Summer Travel Bucket List for Solo Women Over 40
WANT TO CREATE YOUR OWN SUMMER TRAVEL BUCKET LIST?
I love the idea of a bucket list, not as something that adds pressure like a checklist, but as inspiration for things to look forward to and ways to break out of our everyday routines. These 25 ideas are meant to encourage you to get out of the house, enjoy some solo travel time, and explore new places and experiences.
You don’t have to complete everything by the end of summer (unless you love a fun challenge!). Pick a few ideas that excite you and start making simple plans; even small adventures can spark something big.
Summer Travel Bucket List for Solo Women Over 40: 25 Ideas to Inspire Your Next Trip
If you’ve been thinking about taking a solo trip but aren’t sure where to start, this list is for you. Some ideas are simple day adventures, while others might inspire a bigger trip. The goal isn’t to do them all, it’s to remind yourself that adventure is still waiting for you.
Start With Small Adventures
If you’re new to solo travel, starting small can make a big difference. These simple adventures can help you get comfortable exploring on your own while still keeping things fun and low-pressure.
- Take a solo day trip to a nearby town you’ve never explored. You don’t have to drive far to feel like you are on a little ‘vacation’.
- Spend an afternoon wandering a local farmers market in a different city.
- Visit a botanical garden or arboretum and take your time exploring. A number of cities in the U.S. have a reciprocal admission with other botanical gardens, so that if you are a member of one, you can visit others in the program. Not every city participates, but many do.
- Take yourself out for coffee and journaling in a new place. There are so many cool coffee shops that you can explore a new one each week. A change of scenery can help our creativity!
- Go to a summer outdoor concert or festival by yourself.
Small adventures are close to home and help us find nearby fun things we may never have explored before. Farmers’ markets are a relaxed way to explore a destination, try local food, and enjoy a slow summer morning.
Build Your Solo Travel Confidence
Once you’ve tried a few smaller outings, you may feel ready to stretch a little more. These ideas are great ways to build confidence and realize how enjoyable solo travel can be.
- Take your first solo weekend trip. You don’t have to go far for your first solo trip. Where in your state have you wanted to visit but have never made time? What activities in your state have you been curious about that you haven’t done yet?
- Book a cute bed-and-breakfast for a relaxing overnight getaway. I love bed and breakfast accommodations. You typically have a unique, cozy room, a wonderful breakfast the next day, and an owner who is probably a wealth of information about the area and can help if you need anything.
- Eat dinner by yourself at a nice restaurant and enjoy the experience. This is an excellent way to practice that solo confidence. Try a restaurant you have never been to, and splurge a little if you can. Check Google Maps or OpenTable for some fresh ideas.
- Take a guided walking tour in a city you’ve never visited. City tours are fun, and you may be traveling alone, but you aren’t alone, because you are part of a group. Find a tour that explores things you enjoy or find interesting. Examples include a foodie tour, a brewery tour, a history or architectural tour, maybe even a ghost tour!
- Visit a museum or historic site alone and linger as long as you want. Some museums you can spend hours in, if not an entire day. Some cities offer bundle activities, such as CityPass, which offers your choice of 3-5 activities at a discounted price. These passes are valid for 7 days from the first time you use the pass.
A short overnight trip is one of the easiest ways to work your way into solo travel without committing to a big, overwhelming vacation. It gives you just enough time to explore, relax, and start trusting yourself in a new way, one confident weekend at a time.
Nature & Scenic Experiences
Summer is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy beautiful scenery. These experiences are simple, peaceful, and often perfect for solo travelers.
- Watch a sunrise in a national park. This will take some planning, but it is not impossible. Parks you may consider include Yellowstone if you are staying close by, Arcadia, which is the park with the first sunrise in the U.S., and the Grand Canyon, and one of the park’s viewpoints.
- Take a scenic coastal drive. Ideas include the Pacific Coast Highway in California, the Overseas Highway in Florida that connects Florida to the Keys, the Cape Cod Scenic Byway in Massachusetts, and the Oregon Coast Highway.
