Cool and Unusual Places to Stay in the United States
Ready for the coolest 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. For me, these spots transform a simple 48 hour getaway into one of my favorite kinds of adventures, where the stay itself feels just as memorable as the destination.
1. Jules’ Undersea Lab 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 this incredible 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 which is just incredible!
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.
- Location: Key Largo, Florida, in the Upper Florida Keys, submerged in the Emerald Lagoon at the Marine Resources Development Foundation
- Location Map
Local Tip: If you don't want to spend the night underwater, you can Tour the place in 3 hours for $110 per person, as long as you are Open-Water SCUBA certified OR accompanied by a SCUBA instructor.
2. Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon
I thought that a sleeping here was one of the coolest getaway on the West Coast, full of magic with the wind, fog rolling in, waves crashing below, and the soft glow of a light spinning in the dark.
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 that completely won me over.
What I Loved Most: The quiet drama of it all, Victorian-era beauty perched at the edge of the world.
- Location: Central Oregon Coast, near Florence, perched on a cliff above the Pacific Ocean along Highway 101
- Location Map
My highlight? A seven-course breakfast in the Keeper’s House dining room, scones, pear tarts, and the sound of gulls calling just outside.
3. Red Caboose Motel in Pennsylvania
I was completely won over by this motel, one of the coolest places to stay in the USA, with 38 retired train cabooses converted into guest rooms (from about $145 a night).
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.
I love that there was so much to do nearby as 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).
2-star 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. I loved our Queen Couples Caboose which I thought was very romantic with a Queen bed, private bathroom, a refrigerator and a microwave. For a bit more indulgence and luxury on your romantic getaway, check out the Honeymoon Caboose which has its own Whirlpool bath an outdoor deck!
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.
4. The Bivvi in Breckenridge
We drove about 1 hour 45 minutes west from Denver (80 miles via I-70 and CO-9) to this town (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.
3-star The Bivvi where we were based for two days felt like a cozy mountain commune, woodsy, stylish, and brimming with friendly energy, truly a one-of-a-kind stay!
What I Loved Most: The hostel-meets-boutique vibe, our own private room, 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.
5. The Shady Dell in Bisbee, Arizona
We drove about 1 hour 45 minutes southeast from Tucson (95 miles via AZ-80) to this town (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.
6. The Crash Pad in Chattanooga, Tennessee
This place felt like a basecamp for dreamers, wood beams, climbing ropes, and laughter echoing from the gear room.
We drove about 2 hours north from Atlanta (120 miles via I-75) to Chattanooga (population around 184,000), which once a Civil War crossroads and industrial hub, today is a walkable river city with a thriving arts scene.
I loved that there was so much to see and do in the area, and 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.
My room at The Crash Pad was called Super Bunk (Dorm-style) with multiple bunks in one room, a sturdy “wrap-around” wooden enclosure around my bunk, a privacy curtain, a lamp, and fan.
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.
7. 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).
Casa Gallina where we stayed for two romantic days felt like a rustic fairytale with mud walls, twinkling lights, and a garden where hens wandered freely.
Known as an artists’ colony since the early 20th century, Taos is so much fun to explore, 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 at The Love Apple.
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.
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.
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.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
