It’s never too early to start planning your next big vacation.
After all, there’s a ton of decisions to make and things to be done before you can be lounging on a beach somewhere.
You need to make sure you can get time off at work, find a pet sitter for the dog, and then figure out all your travel plans.
Most importantly, after you narrow down where you want to go, you then need to lock in a place for you and your family to stay.
You can opt for the traditional hotel stay, but why not explore more exciting options?
What about finding a rental property on HomeAway.com?
In this article, we’re going to tell you a little bit about HomeAway and then show you some of the most highly rated properties across the United States.
Let’s start planning your best vacation yet!
West Coast
San Diego, California
If you’re ever in the area, this San Diego vacation rental should definitely be on your radar.
This is currently San Diego’s most reviewed property with all of its ratings being either four or five stars.
This condo is beautifully designed, recently renovated, and sleeps six comfortably.
It is in a great location by the Gaslamp Quarter, so you’ll be right in the middle of all the action.
You’re centrally located in downtown San Diego, so this is a perfect home base for exploring everything that San Diego has to offer.
If you’re going to the famous San Diego Zoo, make sure to check out the sea lions!
If your family wants to soak up some sunny weather then head to La Jolla on the Pacific Ocean where you can do some whale watching from the beach.
When you want your fair share of history, you can head to San Diego Bay to check out the USS Midway aircraft carrier.
San Diego makes for a great family vacation and this rental would make a perfect fit for your family.
Don’t believe us?
Tap on the link above to read through a long list of five-star reviews from previous guests on the listing page.
Seattle, Washington
We’re drooling over this vacation property.
The views you get with this 1,065 square foot apartment are absolutely stunning.
Just think, you could wake up for your early morning coffee and watch the sunrise over downtown Seattle and the Puget Sound, all from the comfort of your apartment’s living room.
Right outside your window, you’ll have panoramic views, including the giant ferris wheel in downtown Seattle.
Can you think of anything better?
To top it off, the location is hard to beat.
Your family or group of friends will be right in the mix of everything.
You’ll be conveniently located just two blocks away from Pike Place Market, one block away from the waterfront, and right across the street from the Seattle Art Museum.
Everything else in town is also just right around the corner.
We’d scoop this one up as soon as possible before it starts booking up.
East Coast
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Well, this isn’t exactly on the Cape Cod National Seashore, but it’s just a quick car ride away.
But with this beautiful home, you still have amazing ocean views and you’re located directly on the beach.
Since you’re right on the ocean, you’ll pretty much be able to feel the wind blowing through your hair and the sand hitting your cheeks every time you step onto your back porch.
There’s plenty to do in the area to keep your family busy, like exploring nature preserves, salt marshes, and marine life.
This unique house is stocked with a gourmet kitchen, a spiral staircase, private hot tub, and a gas grill.
To top it off, your family will have access to 10 different saltwater and freshwater beaches.
So many choices!
This property is located in West Falmouth, just north of Martha’s Vineyard.
Luckily, the drive to Provincetown will only take an hour and a half around the Cape Cod Bay.
There are plenty of stops along the way, like the cute little town of Hyannis where you can load up on lobster rolls at the local seafood restaurant.
Newry, Maine
Maine vacations are all about the great outdoors and are perfect for the outdoorsy types.
In order to do it right, we recommend a change of scene and renting a rustic wooden cabin like this one.
This affordable, charming cabin is perfect going on a family outing on the cheap.
With the average price being only $170 per night, you can pack in up to 11 people while being very cost conscious.
Winter or summer, this cozy cabin is the perfect spot for doing all things outdoors.
In the winter you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling, while in the summer you can hit the links for a few rounds of golf, explore hiking trails in the mountains, or cycling in the backroads.
Additionally, this rental is pet-friendly, so bring the pup along to join your adventures.
You can also pack the family up in the car and drive just over three hours to visit Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor for a day or two.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
This Outer Banks behemoth house rental is the perfect option for a large family group outing.
With enough space for 12 guests, this Atlantic coast rental is equipped with everything your family will need to stay entertained for days and days.
Not only is this home steps away from the natural beauty of the beach, but it also has an indoor and outdoor pool for you to cool down in.
Plus it’s equipped with a swim-up bar on the inside and a hot tub on the outside.
If you want easy lounging on pristine sandy beaches, you’re able to pull out the beach chairs and the charcoal grill and relax for a majority of the day.
On top of that, there’s a pool table, air hockey table, and movie theater room to keep the kids entertained even after your long days at the beach.
The coast of North Carolina will surely keep you entertained, but you can also explore other regions of the state.
You can always make a stop in the Asheville area where you’ll have better access to the Smoky Mountains, Appalachian Mountains, and Sugar Mountain.
Midwest and Mountain
Traverse City, Michigan
With this one-of-a-kind northern Michigan vacation rental, you’ll be set between two lakes with your own private beach.
The Great Lakes State is the perfect choice for those who want to experience the unmatched access to the great outdoors, but also want to be near the action of a buzzing, fun city like Traverse City.
Traverse City is one of those under-the-radar destinations that continues to gain more and more popularity every year.
Here you’ll find a range of breweries, tasty restaurants, and the annual Cherry Festival, which seems to bring hordes of people every year.
Plus, if winter snows call for it, adrenaline junkies can even pursue going on a dog sled adventure.
You’ll not only have lake views and access to all of the water sports that come along with it, but you’ll also be within close proximity of sand dunes, the Grand Traverse Bay, and downtown Traverse City.
