The 51 Most Wishlisted Airbnbs in Every State—and D.C.
If your travel or business trips call for visiting a big city, it can be hard to beat the convenience and reliability of a major hotel. But here’s the thing—beyond the free breakfast of eggs from a carton, when was the last time a traditional hotel stay was so impressive that it earned a spot on your travel bucket list? That’s a big reason to consider a vacation rental property and explore some of the best Airbnbs in some of the most stunning corners of the U.S., especially come summer. You won’t believe what’s out there.
Not only do rental properties tend to be less expensive than hotels—by about 32 percent—but if you’re traveling with a group of friends, taking a multigenerational trip, or even trying to plan a unique couple’s getaway, an Airbnb can be much more affordable while ensuring plenty of privacy and the sort of character and charm that no chain hotel can replicate. The right rental, and the unique experience it provides, can play as big a role in your memory-making as what you ate, where you hiked, and what makes its way onto your smartphone camera roll.
Related: The 10 Best European Summer Vacations Without Crowds
Each year, Airbnb releases its most wishlisted properties. From quaint coastal retreats to spectacular treehouses and everything in between, these are among the most popular Airbnbs in America. Stoke your wanderlust with these rentals that users pin to a “one day I’d like to stay there” list, in the same way Patagonia, the Dolomites, and Scottish Highlands earn a spot for adventures, culinary traditions, and history. When’s the last time you had an Indianapolis Hilton pinned to any sort of list beyond surviving a work conference?
Scroll on through, build your own adventure wish list, and then make plans well in advance, since these 51 spectacular Airbnb picks in every U.S. state (and D.C.) are getting snatched up fast this summer.
Most Wishlisted Airbnbs at a Glance
- Best Airbnb in the Trees: Wanderlust at Firefly Treehouses, Alabama
- Best Airbnb Near a National Park: Zion EcoCabin, Utah
- Best Airbnb for Architecture Fans: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Eppstein House, Michigan
- Best Airbnb for Far-Flung Adventures: Glacier Breeze Cabin, Alaska
- Best Airbnb for Tropical Escapes: Coconut Cottage, Hawaii
- Best Airbnb for Stargazers: Starlight Tent, Arizona
- Best Airbnb for Urban Vacationers: Luxe Jersey Glass House, New Jersey
- Best Airbnb in Lake Country: Lakefront Cottage at Long Pond, New Hampshire
- Best Airbnb in the Old West: Western Saloon Cabin, Idaho
- Best Airbnb for Beach Lovers: Delaware Bay Beach House, Delaware
- Best Airbnb for Novelty Seekers: Roswell Missile Silo, New Mexico
- Plus 40 More Top-Wishlisted Airbnbs in Every Other U.S. State and Washington D.C.
Best Airbnb in the Trees: Wanderlust at Firefly Treehouses, Alabama 
Wanderlust at Firefly Treehouses: Crane Hill, AL
Airbnb Community
It’s not too often you can stay in a treehouse worthy of being featured in Architectural Digest. Lifted about 15 feet in the trees in northern Alabama, Wanderlust at Firefly Treehouses are a short drive from Bankhead National Forest, and perched over 40 acres of remote woods where the only noise you’ll hear at night will be of the forest breathing and its critters. With easy access to a boat launch, horseback riding, and hiking trails, this house provides plenty of great outdoor escapes. There’s no Wi-Fi or TVs—and that’s a good thing, right?—but you’re close enough to town to grab a craft beer and smoky barbecue, and mingle with the locals.
Best Airbnb Near a National Park: Zion EcoCabin, Utah 
Zion EcoCabin: Hildale, UT
Ethan Abitz
With Zion National Park less than an hour away, this home makes extended trips exploring one of Utah’s most spectacular desertscapes easy. The A-frame Zion EcoCabin puts the South Zion Mountains in full view with a wall of the house that opens up, overhead, to fully embrace the warm breeze and morning sun. After a day of exploring the park, or local trails, retreat back here to grill up dinner and relax on the patio as the sun sets.
Best Airbnb for Architecture Fans: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Eppstein House, Michigan 
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Eppstein House: Galesburg, MI
Airbnb Community
Tucked between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek is an Airbnb with serious architectural cred. Eppstein House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1947 and was finished a few years later. This midcentury modern has all the classic FLW touchstones, including a low-slung roofline, large windows, plenty of hardwood details, and an open floor plan. A recent renovation has preserved the look and whimsy of the original design while updating it for modern living, which keeps five guests comfortably spread over three bedrooms.
Best Airbnb for Far-Flung Adventures: Glacier Breeze Cabin, Alaska 
Glacier Breeze Cabin: Palmer, AK
Airbnb Community
Staying in this 280-square-foot, single-room cabin means living a minimalist lifestyle for a long weekend in exchange for a Bob Ross painting outside each window. Tucked into the Kink River Valley, about an hour’s scenic drive northeast of Anchorage, Glacier Breeze Cabin‘s backyard is adorned with the Chugach Mountains and maybe some moose. Come after September for a shot at seeing the Northern Lights.
