public Library or the Boston Athenaeum and read the day away in a quiet corner.
https://www.meetboston.com/blog/post/solo-trip-to-boston/
Discover New England
The New England region, comprising of 6 states have plenty for solo travel from the mountains to the coast with some small-town charm sprinkled in between.
Literally take a leaf out of Transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau’s book Walden: A life in The Woods and spend some personal reflection time at Walden’s Pond in Massachusetts. Thoreau was inspired by Zilpah White, a former slave who made a living for herself in this once very isolated place back in the mid-nineteenth century. Zilpah White blazed a trail for the independence of women of colour at a time when it was barely possible for a white female with means to live her own independent life, let alone a displaced black woman.
Make forever friends at Doe Camp in Vermont this fall. Doe Camp is an opportunity to test your capabilities and learn new skills in the mountains. Sign up for an afternoon of Chainsaw Skills, or Fire Starting Techniques. At Doe Camp you will bond for life over a spot of Log Rolling, but don’t worry, it isn’t all hardcore fun, visitors can wind down by booking onto the nature-based Therapeutic Yoga & Meditation Class.
New England also offers some superb trails and towns for movie buffs, the Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail is a self-guided experience to explore favourite holiday movies filmed in Connecticut. Think idyllic ‘Hallmark Movie’ locations, all brought to real life as you journey through this southern New England state. Fans of Gilmore Girls will also be living the dream here. The towns of Washington, New Milford, Bantam and Litchfield in Connecticut, alongside New England’s charming Bed and Breakfast Inns generally, served as inspiration for the writers of the show.
https://discovernewengland.org/highlights-itinerary/
Visit Raleigh
With leafy nature escapes, historic neighbourhoods and a food scene that blends Southern comfort with global flair, Raleigh makes an inspiring city break for solo women travellers.
A great way to explore the city and meet new people is to sign up for a group tour with Raleigh Walking Tours which include ghost tours, true crime tours, murals and public art tours, Oakwood neighbourhood tours, and more.
Go on a solo culinary journey to learn about the city’s legendary bars and a hot dog joint that’s turning 110 this year. Shorty’s Famous Hot Dogs has been a go-to hangout spot for locals for more than 100 years. Originally opened as a movie theatre, founder H.E. Joyner began selling snacks—before building an expansion with pool tables and a full lunch counter. The Players’ Retreat, affectionately known as the “PR” by locals, is the oldest standing bar in Raleigh. The tavern, located on the edge of the campus at North Carolina State University, has carved out its own niche to help stand the test of time.
For some peace and quiet after all the walking and culinary stops, head to Lake Johnson Park for some serenity amidst the chaos. The lake offers boat rentals (pedal boats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats etc.) and the park boasts picnic shelters, a paved greenway loop and hiking paths along the woods.
Visit San Antonio
San Antonio, with its rich heritage and vibrant experiences, is the perfect destination for a solo escape.
For the solo adventurer, head to the Natural Bridge Caverns .There are several levels of adventure to choose from, from soft to extreme and the Caverns offer spectacular rock formations some of which are still being mapped and discovered.
Spend a leisurely, sunny afternoon strolling some of the city’s unique shopping destinations. Explore upscale Shops at La Cantera who offer International Women’s Day Yoga presented by AVEDA and Wellness Cowgirls. and The Pearl, with its amazing mix of Bib Gourmand and Michelin star restaurants. For a total contrast; Historic Market Square, the largest Mexican market in the USA.
For a little self-reflective ‘me’ time, pop on comfortable footwear and take the day to wander the River Walk’s 14 miles of end to end beauty. Visitors can contemplate UNESCO World Heritage sites, natural wildlife, almost countless art installations, wonderful cafes and bars, little waterfalls, outdoor theatres, quiet kayakers, raucous Go Rio Party-boaters and ‘Hi’s, Howdys and Holas’ from every person you pass. You have plenty of time to be alone, but no chance of being lonely in this friendliest of cities.
https://www.visitsanantonio.com/blog/post/take-yourself-on-a-solo-trip-to-san-antonio/
Visit Tucson
The Sonoran Desert offers the rare and perfect combination of more than 330 days of sunshine, very little wind and vast areas of relatively flat land that is ideal for solo outdoor adventures.
