There’s nothing quite like arriving at Labor Day, leaning back and thinking, “That was one hell of a summer.” On the other hand, you might find yourself wondering why the hell you didn’t do more. The easiest way to avoid this tragedy is to embrace summer Fridays, seize the long weekend and spend some vacation days on making the most of the three months when the northern half of the country becomes pleasant and the southern half remains so. Head to the beach and take in equal opportunities to exhaust yourself with activity and wallow in sloth, catching a tan either way. Want to get the most bang for your buck? As we found during our hunt for winter cabins, the best way to get the best places for the least cash is Airbnb. We scoured the US (and beyond) and found 14 of the best cabins, houses, villas and cottages to make the most of this summer.
Cliffside Serenity in Machiasport, Maine
Bedrooms: 2
Number of Guests: 4
Nearby: Bangor, ME (2 hours), Acadia National Park
Best For: A quick escape from the nation’s capital to a beautiful bit of prefab architecture.
Journey to the Pacific in Arch Cape, Oregon
Bedrooms: 4
Number of Guests: 10
Nearby: Portland, OR (1 hour 45 minutes), Pacific Ocean (15 seconds)
Best For: A medium-sized exodus from Portland.
Embrace Simplicity in Albion, California
Bedrooms: 1
Number of Guests: 2
Nearby: Mendocino, Santa Rosa
Best For: Great views, easy access, simple living.
Explore A New Frontier in Havana, Cuba
Bedrooms: 2
Number of Guests: 6
Nearby: A bustling city on the cusp
Best For: Seizing new trade opportunities.
Leave Issues Down South in Muir Beach, CA
Bedrooms: 2
Number of Guests: 4
Nearby: San Francisco’s less than an hour away
Best For: Decompression.
Embrace Right Angles in Amagansett, New York
Bedrooms: 2
Number of Guests: 4
Nearby: The Hamptons, Montauk
Best For: Corbusiers, NYC long weekends
Keep Going to Montauk, New York
Bedrooms: 3
Number of Guests: 8
Nearby: The Surf Lodge, Ditch Plains
Best For: Those looking to see a beach town in its prime.
Do your Best JFK in Nantucket, MA
Bedrooms: 5
Number of Guests: 8
Nearby: Downtown Nantucket, Miacomet Beach
Best For: Island life, fish-colored shorts.
Represent the Interior in Algoma, Wisconsin
Bedrooms: 3
Number of Guests: 7
Nearby: Green Bay, Lake Michigan
Best For: Embracing the best of Great Lakes summers.
A Quick Escape in Samoa, California
Bedrooms: 2
Number of Guests: 6
Nearby: Eureka.
Best For: Quality design, bayside relaxation.
Keep It Simple in Carmel, California
Bedrooms: 1
Number of Guests: 2
Nearby: Monterrey, The Pebble Beach Concours
Best For: An escape for two from San Francisco.
Go Big in Haena, Hawaii
Bedrooms: 1
Number of Guests: 3
Nearby: Endless natural beauty in Kauai’s interior
Best For: Cashing in on those vacation days in a big way.
Hit the Outer Banks in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
Bedrooms: 2
Number of Guests: 4
Nearby: Wright Brothers Memorial, endless beaches
Best For: Aviation enthusiasts, relaxation enthusiasts.
Hang With the Stars in Malibu, California
Bedrooms: 2
Number of Guests: 5
Nearby: The canyons, top-notch surfing
Best For: Unbeatable cycling, unbeatable surfing, and a quick(ish) drive to L.A.
