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Massachusetts City Named A Best Place For Solo Travel

There are some major benefits to taking a trip by yourself. The solitude gives you time to clear your mind and gather your thoughts. And it also enables you create…

Boston skyline, showing the trees from the common and skyscrapers.
Sean Pavone / Getty Images

There are some major benefits to taking a trip by yourself. The solitude gives you time to clear your mind and gather your thoughts. And it also enables you create your own schedule, taking in the sights you set out for. Fifty Grande published a report that details America's best places for solo travel, and a Massachusetts city made the list.

To compile this information, Fifty Grande conducted a solo travel survey. They found that "52% of respondents said they planned to take a solo trip before the end of the year and 64% of them planned to take that trip in America." Furthermore, they found that 40% of those that participated in their survey answered "10" on a scale of 1-10, on how comfortable they were to travel alone. 83% said answered a 7 or above.

Other interesting items to note were, 89% of the people had already taken a solo trip. The main reason was to "explore a new place and/or immerse in a local culture." 22.9% said the reason they travel alone was because it was "more fun when I’m 100% in control."

Lastly 52% of people plan on traveling solo before the end of the year, and mostly within the United States, Fifty Grande shows.

Massachusetts is filled with areas that are prime for solo travel exploring. You can go hiking in the Berkshires, surf the south shore, or go visit the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Nonetheless, there is one city in the Bay State, that is the best for solo travel. It might be obvious.

Boston

It's fitting that the home of the freedom trail is the Massachusetts city that was named best for solo travel. The city's layout is very conducive to exploring. In fact, you can get a lot done in one day. The duck boat tours, Segway's, and historical walking tours along the capital can all be enjoyed solo. You can pull up a chair and grab a delicious Italian meal in the North End before heading across town to catch a ball game at the legendary Fenway Park. If you're looking for a solo trip, tell your friends: Boston is a great destination to try.

From Pizza To Guitars Here Are Your Best I-95 Stops From Boston To New York

There are roughly 220 miles and four and half hours between Boston and New York. On the drive south (or return trip North), it's likely you'll need to make a pit stop. Whether it's to accommodate a bathroom request, grab a bite to eat or get a breath of air, we've compiled a list of the best stops along I-95 on the Boston to New York drive.

We'll assume here that we are driving south. Therefore, your journey begins in Massachusetts. You'll pull past Providence and a few exit signs for T.F. Green Airport before enduring the meat of the trip. That would be a good two-plus hours through Connecticut, where you will surely slow down at some point. Finally, after trekking through the Constitution State, you start to see the exit sign numbers get down to single digits. The empire state awaits.

This journey can seem like a grueling effort up and down I-95. In a bigger picture, a four-hour route between two major markets is not really that much. Just ask the Midwest. If you want to drive from Chicago to Minneapolis, you are looking at close to a seven-hour drive, with only one state in the way. Nonetheless, the 1-95 Boston to New York route can be grueling. Therefore, we put together a collection of different stops to help make it more enjoyable.

Of course, this exercise does not include kids screaming in the backseat that need an immediate stop. Perhaps that's another list. Here, we will pinpoint some pleasing attractions you would have the time to stop for. However, we won't stray too far off the exits. And while taking 12 hours to play blackjack at Foxwoods would be a blast, we will narrow in on relatively short stops only.

So, let's hop in the car and find the best stops from Boston to New York along I-95.

*Note - we are not going in order of stops from north to south. We are listing in an overall ranking format.

#1 Frank Pepe's Pizza

We'll start with the best thing to stop for. Pizza. Frank Pepe's is a legendary establishment in the New Haven pizza scene. The good news here is that you have choices. If the original New Haven spot is too far off the path (or has a long wait), there's also a location in Fairfield, CT at Exit 24.

#2 Hoxie Scenic Overlook Point

If you need a moment of fresh air or to loosen up the legs, this scenic lookout point offers a nice view of the Mystic River. There's comfortable parking space, and its an easy pull off or on to the interstate. It's not uncommon to find people taking photographs here as well.

A view of the Mystic River in CT. Hoxie overlook

#3 Cafe Tempo Coffee House

Sure there are dozens of Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts right along the path, but pulling into Cafe Tempo Coffee House in Warwick, Rhode Island is well worth the wait. A homemade banana hazelnut iced coffee makes any slow-moving traffic situation more manageable.

#4 Milford Service Area Rest Stop

After all that pizza and coffee somebody is going to need a bathroom. At mile-marker 41, via southbound access, you will find a rest stop in Milford CT that is a direct pull-off I-95. You can fill up on gas, or more food if you still feel like snacking. There are plenty of fast food and candy options at this stop.

Blue rest Area sign off the highway, pointing to the exit

#5 Bay State Vintage Guitars

This is applicable on your way out or into Massachusetts. Bay State Vintage Guitars is a family owned shop has some of the nicest custom and vintage guitars available. Each instrument on the wall tells a story and his a history that goes back well beyond what's considered classic rock. They are located on Washington St. in Norwood.

#6 Colony Grill

Hot oil pizza is a thing in Connecticut and it's delicious. Colony Grill in Stamford is bound to have whatever game that is live playing on their TV's. Their menu consists of pizza and drinks, so you know they take their pie seriously. Like Pepe's, you have a few choices in addition to Stamford. Their Fairfield location is also a stone's throw off I-95.

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.