Airbnb has identified 11 Experiences across the United States that it says are actually worth the booking, a curated list spanning gold-leafing workshops, coastal foraging walks, and desert stargazing, according to a Condé Nast Traveler roundup. The picks range from a Newport, Rhode Island, gilding session to a Texas ranch cookout, each led by a vetted local host.
The list arrives as Airbnb pushes its Experiences product — guided activities booked alongside stays — as a way to differentiate itself from hotels and traditional tour operators. The company has spent the past two years expanding the category, which lets hosts earn income beyond renting rooms and gives travelers access to activities that typically aren't listed on standard booking platforms.
Among the standouts is a Newport workshop where host Brian teaches gilding, the centuries-old craft of applying thin layers of gold leaf to surfaces. A traveler who took the session described the depth of his instruction: "Brian covers materials and techniques from not just Newport but all over the world," the guest said, adding, "I could spend another two hours just examining the artistic wonders he shares."
Newport's connection to gilding runs deep. The Rhode Island city was the summer capital of Gilded Age America, and its mansions — including The Breakers and Marble House — are filled with gold-leafed ceilings, frames, and moldings that craftsmen applied in the late 1800s. A workshop there gives visitors a hands-on link to that history rather than a walk-by view.
The 11 selections also include a Texas ranch experience built around cooking over an open fire, a California desert outing focused on night-sky viewing, and coastal foraging walks that teach participants to identify edible plants and shellfish. Each booking is priced per person and capped at small group sizes, a structure Airbnb says keeps hosts accountable for quality.
Experiences differ from Airbnb's core home-rental business in that they are led by individuals rather than property managers, and reviews are tied to specific hosts. That model has drawn scrutiny in some markets where local regulators require tour guides to hold licenses, though Airbnb has said hosts must comply with applicable local laws.
For travelers weighing whether an Experience is worth the spend, the practical appeal is access: many of the hosts on the list hold expertise — in craft, cooking, or natural history — that isn't easily replicated through a guidebook. The Newport gilding session, for instance, puts participants in direct contact with a technique that takes years to master.
The full list of 11 Experiences is bookable directly through Airbnb's platform, with availability varying by season and host schedule.
