Big Sky, Montana
I became a little infatuated with solo travel after heading to Big Sky, Montana, on my own for Cowgirl Up Week, an annual gathering at the iconic Lone Mountain Ranch. The celebration takes place each September at the tail end of the summer season and draws women from around the world itching for a taste of the quintessential American West. Our days were filled with horseback rides led by head wranglers, a guided trip to Yellowstone, an end-of-season rodeo, and lessons in everything from trotting to communicating with your horse. What stuck with me most was how many women had come alone—some finally making a bucket-list trip happen, others simply giving the dude ranch life a shot. You could ride off on your own or join a group, so making friends with the other gals was remarkably easy. My group even has a group chat called “Cowgirls Forever,” filled with new mothers, local ranch-owning women, and travelers from Florida to Connecticut. More and more dude ranches are creating women-focused weeks and general programming, so it’s easier than ever to saddle up solo in this New Age, women-led, John Wayne world. —J.C.
Where to stay in Big Sky:
Boston, Massachusetts
I went to Boston two falls ago to visit a friend, and it was one of the most comfortable solo travel experiences I’ve had. I loved that I could reach most areas of interest in Cambridge and Charlestown on foot, and it’s sure hard to beat a crisp autumn in New England, especially in a city with such deep-set roots. I stayed at a houseboat Airbnb docked in the Charlestown marina, which was as serene as it was unique. It was fantastic being able to spend long nights on the deck, looking out to Boston city proper after spending the days romping through town. While this isn’t the part of the country that usually takes the cake for hospitality, I found that everyone local was incredibly friendly, helpful, and eager to share recommendations on where to head next. If you think you’re tired of hearing AI-this, new buzzy techword-that, still pay a visit to the MIT Museum, where the cutting edge feels hands-on, interactive, and actually exciting. —Kat Chen
