8 of the Coolest Airbnbs You Don’t Need a Passport to Visit
April 18, 2016
If you ask us, there’s no better excuse for a weekend getaway (or a staycation) than the chance to crash somewhere special. Luckily, these rentals definitely qualify. From treehouses to castles, camper vans to boats, here are eight of the coolest Airbnbs you can book right now. Exploring the surrounding areas would be great and all, but with digs these nice, it’s tempting to just stay in.
FOR IRON CHEFS (WASHINGTON, D.C.):
First, go see a recreation of Julia Child's kitchen in the Smithsonian. Then, head home and whip up some sole meunière of your own. For food-loving galavanters, this swank D.C. Airbnb should more than fit the bill. Just next to your bed, you'll find a sprawling, pro-level kitchen, which comes equipped with everything from a 60" Vulcan stove to a deli meat slicer. After all, what city break doesn't include hand-sliced prosciutto?
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR GALLERY HOPPERS (NEW YORK):
Despite its location on 86th street, this unabashedly colorful Airbnb is all about the downtown vibe, thanks to its Keith Haring-inspired murals, kitchen disco balls, hallway graffiti, and neon lights. And if that's still not arty enough for ya, you're also just steps from the masterpieces of Museum Mile. Whaddup, Picasso?
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR ARCHITECTURE WORSHIPPERS (CHICAGO):
If you’re looking for an exalted experience, this Wicker Park property—a church before it was converted into a one-bedroom apartment—certainly fits the bill. Peep some of the preserved architectural features, from stained glass windows to soaring ceilings. (And if you wanna do a sing-along, we bet the acoustics are pretty impressive.)
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR KIDS AT HEART (ATLANTA):
Not only is this one of the coolest Airbnbs in the U.S., it's one of the coolest on Earth. (Seriously—the site named it the #1 most wish-listed Airbnb property worldwide.) Looking at it, there's little wonder why. Though it's located in Atlanta, this light-spangled treehouse feels like it's hidden away in the woods. It's got rope bridges. It's got an open-air deck. It's got a soundtrack of crickets and frogs at night. Sorry, childhood treehouses—you've lost this round.
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR WOULD-BE SEAFARERS (LA):
Calling all beach bums: in this Marina del Rey Airbnb, you won't just be one block from the Pacific. You'll actually be sleeping in the stern of a boat. Though it might *technically* be land-bound, the property also comes with a beach bag, volleyball, Frisbee, beach chairs, and umbrella—even a full-sized charcoal grill—for guest use. Just remember to pack about a gallon of sunscreen.
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR GLAMPERS (SEATTLE):
Planning to use your next city break to get away from it all? Sure, you'll still be within Seattle city limits when booking at this Airbnb...but given that you'll be crashing in a hand-crafted camper van—in the middle of a verdant yard—it'll definitely feel like a break from hectic city living. Just be sure to get your booking in pronto, as this is the last summer the van will be available to crash in.
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR ART DECO DREAMERS (PORTLAND):
This Portland property is called "Deco Dream" and we won't be the ones to argue. Built by a veggie burger entrepreneur in the '80s (no, really), every last detail of this Airbnb has been Deco-fied, from the light-up fireworks mural to the crescent-shaped couches and that hypnotizing patterned carpet. Then there's the living room stage and cinema screen. Go big (or go home).
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR MODERN ROYALS (SAN FRANCISCO):
All right, so it might've been built in the 1920s and not the 1300s. But this San Francisco Airbnb's looks were inspired by a medieval French fortress, and the property includes a fish pond, stained glass windows, Rapunzel-style climbing vines, and an all-important turret. (No self-respecting castle would be caught without one.)
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR IRON CHEFS (WASHINGTON, D.C.):
First, go see a recreation of Julia Child's kitchen in the Smithsonian. Then, head home and whip up some sole meunière of your own. For food-loving galavanters, this swank D.C. Airbnb should more than fit the bill. Just next to your bed, you'll find a sprawling, pro-level kitchen, which comes equipped with everything from a 60" Vulcan stove to a deli meat slicer. After all, what city break doesn't include hand-sliced prosciutto?
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR GALLERY HOPPERS (NEW YORK):
Despite its location on 86th street, this unabashedly colorful Airbnb is all about the downtown vibe, thanks to its Keith Haring-inspired murals, kitchen disco balls, hallway graffiti, and neon lights. And if that's still not arty enough for ya, you're also just steps from the masterpieces of Museum Mile. Whaddup, Picasso?
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR ARCHITECTURE WORSHIPPERS (CHICAGO):
If you’re looking for an exalted experience, this Wicker Park property—a church before it was converted into a one-bedroom apartment—certainly fits the bill. Peep some of the preserved architectural features, from stained glass windows to soaring ceilings. (And if you wanna do a sing-along, we bet the acoustics are pretty impressive.)
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR KIDS AT HEART (ATLANTA):
Not only is this one of the coolest Airbnbs in the U.S., it's one of the coolest on Earth. (Seriously—the site named it the #1 most wish-listed Airbnb property worldwide.) Looking at it, there's little wonder why. Though it's located in Atlanta, this light-spangled treehouse feels like it's hidden away in the woods. It's got rope bridges. It's got an open-air deck. It's got a soundtrack of crickets and frogs at night. Sorry, childhood treehouses—you've lost this round.
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR WOULD-BE SEAFARERS (LA):
Calling all beach bums: in this Marina del Rey Airbnb, you won't just be one block from the Pacific. You'll actually be sleeping in the stern of a boat. Though it might *technically* be land-bound, the property also comes with a beach bag, volleyball, Frisbee, beach chairs, and umbrella—even a full-sized charcoal grill—for guest use. Just remember to pack about a gallon of sunscreen.
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR GLAMPERS (SEATTLE):
Planning to use your next city break to get away from it all? Sure, you'll still be within Seattle city limits when booking at this Airbnb...but given that you'll be crashing in a hand-crafted camper van—in the middle of a verdant yard—it'll definitely feel like a break from hectic city living. Just be sure to get your booking in pronto, as this is the last summer the van will be available to crash in.
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR ART DECO DREAMERS (PORTLAND):
This Portland property is called "Deco Dream" and we won't be the ones to argue. Built by a veggie burger entrepreneur in the '80s (no, really), every last detail of this Airbnb has been Deco-fied, from the light-up fireworks mural to the crescent-shaped couches and that hypnotizing patterned carpet. Then there's the living room stage and cinema screen. Go big (or go home).
Image courtesy of Airbnb
FOR MODERN ROYALS (SAN FRANCISCO):
All right, so it might've been built in the 1920s and not the 1300s. But this San Francisco Airbnb's looks were inspired by a medieval French fortress, and the property includes a fish pond, stained glass windows, Rapunzel-style climbing vines, and an all-important turret. (No self-respecting castle would be caught without one.)
Image courtesy of Airbnb