- Walk along the beach at sunset in a quiet beach town.
- Visit a lavender farm or flower field in bloom. Examples include the Sequim Lavender Farms in Washington state, Sage Creations in Palisade, Colorado, where you can pick your own lavender at certain times of year, and Texas Bluebonnet Trails, which also has a festival.
- Take a boat tour on a lake or along the coast. A relaxing way to try something new, and some boat tours have themes too.
For me, there is something relaxing and recharging about being in nature. It calms my mind. Enjoying the season at your own pace and making summer memories just for you.
Charming Summer Destinations
Some places just feel magical in the summer. Visiting charming towns and relaxed destinations can make solo travel especially enjoyable, whether it’s a quiet morning walking through a cute mountain town or a sunset stroll along a boardwalk.
- Spend a day exploring a storybook small town.
- Visit an island town that requires a ferry.
- Wander through a historic downtown full of shops and cafes.
- Explore a famous summer boardwalk.
- Visit a mountain town for cooler summer temperatures.
Part of the magic of these trips is in the planning itself. Researching destinations, imagining your days there, and discovering hidden gems can be just as exciting as the trip. It gives you something to look forward to and helps make each adventure feel intentional and personal.
Experiences That Make You Feel Alive
Travel has a way of reminding us that life can still be exciting at any age. These experiences are all about trying something memorable and a little different.
- Take a scenic train ride. Train rides are an activity that not many think about, and yet they are not only fun but also a great way to learn about an area and its history, and a chance to slow down and enjoy the ride. Here in Colorado, we have seven or more that you can enjoy including the Georgetown Loop Railroad, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
- Try glamping for a night.
- Take a sunset cruise somewhere beautiful.
- Plan a solo birthday trip or celebration getaway.
These experiences are meant to spark a sense of adventure! reminding you that solo travel can be exciting, memorable, and entirely your own. Have you ever planned something special for your birthday and gone solo?
Your Stretch Adventure
Do you like stretching yourself? If you do a few items on your bucket list, you may work your way up to having the confidence to do your stretch adventure!
- Take a week-long solo trip somewhere you’ve always dreamed about.
Make a list of places you have been dreaming about going. Have fun with this. What would you like to explore? Where have you never been but feel it would be fun to visit? Start with one destination you’ve always wanted to see.
- A destination in your own state?
- A destination in a nearby state?
- A beach vacation?
- Visit a National Park?
- What season would you enjoy visiting your destination?
Give yourself time to plan so you don’t feel rushed. Planning the details can help you feel confident to take the trip. As you get more experience, you can take more spontaneous trips if you choose.
FAQs
Summer can be a wonderful time to try new adventures and experiences. The best part is that you don’t have to wait for friends or family to be available, because you can plan trips and activities when it works best for you.
How do I plan a solo trip if I’ve never traveled alone?
Start small with a day trip or a weekend getaway. Research your destination, book accommodations in advance, and plan a few activities. Don’t plan too many things, but leave room for spontaneity. Confidence builds with each experience.
What are the safest solo travel destinations for women over 40?
Small towns, beach towns, national parks, and guided tours are usually very safe. Research the destination you are interested in, read local reviews, and trust your instincts while exploring.
How can I make summer travel more affordable?
Look for short weekend trips, midweek accommodations, or off-the-beaten-path destinations. Use free activities like hiking, exploring new parks, free days at the zoo or museum, farmers’ markets, and scenic drives, which are perfect for solo travelers.
Last Thoughts on Summer Travel Bucket List
This bucket list is meant to be fun and inspiring. It doesn’t have to be complicated or all done at once. Choose the experiences that excite you, plan them at your own pace, and enjoy the process.
Even small adventures can bring big joy, confidence, and memorable solo travel moments this summer. Taking photos can be valuable for remembering what you have enjoyed and accomplished.
If you’d like a little extra guidance, I also help women create custom solo travel itineraries so you can feel confident, prepared, and excited for every adventure—no stress, just fun.
