Cool and Unusual Places to Stay in the United States
I’ve found that some of the best travel stories come from choosing accommodations that are out of the ordinary and full of character. Over my 30-year travel writing career, I’ve discovered some truly unique places. For me, these spots transform a simple getaway into one of my favorite kinds of adventures, where the stay itself feels just as memorable as the destination.
1. Sleep Beneath the Waves at Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida
We drove about 1 hour 15 minutes south from Miami (60 miles via US-1, the Overseas Highway) to Key Largo, home to Jules’ Undersea Lodge, the world’s only underwater hotel. Originally built in the 1970s as a marine research lab off Puerto Rico, it was moved to Florida in 1986 and converted into a two-room lodge sitting 21 feet below the surface in a lagoon.
To check in, you scuba dive down to the entrance hatch (basic scuba skills required). Overnight stays start at about $900 per person and include unlimited diving, meals delivered in waterproof cases, and even pizza delivery underwater.
Experience the surreal calm of being underwater, reading, eating, even sleeping with marine life swirling outside the windows.
My highlight? Pizza delivery scuba-style, eaten cross-legged on the floor with bubbles trailing past our heads.
Plan your trip:
- Vibe: Submerged, sci-fi, once-in-a-lifetime
- Highlights: Scuba entry, undersea views, unique sleep experience
- Best For: Adventure couples, ocean lovers, quirky bucket-listers
2. Stay at Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon
We drove about 3 hours south from Portland (160 miles via I-5 and OR-126) to the Oregon Coast and Heceta Head Lighthouse. Built in 1894 and perched on a 205-foot headland, its Fresnel lens still shines 21 miles out to sea, making it one of the most photographed lighthouses in the U.S.
We toured the keeper’s house (now a B&B) and learned about the maritime history of the Pacific Northwest.
Heceta Head Lighthouse felt like a story whispered by the wind, fog rolling in, waves crashing below, and the soft glow of a lantern spinning in the dark.
What I Loved Most: The quiet drama of it all, Victorian-era beauty perched at the edge of the world.
My highlight? A seven-course breakfast in the Keeper’s House dining room, scones, pear tarts, and the sound of gulls calling just outside.
Plan your trip:
- Vibe: Wind-swept, historic, coastal mystery
- Highlights: Lighthouse tours, gourmet breakfast, ocean views, cliffside trails
- Best For: Dreamers, history buffs, slow travelers
3. All Aboard for a Whimsical Stay at the Red Caboose Motel in Pennsylvania
We drove about 1 hour 30 minutes west from Philadelphia (75 miles via US-30) to Ronks (population around 4,000), right in the heart of Lancaster County’s Amish country. The Red Caboose Motel is a one-of-a-kind stay, with 38 retired train cabooses converted into guest rooms (from about $145 a night).
We visited the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in nearby Strasburg (100+ historic locomotives and cars, $10 admission), rode the Strasburg Rail Road (9-mile roundtrip through Amish farmland, $20), and walked through the historic town of Strasburg (founded 1733).
Red Caboose Motel where we were based for three days felt like childhood memories on wheels, vintage train cars lined up across a green field, each one its own little world.
What I Loved Most: The nostalgic fun, train horns in the distance, old rail signs, and sleeping in a piece of history.
My highlight? Ice cream on the porch and pancakes at the on-site diner, with Amish buggies clip-clopping past the fence.
Plan your trip:
- Vibe: Whimsical, retro, family-friendly
- Highlights: Themed train car rooms, Amish country setting, on-site dining
- Best For: Families, nostalgic couples, train lovers
- Address: Red Caboose Motel, Ronks, PA
4. Check Into The Bivvi in Breckenridge
We drove about 1 hour 45 minutes west from Denver (80 miles via I-70 and CO-9) to Breckenridge (population around 5,000). Once a Gold Rush town (founded 1859), today its Main Street is lined with 19th-century false-front buildings, boutique shops, and art galleries.
We toured the Country Boy Mine (once one of Colorado’s largest gold producers, $35 tours with gold panning), visited the Breckenridge Welcome Center Museum (free), and strolled the Blue River plaza.
The Bivvi where we were based for two days felt like a cozy mountain commune, woodsy, stylish, and brimming with friendly energy.
What I Loved Most: The hostel-meets-boutique vibe, private rooms, communal breakfasts, and ski boots drying by the fire.
My highlight? Morning waffles with fresh berries in the rustic kitchen, shared with fellow hikers from around the world.
