The NDP Group, a national market research company, reports that last year, nearly 40 percent of American shoppers opted to give experiences as gifts for the holidays. "Giving an intangible gift, an experience, can be more personal and more memorable for the gift-recipient, and in many ways easier for the gift-giver, making them an ideal holiday gift solution for many consumers," NDP chief industry analyst Marshal Cohen says in the report. Travel ranked highly in the breakdown, and who doesn't dream of a vacation?
We decided to take that gift idea up a notch by going on the hunt for the most unique vacation rentals in cities easily accessible from Chattanooga, offering an experience within an experience. (You're welcome.)
Airbnb's "Secluded In-Town Treehouse" in Atlanta consists of three separate areas connected by rope bridges. There is a sitting room, a bedroom and a hammock den.ATLANTA
» Unique stay: Named Airbnb's No. 1 "most wish-listed property in the world," the Secluded In-Town Treehouse is an intimate urban retreat featuring three furnished rooms supported by seven trees and connected by swinging wooden bridges. Located in the heart of Atlanta, the treehouse suite sleeps two and is available on Airbnb for $375 a night.
» When to go: Feb. 3, 2019, when Super Bowl 53 will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
CHICAGO
The Florsheim Mansion in Chicago is 5,000 square feet of luxury living space. There is a main house and a guest house, connected by the kitchen, along with a large, secluded outdoor garden with a koi pond.» Unique stay: The Florsheim Mansion is an architectural landmark owned by Florsheim Shoes heiress and sculptor Lillian Florsheim. It was originally designed in 1938 by Chicago architect Andrew Rebori as two structures separated by a courtyard, until Florsheim purchased the property from him in 1946. She commissioned her son-in-law, architect Bertrand Goldberg, to connect the two with a second-floor galley kitchen. The home was next owned by Robert Fitzpatrick, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, before becoming one of the city's most striking short-term rental properties. With its exterior of rounded glass and interior filled with modern furniture and contemporary art, it's like spending the night in a museum. The mansion, with three bedrooms in the main house and one in the coach house, ranges between $775 and $1,375 per night and can also be rented together or separately. Visit florsheimmansion.com to reserve.
» When to go: July 10-14, 2019, for Taste of Chicago, the world's biggest celebration of food and drink
CHARLOTTE
» Unique stay: One might expect to find Panthers and Hornets in Charlotte (the city's football and basketball mascots), but emu, zebu, water buffalo and camel? At Darby Safari-Airbnb, you'll not only see those rescued animals and more, you'll stay overlooking the family-run petting zoo. And those who book the $89 two-bedroom, one-bath apartment are treated to four tickets to tour the USDA-licensed farm - as well as farm-fresh eggs.
» When to go: Feb. 15-17, 2019, for NBA All-Star Weekend, which will bring to town some of basketball's biggest names and a host of related activities
NEW YORK CITY
The cozy midships cabin of the Yacht Ventura on the Hudson River in New York City has a seating area and a large bunk.» Unique stay: Sleep aboard the Ventura, a 100-year-old sailing yacht that will drop anchor for the night in front of the Statue of Liberty. Captain and crew will be on a support boat nearby, and will serve you dinner, cocktails and breakfast while you take in the unbeatable views of the city skyline. The two-bedroom, one-bath yacht sleeps four and can be booked via Airbnb for $3,750 per night.
» When to go: May 2019, when the 26,000-square-foot Statue of Liberty Museum will open
The Yacht Ventura on the Hudson River in New York City has a beautiful refinished teak deck.DALLAS
» Unique stay: Invoke the spirit of Westward Expansion with a stay in this updated Airstream trailer available via Airbnb. Boasting a professional contemporary design and other modern touches including a memory foam mattress, it also offers walkability for exploring one of Dallas' trendiest neighborhoods. With its firepit, outdoor shower and sauna, the backyard oasis surrounding the $72-per-night rental offers the perfect wind-down spot for up to three guests. The owners live in the main house on the property but guests have their own private entrance.
» When to go: April 5-7, 2019, when Deep Ellum Arts Festival, which features hundreds of juried artists and live performances, will be celebrating its 25th anniversary
Did someone say ‘experience’?
In November 2016, Airbnb launched an “Experiences” option, offering specialized (and sometimes random) activities with independent hosts in cities across the country. For example, in NYC, you can paint sneakers with a fashion designer, and in Atlanta, you can learn flamenco from a professional dancer.
DETROIT
» Unique stay: This industrial-looking "hut" pays homage to the city's industrious spirit. The automaking capital is experiencing a rebirth after declaring bankruptcy in 2013, and the half-moon structure itself - part of a community of nine such Quonset huts - is actually a throwback to a clump of corrugated steel residences that housed families of men returning from war in the 1940s and '50s. Capable of hosting four guests between the loft queen-size bed and optional air mattress, its light-filled interior is decorated and stocked with items by Detroit makers and artists, from the Shinola turntable to the furniture. The unique and central location is available via Airbnb for $135 per night.
» When to go: August, for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, which draws 1.5 million people and 40,000 classic cars from around the globe to America's first highway
ORLANDO
Orlando's Sweet Escape mansion, a 5-acre private, gated estate, can sleep 52 people. The theme park-like grilling and entertainment area features billiards, a miniature golf course, volleyball, tetherball, a human CandyLand board, giant checkers and chess, and a pool and dining area that easily accommodates 30 or more people.» Unique stay: The 8,000-square-foot Sweet Escape mansion includes an "ice cream social" night club complete with karaoke, disco lighting and commercial arcade games. There are also indoor and outdoor movie theaters, a splash park, and the world's only ice cream cone-shaped swimming pool and Hershey's chocolate slide. The 10 themed bedrooms include the "Milky Way (Bar) Galaxy" room, featuring laser tag and spacecraft beds, as well as the lollipop room, which doubles as a ball pit. Price for three or four days ranges from around $5,000 to about $9,000.
» When to go: Fall 2019, when Walt Disney World's hotly anticipated Star Wars Land is set to open in WDW's Hollywood Studios park
TAMPA BAY AREA
» Unique stay: This tiny house is well-situated in one of Tampa's big draws: Ybor City. The one-bedroom, one-bath casita is a short walk from the attractions, restaurants and nightlife of the historic district's legendary Seventh Avenue, which retains the cultural influence of the immigrating cigar manufacturers and laborers who settled the area in the 1880s. The house itself, meanwhile, echoes the current era's big home trends, with an HGTV-worthy space that packs everything one might need into fewer than 500 square feet. Rent via Airbnb for $110 per night.
» When to go: Jan. 26, 2019, for Gasparilla Pirate Fest, said to be one of the largest parades in the U.S. (and, safe to say, the largest pirate parade)
WASHINGTON, D.C.
» Unique stay: This magnificent mansion was once home to a Civil War hospital and afterwards served as the rectory for St. Augustine Catholic Church, the oldest black Catholic church in the capital. The eight-bedroom, six-bath home features many original details, including stained glass accents and cedar closets originally built to preserve the clergymen's woolen frocks. While elegantly appointed, the most arresting feature is the roof deck with 360-degree views of the city. Located steps from some of D.C.'s iconic attractions, as well as the trendy 14th Street corridor, the house is capable of sleeping 16 guests and can be booked via Airbnb for $400 per night.
» When to go: May, when Passport D.C. annually opens the city's host of embassies to the public and offers cultural festivities across the city throughout the month