We’re only a week away from spring, but people are already booking their summer vacations and the top booking is not a beach town.
AirDNA—a firm that aggregates and analyzes Vrbo and Airbnb data—recently identified 10 hot spots that saw the most booked summer vacation rentals (STR) so far from June to August 2026.
“These are saturated markets,” Bram Gallagherdirector of economics at AirDNA, tells Realtor.com®. “We have great holiday markets here—like the Outer Banks and Door County, which is a peninsula along the coast of Wisconsin.”
But the top spot seeing the most STR bookings so far is no ordinary beach market—Jackson Hole, WY.
While many think of the quaint town as a winter getaway—there’s plenty to do in the summer, according to Jackson Hole real estate agent.Devon Viehmanof Engel & Völkers—who grew up in a special place.
“Summer in Jackson Hole is the best time of year,” he told Realtor.com. “We’re the gateway to the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks—both within a day’s drive from here. We have world-class fishing, hiking, biking, tons of wildlife, and every outdoor activity imaginable.”
Gallagher says many beaches in the Northeast also start booking early.
“Cape Cod, Atlantic City, and Maine beaches are getting crowded. I think one of the reasons for that is that they have longer lead times, and they’re smaller markets than Panama City Beach or something like that.”
These are the top summer hot spots based on booking prices for June to August 2026, according to AirDNA.
Jackson Hole, WY
Occupancy rate booked between June and August 2026: 45.5%
Beautiful Jackson Hole isn’t just for snowbirds; draws thousands of summer visitors for whitewater rafting, canoeing, and wildlife viewing in Grand Teton National Park.
Cape Cod, MA
Occupancy rate booked between June and August 2026: 44.0%
A classic New England escape, Cape Cod lures summer travelers with miles of sandy beaches, fishing villages, and laid-back coastal air. Guests have many Cape Cod communities to choose from for short term rentals.
Door County, WI
Occupancy rate booked between June and August 2026: 42.6%
Known as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” Wisconsin’s Door County shines in the summer with beautiful waterfronts and glorious sunsets over Green Bay.
Outer Banks, NC
Occupancy rate booked between June and August 2026: 41.4%
The Outer Banks grew in popularity after the release of the Netflix show of the same name, and the barrier islands of North Carolina offer a rare mix of unspoiled beaches and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Maine beaches
Occupancy rate booked between June and August 2026: 40.7%
Maine’s southern beaches bring summer fun with a New England twist, including lobster rolls, colorful coastal towns, and cool Atlantic waters.
Newport, RI
Occupancy rate booked between June and August 2026: 40.4%
Newport offers world-class sailing and a lively waterfront along one of New England’s most beautiful coastlines.
Kenai Peninsula, AK
Occupancy rate booked between June and August 2026: 40.3%
Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula is a summer paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring salmon fishing, snowshoeing, and kayaking.
Maine down east/coastal Acadia
Occupancy rate booked between June and August 2026: 40.2%
This stretch of Maine’s coast is one of the most beautiful places in the summer, perfect for hikers and hikers alike.
Michigan on the west coast
Occupancy rate booked between June and August 2026: 39.4%
The eastern shore of Lake Michigan delights summer visitors with its sand dunes, pristine beaches, and quaint resort towns.
Atlantic City/Ocean City
Occupancy rate booked between June and August 2026: 38.7%
Whether you’re drawn to Atlantic City’s boardwalk or Ocean City’s family-friendly beaches, this stretch of Jersey Shore offers summer fun—and it’s about 40 minutes from Cape May and Wildwood, both popular beach destinations.
World Cup cities are also seeing an increase in demand
According to AirDNA, World Cup host cities dominated year-over-year demand growth, Fort Worth, TX, up 98.4%, Kansas City, MO, (85.2%), Dallas (81.1%), Miami (76.8%), Houston (73.3%), and Jersey City/Newark (54.0%).
“All those World Cup cities are growing in terms of demand and doing very well,” said Gallagher.
The money earned by Airbnb hosts is expected to total approximately $156 million in this event.
In fact, Airbnb is looking for new hosts to meet the growing demand for short-term rental accommodation during the competition.
It offers new hosts a $750 reward for listing their home on Airbnb and hosting their first guest by July 31, 2026.
This prestigious tournament is hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—and runs from June 11 until July 19, 2026, when the finals are held in East Rutherford, NJ—about 11 miles from New York City.
The US will host 60 games, including quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.
“Hosting Airbnb guests can be a great way to make extra money. People will pay top dollar to stay in places that are close to all the activities going on in Houston at that time,” a Houston real estate agent. Ashley Peterson of Douglas Elliman tells Realtor.com.
“The hotels will book up quickly, and there will be more people and families who would like to stay in a home with more space than a hotel.”
