I traveled alone to conferences for many years while H was working full time. I enjoyed it and exploring new cities. Fortunately, conferences tended to be in nice, interesting cities and I always stayed in decent hotels near the conference center. I like finding a restaurant that looks promising and giving it a try, without worrying whether anyone else may or may not like it.
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About 25 years ago I went on a trip to Arizona with my wife. She left from Arizona and I rented a car and drove to New Mexico where I was supposed to meet my brother for a backpacking trip in the Truchas Wilderness. My brother had to back out at the last minute and since I had made the arrangements I decided to go alone. I started out the first day and saw a couple leaving the trail head and they were the last people I saw until I got back to my car two days later. I saw mountain goats, heard elk and made it to the ridge line of Truchas Peak. I decided not to summit alone as it was a bit to exposed for me to want to attempt alone. When I left I wanted to stop and tour Sante Fe but needed a shower. I was hoping to stop at a truck stop but discovered that Sante Fe had none and paid a hotel $35 to use a shower for half an hour. I toured Santa Fe then head back to Albuquerque for my plane flight home. I really enjoyed that. Not seeing anyone for two day was a bit strange.
I guess this wasn’t completely public…oops!
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One of my fond work travel memories involves a trip to San Francisco. I was going to a conference or training, and I probably got to the city the day before. I walked to the ferry terminal, took a ferry to Sausalito, and ate lunch at a seafood restaurant overlooking the bay with a view back towards San Francisco. I took a book to read, and it was a wonderful afternoon.
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Many years ago, I accompanied my H to a conference in Palo Alto, the second of only two times I have been in CA. While he attended things, I drove our rental all over the area–up to Point Reyes, over the ridge to a Pacific beach, Sausilito, SF, Stinson Beach, down to Los Gatos to visit a friend, etc. Had a blast!
The only hard part was that the rental was unfortunately a minivan–we’d agreed to drive a couple other colleagues from the airport, and all mid-sized cars were unavailable, so we got this mammoth not very mini van. Driving it up to Reyes was white-knuckle terrifying to me. Those hairpin turns along the cliffs! Not as scenic, but on the way back, I found the inland route!
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I haven’t done a fully alone vacation yet. However, my DH has mobility issues now and can’t walk much at all. While I go off alone on trips and have flown and stayed alone at hotels, I am not sure about a vacation alone. When we have traveled with the family, I have gone off on my own for half days to explore. Even in Japan, where I visited a number of temples alone and, having no cell service there, had to be very mindful to not get lost!
I love hiking and active adventures, but I am definitely cautious about hiking alone (beyond known, well-traveled trails), so trying to figure out how to do a hiking adventure without DH or the kids.
I walk alone all the time (with my thoughts or music/podcasts) for company. I shop alone mostly. I have not done theater or movies alone, but wouldn’t hesitate. It is so different now that we have phones that can entertain us while we wait for the show to start!
There are many active vacation companies, and some cater to women and/or single travelers. I highly recommend giving one a try.
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Movies. Nothing better than going to the movies by myself.
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When I shop or look around museums, craft fairs, etc. I enjoy it more when I’m alone. I don’t mind with other people but it usually not the same experience for me. It’s taken a while but my husband is also now ok with us separating to look around and then getting back together to discuss what we saw over a meal or drive. I know that people we know think we don’t like each other that much because that’s not their way but it works for us. My walking time is either catching up on a tv show if on the treadmill or daydreaming / thinking if outside. I actually hate to exercise with other people.
I don’t mind going to movies alone but not plays or musical performances. I also don’t like to eat alone in a restaurant where you order from wait staff or to drive long distances alone but that’s because I get sleepy when I drive more than 3 hours at a time and then I get anxiety about it if there’s not someone else to share the driving. I also get anxiety in the wilderness so would not hike alone.
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Yes, I don’t mind an occasional walk with someone else but PREFER most exercise on my own. Except hiking. I have a phobia about getting lost even on trails and so I def don’t want to head out alone!
I probably wouldn’t choose a whole vacation (several days or a week) on my own - though I could do it. But a day or two tied to another event I’m attending? Sure!
Still think we need to do a CC women’s excursion!!! We can designate “alone” time for us introverts. 
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I love skiing alone. No spouse or kids to wrangle/organize, no one nattering in my ear on the lift. It’s meditative to be out there alone, carving my own lines, admiring the beauty of Mother Nature.
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I’m the exact opposite. I like doing many things on my own, but love skiing with others. H and I have been skiing with each other since we met 39 years ago and I love his company and I love his pushing me to do more (since he knows I can!) while skiing. Heading off in 8 days for our big annual ski/road trip and excited about Revelstoke and Banff this year.
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My husband is off with friends skiing and I have a week alone. I’ve tried skiing and absolutely froze to death and was scared. I found nothing to enjoy in the sport. And I tried more than a few times. Just not for me. He’s having a great time though and I’m enjoying being a lazy bum.
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I love walking alone and do it frequently. I enjoy being alone at the airport and on planes. No issue with going to movies or eating meals ( including dinner) alone. Spent a weekend alone in NYC last year and loved it.
FWIW - I am not really an introvert. But I am very happy to do many things solo.
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My favorite alone trips are to bookstores and museums. I can linger to my heart’s content and not worry anyone is bored and ready to leave. I enjoy running alone and with friends but do appreciate a fix of alone running a few times a week.
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One of my favorite afternoons was hiking along the Pacific Coast in WA state on a weekday during winter. DH was at a work meeting. I think I only saw 2 other people during that time. When do you have the entire Pacific Ocean all to yourself? Priceless!
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Cooperstown, Baseball Hall of Fame
Canton, Football Hall of Fame.
I went to see Justin Timberlake (bucket list) alone because no one I know appreciates him like I do. I ended up sitting directly behind one of the 2 stages set up (the stage design was a topographic map of where he grew up, with 2 platforms of instruments & band members…he floated between the 2) and he came up behind the drummer and sang, danced and flirted with all of us! It was a blast. I’m pretty sure I was the oldest one there, but what a show!
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Love this.
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I like to tag on few days before or after a trip with my family and friends. In the beginning it was a bit intimidating, but now I enjoy some alone time to explore. I use my phone to get me around and use Uber when it’s available to get around.
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A few years ago but I did an 8 week round the world trip on my own after college, including a bunch of backpacking in New Zealand. I’ve done several solo backpacking trips since, though spouse isn’t keen on me doing things, like the trip below, where I might die in the wilderness.
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