A small city in central Washington has come out on top of Airbnb's list of trending summer 2024 destinations. Quincy, population 7,543, ranked first among travelers booking on the platform, ahead of better-known stops such as Las Vegas and beaches in Florida.
Airbnb released data on the top destinations in the U.S. and around the world for the summer season. Many of the entries were tied to experiences or events, including the America's Soccer Tournament, Glendale, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada. Quincy's draw, however, centers on one venue: The Gorge Amphitheatre.
The Gorge is a large outdoor concert site with nearby campgrounds, located just miles outside Quincy. According to venue details, it can hold 27,000 people and has hosted well-known bands over the years. Phish and Pearl Jam are among the acts that have recorded live versions of their music there. Each Labor Day weekend, the Dave Matthews Band holds its multi-day "Labor Dave" concerts, and the venue is also home to festivals such as Watershed and Bass Canyon.
Live Nation currently manages the property. Visitors can buy camping passes to stay on-site within a short walk of the entrance, and the grounds offer food options, a general store, outdoor sink stations and pay-by-use showers. Even so, events at The Gorge send many guests to other lodging around Quincy. Concertgoers spread blankets on terraces along the hillside, and the stage faces the Columbia River and its canyon, a view that is often at its best near sunset.
The summer calendar was crowded. The city reports that each concert brings an estimated 3,000 to 20,000 people, making tourism a major part of the local economy. Performers included Beyond Wonderland in June, Noah Kahan on June 29, Odesza in early July, and Blink-182 with Pierce the Veil on July 14. Neil Young and Crazy Horse played July 26, followed by Watershed in early August and the Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp on Aug. 10. Bass Canyon, Tyler Childers and the Dave Matthews Band followed, then Hozier, Glass Animals and others in September. Imagine Dragons are set for Sept. 28, and Luke Combs is scheduled for Oct. 4 and 5.
Quincy also offers attractions beyond music. The Columbia River and Crescent Bar Resort lie less than 10 miles from town, as do the Quincy Lakes, another popular recreation area. The region has rock climbing spots, off-road areas such as the Beverly Dunes, and numerous hiking and fishing opportunities. In the city itself are a museum, an aquatic center, and businesses including wineries and local produce sellers. Day trips to Wenatchee and Leavenworth are also possible.
A search for stays around Quincy on Airbnb returns more than 1,000 results. Most cost at least US$100 a night, while larger homes may run closer to US$200 or US$300. Listings include lakeside access, scenic views, walking distance to concerts and proximity to wineries, and many offer amenities such as hot tubs, fire pits and home bars.
One highly rated listing, "The Tellee House," is among the top one per cent of homes on Airbnb based on ratings, reviews and reliability. The luxury two-bedroom, two-bathroom home sleeps six for US$255 per night. It is pet-friendly and includes a stocked kitchen, Sealy Hybrid mattresses, ear plugs for each guest, a 65-inch LED TV, a Bluetooth sound system, a fire pit and electric vehicle charging.