Best Airbnb for Tropical Escapes: Coconut Cottage, Hawaii 
Coconut Cottage: Pahoa, HI
Airbnb Community
Fly into Hilo and drive to Pahoa on the southeast corner of the Big Island, where five minutes from your bed at Coconut Cottage you’ll find that famed black sand beach. Enjoy quick access to Hawaii’s top adventures from your charming home, which include snorkeling, kayaking, and (about an hour away) Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The one-bedroom cabin sleeps two, and offers a more authentic Hawaiian experience than resorts overrun with tourists.
Best Airbnb for Stargazers: Starlight Tent, Arizona 
Starlight Tent: Holbrook, AZ
Airbnb Community
Stargazing requires getting away from light pollution. Tucked between Petrified Forest National Park and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Starlight Tent fulfills that requirement on a desert plain with not much else around, save for a neighboring tent and shared portable restroom. The closest thing you can walk to is an original Pony Express building dating back to the 1800s. During the day, you can kick back in a hammock before taking in the star show at night—but pack some fuel to run the heaters on chilly evenings.
Best Airbnb for Urban Vacationers: Luxe Jersey Glass House, New Jersey 
Luxe Jersey Glass House: Elizabeth, NJ
Airbnb Community
While the indoor swing might grab your attention for Instagram, this rental’s location is the star. It’s just 25 minutes from New York City, meaning you can be relaxing after a night out in Manhattan via a short train or cab ride. The interior of Luxe Jersey Glass House is light-drenched with graphic wallpaper treatments, mirrored walls, and a “Netflix & Chill” package available upon request.
Best Airbnb in Lake Country: Lakefront Cottage at Long Pond, New Hampshire 
Lakefront Cottage at Long Pond: Lempster, NH
Airbnb Community
While New Hampshire only has about 18 miles of coastline, this home has almost 400 feet of it right outside the door—thanks to Long Pond. The rustic Lakefront Cottage hides modern amenities inside for up to four guests. Spend the days kayaking (or snowshoeing in winter), skipping stones, and swimming. Then clean up in the outdoor shower before the “What’s for dinner?” conversations start up.
Best Airbnb in the Old West: Western Saloon Cabin, Idaho 
Western Saloon Cabin: Tetonia, ID
Airbnb Community
Live out your Wild West dreams at Western Saloon Cabin, a funky one-bedroom abode that sleeps four. It sits on 10 acres with the Grand Tetons in your front yard. Inside, you can hang out and play pool, but the real treats are out in the fresh Idaho air. They include stunning sunrises and sunsets, soaking in the saltwater hot tub nearby, and evenings around the campfire.
Best Airbnb for Beach Lovers: Delaware Bay Beach House, Delaware 
Delaware Bay Beach House: Milford, DE
Airbnb Community
Delaware Bay Beach House offers simple bay living a few steps outside of its two-story, front row beach house, where you can relax by the fire pit or cook on an old-school grill. Views extend out over Delaware Bay, with Cape May, NJ, on the other side. Lounge on the sand with a beach read and horseshoe crab neighbors by day. Enjoy pure bayside privacy at night—and crack open that bottle of wine from your host.
Best Airbnb for Novelty Seekers: Roswell Missile Silo, New Mexico 
Roswell Missile Silo: Roswell, NM
Airbnb Community
Few towns on this list stir up emotional oddities like Roswell, NM, and this upper level of a missile base bunker is sure to do that. A utility tunnel leads you nearly 200 feet down to Roswell Missile Silo‘s private apartment—complete with Wi-Fi and cellular—which once connected to the tall silo that held the missile. There’s no shortage of wild photo ops down here, and your friendly host can fill you in on the full history of the place. You’ll need all that, because your friends aren’t going to believe you retreated to a missile silo.
More Most-Wishlisted Airbnbs in Every Other U.S. State and Washington, D.C.
Airbnb Community
While some treehouses are rudimentary shelters ideal for mild summers, this one—tucked in a woodland retreat in northern Arkansan and walkable to the Buffalo River—is climate-controlled, and might be most magical when covered by a layer of snow. After traversing a 45-foot-long walkway, you’ll reach the front door and a wall of windows that form the face of the A-frame Bridge House Chalet Tree House‘s facade. Once you get comfortable, head out to hike, bike, fish for trout, paddle in a canoe, or take in the landscape from the home’s hot tub.
Invisible House: Joshua Tree, CA 
Airbnb Community
With space for eight, this modern gem, covered in reflective glass that provides privacy while maximizing views, sits on 90 acres just outside of Joshua Tree National Park. Once you’ve had your fill of exploring the property’s 4,000-foot peak, trails, or access through the west entrance of the national park, retreat back to Invisible House‘s 5,500 square feet of minimalist living space—if you consider an included 100-foot heated indoor pool to be an unfussy way to live.
Cliff House: Cortez, CO 
Laura & Grant Blakeman
There is sleeping on a mountain, and then there’s Cliff House—where the red rock of the Ute Mountain, in historic McElmo Canyon near the Utah border, crashes the party in the living room with walls of exposed sandstone. The backyard offers views of grassland, prairie, more gorgeous rocks, and the opportunity for eagle-eye guests to spot foxes, deer, marmots, and mountain lions.
