16 lakefront Airbnbs to rent for a unique getaway from Chicago

While the lavender may act as seasonal aromatherapy, the lush greenery surrounding this property will help you quickly switch off and appreciate the beauty around you. Detach yourself from city living by hunkering down at the Lavender Farm in Fennville, as large windows bring the outdoors into the living space, making you feel at one with nature.

Since it's not far from white-sand Oval Beach, the trail to Mount Baldhead, and a plethora of local art galleries, this tiny house would be the perfect home base for a weekend of exploring all Saugatuck has to offer. The candy-apple red cottage might be small, but it has everything you need for a romantic getaway: a screened-in porch, queen-sized bed, kitchenette, and outdoor hot tub, all of which are sure to help you to unwind.

This Door County home has a vintage nautical vibe, thanks to views of Sturgeon Bay, lake-themed decor, and a shape that mimics the hull of a ship. Make good use of the rowboat, kayaks, and fishing gear at the backyard pier, then bust out the board games after night falls. Feeling romantic? Hunker down outside to watch the sunset over the water.

It's not a budget getaway— as the title clearly indicates —but this ultra-plush lakefront home offers cushy amenities and stunning views of the water nearly everywhere you look. Take in panoramic lakefront vistas from the living room's floor-to-ceiling windows or head outside and explore the surrounding nature areas; either way, you're in for a relaxing Lake Michigan getaway.

Whether you plan to work on your novel or prefer to spend your days boating around Lake Michigan, this peaceful cabin would be a lovely place to spend a weekend. Take advantage of the nearby dock to canoe, kayak, jet ski, or boat on the pristine waters. When you're done? Wrap up in blankets and have a nightcap on the pretty terrace space.

It really doesn't matter what the weather is doing, this gorgeous beachside house will have you feeling safe and cozy with its million-dollar view. Soak up sunlight over the water or watch atmospheric rainfall from inside, with the complimentary bottle from the hosts. The best part has to be the location, as Traverse City is only five minutes away. 

Expand your sea glass collection at this Door County cottage, which features a leafy backyard overlooking the water and access to a secluded rock beach below. A fully-equipped kitchen invites cooking and baking, and while the tidy white-planked dining room is lovely, we recommend taking your breakfast at the outdoor table within eyeshot of the beach. 

For the ultimate rustic getaway, rent this traditional log cabin in northern Michigan. Kids of all ages will love walking into the waters of Grand Traverse Bay from the private sand beach, sipping hot cocoa on the deck, or roasting marshmallows by the outdoor fire pit on the bluff. 

Have you ever dreamt of spending the night on a sailboat, falling asleep to the sound of waves? Book a night or two aboard 'Clementine,' a 29-foot sailboat docked in Racine, Wisconsin's Reefpoint Marina. Enjoy a morning coffee on the ship's deck or take a dip in the marina's private swimming pool and hot tub, and make sure to spend at least watching the sunrise over the lake from your shipside vantage point.

Picture this: you spend Saturday morning at the farmer's market in nearby Holland, Michigan, picking up fresh bread, berries and veggies before returning to this little cottage on the lake. Then you head down the private beach below, weaving your way through grass-studded dunes, to have a picnic by the water. Such an idyllic lifestyle could be yours (for a few days, at least) when you stay at this charming rental.

This charming two-bedroom home boasts both a private beach and lap pool, so you have plenty of options for water activities. A group of friends could while away the hours playing cards by the fireplace, whipping up meals in the open-concept kitchen, and sipping drinks on the deck after a long day of fun happenings.

Test drive the tiny house lifestyle in this pint-sized cottage from the 1950s. The 329-square-foot home was literally sliced in half years ago to accommodate a changing lot line, creating a funky but charming studio layout. What it lacks in size it makes up for in location, the property offers 480 feet of beach access, plus a floating pier and boat launch. Perfect for a little R&R.

This cozy one-bedroom hideaway in Union Pier is just a short walk into town, where you’ll find small art galleries, cute cafes, local wineries, and a well-loved public beach. After you return home for the evening, you can kick back on the screened-in porch, by an outdoor fire pit, or beside the wood-burning fireplace.

Two blocks from both the Downer Avenue shopping district and Bradford Beach, this second-story residence has an eclectic vibe to match Milwaukee’s vibrant art scene. (Think palm print furniture, vintage wall art, a spiral staircase, and a gorgeous maroon AGA range.) Four beds and a couch can comfortably sleep up to seven people, so you can round up the whole crew for a weekend getaway.

With an in-ground pool, outdoor fire pit, and personal theater, this four-bedroom cabin certainly offers plenty of entertainment options. You’re also a short one-mile drive from Lake Geneva, where you can get your fill of sailing, paddle boarding, swimming, jet skiing, and other water sports if you want to get out of the house.

You want a motorboat with your Airbnb? You got a motorboat with your Airbnb. But to be fair this glorious pad on Lake Como would be a draw even without the speeder. It’s at the end of a private road so you’ll get plenty of peace and quiet but if you want to venture out? There’s a great hiking trail on the Hermansen Conservatory just a few hundred yards from the house, plus downtown Lake Geneva is three miles away.