From a giant cereal box in Tyler to space pods in Terlingua and fairytale cottages in Fredericksburg, discover some of the most unique Airbnbs in Texas for one-of-a-kind getaways.

With Halloween creeping around the corner, I’m ready to sit down and rewatch one of my favorite Tim Burton classics – “Beetlejuice.” In the spirit of the season, it’s time to bring to light some bizarre stays in the Lone Star State. If you’re ready to break from the norm, these spots are about as unusual as it gets. After all, in the words of Lydia Deetz,  “Live people ignore the strange and unusual.”

The Bloomhouse (Austin)

Built in 1973 by two UT architecture students, The Bloomhouse lives up to the Austin motto “Keep Austin Weird!” The odd, undulating architecture contains very few straight lines, giving the space an organic, flowing feel that’s fitting for a creation of the 70s.

The Bloomhouse sits in the hills of West Austin and can comfortably host four people in its one bedroom, two bed setup. The location is just a short drive away from downtown Austin, close enough to explore the city while far enough away to enjoy the scenic views of the Hill Country.

Rondavous Land Yacht – Tin Valley Retro Rentals (Terlingua)

We’ve all seen wacky cartoons that depict boats somehow magically being stranded in the middle of the desert- well now you can walk right in and stay! This campsite, dubbed the Rondavous Land Yacht is one of the many unique offerings of Tin Valley Retro Rentals. If staying in a boat isn’t your cup of tea, they also have glamping available in a renovated Airstream, or multiple RV spots for those with their own home on the road.

The boat has two beds and one bathroom, a kitchen and is pet friendly for anyone wanting to take a furry companion along with them. The upper deck of the boat is safe to climb up for anyone wanting to have a night of serene stargazing. 

The location is about thirty minutes away from Big Bend National Park and is 4 miles to Terlingua Ranch Lodge, which has a swimming pool, full service restaurant, shower house, and laundry facility. For those who want to get away from it all, it doesn’t get more remote than this!

Space Pods – Space Cowboys (Terlingua)

Ten minutes away from Big Bend National Park lies Space Cowboys rentals, home to a variety of galactic and astrological themed rental properties in Turlingua. Their primary offering is a stay at one of their “Space Pods”, gigantic multi-windowed domes that allow for a full view of the desert and the night sky.

The Space Pods still have large thick curtains for privacy, have powerful climate control and are fully equipped with electricity and Wi-Fi. Depending on which pod, they can sleep anywhere from two to six guests. On the property there are designated desert walking trails, and every pod has a fire pit and chairs right outside, making it the perfect spot for adventurous hikers and astronomy enthusiasts.

Cereal Box – Cereal Stays (Tyler)

Staying the night in a gigantic cereal box might seem like an odd choice and well… it is, in addition to being comfortable, relaxing, and fun for all ages. Nestled within the woods of Tyler, Texas, this two-story marvel is a tribute to AirBnB’s founders, who started out their careers selling cereal. The property was designed by Trey Dillon, who won an AirBnB hosted contest to make an imaginative and unique property for the platform.

Novelty isn’t all this property has to offer. The house has a separate “Milk Carton” Sauna, an eight foot long cereal bowl filled with plastic loops, a fire pit, a fully stocked cereal bar, rolling shelves and a movie projector. The cereal boxes have two beds in a single upstairs bedroom, and a bathroom and sofa downstairs, making this quirky place appealing for young travelers looking for a fun getaway with a couple of friends. Be sure to plan your stay far in advance, as this highly rated listing gets booked often.

Rarumpelpunzeldornaschenwittchen German Themed Cottages (Fredericksburg)

Out in Fredericksburg, Texas lies four quaint German-style cottages that look like they were plucked straight out of a fairytale. The long name is a mash-up of the names of all four cottages, Rapunzel, Rumpelstilzchen, Schneewittchen and Aschenputtel. Despite their unusual titles, every cottage is lovingly furnished with old-timey decor and even contains custom art from the hosts.

Each cottage has a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and two bedrooms, one downstairs and the other in the loft. On the property lies a pond and a fire pit to be enjoyed by all guests staying in the cottages. The property is a short drive away from Luckenbach, the Pedernales River, as well as many local wineries, making it an ideal place to unwind with some wine after a day out. 

Texas Lifestyle Magazine Luxury Waterfront Home (Seguin)

No AirBnB roundup would be complete without mentioning Texas Lifestyle Magazine’s very own property in Seguin, Texas! While not quite as unusual as the previous stays mentioned, the Texas Lifestyle Magazine Luxury Waterfront Home boasts a modern tree-house vibe with its sprawling upstairs balcony overlooking Meadow Lake. The treeline weaves perfectly into the architecture with a winding path leading down to a dock for those who want fun in the sun. Inside lies a full-sized game room with a mounted flat-screen TV, foosball, arcade cabinet and ping pong for those who’d rather beat the heat indoors.

The large property contains 4 bedrooms, but has enough beds to accommodate up to 15 guests! With a full-sized kitchen and three and a half bathrooms, it’s the perfect Texas AirBnB getaway for those looking for a staycation, or a fun place to stay while wanting to make a trip to Austin and/or San Antonio.

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Cover Photo courtesy Destiny Morgan

Julia Helsel is an editorial intern for Texas Lifestyle Magazine, a recent graduate of Texas A&M University and a lifelong resident of the Lone Star State. When she’s not traveling, she can be found reading, writing, or playing guitar.