11 Airbnb Experiences Across the US Actually Worth Booking

From learning how to bake Southern biscuits in Georgia to tracking urban beavers in Seattle, these experiences will add excitement to any trip.AirbnbAirbnb Experiences can often be hit or miss. It can be a little risky, for instance, to learn about the New York City mafia with retired detectives (what if the mobsters find out?), or hike to the Hollywood sign with a bunch of comics (what if they’re not as funny as you hoped?). When done right, however, they’re a great way to explore a new city—or the city you call home—and get a unique perspective on the area. Not only do plenty of Airbnb Experiences give you the chance to chat with locals, but you’ll likely learn something new.In my humble opinion, the very best Airbnb Experiences give you a quick snapshot of a place that really roots you in the city you’re visiting—bonus points if they teach you a skill, too. You could make candles or do goat yoga just about anywhere, but there are very few places you can track urban beavers like in Seattle, Washington, or kayak alongside manatees other than in Silver Springs, Florida. Offering a mix of history, wildlife, and food and drink experiences, the picks on this list are not only led by experts—from pastry chefs to authors—but have each garnered ratings of 4.9 and above; some have even been tested and loved by Condé Nast Traveler editors. Below, 11 of the best Airbnb Experiences across the country worth booking right now, designed to provide a level of local insight you can’t get elsewhere.We've selected these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, decor, editor stays, and previous guest reviews.Learn about the secrets of Central Park in New YorkLocation: New York, New YorkI had the delight of taking this tour over the summer, and would recommend it to any local or visitor looking to get to know Central Park beyond the tourist track—that is, above 85th Street. Led by Bruce Racond, a historian with a master’s degree in American history, the tour began with a little background on the creation of Central Park by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, then took participants to the otherworldly North Woods, a Revolutionary fort (the oldest surviving building in the park), and the fairy-tale-like Conservatory Garden. You’ll leave with a greater appreciation for Manhattan’s open-to-all backyard.Sail the Hudson River in New YorkLocation: New York, New YorkFellow commerce writer Jess Chapel thoroughly enjoyed making her Wednesday night a little more whimsical with this sailboat tour on the Enchantress, which whizzed her and her friends around the Hudson, passing under the Brooklyn Bridge and past famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty. She was even able to pack her own picnic—while the captain provided cups, a cooler, and even anti-nausea medication onboard. If you’re looking for a personalized experience with a sprinkling of sightseeing that takes you beyond the big boat tours, this one’s for you.Learn the art of scrimshaw in Rhode IslandLocation: Newport, Rhode IslandFor a unique New England experience, consider a micro-apprenticeship with scrimshaw artist Brian. He’ll take you through a brief history of whaling and the ways in which the art of scrimshaw (carving or engraving designs into bone, ivory, or whale teeth) has changed over the years. “Brian covers materials and techniques from not just Newport but all over the world,” one guest reviewer writes. “I could spend another two hours just examining the artistic wonders he shares.” Guests will be able to sand an ivory piano key, polish it on a buffing wheel, then etch it, creating a bookmark to bring home.Make classic Southern biscuits with a pastry chef in GeorgiaLocation: Atlanta, GeorgiaDesigned by Chef Sonya at Sweet Auburn Bread Company exclusively for Airbnb, this baking class will have you making flaky, buttery biscuits the Southern way. Get a feel for Atlanta as you listen to Sonya tell stories about her shop, which she’s been running since 1997. You’ll dine on sweet tea, coffee, and homemade pastries to kick things off, before sampling your own creations at the end alongside a variety of jams—hopefully, there will be enough left over to take home.Explore Powell’s Books with an author in OregonLocation: Portland, OregonIf you’re visiting Portland, Oregon, it’s likely the classic bookstore, Powell’s Books, is on your to-do list. Why not get an insider’s perspective with this personal tour, led by author, publisher, longtime