North American City for Introvert to Discover While Isolating

Obviously not in the warmer months, but I love Savannah. I've also been meaning to get to Charleston for years (hopefully soon).

I tried hard to think of a US city where safe wandering would be OK. Maybe Santa Fe? But i'll add Toronto into your Canadian options. We had a blast there, even using the HOHO.

I spent a few days in Quebec in February. I think it would work for your purpose.

Thanks Mary and Liz.
@Stan, yes I agree, safety is definitely on my mind.

Quebec and Montreal would certainly fit the bill. I am personally fond of Minneapolis/St. Paul. We did a lot of wandering around in the Twin Cities during Covid. Lots of lakes and outdoor parks. And some very nice bakeries. There are several museums and if you rented a car you could even visit the Spam Museum. :-D

A big yes to Quebec City, it's my favourite Canadian city that I've visited. The history is incredible if you have any interest at all regarding the English/French battles for North American supremacy. I can't speak for Montreal as I've never been.

The first American cities that came to mind were Boston, Chicago and Seattle. But you've already taken the first two off the list and if Vancouver is too far then I guess Seattle is as well. Philadelphia? I love the historic downtown national park. I'd never say no to NYC either.

I loved Montreal, as well as the provincial capital, Quebec City. I think both of them would be perfect for your purposes. I'll note that I had a similar idea of practicing my French when I visited there, but the accent/dialect is somewhat different than the Parisian French that is typically taught in schools. I ended up primarily using English because, while I could ask for things, I couldn't understand what they were saying back to me :-D. Of course, depending on your skill level or how you were taught, you may have better luck than I did!

If size and variety of outings matter Montreal will give you more compared to Quebec City. Assuming you aren’t planning for the summer as it can be very hot and humid. Depending on the length of time you are planning for you could also split your time between the two. Via Rail offers a lovely service between the two; it takes 3+ hours. Montreal has some distinct neighbourhoods to explore.

I visited Montreal & Quebec City in the same trip (solo) and enjoyed them both. The train between them was really easy. I flew from the west coast of the U.S.

I think Montreal and/or Quebec City would be perfect for the kind of trip you're planning. I'm basically an introvert too, and I love traveling alone, doing exactly what I feel like doing or just poking around. I did a Road Scholar trip a few years ago with a friend, starting in Montreal and then taking the train to Quebec City. It was a wonderful taste of both cities and I always felt safe. I'd love to return for more. I've also done house sitting (Sitka and Juneau, Alaska, Port Townsend , Washington, Victoria, B.C. and twice in Ireland), which is a great way to get to know a neighborhood. Have fun!

I am personally fond of Minneapolis/St. Paul. We did a lot of wandering around in the Twin Cities during Covid. Lots of lakes and outdoor parks. And some very nice bakeries. There are several museums and if you rented a car you could even visit the Spam Museum.

I have lived the last 24 years in Minneapolis and can second the above recommendation. As a bonus, head 2 1/2 hours north to hit Duluth, MN, the gateway to the North Shore (Superior). Cool little city (I lived there last Summer). Heading further north (east/NE really), you see the rocky cliffs of the north shore, cute towns and access to the Boundary Waters. God’s country as my old man would say.

New Orleans and Charleston SC would have a similar vibe to Savannah (especially Charleston), but as with Savannah you'd want to wait for the cooler months.

I've been to Quebec a few times and liked it a lot, sort of a Paris feeling but no comparison to the real thing. From the comments here it seems like Montreal might be similar, but I haven't been there since childhood.

We’ve been to both cities - Montreal and Quebec. Once during April, it was still pretty cold but bearable. The other time was in August. Much more crowded and warm, not hot. Last trip was 2019.
We drove and just stayed in hotels with parking. In Quebec it was the Hilton just outside the old town.
Quebec has many small, but interesting museums, lovely cafes, and a boardwalk where you can sit, people watch, or read.
If it was a shorter drive for us I would go more often.

Many good recommendations already, but also consider Washington DC. In addition to the many world class museums and monuments, there are good walkable neighborhoods like DuPont Circle, Georgetown, and old town Alexandria, plus lots of green spaces.
And agree that New York also has all that you seek.
Either are best in spring or fall.

People in Charleston may be too chatty for you. it's common for us to talk to strangers. There is lots of history and it's not just the Civil War; it's also the Revolutionary War and before. The downtown(Peninsula) area is great for walking.

I think you are my spirit twin! Solo traveling introvert here too who loves not having to talk to anyone.

