Best Late Summer Solo Travel Vacation in North America

Are you craving a late summer solo getaway? As the summer heat fades and the kids return to school, blow away the post-summer blues and take a solo travel adventure to recharge the batteries and enjoy single life.

To help you, we’ve created a guide to the best solo trips to take before the fall season takes hold. Whether you like to immerse yourself in nature or explore a new city’s art, culture, and cuisine, join us at one of these five-star lone vacation hotspots.

Cool Down in Austin, Texas

Our first stop on our tour of the best solo escape destinations is Austin, Texas. As the Texan summer temperatures drop, Austin becomes a hotbed for independent vacationers looking to revel in Austin’s legendary live music venues and electric nightlife.

Popular with locals, our first recommendation is to head to Barton Springs Pool, located in the heart of the city’s Zilker Park. Fed by underground natural hot springs, this unbelievable pool spans 3 acres and is believed to possess therapeutic properties – making it the perfect way to start each day with an early morning soak or a swim.

Then, feeling rejuvenated, start the rest of your day with a stroll around Austin, touring its impressive architecture and city museums – however, as night falls, your personal retreat to Austin starts to begin. Without a doubt, the place to head every evening is Austin’s iconic 6th Street, as here you can socialize with locals and tourists alike, savor the delicious food available, and enjoy the pulsating nightlife that defines this lively district.

Elevate your solo trip to the party capital of Austin, Texas, by booking your stay at the delightful Aiden by Best Western Austin City Hotel.

Go Wild in Portland, Oregon

Heading up the Pacific West Coast, our next ideal late summer break on our solo traveler’s guide finds us in Portland, Oregon. Famed for being a city that truly embraces nature, Portland is the ideal recommendation for a relaxing break from the stresses and strains of modern-day life.

Promoting the city’s green credentials, we headfirst to Forest Park overlooking the Willamette River, which, at 5,200 acres, is famous for being one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Densely forested with the region’s native tree species, Forest Park has over 80 miles of trails that are idyllic for solo hiking and biking adventures for travelers of all ages.

After a morning exploring the incredible trails of Forest Park and having built up an appetite, you’ll love our next suggestion. Here, we suggest joining the team at Portland by Mouth Food Tours, which welcomes unaccompanied visitors to this great city to taste their shortlist of hand-selected local restaurants and eateries’ culinary wares – a fantastic way to explore Portland and perhaps make a few friends along the way.

Enjoy the laidback nature and relaxing vibes of Portland, Oregon, by ensuring you get a great night’s sleep by staying at the Hotel Eastlund, BW Premier Collection.

Sip and Savour in Boise, Idaho 

Moving inland to the great state of Idaho next, we set our sights on a solo adventure to the Gem State’s largest city, Boise. Situated in the southwestern part of Idaho, Boise can be found nestled between the Rocky Mountains and the Boise River itself.

Our first recreational pursuit fully embraces the beauty of this astonishing city and its 25-mile- tree-lined pathway called the Boise River Greenbelt that passes through the heart of downtown Boise. Here, you should hire an e-bike from the crew at Pedego Boise for a self-guided tour of the entire length of the Boise River Greenbelt that connects many of the lush green parks that can be found along the way.

Afterward, having built up a thirst, we recommend heading next to the master brewers at community-orientated Boise Brewing. Situated in downtown Boise, you can make friends with other guests at their brewery and tasting room for an evening of great food, craft-brewed IPAs, and Pale Ales.

Take in the sights of this picturesque Idaho city of Boise before getting a cozy night’s rest at The Riverside Hotel, BW Premier Collection.

Earn Your Spurs in Cody, Wyoming

Continuing East, our next solo travel escape takes us to the rustic town of Cody, Wyoming, named after its founder, Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Sandwiched within a stunning valley between the Absaroka and Beartooth mountain ranges, it’s the perfect destination for a late summer vacation.

Home to five museums, Cody is a traveler’s mecca looking to learn more about life in the Wild West, and our first port of call is none other than the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. A tour of all five museums is a must, which includes an extensive collection of Western history, art, and cultural artifacts, including the Buffalo Bill Museum, designed to showcase his influence on Western life and its history.

Any solo expedition around Cody wouldn’t be complete without jumping on a Cody Trolley Tour, which provides a fascinating sightseeing journey aboard a vintage-themed trolley. With the help of their engaging crew, you can learn about this spectacular town foundation and the amazing landscapes that surround it, taking you back through over 100 years of Cody’s history.

Heighten your personal retreat to Cody, Wyoming, when you book your stay at the Best Western Sunset Inn.

Get Creative in Montreal, Quebec

Our final top tip for a late summer solo travel destination sees us cross the border into Canada to the historic city of Montreal, Quebec. Renowned for being Canada’s cultural capital, Montreal is located on the Island of Montreal, where the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers come together.

Adding a more modern flair to this historical city, we head first to the guides at Spade & Palacio for a Montreal Mural Art Tour. Providing a captivating excursion, their knowledgeable guides will escort you on an insightful tour around Montreal’s dynamic public art scene. Join fellow solo travelers as you’re taken around to see the finest examples of Montreal’s street art and commissioned creative graffiti attractions.

However, if you’re more of a film buff and enjoy discovering new talented filmmakers, the pioneering Montreal International Film Festival is the best place to go in Montreal for a late summer excursion. Typically held in late August, the Montreal International Film Festival is one of the largest film events in North America and provides a platform for film and documentary makers to showcase their latest projects and meet to chat with them in person.

Bookmark your stay in the beautiful city of Montreal, Quebec, by sleeping soundly every night at the Best Western Plus Hotel Montreal.