Six Solo Trips Every Woman Needs To Take

6 Solo Trips Every Woman Needs to Take in Her Lifetime

If there’s one thing I’ve learned since I began my solo travel journey decades ago, it’s this: every trip teaches you something about yourself. Some bring joy, others bring healing, and many bring freedom in ways you never expect.

Women often tell me they’re waiting—waiting for the right time when family can get off work so they can travel together, waiting to meet the "right" partner or travel with your spouse, and even waiting until retirement—to travel. But life doesn’t wait. You think you'll have more money and time in retirement, and then often health declines and getting around can become a challenge. I learned that firsthand when my own life shifted dramatically in 2010 with a stage four cancer diagnosis at just 33. It reminded me that if you want to live fully, you can’t keep sitting on the sidelines.

Solo travel has been my path to incredible freedom, fun, and fulfillment. Here are six types of solo trips every woman deserves to experience in her lifetime—all inspired by journeys I’ve taken myself.

1. The Heartbreak-to-Healing Drive

When a significant ex-boyfriend married someone else, I felt the powerful need to get out of state since I obviously wasn't invited to attend that wedding. Nervously, I set out on my very first solo driving trip through Carthage, Missouri to visit the Precious Moments Chapel, and then on to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where I experienced the historic Buckstaff Baths among many other things.

What I discovered was life-changing: feeling the fear and doing it anyway was worth every ounce of nerves. I returned home with happiness, peace, and an incredible sense of accomplishment. That trip sparked a chain reaction—I was hooked on solo travel.

Lesson: Solo travel after heartbreak is empowering. You prove to yourself that joy and fulfillment don’t depend on someone else. You remind yourself you can have lots of happiness without them.

2. The Short but Sweet Escape

Not every trip needs a big budget. When funds were tight but I still wanted to get away, I stayed close to home and took a short drive to Le Mars, Iowa—home of Wells Blue Bunny. I indulged in sweet treats, enjoyed a hearty meal at Archie’s Steakhouse, and simply soaked in the joy of changing up my stale routine.

The trip was brief, but it reminded me that you don’t need lots of money or time to refresh your spirit.

Lesson: Solo trips can be simple, affordable, and still deeply rewarding.

3. The Train Adventure

Flying into Burbank, California (a much easier airport than LAX), I boarded Amtrak for a scenic ride up the California coast. I hopped off in Paso Robles for wine country vibes, then continued to San Francisco (Emeryville on the train). It was so much fun—and it ignited my love for train travel.

I even wrote a full blog post about that journey: Elevating Your Solo Travel with a Scenic Amtrak Train Trip Along the California Coast.

Lesson: Experiment with different ways to travel solo. You’ll discover what works for you and maybe fall in love with a variety of ways to travel.

4. The River Cruise

For a slower, quieter pace, I flew to Memphis and boarded an American Cruise Lines small ship down the Lower Mississippi River. Over several days, the ship meandered toward New Orleans, with time to relax, reflect, and enjoy cultural stops along the way.

It was an entirely different experience from driving or trains—serene, scenic, and truly soul-soothing.

Lesson: Not every trip needs to be fast-paced. Sometimes the best moments come from slowing down vs. rushing around.

5. The Personal Passion Trip

One of the greatest freedoms of solo travel is being able to fully indulge your own passions—without compromise. For me, that meant heading to Dallas, Texas to explore all things JFK since I am riveted by uncovering the true story behind this Presidential Assassination!

From my hotel room, I could see the former Texas School Book Depository. I took a walking tour that included Lee Harvey Oswald’s boarding house and the Texas Theatre where he was captured. Exploring the famous Grassy Knoll was a thrill I could savor at my own pace without any family or friends rushing me along. "I'm bored!" "Can we go now?"

On the way home, I added a stop in Oklahoma for a relaxing spa visit and even met up with a friend for wine tasting.

Lesson: When you travel solo, your interests take center stage—and that’s exactly how it should be.

6. The Spa Retreat

Sometimes, the best trip is the one where you “don’t go anywhere” once you've arrived at a resort. I’ve taken several rejuvenating solo spa getaways, including Sundara Spa in Wisconsin Dells, where I checked in for days of rest, treatments, good meals, and reflection. No makeup, no rush, no pressure. Just restoration.

These trips may not sound adventurous to you, but I'd encourage you to try one even if it's a short getaway like I mentioned in #2 above. Here's why:  they’re powerful reminders that you are worth the time and care. Like plugging a phone or technology in to re-charge, these trips fully re-charge you!

Lesson: Every woman deserves a restorative trip where the only goal is to rest and relax without cooking, dishes, laundry, housecleaning, running errands like grocery shopping, work in your career, and caring for everyone else (kids, spouse, aging parents, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church group, and the list goes on!) while you drain yourself.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s a heartbreak-healing road trip, a quick budget escape, a train ride, a river cruise, a passion pursuit, or a spa retreat, every solo trip adds a new layer of freedom and confidence.

Women need to experience all of these types of trips solo at least once in their lives—not just for the adventure, but for the joy, peace, and personal growth that follows.

So here’s my encouragement: don’t wait. The time is now. Your journey of freedom, fun, and fulfillment is out there—and it begins with saying yes to yourself. To get helpful free solo travel tips delivered to your inbox, make sure you've signed up at www.TravelWithJoyTV.com/newsletter.

© 2025 Joy Huber. All rights reserved.

This blog and all content herein is the intellectual property of Joy Huber and Travel With Joy TV. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please contact: joy@TravelWithJoyTV.com.

‍

‍