I was going to suggest Boston, but can understand why that wouldn't suit your purposes (though if you have not been to the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum, you should put it on your list).

Savannah is nice too, but if you'd rather be cold than warm (which is my preference too) you need to go between Thanksgiving and the end of January. Also you would probably encounter chatty, friendly Southerners.

I've been to Quebec City, have not been to Montreal. I think you would enjoy QC for the kind of trip you're looking for. I went in early December and it was absolutely gorgeous with a very European vibe.

Please let us know what you decide!

9 weeks can still be quite warm (hot for some) in Montreal..a little less in Quebec City..but compared to most suggestions here, no worse and a little better weatherwise. (Check historical temps) Both cities have an old town with a Paris vibe. Montreal has much more English than QC as well as more museums...and their stellar Botanical Gardens. Quebec old town is steep, it will also still be crowded with tourists and cruisers.
To be honest, I would split the 2 cities with more time in Montreal. But rereading your memories of Paris, QC is more walkable and neighborhoods are closer to the city centre.

Another vote for new orleans (garden district) which honestly now is making me suggest st louis (central west end and forest park)

I love this question. I've been trying to figure out places in the US that are similar to some of the cities in Europe, where you can walk everywhere and it's not clogged with cars. I love the feeling of a big square or piazza with people just out walking, sitting in cafes and enjoying their surroundings, but have been stumped about where I might find that without flying to Europe. I wish I had some suggestions, but so far Savannah is the only place I've come up with, so I'll just follow along, and maybe get some good ideas.

I would say DC fits all your needs but it does get hot in the summer. Otherwise if you want to be left alone, people in DC will leave you alone.

But I had young relatives that visited Quebec City and Montreal and loved it-so it sounds like a plan.

Good replies about places for you.
Since you focused on being an introvert, I will say that from your description you are not.
You seem to desire a certain anonymity instead while traveling. Even an extrovert can appreciate that sometimes.

I have lived the last 24 years in Minneapolis and can second the above recommendation. As a bonus, head 2 1/2 hours north to hit Duluth, MN, the gateway to the North Shore (Superior). Cool little city (I lived there last Summer). Heading further north (east/NE really), you see the rocky cliffs of the north shore, cute towns and access to the Boundary Waters. God’s country as my old man would say.

What Jay said. I live in Duluth (and it is a cool little city). But the North Shore is just gorgeous. I'm driving up to Grand Marais, MN in late autumn this year for 5 nights, and it is one of my favorites. It's evocative of a town in Maine, and is so lovely. But I also love Minneapolis, and if you're looking for a cool big city vibe, it fits the bill. I enjoy St. Paul, too. It reminds me more of Cincinnati, my home town, which is older and has a strong German/Catholic heritage. And you can tell by the layout. Most of the streets in Minneapolis are laid out geometrically (all parallel and perpendicular), but the streets in St. Paul (like Cincinnati) tend to wander around like some of the old European cities.

I will also throw in New Orleans, which is one of my favorite cities for walking around and just enjoying the wonderful vibe there. Lots of good music and great food, and just a wonderful walking city!

Thanks everyone for all of the great ideas! I now will have many weekends of entertainment as I sort through all of them.

Two votes for Savannah, I didn't even consider that before.
I love the idea of Minneapolis/St Paul and the North Shore.
Right now, though, the frontrunner is Montreal and Quebec City.

I like the sound of D.C. as well. I have been before, but with never enough time to see all of the museums on my list. Lodging, I think, would be a challenge.

I am so heat averse that just thinking of a southern city is turning me off, but I haven't been to New Orleans before...

@treemoss, your comment got me to thinking. I did several searches for criterion for the label of introvert. It isn't a DSM diagnosis. I definitely exhibit most of the traits that I read on psychology sites. I always add the adjective "friendly" to my self label because I am certainly comfortable speaking with people in small groups, even strangers. I tend to "connect" to people in every encounter, but this is exhausting for me over time. Isolating helps to recharge my battery. But I do agree that I like being anonymous in a bustling city. I like being a witness to the lively business of life while being mostly disconnected. I also enjoy the solitude of nature, but it doesn't hold my attention as long as a city.

Like Savannah, I would suggest New Orleans only in the winter months. It is charming, but the heat and humidity in the warm months rival Savannah's.

