10 Unbelievable Upstate NY Escapes You Can Rent by the Night

Home-sharing sites like Airbnb and Home Away often spell trouble in the big city, but just about everywhere else, they’re an excellent opportunity for individuals to not only explore a new place, but live in a home they would never otherwise dream of inhabiting. We’ve rounded up a handful of unique summer escapes that promise to offer an unforgettable experience. From an eco-friendly yurt to an upstate barn renovated by local artisans to the woodland retreat where President Calvin Coolidge kicked off his boots to an ultra-modernist retreat in the middle of the forest, get to know all of these dreamy upstate New York hideaways ahead and then grab your friends and family for some out-of-city fun. We’ve got something for just about every budget!

Where: New Paltz, NY
Distance from the city: 1.5 hours by car
Price: $325/night for the whole house

We recently featured the listing for this incredible dome home on 6sqft, but as it turns out, if you’re more interested in taking it for a test drive than forking over a cool mil, here’s your chance. Built in 1999, this massive residence welcomes guests in to enjoy its pristine three bedrooms and trippy curved, floor-to-ceiling windows and 40-foot ceilings by the night. The home also has a 28-acre forest at its doorstep, and the hamlet of New Paltz offers tons of delectable eats, including a number of Zagat-rated restaurants. Oh, and did we mention the spaceship-like pad rotates 360 degrees at the push of a button?

Get a closer look inside here, or book a stay here.

Where: Chichester, NY
Distance from the city: 2.5 hours by car
Price: $335/night for the whole house

If you’re looking to close out any semblance of city life entirely, head to this secluded cabin located on 158 private acres in Chichester. On-site you’ll find an extra deep Japanese tub for soaking and comfy spaces which include a living room, dining area and a sitting area complete with wood stove. Guests are also provided with a well-stocked kitchen, access to a 40-foot veggie garden and memory foam mattresses. In addition to stunning views, you might see a deer, black bear, bobcat, coyote, turkey, pheasant, porcupine, and/or a mountain lion during your stay.

Get a closer look inside and book a stay here.

Where: Accord, NY
Distance from the city: 2 hours by car
Price: $500/night for the whole house

Dubbed “The Rubber House,” this modern retreat in Accord is perfect for those who want to be out in the great outdoors but don’t want to stray too far from the creature comforts of contemporary living. The home was originally built for famed choreographer Eugene Loring, then sold to an Oscar-winning actor, and today is owned by an American ballerina and a British editor. This home doesn’t skimp on the frills and comes with large living quarters, a vaulted glass chef’s kitchen, a fireplace, a library, a dance studio, a wood deck, a two-person tub, and a mud room. And as it’s located by the Mohonk nature preserve, there are also tons of hiking trails and lakes to explore nearby.

Get a closer look inside and book a stay here.

Where: Tivoli, NY
Distance from the city: 2 hours by car
Price: $666/night for the whole house

Another wonderful little retreat we’ve featured before, this charming wood barn home located on a 4.5-acre oasis in the middle of the Hudson Valley has everything you could possibly want: There are cozy wooden interiors, it’s surrounded by gardens, it has its own pond, there’s small yoga deck right next to a stream, and there’s even a cozy deck at the back. This bohemian chic home is the creation and renovation of local artisans, which, as you can see, is reflected in its eclectic form.

Get a closer look inside here, or book a stay here.

Where: Narrowsburg, NY
Distance from the city: 2.5 hours by car
Price: $750/night for the whole house

Modern architecture finds its place in this stunning 200-year-old homestead nestled in the Catskills. Called the “Floating Farmhouse,” it is the creation of self-taught designer Tom Givone. Like the “Rubber House” above, this stunner is all about luxury and comfort, outfitted with polished concrete floors, minimalist interiors, and a cantilevered porch that makes the home appear to float on the lake. Come here and lose yourself reflecting on the tranquil waters just outside its doors.

Get a closer look inside here, or book a stay here.

Where: Narrowsburg, NY
Distance from the city: 2 hours by car
Price: $175/night for the whole house

The Beaverbrook Cottage looks like it came straight out of a storybook and it has all the makings you need to create your very own fairytale. Located within an old-growth forest surrounded by bush blueberries and wildlife, the two-story, two-bedroom house is a peaceful retreat far, far from the urban bustle. Guests enjoy a full kitchen, wood stove, piano, screened gazebo, gardens and a fire circle. Spacious and no-fuss decors also make it easy to forget about the stresses of living in the city and refocus on nature—and yourself.

Get a closer look inside here, or book a stay here.

Where: Little Falls, NY
Distance from the city: 3.5 hours by car
Price: Rooms starting at $139/night

Comfortably nestled within the Mohawk Valley, the Burrell Overlook Mansion is a Victorian beauty that seems to have stood the test of time. The mansion was formerly a farmstead and once served as the home of a quirky inventor who paired the structure with a self-sustaining hydroelectric power generator that, amazingly, remains functional to this day. But while the mansion was once a playground for wacky ideas, today it operates as a peaceful bed and breakfast and historical hideaway in the valley.

Get a closer look inside here, or book a stay here.

Where: Adirondacks; Paul Smiths, NY
Distance from the city: 5 hours by car
Price: Cabins and cottages starting at $165/night

Situated right in the heart of the Adirondacks, the White Pine Camp is a historic accommodation that was once the secret summer house of President Calvin Coolidge. Today, the property features 13 cozy rentable cabins and cottages that offer a year-round restful retreat in unparalleled natural surroundings. Each of the accommodations feature soaring roof lines, hand-built Adirondack style furniture, stone fireplaces or wood stoves, and breathtaking views. Guests of the compound are invited to canoe, boat, kayak, and swim in the local crystal clear waters. You can also go hiking or just hang in the vintage bowling alley that was once used by President Coolidge himself.

Get a closer look inside here, or book a stay here.

Where: Trumansburg, NY
Distance from the city: 4.5 hours by car
Price: $100/night

“Burrow in this Adorable Burro!” says the listing. A totally no frills experience, this quirky little retreat is large enough for a couple (though one that is not too tall, they say), but forgoes pretty much all the basics including a shower, bathroom and running water. If you really want a memorable, Instagram-worthy adventure, look no further than this tiny trailer in Trumansburg. The rules, however, are a must-read.

Get a closer look inside and book a stay here.

Where: Newfield, NY
Distance from the city: 4 hours by car
Price: $218/night for the whole yurt

If living more simply is on your 2015 to-do list, a few days away in this yurt will help you on your way. Located in Newfield, this yurt-for-rent comes with a garden full of goldfinches and sunflowers visible from every window and a locale far away from the busy city life. This Mongolian-inspired retreat offers the perfect spot for unwinding Upstate.

Get a closer look inside here, or book a stay here.

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Looking for some short, day trip ideas? Be sure to check out: Eight Artsy Daycation Escapes from New York to Visit This Summer