16 Fun Things to Do Alone: Solo Ideas for at Home & Outside

1. Go to the Movies

If you’re anxious about going solo to a place where most people will be in groups, a movie is an awesome place to start, since it’s super dark and anonymous and you don’t have to share your popcorn. Bonus: not having to convince anyone to go see that cheesy rom-com with you for the fourth time at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday.

2. Volunteer

Raise your hand if you frequently think to yourself, I should really give back more, only to let other things take priority. I'm definitely guilty of this one. Finally make good on your promise and spend some time helping people who aren't as fortunate as you are. Check out Volunteer Match, a volunteer engagement network that can help you find opportunities to give back in your area. (A quick scroll in our zip code found listings for helping seniors care for their dogs and becoming a reading partner for a local child.)

3. Go to a Group Fitness Class

OK, stay with me. Yes, group fitness classes are intense and usually packed with people. But, if you’re working hard enough, everyone in class will be too busy catching their breath in between reps to have to talk to one another. On top of that, you’ll feel like a total badass once the workout is over.

4. Go on a Vacation

While a rambling Eat, Pray, Love-style journey of self-discovery is the dream, even a one-night solo stay at a fancy hotel can feel restorative. Check an app like Hotel Tonight, which can make staying at a high-end spot near you a little more affordable. If you’re nervous to go it alone, start small by building a little on-your-own time into group vacations. (Getting away from meddling Aunt Marcia is never a bad thing, lest you forget.)

5. Be a Tourist in Your Own City

If you don’t have any kind of vacation on the horizon, take a solo day trip instead, and rediscover your own city or state. Living in a place, you rarely see it the way outsiders do, so try to mimic the tourist experience and get a new perspective on the sights that surround you. If you're in the tristate area, check out a new museum exhibit at the Guggenheim or spend a couple hours in that part of town you always stay away from because it’s “so touristy” (cough cough, SoHo)—that’s kind of the point with this one.

6. Try Mindful Running

You’ve tried to meditate, but there’s just something about sitting still for 20 minutes that doesn’t click with your on-the-move personality. Here’s something that might be more your speed (literally): mindful running. The basic concept is similar to mindfulness meditation, or using focused attention to reduce stress, improve sleep and heighten focus and creativity. The only difference? It’s a little less stationary. To try it, go for a run like you normally would but make a concerted effort to clear your mind and focus on your breathing. You can run without headphones and be totally alone with your thoughts or listen to calming music (you know, the kind without words). If you're NYC-based like I am, I highly recommend going on a mindful run in Central Park or Prospect Park and taking in the sights and sounds while getting your heart rate up. This is another totally free option, which is always a win in my book.

7. Go to a Fancy Restaurant

Guys, dining alone is awesome. First of all, there’s no pressure to make small talk, meaning you can just chill out and enjoy your rigatoni. Secondly, you can actually focus on eating mindfully—chewing and enjoying what’s on your plate. Thirdly: people watching.

8. Go Window Shopping

Obviously, you can shop-shop, but that route is a bit less wallet-friendly. But still, think about how fun it is to online shop and add things to your cart with no intention of buying them. This is the IRL version of that, with the added bonus that you can actually try things on. (And get an Auntie Anne’s pretzel on your way out.)

9. Have a Self-Care Day

A spa day with your pals is great, but I'm all about embracing the “self” part of self-care. Here’s the best part: Pampering yourself sounds fabulous in theory, but prioritizing your mental and physical health can get expensive. But luckily, it doesn’t have to cost anything. The next time you want to relax without spending any money, consult this list of totally free ways to practice self-care. Think: Taking a long, luxurious bath; giving yourself an at-home manicure; or doing a YouTube yoga class.

10. Start Learning a New Language

The benefits of this one are threefold. First, learning a new language stimulates your brain in a really healthy way (it’s a type of brain gym, which you can learn more about here). Second—and somewhat superficially—it’s cool and cultured to be able to speak more than one (or two or three) language. And third, it’s the perfect excuse to reward yourself with a trip to the country whose language you’re learning once you reach a certain level of fluency.

11. Cook an Elaborate Meal

If you’re not totally on board with the whole going to a restaurant alone thing (totally fair), challenge yourself to make your own Michelin-worthy meal. Pull out your fanciest cookbook—or browse a site that’s teeming with delicious dinner options for one—and choose a dish that looks incredible, but that you might normally overlook as being too involved. Then, go to the grocery store, put on your favorite playlist and get to work. If it turns out great, you’ll be thrilled to have made Ina Garten proud. If it doesn’t, there’s always Indian takeout. (Bonus points if you bake something delectable to devour after the main course.)

12. Organize Your House

OK, so I know this isn’t fun for some people, but if you’re someone who finds joy in tidying and reorganizing, go wild and deep-clean you’re living space. Even if you don’t delight in doing house chores, you’ll feel infinitely better when they’re done.

13. Finally Get Around to Meditating

At this point in the Golden Age of self-care, you're pretty well-acquainted with the many benefits of meditation—and it's such a no-brainer of a thing to do by yourself. For example, according to a 2018 study published in BMJ Open, anxiety may increase the risk of developing cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Meditation—which has been shown to help control anxiety—could potentially reduce this risk. Another small Harvard study in 2018 found that meditation was linked to a meaningful decrease in blood pressure. The beauty of meditation is that it can pretty much be done anywhere—at any time. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

14. Put Your Phone on 'Do Not Disturb'

If only for an hour, spending time without texts, emails and Instagram stories looming over your head is so refreshing.

15. Read a Great Book

Book clubs aside, reading is an activity best done alone. Whether you curl up in bed with a cup of tea on a rainy day or head to a local park, digging into that new book you’ve had on your shelf for ages is equal parts relaxing and mentally stimulating. Not sure where to start? Find book recommendations for every kind of reader right here.

16. Have a Solo Dance Party

You + your empty house + Beyoncé’s greatest hits = unbridled joy.

Summary

Even if you're an extrovert through and through, there are tons of fun things to do alone, as proven by the above list. Whether you want to stay in or go out, there are countless options when it comes to keeping yourself entertained and busy without needing to phone a friend. Whether you start small by going to the movies alone or take the plunge and book a solo trip to an exotic locale you've always wanted to visit, being comfortable in your own company is a valuable skill and, once you've done it enough times, a really delightful experience.