I get a little prickly when people want to tell you (meaning the general "you", and myself) that you're not an introvert. I would classify myself as a friendly introvert as well. I'm perfectly fine talking to people in small doses. However, a gathering, party, or sustained interaction of any kind leaves me mentally exhausted. Even my extroverted son, who, when he was little, I'd have to say to "let's see who can be quiet the longest!" and after about five seconds he'd say "you win, mommy." He still can exhaust me when he's feeling chatty. He works as a bartender and server and as a very friendly, outgoing person, he's in his element at work. Me, not in a million years.

I know myself, you know yourself, and people who want to say that you're not an introvert, or, like Rick Steves himself, who say "extroverts have more fun" should all just hush and let us be who we are.

But I do agree that I like being anonymous in a bustling city. I like being a witness to the lively business of life while being mostly disconnected.

I am also an introvert, and this love of big-city anonymity is so real. NYC is my personal favorite for this. The culture there is just that everyone's just going about their day and there's no expectation (like here in the Midwest) to always be smiling and engaging with everyone around you. And so you, as an introvert, get to fully have your own experience, without the demands of low-quality engagement draining your energy.

I love that you're prioritizing and giving yourself this gift!

Another advantage for Montreal and QC, your currency will go further:)

Montreal makes streets in some popular areas into pedestrian-only zones for the summer. Some of these street closures are in effect until mid-October. Lots of room to wander, sit, eat. Montreal can be very hot in summer, but September & October would be pleasant. Lots of good museums, and great restaurants and shopping.

“Each summer, some of Montréal’s busiest thoroughfares close to car traffic and transform into pedestrianized centres, full of yummy restaurants, markets, bustling terrasses, boutiques and happily strolling locals and visitors taking it all in. And for 2024, the mayor’s office has announced 11 such closures across seven neighbourhoods, equalling more than nine kilometres of no-car avenues sure to provide a whole season’s worth of summer memories.”

https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/stepping-montreal-pedestrian-only-streets

I've done a number of long-weekend trips in various places in the U.S., and thoroughly enjoyed them. I enjoyed doing only what I wanted to do.

This includes Chicago and Boston, but I love museums and history.

Also Portland, Maine; Providence, Rhode Island; Newport, Rhode Island. One long weekend, I flew into Boston and spent one night/brunch with my daughter who was going to school there at the time. I then took the train to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where I visited Strawberry Banke (I LOVE that sort of place), ate lobster, and rented a bike and rode all over. Then I took the bus to Portland, which was great fun because most people on the bus were locals and had that Maine accent that I love. I don't recall why I decided not to rent a car for that trip, but I enjoyed it.

Moving further west, Santa Fe; Taos; San Francisco.

Another suggestion is Seattle/ Portland. I fly into one, after a few days take amtrak between because it's coastal and beautiful, visit the other city and fly home. I do this because of having a good friend to visit in each town. Portland is a very walkable, funky town, and Seattle also, to some extent

Thank you kayla.p and Hannah!
Claire, yes spending less money is one of the goals here.
khrystia, thanks for the link!

Lexma, I have been to Portland Maine. I rented a car drove up to the LLBean store. That was fun.
Doric8, my son lives in Portland, so that is a regular stomping ground. My husband loves Cannon Beach and we both love the food carts. When we visit we usually take son to a place he hasn't visited, Seattle is on that list. I haven't been to Seattle since about 1975.

I don't know if it is related to being an introvert, but I also like to have plans in place. I was feeling a little out of sorts because 2025 trips aren't in the books yet. Because I enjoyed my recent trip with both sons, I would love to travel with them both next year. The trouble is, they don't understand why I am planning so far ahead. Well, DS1 will be coming home for Christmas for the first time in 5 years. I am going to trap both sons in a room until we have a plan! Haha. I feel better having an idea what my solo trip might be.

The big question is, will I just want to go back to Paris? Will my third trip be just as shiny?

Another vote to consider DC! The Smithsonian alone can capture you for days. You also have lovely neighborhoods like Georgetown (walk along the canal, ogle the various embassies, splurge on a push brunch and people watching) and the Metro + walking gets you most places. (Fly into Reagan rather than Dulles.) Also consider taking an Uber/Lyft to Hillwood Museum. I took a solo trip there a couple of years ago, stayed at the Tabard Inn in Dupont Circle, and felt quite safe everywhere I went. It was restorative for my introverted soul, and a good adventure not requiring an overseas flight. Yay, solo travelers!

the Metro + walking gets you most places. (Fly into Reagan rather than Dulles.)

