City in Illinois, United States
Chicago for solo travelers
Is Chicago good for solo travel?
Lakefront, architecture, deep-dish pizza and a very walkable core with strong transit. Friendly Midwestern feel; winters are brutal and some neighborhoods away from tourist areas see high violent crime.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Comfortable in central and north-side areas. Avoid empty transit platforms at night, use rideshare late and watch drinks in bars. |
How to meet people in Chicago
Hostels in the Loop and Wicker Park, run clubs along the lakefront, improv and comedy classes, neighborhood festivals, and architecture boat tours.
Good things to do alone
- Take the Chicago Architecture Center river cruise
- Bike the 18-mile Lakefront Trail
- See improv at The Second City
- Eat deep-dish pizza and Italian beef
- Browse the Art Institute of Chicago
Where to stay in Chicago
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| The Loop and River North | First-timers: architecture, museums, hotels and transit |
| Wicker Park / Bucktown | Cafés, bars, music venues and independent shops |
| Lincoln Park | Quieter, near the lake, zoo and parks |
| Lakeview / Boystown | LGBTQ+ nightlife, cafés and Wrigley Field |
| West Loop | Restaurants and nightlife with easy transit |
Solo travel across United States
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Nashville | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Austin | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Los Angeles | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Miami | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Francisco | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Honolulu | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Washington, D.C. | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Chicago | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Boston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| New Orleans | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Diego | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Seattle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Key West | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Denver | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Philadelphia | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Portland | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Atlanta | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Charleston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Savannah | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kauai | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Big Island | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Sedona | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Orlando | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Maui | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Antonio | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Scottsdale | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Chicago good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Lakefront, architecture, deep-dish pizza and a very walkable core with strong transit.
How do you meet people in Chicago?
Hostels in the Loop and Wicker Park, run clubs along the lakefront, improv and comedy classes, neighborhood festivals, and architecture boat tours. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Chicago?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Chicago safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in central and north-side areas. Avoid empty transit platforms at night, use rideshare late and watch drinks in bars.
More about Chicago
Going to Chicago solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Chicago meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
- Chicago Department of Aviation (O'Hare and Midway)
- Choose Chicago (tourism)
- Chicago Department of Water Management
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.