You know the websites: Airbnb. VRBO. Flipkey. (Just kidding, who uses Flipkey?) But once you know you want to book a cabin weekend full of fire pits and board games, how do you decide where to go? These are a few favorite Washington spots to enter into ye olde search field—and alternatives for the places most likely to get booked out.

Leavenworth

The Bavarian party town is basically made out of Airbnbs. Accordingly, many boast the amenities—hot tubs, mountain views—that make rentals feel polished and professional. Lots of modern architecture out here. But expect to pony up on winter weekends, given the proximity to Stevens Pass Ski Area, the holiday lights, the Leavenworth everything.

Also Consider: When nutcracker crowds overwhelm, Cashmere just to the east offers cheaper overnights than Leavenworth (plus a treehouse waterslide, what?). It's also an easy escape to the rough-edge charm of Wenatchee.

Packwood

When you're craving the classic mountain experience down to the A-frame roof (love it) and old snowshoes nailed to the wall (bingo), Highway 12's mountain town is unbeatable. Its access to White Pass Ski Area means you'll compete with skiers during the middle of winter, but it's unfancy enough (and far enough from Seattle) that is still has a remote feel.

Lake Roesiger

Never heard of it? What if we told you the body of water is an hour from downtown Seattle, and so utterly untouristed it's easy to convince yourself that your lakefront house (or, uh, treehouse!) is actually where you live. A little suburban, but cheap and hella chill.

La Conner

Located just south of Anacortes, this little town bridges scenic Skagit farmland and Puget Sound shoreline. Downtown has just enough distractions for an afternoon stroll, but there's blessedly little else going on for miles. This waterfront cabin has some baller local art, including a totem pole that reminds you that you're up against Swinomish land.

Sequim

The Olympic Peninsula's rain shadow town (not always sunny, but surprisingly so) rocks more of a cottage culture than a cabin-in-the-woods vibe. Score a house right on the water, complete with telescopes to spot any incoming Canadian invasions.

Winthrop

Cabins, cottages, riverfront, big-sky views—the Methow Valley has just about everything, including lots of new-built zero-energy homes. If you truly want a remote feel, be sure that you're not booking a condo or cabin that's part of a resort; many are up on the home rental sites. Of course, you can also rent your own lodge that sleeps 22.

Also Consider: Head south to Twisp—rocking its own adorable eateries, and fewer tourists than Winthrop—or even down toward the town of Methow for lower prices, big views, and often less snow.

Index

Many of the Highway 2 rentals between Gold Bar and Baring seem to have been built around the waterfront hot tub, and we're here for it. The main road is famous for heavy weekend traffic, but there's little reason to leave once the toes hit chlorinated water.