Published June 2021
Take it from Vacasa’s own CEO, Matt Roberts: “this is going to be an epic summer.” Vacations are back in a big way, and our summer reservations are pacing far ahead of pre-pandemic trends, with guest occupancy up 57% compared to June, July, and August of 2019.* That means if you’re still looking to plan a Fourth of July getaway, you may need to do a little extra research—it is one of the top travel weekends of summer, after all.
To help you book a firecracker vacation this Independence Day, we’re flagging five Vacasa destinations across the states that have at least 40% occupancy remaining. Not only is each destination rolling out the red, white, and blue carpet with holiday events, but you can still find an ideal vacation rental set up for your celebration. Whether your wish list includes a patio for a cookout, outdoor space for games, or easy beach access, we’ve got all three in spades (or stars, you could say).
Featured vacation rental: Palm and Gem
With 60 miles of coastline, Myrtle Beach—aka The Grand Strand—is an endless summer playground. You can spend your days riding the waves or sunning on the beach, depending on your speed, and cap it all off with a dinner of fresh coastal cuisine. Just don’t be late to snag a front-row seat at the annual Murrells Inlet Boat Parade. This year’s theme: “stars, stripes and fireworks.
Featured vacation rental: The Grand Fir Creekside Chalet
If the mountains are calling this Fourth of July, head to Gatlinburg at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains, where you’ll find more than 800 miles of hiking trails to explore. The town is also famous for starting its holiday celebration earlier than anywhere else at 12:01 a.m. on the dot, with the annual July Fourth Midnight Parade. Not a night owl? Gain a new perspective on fireworks with a view from the suspension bridge at SkyLift Park.
Featured vacation rental: Lion Square Lodge East
Hot tip: Colorado may be known for its ski slopes, but summer is a prime time to visit. With warm days and cool nights, thanks to the Colorado Rockies, there’s no shortage of outdoor recreation to enjoy with a backdrop of alpine scenery. And when visiting for Independence Day, visitors can partake in Vail America Days, a weekend-long celebration all across town with patriotic parades, firework displays, and more.
Featured vacation rental: Mountain Top Luxury
Big Sky is the closest access point to Yellowstone National Park and a must-visit if you're looking for a nature-filled Fourth of July. Before you celebrate Old Glory, pay a visit to Old Faithful or one of the park’s many geothermal wonders with a high chance of wildlife sightings nearby. You can also get mountain views and get your steps in at the Big Sky 5K Road Race. What better preparation for your July 4 cookout?
Featured vacation rental: The Keoniana #111
Consider yourself lucky that summer isn’t traditionally the peak season on Oahu. That gives you more real estate to spread out your towel on the island’s famous southern shores, and a shorter wait for fish tacos at Duke’s in Waikiki. For the Fourth, take to the seas with the Star of Honolulu Independence Day Dinner Cruise, complete with a firework display, live music, and Polynesian dancing.
*To paint a more accurate picture, we’re comparing all summer data to 2019 rather than 2020 so demand isn’t skewed by early pandemic factors.
