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For some people, travelling is a way to take a break from everyday life, or journey to a dream destination.
For others, it might be to get some alone time.
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Travel is often considered a pretty social activity, whether it’s with family, friends or romantic partners, but there’s something to be said for travelling alone, like designing your itinerary or being completely self-sufficient.
Granted, when travelling solo, there is probably more socializing to do since there isn’t anyone to rely on to speak on your behalf – be it on an airplane, in a restaurant, on public transportation or walking along a busy street — so in some ways, travelling alone doesn’t always feel like you’re alone.
That said, introverts are going to introvert.
To make solo travel easier for those who like to keep to themselves, the people at VacationRenter analyzed data from 250,000 establishments in 500 U.S. cities.
The cities that scored the highest boast a large number of quiet, independent activities and places including museums, galleries, cafes, gardens and bookstores and have a low number of stadiums, arenas, clubs and festivals.
High walkability and low population density were also factored in to determine which are the best – and worst – for introverted travelers.
Denver, Col., topped the list as the best American city for introverts.
In addition to loads of great museums, coffee shops, parks, and bookstores within the city limits, the proximity of the Mile High City to the Rocky Mountains makes it the perfect location for those who want to unplug and reconnect with nature.
San Jose, Calif., and Portland, Ore., follow in second and third but if nature isn’t your thing, San Diego — the country’s eighth-largest city — was the fourth-best location for introverts to explore.
It has a ton of beautiful beaches and spas to unwind at, but you can also get some of the most authentic Mexican food around there.
For those who prefer the East Coast, Virginia Beach, Vir., Jacksonville, Fla., and Washington, D.C. are all great options on the East Coast.
D.C. is as walkable as they come and obviously boast the most museums and libraries — more than 550, many of which are free so that’s a bonus.
As far as least introvert-friendly cities, avoid bar-heavy Cambridge, Mass., which tops the list. New York City and all its hustle and bustle came in second while Inglewood, Calif. finished in third.
Philadelphia, Miami, Baltimore and Milwaukee also made the cut on which cities are the worst for introverts looking to avoid crowds.
On the flip side, Tennessee has three top-10 cities — Knoxville, Memphis and Chattanooga — with the best parks and gardens.
Funnily enough, though NYC and Los Angeles aren’t exactly introvert-friendly, they take the top two spots for bakeries, cafes, and coffee shops — an idyllic place for someone to keep to themselves.
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