Between Red Sox games, Shakespeare on the Common, harbor cruises, and perfect patio weather, summer is arguably one of the best times to visit Boston. And Airbnb offers some of the most unique lodging options in the city; in the past, travelers even had the chance to stay at Fenway Park and a dorm room at Emerson College. While both of those rentals have since been taken out of the running, you can still book a private rental at an average rate of $206/night. Here are 10 of our favorites.
1. Sunny studio 2. Two-bedroom brownstone 3. Smallest house in the world 4. Sleek and shiny spot 5. Carriage house 6. Cambridge flat 7. South end apartment 8. Kid-friendly apartment 9. Seventh floor apartment 10. Back Bay studio
Erica Jackson Curran is a former alt-weekly editor turned moonlight freelancer based in Richmond, Virginia.
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Located on Newbury Street, one of Boston's most popular avenues for dining and shopping, this sunny studio has a full kitchen with a washer/dryer. The central Back Bay neighborhood is an ideal base for exploring the city, and the apartment is just blocks away from the Public Gardens, Boston Common and the Copley Square T station (i.e. the subway). The rental includes access to the "guest experience team" that can help with anything from clean towels to restaurant recommendations.
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This roomy two-bedroom brownstone apartment is a great value in a posh area of town, Beacon Hill. You can see the Charles River from the shared roof deck, and walk to the waterfront Esplanade park for the scenic summer concert series. The apartment has an open layout with a well-stocked kitchen, a Wi-Fi-equipped TV, and an updated bathroom. There are shared laundry facilities in the basement.
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The "Smallest House in the World" started out as an art project by sculptor Jeff Smith, but he decided to put it on Airbnb to see if anyone would actually stay there. (So far, there's only one review for a "virtual visit.") The little green box is equipped with a small futon, a propane-powered stove, and a "toilet" hole that drains into a drawer filled with kitty litter.
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This sleek and shiny spot is in Boston's eclectic South End, home to small boutiques, chef-driven restaurants, and the weekly SoWa Market. It has an upscale kitchen, a small patio, and a bedroom accessible via a tight spiral staircase. Parking is available behind the apartment (though you've got to book that separately), and the closest T stop is less than 10 minutes away.
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Escape the bustle of the city with this carriage house in Jamaica Plain, a quirky neighborhood that's a few short miles (and an easy T ride) from the heart of Boston. The owners say that the house was originally home to the world's oldest horse, but today it's equipped with a full, modern kitchen and cool, colorful furniture. Nearby you'll find the Arnold Arboretum and locally beloved ice cream shop J.P. Licks.
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Enjoy the more bohemian vibes of this Cambridge flat, located across the Charles River from Boston. It's just off of Inman Square, and an easy walk to Harvard Square or Central Square. It has an eat-in kitchen, a separate bedroom with pocket doors, and the only air conditioner in the building. The host can provide a guest pass for street parking.
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It may look fairly standard, but this apartment in a new building between the South End and Chinatown includes access to amenities you won't find in most local rentals, including a community pool, a gym, multiple lounges, parties, bike rentals, and even a Whole Foods on the premises. The apartment itself has everything you need for a few days in Boston.
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This dog-friendly, kid-friendly apartment is in Somerville, just west of Cambridge (and within walking distance to most of its squares). It has a bedroom with a king-sized bed, an Apple TV, washer-dryer, and garden shared with the hosts, who live upstairs. Parking is included.
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Situated in a new luxury high-rise in East Cambridge, this seventh-floor apartment offers views across the river to Boston. There's a pull-out couch for extra guests, and the rental includes access to a rooftop lounge and fitness center. Guests also enjoy the company of a resident cat named Sweet Pea.
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This compact Back Bay studio is about the size of a hotel room, but offers an efficiency kitchen, a fireplace, and plenty of storage. There's a T stop just outside the apartment's doors, but it's easy enough to walk to Newbury Street, Copley Square, and other Boston landmarks.
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