18 lakefront Airbnbs to rent for a unique getaway from Chicago

With full views of the lavender and garden surroundings, this summer house will allows you to quickly wind down and unplug from the stressors of city life. Built in 2013, the home is decked out with Herman Miller and Knoll furniture for an artful midcentury touch. Wake up to the sunlight hitting your window and the lavender aromas in a cozy master suite with a dual walk-in shower. Hello relaxation!

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, including a screened-in porch, queen-sized bed, kitchenette and outdoor hot tub. 

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.

Bring a whole crew of friends and family to hang out at this sprawling 5,000-square-foot lakehouse along the shores of Lake Shangrila in Bristol, Wisconsin. The property sits along more than 200 feet of shoreline complete with a small sandy beach area, plus a fire pit, grill and covered porch for enjoying sultry summer evenings. Inside, stretch out among seven bedrooms outfitted with a whopping total of five king beds and eight twin beds, plus a Peloton machine if you need to fit in a workout. 

It's not a budget getaway (as you'll note from the title) 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.

This cheery cottage sits atop a sandy bluff that offers pristine views of the Lake Michigan waters below. Start your morning taking in the lakeside vistas with coffee and breakfast on the back patio; from there, it's time to descend down a set of private stairs to enjoy a long day soaking up the sun at a 400-foot stretch of sandy beach. If you get bored (though we doubt you will), the nearby towns of South Haven and Saugatuck are full of cute shops and restaurants. 

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 while away 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.

Gaze across Channel Lake from this sweet two-bedroom home, which boasts massive windows for premium views of the water. You really won't be stuck for stuff to do here either, from boating to river floating and hiking the nearby nature preserves, plus much more. When you arrive, you'll be greeted by the master bedroom’s comfy king bed where you can sleep like a baby—though bedroom No. 2 also features a queen sized bed and two twin sized beds as well. 

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 and sipping lemonade on the deck, or roasting marshmallows by the outdoor fire pit on the bluff. 

If you've never spent the night on a sailboat, this is your chance. Fall asleep to the sound of lapping waves and unwind with thoughtful amenities at Reefpoint Marina, including a hot tub to soak in. The 29-foot sailboat also boasts a microwave, fridge and coffee maker aboard for a touch of land-lubbing comfort. 

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 features both a private beach and lap pool, so you have plenty of options for water activities. A group of friends could shoot the breeze while 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. 

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. 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.