Capital city in District of Columbia, United States
Washington, D.C. for solo travelers
Is Washington, D.C. good for solo travel?
Free world-class museums, monuments, a young professional crowd and good transit. Easy and walkable around the Mall and Dupont Circle; summers are hot and humid, and some neighborhoods have high crime.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Polite but reserved |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Comfortable in central areas. Expect some catcalling, use rideshare late, and choose well-lit Metro cars at night. |
How to meet people in Washington, D.C.
Hostels near Dupont and Chinatown, young professionals' happy hours, run clubs on the Mall, free museum events, and language and policy meetups.
Good things to do alone
- Spend a day in Smithsonian museums, all free
- Walk the National Mall at sunset
- Take the Georgetown waterfront or Potomac path
- Visit the National Gallery of Art's free shows
- Eat Ethiopian food in Shaw and U Street
Where to stay in Washington, D.C.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Dupont Circle | Walkable, central, cafés and LGBTQ+ nightlife |
| Capitol Hill | Quiet rowhouses near the Capitol and Eastern Market |
| Penn Quarter / Chinatown | Metro hub, museums, theaters and restaurants |
| Georgetown | Historic streets, waterfront and shopping |
| Adams Morgan / U Street | Nightlife, live music and dining |
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 Washington, D.C. good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Free world-class museums, monuments, a young professional crowd and good transit.
How do you meet people in Washington, D.C.?
Hostels near Dupont and Chinatown, young professionals' happy hours, run clubs on the Mall, free museum events, and language and policy meetups. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Washington, D.C.?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Washington, D.C. safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in central areas. Expect some catcalling, use rideshare late, and choose well-lit Metro cars at night.
More about Washington, D.C.
- Solo travelacross United States
- Safetyin Washington, D.C.
- Cost of livingin Washington, D.C.
- Weather & best timein Washington, D.C.
- Air qualityin Washington, D.C.
- Internet & coworkingin Washington, D.C.
- Getting aroundin Washington, D.C.
- Tap waterin Washington, D.C.
- LGBTQ+ friendlyin Washington, D.C.
- Healthcare & insurancein Washington, D.C.
Going to Washington, D.C. solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Washington, D.C. meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- WMATA (Metrorail and Metrobus)
- Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
- Destination DC (tourism)
- DC Water
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.