Bluebird Farms Treehouse: Willington, CT 
Christopher Funk & Ethan Abitz
About an hour outside of Boston’s noise and hustle is this cabin in the sky, adjacent to true country living—with barns, gardens, a farmhouse, and gazebo all set on a working farm. The soundtrack to your long weekend might include some noise from tractors and livestock. Spend your days at Bluebird Farms Treehouse visiting quaint New England towns that embrace a slower pace, with afternoons at farmer’s markets and wineries, and evenings at the drive-in movies.
Anastasia A-Frame: St. Augustine, FL 
Airbnb Community
Just a short drive to (and peaceful reprieve from) the trolly-clanging themed tourism of historic St. Augustine—aka “America’s oldest city”—this fully-remodeled, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom Anastasia A-Frame home is equipped with a roomy loft and will comfortably sleep six. A grassy, private backyard provides plenty of exterior privacy between easy walks to neighboring cafes, restaurants, and those slower-paced, Old Florida beaches bearing no resemblance to the Miami coast a few hundred miles south.
Nature’s Nook Treehouse: Dahlonega, GA 
Airbnb Community
A living oak tree runs right through this compact, modern treehouse tucked in northern Georgia’s wine country. After a day of sampling the local vintages, relax on a pair of decks looking out onto a fern-covered valley. While the interior of Nature’s Nook Treehouse feels cozy and relaxing, the home’s smart use of its compact space can accommodate up to four guests.
Arcade House: Chicago, IL 
Airbnb Community
Now you can have the epic ’90s birthday party your parents never threw you—with room for a dozen competitive guests spread over three bedrooms. Spend hours playing numerous arcade games, foosball, and air hockey, or watch a movie in Arcade House‘s home theater. If the kids are getting on your nerves, unwind in the hot tub or the massage chair. And if your eyes start hurting from all that screen time, take a stroll to the nearby mall—another holdover from your youth.
Plāhaus Cabin: Nashville, IN 
Airbnb Community
Set in a quiet patch of woods far from that other Nashville, this modern cabin offers the right mix of peace and quiet, with the opportunity to check out shops and restaurants in town a few miles away. Inside, Plāhaus Cabin‘s two-bedroom and three bathrooms offer modern touches like crips lines, plywood walls, and stylish deck furniture that makes the perfect spot for your morning coffee.
Modernest Guest House: Des Moines, IA 
Airbnb Community
Modernest Guest House in Des Moines has room for five guests, with access to outdoor amenities like a fenced-in, dog-friendly four-acre yard equipped with a pool, fire pit, and patio. On hot summer nights, throw open the garage door, exposing the rental’s kitchen, for al fresco cooking, or head into town (about 10 minutes away) to for a night out or to restock supplies.
Dome on the Range: Baileyville, KS 
Airbnb Community
Dome on the Range—a 10-sided dome set on the vast northern plains of Kansas—offers a unique stay, both inside and out. The soaring, modern teepee has a cupola up top that floods the interior with light, which keeps the cozy, naturally finished wood walls nice and bright. The loft bedroom has two beds and a couch with a small deck out back to enjoy the unique quiet of the Sunflower State.
Lions Lair in the Trees: Stanton, KY 
Airbnb Community
Come down from your house in the trees to explore the Red River Gorge by climbing, hiking, and fishing. Lions Lair in the Trees is a single-bedroom house on stilts that sleeps four and features great outdoor decks to take in the quiet of the forest at night. It’s the perfect woodsy hideaway for grilling and enjoying conversation around a fire.
Houseboat on a Lake: Colfax, LA 
Airbnb Community
Ideal for a couple, Houseboat on Lake Latt is surrounded by cypress trees and dragonflies for a weekend of fishing and paddling. The house doesn’t have running water, and you’ll have to walk to the private bathroom, but it works as a base for adventuring in the area and returning to a shelter that has air conditioning—which is kind of a big deal in Louisiana.
Copper Fox Treehouse: Pownal, ME 
Ridgelight Studio
Just east of Freeport—L.L.Bean country—you’ll find Copper Fox Treehouse, a fun hideaway that uses modern styling to mimic the head of a red fox, right down to the dormers standing in for the pointed ears. The house shares six acres with the owner’s private residence, right next to Bradbury Mountain State Park. Cozy up with a book on a beanbag chair mattress and take in all the interesting design touches throughout this unique spot, like the gold finishes and roomy lofts occupying the fox’s ears.
Whispering Woods Treehouse: McHenry, MD 
Airbnb Community
Sure, Whispering Woods is a treehouse, but it’s not exactly roughing it with two bedrooms and bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a 65-inch TV. The wood theme you see outside carries inside where it mixes with modern amenities. A spiral staircase moves you upstairs to a separate seating area for a bit of privacy, while a fire pit on the back patio is a magnet for the whole gang before or after dinner.
Third Cliff Coastal Retreat: Scituate, MA 
Airbnb Community
Massachusetts has no shortage of small beach bungalows dotting the coast all the way to the Cape, but this compound about an hour south of Boston is the reason to book a group trip. Third..