Plan your trip:
- Vibe: Social, alpine, laid-back luxury
- Highlights: Shared and private rooms, hot tub, outdoor deck, breakfast included
- Best For: Adventurous couples, solo travelers, outdoor community seekers
- Address: The Bivvi, Breckenridge, CO
5. The Shady Dell in Bisbee, Arizona
We drove about 1 hour 45 minutes southeast from Tucson (95 miles via AZ-80) to Bisbee (population around 4,900), a former copper mining boomtown turned artsy enclave.
Just outside town sits The Shady Dell, a one-of-a-kind vintage trailer court where restored 1940s–1950s aluminum travel trailers are converted into guest rooms (from $125 a night).
We explored downtown Bisbee’s historic district (founded 1880s), toured the Queen Mine (don a hard hat and ride a mine train deep underground, $15), and browsed funky antique shops.
The Shady Dell where we stayed for two nights felt like stepping into a 1950s postcard, vintage trailers, neon lights, and Elvis on the jukebox.
What I Loved Most: The dedication to detail, retro radios, black-and-white TVs, and martini glasses in every kitchenette.
My highlight? Classic grilled cheese and root beer floats served at the retro diner while Route 66 hummed nearby.
Plan your trip:
- Vibe: Retro Americana, kitschy cool, time capsule
- Highlights: Vintage trailers, on-site diner, desert setting, photo-worthy decor
- Best For: Nostalgia seekers, vintage lovers, fun-loving couples
- Address: The Shady Dell, Bisbee, AZ
6. The Crash Pad in Chattanooga, Tennessee
We drove about 2 hours north from Atlanta (120 miles via I-75) to Chattanooga (population around 184,000). Once a Civil War crossroads and industrial hub, today it’s a walkable river city with a thriving arts scene.
Before checking into the hotel for two nights, we visited the Tennessee Aquarium (over 10,000 animals, $39 admission), strolled the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge (2,376 feet across the Tennessee River), and browsed the Bluff View Art District.
The Crash Pad felt like a basecamp for dreamers, wood beams, climbing ropes, and laughter echoing from the gear room.
What I Loved Most: The community feel, eco-conscious design, shared stories, and a backyard fire pit under string lights.
My highlight? Breakfast burritos and strong coffee in the communal kitchen before heading to the boulders.
Plan your trip:
- Vibe: Adventurous, social, sustainable
- Highlights: Eco-hostel, private or shared rooms, gear-friendly amenities
- Best For: Climbers, outdoor couples, road-trippers with grit
- Address: The Crash Pad, Chattanooga, TN
7. Unplug in Artistic Tranquility at Casa Gallina in Taos, New Mexico
We drove about 2 hours northeast from Santa Fe (70 miles via US-84 and US-285 through scenic desert mesas) to Taos (population around 6,000).
Known as an artists’ colony since the early 20th century, Taos is also home to Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with multi-storied adobe dwellings continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years ($16 admission).
We browsed galleries around the the Taos Plaza, visited the Harwood Museum of Art ($10), and capped the day with traditional New Mexican fare.
Casa Gallina where we stayed for two romantic days felt like a rustic fairytale. There were mud walls, twinkling lights, and a garden where hens wandered freely.
What I Loved Most: The quiet creativity, colorful tiles, handmade furniture, and that deeply nourishing sense of stillness.
My highlight? Fresh eggs from the coop cooked in our little adobe kitchen with local green chile and thick tortillas.
Plan your trip:
- Vibe: Artistic, peaceful, farm-style
- Highlights: Backyard hens, Taos charm, locally sourced breakfast ingredients
- Best For: Artists, slow-food lovers, soulful couples
- Address: Casa Gallina, Taos, NM
Conclusion
So, where should you stay? To answer that, think about what feels the most exciting and unique for you. For me, unusual places to stay in the U.S. are the best way to make a trip unforgettable, because every night becomes part of the adventure and every morning feels like a new discovery.
From sleeping under the sea to waking up in a vintage caboose, these unusual accommodations prove that where you stay can be just as thrilling as the destination itself. Each one offers more than rest, it offers a story you’ll keep telling long after the trip is over.
Looking for more one-of-a-kind escapes? Explore weekend getaways in Alabama, browse dreamy California escapes, plan a cozy retreat with romantic weekends in Connecticut, or dive into scenic Texas vacation ideas.
Wherever you go next, may it be a little weird, wildly wonderful, and deeply you.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
