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Throughout my travels in New York, I have discovered many unique places worth visiting beyond just New York City. There are different definitions of what constitutes “Upstate New York,” but for the purposes of this article, we’re looking at the broad geographic region that lies both north and west of the New York City metropolitan area.
If you’d like to experience the natural, rural, small-town, and mid-size city areas of the state, consider booking one of these Airbnbs in Upstate New York.
The A-Frame at Harvest Moon Acres, Stamford
This Airbnb rental is a unique cabin on six private acres of land. It is an escape in the Catskills where you can enjoy the sounds and views of nature. This getaway comes with an outdoor fire pit with firewood and everything you need to make s’mores. There’s a large deck with a grill, outdoor seating, hammock, and corn hole game outside too. The interior of the cabin offers a record player, indoor fireplace, laundry machines, and internet. Four people can stay here and sleep on the king-size bed and queen-size bed in the two bedrooms. Nature lovers enjoy it here because it is close to all four Catskills ski mountains, hiking, biking, golfing, fly-fishing, zip-lining, and kayaking.
The Scenic Orchard with Hot Tub & Beautiful Views, Barneveld
A unique way to experience New York is to stay in this shipping container Airbnb for two people. It is a home in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains on a 100-acre estate. The container home comes with great amenities, including a hot tub, fire pit, BBQ grill, hammock, and full kitchen. You’ll be surrounded by a natural paradise and love the fresh air and sunsets. Plan a romantic getaway here and make yourself right at home.
Adirondack Mountainside A-Frame, Jay
Here’s a pet-friendly A-frame cabin in the Jay Range that offers views of Whiteface Mountain. This Airbnb sleeps four people and is located on 30 private acres of land. It has a living room, fireplace, loft bedroom that is accessed by a spiral staircase, and a full kitchen. This is a nice place to stay if you want to be near Lake Placid (20 minutes away) and Lake Champlain (30 minutes away). Guests enjoy the spacious deck with a BBQ grill and vintage claw-foot bathtub as unique touches.
Catskills Back River Road - The Hideaway, Bloomville
Up to five people can stay in this Airbnb hideaway in the Catskills and experience Upstate New York. It is by the Delaware River and has a double bed in one bedroom and three single beds in the second bedroom. The Airbnb host provides wood between November and April to use the indoor fireplace. There is a seasonal outdoor firepit, wood-burning stove, three smart TVs, and board games here. To get outdoors and active, you can head out to the hiking acres right outside the front door and use the host’s bicycles.
Ridge View Walk-Up, New Paltz
You and up to three other people can rent space in this New York guesthouse that is close to the Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park. It has one bedroom with a queen-size bed and a bathroom on the second floor of a carriage house. Guests have a private, first-floor entrance that is backed up to the woods and an open floor plan inside. It is a dog-friendly rental on a five-acre property that is nice to take a walk around. The host family lives in the home next door, but you’ll have plenty of privacy.
Diamond Notch, Mini A-Frame with Spectacular Views, Lexington
To experience the tiny home lifestyle during your trip to New York, consider this rental, which is an off-grid, mini A-frame home. Staying here is a bit of an adventure and requires a five-minute hike in. The host will provide micro-spikes or snowshoes if needed in the winter. The interior offers a propane fireplace for heating, bedding, cooking utensils, and a fire pit. Diamond Notch is 144 square feet in size and is located in the northern Catskill Mountains. The basic bathroom facilities are shared and located down at the Morse Inn farmhouse, which is a five-minute hike away. Bring your hiking boots and a flashlight!
Olde Salem A-Frame Cottage, Sandy Creek
Here’s a cottage available to rent through Airbnb that accommodates six people in New York. It is by North Sandy Pond, across from Lake Ontario, and a cozy A-frame that is earthy and magical. The Salem-inspired cottage is on a quiet camp road surrounded by woods. There are three electric fireplaces onsite, as well as a kitchen, board games, and a reading nook. You can bring your dog along if you pay an extra $25 fee. From here, it’s easy to get to the Salmon River, Salmon River Falls, ATV and snowmobiling trails, Oswego, Watertown, and Syracuse.
