When Tammie Bernard and her partner of six years broke up this year, she realized she needed an escape.
“I found myself solo again and needed to get away and clear my head and heal my heart,” Bernard, 59, said.
As a remote worker, she and her partner used to travel every winter, and she realized she could easily do it on her own.
The Kentucky resident started planning a visit to a friend in Kansas and then her brother in Oregon. Since Bernard was now working with a smaller budget, a friend suggested TrustedHousesitters, an online community that connects vetted travelers to owners needing someone to watch their homes or pets while they’re away. As a dog lover, Bernard found the pet-sitting aspect a bonus.
Bernard quickly fell in love with solo travel and hasn’t looked back. She has pet-sitting trips booked for the rest of the year, and she’s looking at overseas stays to scope out potential retirement locations.
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Exploring the US alone
Bernard is just one of many women traveling solo. More and more women are interested in packing their bags and hitting the road on their own, according to a 2022 survey.
One worry that causes major hesitation among women, and rightfully so, is personal safety. The survey respondents, women travelers themselves, recommended first-time solo travelers take a trip within their own country first.
According to TrustedHousesitters’ new 2023 Solo Female Travel Report, the platform saw a 193% increase in women booking solo overnight stays from 2021 to 2022.
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For the report, researchers at TrustedHousesitters determined which U.S. states are best for women to visit independently. They looked at factors such as existing travel statistics among female travelers, crime statistics, community friendliness surveys, and a measure of women’s safety for each state from the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, a spokesperson for the company said.
Topping the list are states comprising the Northeast, home to charming towns and gorgeous nature.
“The Northeast region is a perfect place for women who want to travel solo, and with a pet-sitting platform, they’re able to live like a local, explore nature, or work from home in local residences with the delightful company of a pet,” said Angela Laws, TrustedHousesitters’ Head of Community.
Here are the 10 best states for solo female travelers, according to TrustedHousesitters.
1. Vermont
The Green Mountain State topped the list of states for solo female travelers. Over half of all overnight bookings in Vermont are women traveling alone, Laws said. It’s easy to understand why. The state offers stunning outdoor beauty – think mountain vistas and pristine lakes – to hike and the most museums per capita. As a bonus, the town of Waterbury is home to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory.
Vermont is also one of the safest states for women, with the lowest rate of violence against women and the highest rate of women who feel safe there, TrustedHousesitters found.
2. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers endless activities for travelers, from exploring history in Philadelphia and the Gettysburg National Military Park to marveling at the work of some of the nation’s best artists, such as at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. There’s also endless nature to explore, like the Longwood Gardens in Chester County and Presque Isle State Park. The state has great internet availability for women travelers and some of the nation’s friendliest residents.
3. Delaware
Solo female travelers can feel good about heading to The First State, which may be small but teeming with history and a beautiful shoreline. Explore Delaware’s stunning colonial architecture and make a stop at one of its beautiful state parks for a low-key, relaxing retreat. For women, the state is the second safest in the country with fast internet too.
4. Rhode Island
Rhode Island is the second most popular state for solo female travelers, with the highest community safety rating. The state offers a laidback vacation with beautiful ocean views and hikes, plus historical attractions like the Breakers, the opulent summer cottage to the Vanderbilt family. Don’t forget to visit the Rhode Island School of Design Museum and get a taste of the state’s delicious seafood.
5. Maryland
Women traveling alone to Maryland will never have to worry about running out of things to do since attractions abound, including the National Aquarium, the Ocean City Boardwalk and Brookside Gardens. Travelers should also make sure to eat some crab while there. TrustedHousesitters found Maryland the third safest state for women with the best internet speed too, so digital nomads rejoice.
6. Minnesota
Travelers will enjoy Minnesota for its mix of culture and rugged nature. For women traveling alone, the state is also the friendliest in the nation. The state is home to over 14,000 lakes, many waterfalls and lots of hiking trails just waiting to be explored. Pick your mode of transport: canoe, bike or hike. When you need to rest, check out the famous Mall of America.
7. Colorado
As one of the friendliest and safest states for women, Colorado also overflows with adventure. Try skiing and snowboarding in the winter to mountain biking in the summer in gorgeous mountain towns like Breckenridge, Vail and Aspen. Or try something more unique, like at one of its hot springs or sand surfing at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Travelers should also spend some time in Denver, home to some great breweries and restaurants.
8. New Hampshire
New Hampshire offers a cozy getaway for solo travelers. It’s also a safe destination for women with one of the lowest rates of violence against women. Travelers can pick between the mountains and the sea, which they can explore through outdoor activities like kayaking or snowshoeing. There are also many charming shops towns to check out, such as Concord, Portsmouth and Manchester.
9. Hawaii
As a dream vacation for many, Hawaii is a safe and popular destination for solo female travelers. The majority of overnight stays on TrustedHousesitters in the Aloha State are actually booked by women traveling alone. Hawaii offers many cultural opportunities plus endless natural beauty, from its volcanic landscape, lush valleys and of course, picturesque beaches.
10. Kansas
This midwestern state is known to be home to some of the friendliest people, making it an ideal destination for solo female travelers. People can check out various attractions, such as the otherworldly Monument Rocks in Oakley, or learn about important history at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. Don’t forget to eat barbecue, too!
Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected]