You could also drive the coast of Lake Michigan or decide to drive to the Upper Peninsula along the coast of Lake Superior.
If you’re a Michigan first-timer, then you should also consider making a stop in Detroit, the Motor City.
There you’ll have endless choices of restaurants and activities throughout this booming city.
Chicago, Illinois
This place is centrally located, newly renovated, and waiting for your family to stake your claim.
For under $300 per night, this huge four-bedroom condo can accommodate up to 12 people right in downtown Chicago.
You’ll be right in the middle of the Gallery District and within walking distance of the Hancock Building.
Art lovers will be able to check out art galleries and sports lovers of the family can watch the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Plus any public transportation you’ll need is right outside your door.
If you’re in the Windy City to explore popular points of interest, like the Navy Pier, Sears Tower, Millenium Park, or walk down the Magnificent Mile, this is the place to do it from.
We promise you won’t be disappointed.
Telluride, Colorado
This adventure is on our bucket list.
If you’re going to take a ski trip, you might as well splurge a little and go for the ski-in and ski-out house.
That’s exactly what this home in Telluride offers you and your family.
Telluride isn’t as popular as Aspen, but this mountain retreat is the perfect place to hit the ski slopes.
With Colorado’s climate, you can expect a blue sky and sunny weather while you go skiing or take nature walks around the mountains.
We can’t stress enough at how beautiful this cozy mountain cabin interior is.
Everything looks like it was freshly renovated with amazing stonework and natural wooden accents everywhere you look.
Plus, you have extraordinary access to a ski resort right outside your front door.
With this skiing basecamp, you’ll be able to ski right up to your home after a long day of hitting the slopes.
After that, you can relax and soak in the hot tub that’s situated on the back porch.
Start planning your next holiday trip and book your ticket to Denver.
Cozy nights in this cabin will make for quite a memorable holiday.
South
Austin, Texas
This listing is a pretty amazing find.
Previous guests were enamored by the “treehouse” feel this home gave them.
This lovely place has wood finishes everywhere you look giving you that rustic feel, yet it’s still within reach of the Austin downtown area.
If you’re coming to Austin for SXSW or to just explore downtown, this place will give you the best of both worlds.
You’ll be able to stay in a cozy log cabin home and still be right next to the downtown attractions.
Make sure you look through all of these pictures as the interior is beautifully designed and really is one-of-a-kind.
We can’t see how you’ll have anything besides a great stay.
Two thumbs up on this one.
Orlando, Florida
This one is for all you Disney lovers out there.
If you’re heading to Orlando, your family likely has one thing on your mind — Disney World. With this conveniently located home, you’ll be minutes away from all of the Disney attractions.
After you and your family spend the entire day exploring popular attractions, like Walt Disney World, The Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and The Animal Kingdom, you won’t need to worry about sitting in traffic with your sleepy and worn-out children.
Instead, you’ll be minutes away down a few backroads, so you’ll be back home in a hurry.
Plus, if you’ve been standing in the sun all day, you’ll be happy to have your own private pool where you can cool down and rest up for the next day’s full Disney itinerary.
With everything from water parks to theme parks and amusement parks, this rental truly puts you in the happiest place on earth.
When you’re done checking off all of the Disney and Universal attractions, you can even hop on the car and explore the Florida Everglades.
Miami, Florida
This perfectly located Miami vacation rental is a little on the pricier side, but this is South Beach we’re talking about here.
You’ll pay a premium for the location and the breathtaking views, but in our minds, it will be worth your consideration.
You and your best friends will absolutely love this place in Miami Beach.
You’ll have views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Biscayne Bay, and the Miami skyline.
What’s not to like about that?
Plus, since this condo has an excellent location, you’ll be able to quickly hop around and do as you please.
You can lounge around on the beach during the day, then head back to wash up, and then hit the town for some of Miami’s famed nightlife.
Check out Little Havana for some amazing food options, live music, and live entertainment.
Living in style in Miami is like a little slice of the high life.
You might as well go all out on your next trip to South Florida.
Just make sure you keep an eye out for hurricane season and book accordingly if you want warm weather and no rain.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Skip the hotel scene and opt for this amazing Myrtle Beach vacation rental home instead.
Located directly on the beach, you’ll be able to truly take in everything South Carolina has to offer.
This property just received a fresh makeover, so everything inside is newly renovated and includes all new furnishing.
That means a brand new kitchen, sparkly clean bathrooms, air conditioning, and porch in the back that overlooks the ocean.
The beach will never be too far away as it’s only a few steps outside.
Plus, you have access to your own heated pool right in your backyard.
Regardless, you have options when it comes to where you’d like to lounge around in the sun all day.
Myrtle Beach is perfect for a spring break beach vacation, but it’s also a great spot to play some fantastic golf courses.
Don’t forget to bring your golf bag if you want to escape the winter months and hit the links for your entire vacation!
Decisions, Decisions
HomeAway should always be on your radar for any travel occasion.
You can find perfect vacation rentals all over North America and beyond that will make for a truly memorable stay.
Head to HomeAway.com, type in your destination in the search bar, and start exploring top destinations all over the map.
If you aren’t able to find something that suits you in the large selection of vacation rentals, then you can always check out other vacation rental websites, like Expedia, Airbnb, or VRBO.com.
Your home away from home is within reach.
Best of luck finding your vacation home and planning your next trip!
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