The city is surrounded by five mountain ranges offering excellent trail running through a variety of climates, topography and scenery. Saguaro National Park, which hugs the city on both sides, also offers excellent trail running, with terrain for all abilities.
For those daring to step outside their comfort zone, Adventures in Skydiving at Skydive Arizona offers tandem skydives and a multi-day program for those who eventually wish to skydive solo. Not sure you’re ready to make the leap? Skydive Arizona is also home to an indoor skydiving simulation facility and welcomes spectators.
The Mainly Murals Walking Tour explores a variety of murals and public art on a walking tour of murals north of Congress Street. Learn about the artists, their inspirations, and the stories behind each piece. For a quintessential Sonoran Desert experience, visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum will turn your idea of a museum inside out. Focused on the preservation of the Sonoran Desert, it includes an unforgettable fusion zoo, botanical garden, natural history museum, an art gallery and more.
https://www.visittucson.org/travel-professionals/tour-ideas/
Maverick Helicopters
For adrenaline-loving solo travellers, few experiences match the thrill and beauty of Catalina Island offered by Maverick Helicopters.
Embark on an epic journey to Catalina Island with scenic helicopter flights that frame your adventure with stunning ocean and island panoramas. Experience the thrill of a two-hour zip line excursion across Descanso Canyon on Catalina Zipline Experience. Discover Catalina’s unique ecosystems alongside Maverick’s experienced naturalist, as you observe native wildlife and plants while traversing five exhilarating zip lines starting 600 feet above your ultimate destination.
Another Maverick offering that’s great for a solo experience is the Wind Dancer Tour, an exhilarating helicopter tour over the iconic Hoover Dam, one of America’s national treasures and a popular sightseeing attraction. Experience panoramic views of Lake Mead and the Mojave Desert and intimate views of Temple Rock, a unique formation on the shoreline of Lake Mead and Fortification Hill, an extinct volcano.
https://www.maverickhelicopter.com/
ENDS
For more information on the above destinations, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk
For media enquiries, more information, hi-res images or video, please contact:
Caroline Donaldson-Sinclair, PR Account Director: caroline@ttmworld.co.uk
For Meet Boston, Discover New England, and Visit San Antonio
Jennie Jordan, Senior PR Account Manager: jennie@ttmworld.co.uk
For Visit Mississippi and Tupelo CVB
Adam Aspinall, PR Account Manager: adam@ttmworld.co.uk
For New Orleans and Company, Explore Louisiana, Maverick Aviation and Tennessee Tourism
Anisha Hegde, PR Account Executive: anisha@ttmworld.co.uk
For Visit Tucson and Visit Raleigh
Maxine Hanson, PR Executive: maxine@ttmworld.co.uk
Kirsty Dillury, Chief Communications Officer kirsty@ttmworld.co.uk
For any other enquiries, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk, email ttmoffice@ttmworld.co.uk or
call +44 (0)208 313 1717
*Tour Ops and Packages – For bookable experiences in the above-mentioned destinations, here are some links to help you plan –
- For Tucson Bon Voyage offers the following Arizona Highlights holiday – Bon Voyage – Alluring Arizona
- For San Antonio, Wexas suggests its Texas Road Trip https://www.wexas.com/itinerary-offers/the-texas-lone-star-road-trip-139607
- For a Musical journey across the Deep South USA including Tupelo, New Orleans and Tennessee – Just You offers – Tour America’s Music Heritage
- For a Southern road trip including Cajun Country in Louisiana and the city of New Orleans – Original Travel has the Classic Louisiana Road Trip
- An Elvis Tour featuring Memphis, New Orleans and Nashville – Newmarket Holidays – Elvis Tour
- An Amtrak Journey through Coastal Mississippi and New Orleans – Journeyscape – Deep South journey
- For Raleigh, capital city of North Carolina – North American Travel Service – they will package on a tailormade basis to include Raleigh
- For Maverick – Attractions World – Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour and Wind Dancer – Deluxe Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
- For a Boston city break – America As You Like it – Boston City Break
- For a New England Road trip – Purely Travel – New England