Black River Tree House at the Pines, Boonville
The Black River Tree House is a rustic and unique getaway for adults in New York. It is a great place to get off the grid and relax among nature at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. This Airbnb rental sleeps two people and overlooks the Black River. It is a seven-sided treehouse with five glass/screen sides to admire the peaceful scenery around you. It was built around trees, but you enter from the ground level. This is a popular place to stay in the fall because of the colorful autumn foliage. It is near one of the loveliest fall foliage drives, Moose River Road, and on a 19-acre site where you can hike the trails to admire the colors too.
Two-Bedroom Suite and Lounge, Hudson
Situated next to State Route 23B between Hudson and Claverack, this Airbnb rental is a private suite inside a larger home that has two bedrooms, private parking, and Wi-Fi. The historic building dates back to 1848, and the rental comes with an exclusive lounge with a fireplace. Perks of staying here are the apple trees with harvest in mid-September, a pull-out couch, a full bathroom, and laundry services. There is also another rental available in this nine-bedroom home.
Experience Minka Life, King Ferry
Another option for your New York travels is this cozy bungalow just 26 minutes north of Ithaca. It sleeps four people and is 348 square feet in size. The Airbnb rental has a kitchen, patio, and two kayaks that you can use. You can fish from the shore and walk just five minutes up the stream to see a calming waterfall and a small pool. The rental property is along the shore of Cayuga Lake and near two small grocery stores with the basics. There are a few wineries nearby to check out too.
Tiny Tranquility Near City Activity, Rochester
It’s fun to stay in this tiny Rochester home that feels like glamping in a park. It is a small house with a lofted bed, outdoor hot shower, and 165 square feet of space. The loft space has a low ceiling and requires climbing a ladder. There’s a kitchenette in the tiny house that has a mini-fridge, microwave, mini-toaster oven, and coffeemaker. Pets are allowed to stay here with you, and there is a public park behind the property that welcomes dogs.
Fieldstone Suite, Ithaca
For your stay in the Ithaca area, consider this 600-square-foot earthen home that’s close to Cornell University and Ithaca College. It’s in a rural area, private, furnished, and dog-friendly. Up to four people will be comfortable here and enjoy the natural light and comfortable temperature, regardless of the season. Your stay here includes the use of the entire house, yard, and patio. There’s a walking trail onsite that’s perfect for walking your dog. This is an excellent Finger Lakes region getaway that’s near local wineries too.
The Minouche Cabin, Keesville
Two guests can stay in this dog-friendly studio cabin that is rustic and perched on a rock cliff that overlooks Willsboro Bay, Lake Champlain, and the Green Mountains. Cabin Minouche is a few hundred feet from the Airbnb host’s home but provides privacy because it is on a 108-acre plot of land. It is on the outskirts of Keeseville and has a history dating back to around 1812. Definitely plan to visit Ausable Chasm and the North Star Underground Railroad Museum nearby during your stay. The amenities provided at the property include a full kitchen, fire pit, front deck, frisbee golf putting area, hammocks, and dog-friendly hiking trails.
"Far from the Madding Crowd" Cozy Cabin Retreat, Jefferson
Bordering 1,000 acres of wild trails in the state forest, Cabin Clack is a stream-side retreat and historic hunting cabin that dates back to 1935. This is an ideal spot for solo adventures, couples, and families with kids. It welcomes pets and sleeps up to four people. You’ll have a peaceful stay in this one-room cabin with a full bed, kitchenette, wood-burning stove, and back porch. The rental also comes with an outdoor fire pit with firewood, and there is a spring-fed pond where you can go for a swim. Within an hour’s drive, you can drive to the Windham and Plattekill ski areas. There are apple trees on the property, and you can collect apples and use the hosts’ apple press to make your own apple cider!
Dave's Milk Barn, High Falls
This very popular and highly-rated Airbnb accommodates three guests in a renovated milk barn on a working farm. The sleeping spaces with a queen-size bed and single bed are in lofts that require climbing vertical ladders. The space offers a wood stove, kitchen, living room, bathroom, and running water. The rental space used to be a dairy barn in the 1940s and was renovated by a master carpenter. It is a quirky and creative space that is fully insulated and has the original vaulted ceiling intact.
