Top 10 Summer Vacation Rental Destinations

Three razor-thin barrier islands oozing laid-back coastal charm, the Outer Banks are home to miles and miles of unspoiled beaches, the windy dunes of Jockey's Ridge, herds of wild horses, and family-friendly rentals of all sizes. HomeAway offers over 3,000 listings ranging from adorable beach bungalows to palatial properties perfect for a multi-family gathering or reunion.

One of the East Coast's most beloved summer playgrounds, Ocean City promises 10 miles of beach, a world-famous boardwalk, kite-filled skies, softshell crabs, and the wafting scent of sugar-dusted funnel cakes. HomeAway listings run the gamut from modern condos to charming townhouses.

Yet another wildly popular East Coast beach town, Myrtle Beach is beloved for its affordability, miles of beach, and myriad kid-friendly attractions. With over 5,800 vacation rental listings on HomeAway, families are spoiled for choice.

With sand like powdered sugar and the brilliant turquoise Gulf of Mexico, Destin is a gem on the panhandle's Emerald Coast. There's plenty of fun for families here, and the 1.5-mile Henderson Beach State Park is a singularly impeccable waterfront paradise where you might spy dolphins, sea turtles, or migratory birds.

There’s something timeless and quintessentially New England about Cape Cod, with its yesteryear towns filled with clapboard cottages, miles of picturesque beaches, and endless menu of saltwater taffy, clams, and lobster rolls. More than 6,400 listings on HomeAway mean there's also no shortage of wonderful places to make your home base for a few days or longer.

One of two non-beach towns to make the top 10, Orlando is the theme park capital of the world. Vacation home renters are spoiled for choice, with over 3,800 HomeAway listings in downtown Orlando and over 19,000 listings in the greater Disney/Orlando area.

Virginia Beach is a huge summer resort town and the largest tourist destination in Virginia. Drawn by 20 miles of unbroken beachfront, families have always flocked to here but in recent years the beach playground has gotten a facelift and a fresher, upgraded image. Families will love the Virginia Beach Oceanfront area, where the boardwalk is located.

Another panhandle hot spot, Panama City Beach is famous as a rowdy spring break magnet for college kids. Families are likely to prefer this town during the long summer months.

Just west of Florida's panhandle beaches, the Alabama Gulf Coast's most popular beach town also made the top 10 list for Easter weekend. Family-friendly Gulf Shores offers a ton of ways to have fun with kids, from hanging out at the beach and nature walks at Gulf State Park to zooming down waterslides at Waterville U.S.A. 

On the northernmost tip of Cape Cod's curled fist, Provincetown started as a whaling community in the mid-18th century and later evolved into a distinguished artist colony. You'll find galleries, trendy boutiques, old mansions, fabulous food and over 30 miles of beaches.