Best places to explore solo

Austin

One of the Texas capital's more fascinating slogans is "Keep Austin Weird." When a city touts its crankiness as one of its most worthy behavior, you know it's going to show you a good time.

Best solo activities: After grabbing a bite at Franklin roast, head over to Zilker Park. Later, check out the bats under the Congress Avenue Bridge before snagging a beer and some live music along 6th Street.

Dublin

Dublin belongs to a country known for its "thousand welcomes." In other words, natives of the Emerald Isle are very agreeable to traveler.

Best solo activities: If you're looking to drop some currency, head to Grafton Street for your pick of the whole thing from shoes to books. Later, take a fictional tour and stop at a pub for a Guinness and some fish and chips.

Chicago

Chi-town is an exhilarating conurbation with a down-to-earth Midwestern state of mind. In a sense, you get the big-city buzz of Manhattan with the kindness of Missouri.

Best solo activities: Spend your daybreak in the Field Museum or the Art Institute of Chicago before digging into a slice of deep dish at one of the city's many pizzerias. Later, rent a bike and cycle up to 18 miles along Chicago's charming lakefront.

New Orleans

To say that New Orleans is a welcoming city would be an understatement: This storied city loves its out-of-towners.

Best solo activities: Enjoy a beignet (and the subsequent sugar rush) from Café du Monde, and take a coffee to go as you stroll the French Quarter. Later, carve out some time for indirect through the city's many cemeteries. In the evening, enjoy some Cajun cookery at Acme Oyster House and live Zydeco music and bowling at Rock 'n' Bowl.

Nashville

Home to Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and many more iconic musical group, Nashville is the place to get your country-music fix.

Best solo activities: Grab a burger and share a table with strangers at The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden, browse titles at the self-governing Parnassus Books, shop the boutiques of Hillsboro Village, and tap your foot to some bluegrass at the Station Inn.

Sydney

This harborside city may cost an attractive penny to arrive at, but it's worth the splurge. First off, Aussies frequently travel by themselves, so they won't miss a beat to see you doing the same.

Best solo activities: Start your day by sopping wet up the sun and surf at Bondi Beach. Then, pick up some gelato from the nearby Pompei's Gelateria. Fill the afternoon hours at a museum or two, then close out your day at The Rocks.

Costa Rica

If you want to get closer to the equator, you could visit Mexico. But if you're by now headed south, why not travel a little beyond to Costa Rica?

Best solo activities: Find a spot along the Nicoya Peninsula's 80-mile beach to soak up the rays. To meet fellow traveler, book a guide tour in one of the country's national parks or through its good-looking coffee plantations. Then, head to San José and pick up a souvenir or two on Avenida Central.