As guests become increasingly interested in immersive travel experiences, Airbnb Experience hosts are finding bizarre ways to meet consumers’ insatiable thirst for the unusual. From carving with chainsaws to wearing your DNA as jewellery, some of the kookiest experiences around can be found on the Airbnb platform.
Unlike your typical tourist activities, these experiences are led by inspiring locals who are looking to share and monetize their passions – no matter what these might be. Here are 10 experiences you didn’t know you needed to try.
1. Play Mermaid for a Day (San Diego, US)
Image credit: Unsplash
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a mermaid? Hit the beautiful beaches of San Diego with an ocean advocate and professional mermaid to find out. Get glammed up with a mini makeover (seashell top, mermaid tail, and keepsake) while learning more about the famous La Jolla marine life. Cap off this epic experience with a 30-minute sunset photoshoot to properly debut your new Mermaid personality.
2. Chainsaw Carving (Salem, US)
Not your average wood-shop, this father-and-son team has a deep passion for carving, and 12-foot sculptures to prove it. Learn all the tricks of the trade in this hands-on experience as master carvers coach you to create your very own wood masterpiece.
3. Extract Your Own DNA into a Necklace (Tacoma, US)
Throw on your white coat for this cutting-edge experience hosted in Tacoma’s innovative biotech labs. With expert guidance from a local scientist, you will learn how to extract your own DNA to create a very personal necklace pendant. As a Social Impact Experience, proceeds from this workshop will benefit RAIN, a non-profit life science incubator educating the community and supporting the growth of biotech entrepreneurs in Tacoma.
4. Coconut & Island Survival Workshop (San Juan, Puerto Rico
Brush up on your core survival kills in this fun outdoor workshop that teaches you a plethora of useful know-hows, including deciphering edible plants, climbing a small palm tree, building emergency shelter, and opening coconuts without a knife. You’ll also get to learn about Puerto Rican culture and the integral role coconuts play.
5. Make Smudge Sticks with a Real Witch (San Antonio, US)
Learn the art of sage smudging, a witch’s daily practice and ritual used to create sacred space, from a second-generation spiritual healer and practicing witch. You’ll be taught how to bond dried herbs and flowers carefully selected and customised for your personal use. You then get to take your natural smudge sticks home and burn them to rid your space or home of negative energies, increase abundance and promote healing.
6. Learn to Eat Fire in Los Angeles (California, US)
Join a burlesque and variety performer in her private home studio to learn the impressive art of fire eating. Carefully walk through the theory and safety precautions behind this practice before venturing outdoors to light the torches and explore this performance art fully. By the end of the session, you’ll be swallowing flames along with the best of them.
7. Neural Enhancement with Dr Leon (London, England)
Step into the starring role of your own personal Sci-Fi. Undergo a brain surgery simulation in this one-on-one interactive theatre performance – an intensely-relaxing procedure that applies sensory stimulation to the head alongside an audio experience. A note to the leary – this neural enhancement is safe and painless, leaving no lasting marks or scars.
8. Marionette Your Life (Prague, Czech Republic)
Dive into the unique art of marionette-making in the true center of the puppeteering world. You’ll have the opportunity to create your very own take-home marionette and even learn basic operational techniques taught by a professional puppeteer. Watch the magic of bringing your marionette to life as you seamlessly balance and string your creation just like the pros.
9. Cuddle Sanctuary Social (Los Angeles, US)
Studies show that cuddling can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. What better way to sharpen your spooning skills than at this LA-based cuddle laboratory? Receive expert coaching through therapeutic hand-holding and hugging before practicing your newfound skills in paired and group activities – all designed to promote connection, community, laughter, and fun.
10. Crystal Mirror Space Experience (San Francisco, US)
Enter this magical room equipped with cascading mirrored color and light in the heart of San Francisco. Tour this selfie-certified space or take a seat on the shiny sequined sofa and put on headphones to drift away to a musical odyssey. It’s your very own private concert in a crystal wonderland fit for Alice.
