We’re only a week into spring, but people are already booking their summer travel and leading the way in reservations isn’t a beach town.
AirDNA—a firm that compiles and analyzes Vrbo and Airbnb data—recently identified the top 10 hot spots seeing the highest booked summer occupancy rates for short-term rentals (STR) so far for June through August 2026.
“These are the markets that are filling up,” Bram Gallagher, director of economics at AirDNA, tells Realtor.com®. “We do have some good-looking vacation markets here—like the Outer Banks and Door County, which is a coastal peninsula in Wisconsin.”
But the top destination seeing the most STR bookings to date isn’t a traditional coastal market—it’s Jackson Hole, WY.
Though many think of the idyllic town as a winter getaway—there’s plenty to do in the summer, according to Jackson Hole real estate agent Devon Viehman of Engel & Völkers—who grew up in the exclusive enclave.
“Summer in Jackson Hole is the best time of the year,” she tells Realtor.com. “We are the gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks—both can be driven to as a day trip from here. We have world-class fly-fishing, hiking, mountain biking, tons of wildlife, and every outdoor activity you can imagine.”
Gallagher says a lot of the Northeastern coasts are also picking up with early bookings.
“Cape Cod, Atlantic City, and the Maine beaches are filling up. I think one of the reasons for that is that they have longer lead times, and they are smaller markets than Panama City Beach or something like that.”
These are the top summer hot spots based on booked occupancy rates for June through August 2026, according to AirDNA.
Jackson Hole, WY
Booked occupancy rate between June and August 2026: 45.5%
Picturesque Jackson Hole isn’t just for snowbirds; it draws thousands of summer visitors with whitewater rafting, canoeing, and wildlife watching in Grand Teton National Park.
Cape Cod, MA
Booked occupancy rate between June and August 2026: 44.0%
A classic New England escape, Cape Cod charms summer travelers with miles of sandy beaches, fishing villages, and a laid-back coastal atmosphere. Visitors have several Cape Cod communities to choose from for the perfect short-term rental.
Door County, WI
Booked occupancy rate between June and August 2026: 42.6%
Known as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” Wisconsin’s Door County dazzles in summer with quaint waterfront villages and brilliant sunsets over Green Bay.
Outer Banks, NC
Booked occupancy rate between June and August 2026: 41.4%
The Outer Banks grew in popularity after the release of the Netflix show with the same name, and North Carolina’s barrier islands offer a rare mix of unspoiled beaches and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Maine beaches
Booked occupancy rate between June and August 2026: 40.7%
Maine’s southern beaches deliver summer fun with a New England twist, including lobster rolls, colorful beach towns, and cool Atlantic waters.
Newport, RI
Booked occupancy rate between June and August 2026: 40.4%
Newport offers world-class sailing and a vibrant waterfront scene along one of the most scenic coastlines in New England.
Kenai Peninsula, AK
Booked occupancy rate between June and August 2026: 40.3%
Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula is a summer paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring salmon fishing, glacier hiking, and kayaking.
Maine down east/Acadia coastal
Booked occupancy rate between June and August 2026: 40.2%
This stretch of Maine’s coast is one of summer’s most spectacular destinations, perfect for hikers and kayakers alike.
Michigan west coastal
Booked occupancy rate between June and August 2026: 39.4%
Lake Michigan’s eastern shoreline wows summer visitors with sand dunes, freshwater beaches, and charming resort towns.
Atlantic City/Ocean City
Booked occupancy rate between June and August 2026: 38.7%
Whether you’re drawn to Atlantic City’s boardwalk or Ocean City’s family-friendly shores, this stretch of the Jersey Shore provides summer fun—and it’s just about 40 minutes from Cape May and Wildwood, both popular beach areas.
World Cup cities also seeing a surge in demand
According to AirDNA, World Cup host cities dominate year-over-year demand growth, with 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 of those World Cup cities are having big demand growth and are doing pretty well,” says Gallagher.
Airbnb host earnings are projected to total nearly $156 million for the event.
In fact, Airbnb is seeking new hosts to meet surging demand for short-term rental stays during the tournament.
It’s offering new hosts a $750 reward for listing their home on Airbnb and hosting their first guests by July 31, 2026.
The wildly popular tournament is hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—and runs from June 11 until July 19, 2026, when the final takes place in East Rutherford, NJ—about 11 miles from New York City.
The U.S. will host 60 games, including the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.
“Hosting Airbnb guests would be a great way to make some extra money. People are going to be paying top dollar to stay in areas near all of the activities happening in Houston during that time,” Houston real estate agent Ashley Peterson of Douglas Elliman tells Realtor.com.
“Hotels will book up rather quickly, and there will be many individuals and families who would prefer staying in a home with more space availability than a hotel provides.”