I'm pretty sure the silver line of the metro goes to and from Dulles. I agree that Washington is a lovely walkable city with lots to do and see.

If/when you do go to DC, don’t miss the Phillips Collection.

Ford used to fly me to DC often for user group conferences and product advisory committees. I always hated when they routed me through Dulles but I did find the approach to Reagan rather scary. My partner and I spent 2 weeks there on our time and visited every possible art museum or Smithsonian institution. We loved being able to walk to so many places and never drove at all. Loved every second.....

Another vote for Santa Fe. I travelled there as a solo many times and loved it for so many reasons. History - has it in spades, culture - ditto, art galleries, music, theatre, opera. Beauty - oh yeah! Mountains, architecture, geology - the incredible colours of the surrounding areas. Just renting a car and driving north through Abiquiu and seeing the actual scenes that Georgia O’Keeffe painted. The weather of the high desert, heat but not unbearable in the summer, just avoid the monsoons in July. Fall the aspens on the mountains turning gold, glorious. Warm sunny days and cool evenings, an excuse for a fire and a good book. The food - everything from high cuisine to street tacos. Green chile sauce. Yum!

DC — in spring, not summer. Consider lodging in Arlington or Alexandria to save $. So much to do. So much amazing food. And, many free museums, so even if lodging is more, it may even out. If you do go in summer, investigate military band concerts, silent drill with Marine Corps, etc. Take a day trip to Annapolis or visit Mount Vernon.

San Francisco — went in August and it was between 50 and 75, except when we went to Napa, where it was warmer, but still not East coast August warm. Take a day trip to Muir Woods and Sausalito.

Asheville, NC. Lovely small city. Not Paris! But, plenty to do for a week if you like good food, art galleries, Biltmore. Add in some hiking and/or tubing in the mountains. Lovely even in summer since it is in the mountains. Blue Ridge Parkway, too.

My vote goes to Quebec City, if you cannot be in Paris.

In North America my view is: Quebec City tops any US city, went there in July 2017 for about a week, a lovely and super interesting place historically and culturally. The old town is captivating, held my interest totally, never left it in terms of exploring.

I don't suggest Boston at all, even though it is indeed very important in US history, if one wants to focus primarily on that.

I have really enjoyed reading all of your posts and I think future readers will benefit from your ideas as well.
I have decided to try to fit in a 4-5 day trip (driving from Ohio) trip to DC with my son at some point. I am loathe to go there during an election year, so not sure about the timing.

For my solo trip I will either go to Quebec City +/- Montreal OR just go back to Paris. I haven't been able to fit all of my Paris wishes into a third trip. I will be there soon. If I still love it as much as last time, I will just go back. If I want something different and closer, then Quebec City it is!

Thanks again for the lovely ideas!

Anacortes, WA. Super safe and easy to get around. Fly into Seattle and about 60 minutes north. Ferries to other islands in the San Juan’s.

Coming back to suggest Milwaukee. I was just there for a work trip, and it is a lovely city. A place I would never think to visit, but was a nice place to spend a little time and all my co-workers who had driven up from Chicago sung its praises, saying they love taking day trips there.

Will my third trip be just as shiny?

Firefly fan? ☺

@Mardee
YES, absolutely a Firefly fan. However, I didn't remember the reference and had to ask my husband. He can't remember every day life stuff, but he remembers all things like this. Now I am committed to using "shiny" in real life.

So, now I am home from my Paris trip. It was exactly what I was looking for. I went on a cheese food tour while in Paris and met a couple from Canada. They told me all kinds of great things about Quebec City. Part of me really wants to see something new and the other part really wants the comfort of Paris. Oh what terrible troubles I have..../s

@Jolie,

Milwaukee sounds great!

Alternative to Milwaukee is Madison WI

I used 58,000 miles and $76 to schedule my first class tickets from Cleveland to Montreal and return. I am going the first 10 days of May and will take the train to Quebec City.

Thank you all so much for your ideas, I may use them for future trips!

This is a different direction - but I wonder if you would like the Berkshires - which is the western most part of Massachusetts. There are a number of museums (The Clark, MassMOCA, Norman Rockwell, Shaker Hancock) as well as a number of old houses to explore. Plenty of outdoor actives too. If you go in the summer there are also great preforming arts (dance at Jacob's Pillow, music at Tanglewood, plus a number of theater companies). It certainly isn't a city - but it does provide things to do. Plus its New England and we are polite and friendly without needing to be your friend. ;)