I am planning on going on vacation this summer, but I am going to be traveling alone because all of my friends dont have time or the money. I just want to travel somewhere this summer, but I haven't decided where to go. Could anyone give me a suggestion on any city in the U.S. where you can go and do most of the things alone? I live in Miami, I'm planning on spending one week, and I like natural scenery, going to museums, etc. I've been thinking on Washington D.C. or Chicago, but I'd like to have more choices.

John-

Read your post by coincidence. As far as your solo week on vacation, the suggestion I would make is either San Francisco/CArmel/Monterey area or D.C.

I don't know if you have ever been to Northern Cal. but no where in America can you see a more majestic meeting of land and sea than in Monterey/Carmel. The scenery is spectacular. You can supplement with trips to the local aquarium/nature spots/hiking/biking. Frisco has great stuff i.e. cable cars, scenic spots, Alcatraz (pretty cool) great eateries, and is great if you are active or like to drive. Wine country is not too far. Weather is terrific. You can really become one with your thoughts out that way.

D.C. is the best place if you want to satisfy the "museum" indulgence, what better place to do it with the likes of the Smithsonian, Memorials, Federal Buidlings and history galore.

Anyway, just my thoughts.

Regards,

John R.

note to john: only those 'out of the loop' refer to san francisco as 'frisco'.
not meant to be critical in a mean way, just to point out that you'll appear more credible in conversation with others if you avoid that term.

Well John R certainly has my next vacation planned, great ideas. John no R you sound like you might be early 20's you can go anywhere alone. I have done this for several years, 20 to be exact and I am female. I have to tell you that at your age Europe was very exciting for me. You just meet people from all over the world. This might happen in SFO also and I know that a cross country trip is something many people do in their early 20s. Incidentally I saw fares to SFO on American Airlines for 224 round trip Memorial Day weekend.

For me though touring Europe is life altering. Southern Europe is very affordable go hosteling and don't even consider that you are going alone you will never be alone once you are there.

If Europe is out of the question than SFO has my vote as well as Alaska, San Diego (added benifit of frequent trains into Mexico), Oregon, Washington State.

Ok I just saw the stipulation of One week. SFO for sure than although Honolulu would be fun also but you might be tired of that atmosphere coming form Miami very similar. You know the scene Waikiki is very much a bar with bathing suits.

224 fare on AA to SFO was from Newark

Larry: Do you feel all better now?

Glad we got that all cleared up, there are not many of us that are "out of the loop", you know.

I suppose you feel very empowered now? Don't mean that in a critical way....
Spare me.

I think D.C. would be a great place to wander for a week alone - takes that long just to see some of the museums. You could probably join in some day tours of museums/sights and met some interesting people. D.C. would be my first pick for a week alone. My sister is considering it - she's in the same boat as you on a vacation time coming up.

I lived in San Francisco - you can never go wrong there but it has a more romantic feel then D.C. for me. I would save that trip.