bookseller, and unofficial “mayor of Powell’s,” Kevin Sampsell? Sampsell will begin the tour by giving you an overview of Powell’s history, then dive a little deeper into the store’s hidden treasures, all the while chatting about books and the ever-changing world of publishing. And it's not just for tourists; one guest reviewer noted, “I'd been to the store many times over many years, and I still learned so much from this tour!”Harvest blooms on a flower farm in MissouriLocation: Lee’s Summit, MissouriFollow Ariel, the founder and farmer behind Nurturing with Nature, a sustainable flower farm in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, as you stroll through the fields and learn about the production of seasonal flowers. Then you get to cut your own. The tour will end with an opportunity to shop the farm’s handmade products, like teas and candles. “I booked this experience for a late Mother’s Day present with my sisters,” one guest reviewer wrote. “Ariel showed us around the farm and provided us with history about the land. What an amazing location and experience!”Sample downtown LA’s taco sceneLocation: Los Angeles, CaliforniaIn a city brimming with great tacos, it can be hard to figure out where to start; let award-winning food critic Patricia Escárcega lead the way. On this taco crawl, you’ll sample downtown LA's best, including the seven-layer taco at Villa’s Tacos and braised fillings at Guisados—and, of course, you’ll end the night with street tacos from a classic mom-and-pop food truck. One guest reviewer wrote, “If it weren't for Patricia's tour, I probably would have left LA without having eaten a proper taco, and would have just skimmed the surface.”Learn about the history of skateboarding in San FranciscoLocation: San Francisco, CaliforniaThanks to its steep hills, modernist architecture, and Thrasher magazine headquarters, San Francisco is considered a skateboarding mecca. If you’re looking to get a more niche perspective of the city, book this tour with skateboarder, art historian, and Thrasher host Ted Barrow. He’ll take you to various architectural sites—from St. Mary’s Square and Black Rock to the Embarcadero Center and Ferry Building—to see where the pros ride and how they’ve transformed the area. Whether you’re into skateboarding, architecture, or urban history, this tour hits a lot of notes.Track urban beavers with a wildlife specialist in SeattleLocation: Seattle, WashingtonBeavers have a pretty inspiring ecological impact, and you can learn exactly how they help other species in Seattle thrive with this unique tour, hosted by a wildlife researcher dedicated to tracking and studying North American beavers in the Pacific Northwest. This creekside excursion allows guests to observe beaver engineering (inspecting dams for chew marks and slides) and learn how these structures support endangered coho salmon runs. Since beavers are nocturnal, spottings are rare but still possible.Paddle through Silver Springs on a glass-bottomed kayakLocation: Silver Springs, FloridaFlorida’s Silver Springs State Park is known for its crystal-clear waters, and there’s no better way to explore them than sitting atop a glass-bottomed kayak. Paddle your way past shipwrecks and blue springs, and encounter all kinds of wildlife along the way—previous guests have reported seeing manatees, alligators, otters, turtles, fish, monkeys, and more. Guide Ilissa is extremely knowledgeable about the local creatures, and if you’re hesitant at all about getting on the boat, she’ll assuage your fears.Tour Charleston’s historic brewing district with a local brewerLocation: Charleston, South CarolinaFor a taste of Charleston’s local craft beer scene, book this tour with April Dove, Charleston’s first black female brewer. Stops will include Edmunds Oast Brewery, Munkle Brewing Co., and the Whale Collective. Along the way, you’ll learn about both large- and small-scale brewing, gain insight into Charleston’s craft beer evolution, and snack on some charcuterie while trying a bunch of different drink styles, from Belgian beers to out-of-state brews. This is another experience designed exclusively for Airbnb, so you know you’re getting something original.Jessica Sulima is a Commerce Writer at Condé Nast Traveler, where she covers hotel and booking content, as well as travel deals. Originally from New Jersey, she attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she holds a Bachelor’s degree in English with minors in Spanish and Art History. Previously at Thrillist, ... Read More