Top 10 Airbnb Travel Trends for July 4th Weekend

Summer officially starts this week, and people just like you and me have already switched to summer mode, and are planning getaways for the summer season. Just last week my wife and I spent some time reviewing possible locations and ultimately decided on a tropical getaway this year.

So, with many Americans scheduling their yearly trek to anywhere, the folks at Airbnb took a look at where all of their users are headed for Independence Day weekend in 2023, and they discovered some interesting trends in their research.

Apparently, we just want to go somewhere, anywhere, we just want to travel and get out of town. According to Airbnb data, searches in 2023 for stays over the July 4th weekend saw a significant jump from last year.  Also, family bookings are the largest share of overall nights reserved for the July 4th holiday period, as noted by the biggest homestay company.

They found that the most popular categories searched, and places booked within them for the holiday include "Amazing Pools," "Rare Finds," and not surprisingly, "Lake" and "Beach."

As to where they're headed, the answer is everywhere and anywhere. Bookings are up for places like Mykonos, Greece, and Florence and Sorrento in Italy and the Amalfi Coast, but also places you might not, like Cincinnati, Ohio, and Louisville, Kentucky.

Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Lamberton, Minnesota will also see travelers, according to Airbnb, thanks to affordable options that offer a room for as little as $67 per night.

According to Airbnb here are the top trending destinations Americans are searching for on July 4th weekend:

America is known for many good things, from fast food to NFL football to land as far as the eye can see. Of course, you'll also find many beautiful lakes in America.

With so many lakes across the United States, you're probably within driving distance of a fantastic lake of some sort. So, which lakes are the absolutely best in America? It's a tough question. I mean, everyone looks for something different in a lake. Some people love large lakes that look almost like the ocean, while other thrive at small, inland lakes where you can always see the shore. But, there are some lakes that stand above the rest when it comes to beauty and popularity.

I've put together a list of the "11 Most Beautiful Lakes in America," offering a little bit of something for everyone. These lakes are found all across America, so wherever you live, one of these probably is relatively close to you. We're heading into the perfect season to visit a lake, too. For those who aren't lucky enough to live near the ocean, going to a lake is the next best thing. So, get your sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and bikini or trunks and check out 11 lakes to visit. Find a USA travel guide here.

Seneca Lake is the biggest of the 11 glacial Finger Lakes. It's 38 miles long and more than 618 feet deep, making it one of the deepest lakes in America. What's extra cool is that the U.S. Navy even does some testing for submarines in this lake, because of its depth.

https://www.fingerlakes.org/explore/lakes/seneca

If you've ever been to Yellowstone Park, you've probably visited Yellowstone Lake. The massive lake is a part of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. It's actually the biggest lake in the park and one of the biggest highly elevated freshwater lakes in North America.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/yellowstone-lake.htm

The famous Lake Tahoe is located right on the state line between California and Nevada. It's stunning, as it is surrounded by the glorious Sierra Nevada Mountains. This is the largest alpine lake in North America, making it a must-see lake.

https://visitlaketahoe.com/

Here's a special lake located within the Nantahala National Forest and surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. This is also a very pure lake, as its shoreline is mostly protected from development. It's a beautiful destination for fishing, jumping in a canoe or kayak or a picnic.

https://www.romanticasheville.com/lake-santeetlah

Hanging Lake is so glorious. It's located in the middle of Glenwood Canyon in the White River National Forest, and it's actually part of the Southern Rocky Mountains. This lake "was formed by a geologic fault which caused the lake bed to drop away from the valley floor above," according to the USDA Forest Service, and is a designated National Natural Landmark.

https://visitglenwood.com/hanginglake/

The Great Lakes are, of course, some of the most famous lakes in the world. One that's often left of best-of lists is Lake Superior. It's the largest freshwater lake in the world and has a whopping 10% of the world's surface freshwater. Drink up.

https://www.michiganseagrant.org/topics/great-lakes-fast-facts/lake-superior/

Lake Michigan is simply a landmark. It's actually the most deadly lake in America, due to the high volume of drownings. But, aside from the scary, it's a beautiful and large lake. The lake is spread over more than 307 miles, and there are many beach towns across those miles.

https://www.michigan.org/

Located in the northern part of Georgia, Lake Lanier runs nearly 40,000 acres. It stems from the construction of the Buford Dam. This lake is known for its super clear water. The water is actually crystal blue. How beautiful, right?

https://lakelanier.com/

Lake Jocassee is in the Appalachian Mountains, and it's actually a man-made reservoir. Its water flows from the mountains. This is another lake known for its very clear water, so you get to see all the fish and underwater creatures when you look down into the water flow.

https://southcarolinaparks.com/devils-fork

Lake Okeechobee is the biggest freshwater lake in Florida. It's a very popular spot for largemouth bass fishing. Those who visit the lake get to learn the history and today's experience of the Seminole community at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, which is a bonus.

https://www.sfwmd.gov/our-work/lake-okeechobee

The Lake Erie shoreline touches Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York. The body of water offers some of the warmest waters you'll find in the Great Lakes. Lake Erie also offers some fantastic areas to swim, making it a popular vacation lake.

https://www.michigan.org/great-lakes/lake-erie

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