Airbnb Says the Berkshires Are the Place to Be This Summer

The Fourth of July is almost upon us, which means, somehow, summer is fully in swing. But the coronavirus has cancelled and complicated most normal summer plans—we’re on Europe’s short list of countries who have handled the pandemic too poorly to be trusted, and even domestically, Maine is side-eyeing Massachusetts with its mandatory 14-day quarantine for any visiting Bay Staters. Here’s a solution: Get way out of town without leaving the state by heading to the Berkshires. According to recently released trend data from Airbnb, the Western Mass. county is one of the most popular getaway spots for Fourth of July weekend.

Searches for the Berkshires were up by 30% compared to this same time last year, the homestay site reports. The uptick in interest falls in line with another Airbnb trend: People are flocking to the countryside in interest of taking a break from the densely populated city. A fifth of all bookings for the upcoming weekend are in rural areas. “As guests search for cottages or pet-friendly retreats with plenty of outdoor activities nearby to continue safely social distancing, listings in Berkshires are specifically popular among families, as listings meet their new, emerging needs for increased cleanliness, privacy and control over their travel experience and environment,” an Airbnb spokesperson says.

Beyond bucolic destinations pulling ahead, data also shows that cabins are among the most-searched listing types for this coming weekend. In early May, the rustic dwellings were the most popular search across the U.S. Some of the most desirable amenities these days are listings with pools and homes that are labelled as pet-friendly. Places with WiFi, air conditioning, and kitchens for guests use are sought after, too, as travelers look for ways to stay cool and out of public eateries.

If you’re already cruising out to the Berkshires for a magical day trip, why not extend your stay and turn it into a socially distanced holiday? From cottages and mansions, to yes, cabins, we’ve rounded up five of the region’s loveliest listings. Some are still available for Fourth of July weekend, while others are booked until late July or August—snap them up now for Labor Day.