The One Illinois VRBO You Need to Book for Epic Dark Sky Views

One of the things I miss most about living in a small town is seeing the stars. From the starless, light-filled skies of Chicago, it can be hard to imagine vacationing with all the comforts of home, plus a star-filled sky, even after only a handful of years living away from those skies. Yet it's possible in a vacation rental like the quaint and cozy Jaybird Treehouse near Marion, Illinois. This adorable cabin sleeps up to five under a canopy of incredible starshine.

Far from the bustle of the big city, the Jaybird Treehouse, near Ferne Clyffe State Park, is an ideal destination not just for stargazing but for getting away from it all. While it isn't near Illinois' two designated dark-sky locations—the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve or Palos Preserves—it is still magnificently surrounded by nighttime beauty. From the front balcony, you can cook dinner or spend all night just looking at the stars.

But if you want to really get an all-access view away from the occasional interruption of the property's treeline, go out onto the stargazing deck. It's right on the water for a totally open view of the nightly show. It also makes a grand entry to enjoy the lake during the daytime. The rental includes a canoe, kayaks, paddleboards, and the paddleboat seen above for sunnier adventures. This little treehouse truly has the best of both worlds, surrounded by trees but with easy lake access.

Back inside, you have a full kitchen for those lazy stay-at-the-treehouse kind of days. It has ample natural light, so you can still enjoy nature's surroundings without actually going out into nature. The rental also includes an ice cream maker, so don't forget those ingredients for an unbeatable, homemade treat. And for those with higher culinary ambitions, there is also an herb garden just outside the kitchen window. If, like me, you don't have the privilege of having the space for a proper herb garden, that kind of amenity is highly valuable.

At the end of a long, but relaxing day, you can settle in one of the two bedrooms in the treehouse. Despite its small size, it manages to make both bedrooms inviting, though the star of the show is undoubtedly the first bedroom with the queen bed. This little woodsy home might sleep five, but its aesthetics are well-suited to starry-eyed lovers who would like a break from the wild world. If you are going to get away from it all, it might as well be in style with gorgeous views of the constellations to guide you to a blissful rest.

Ready to go on your own stargazing adventure? Be sure to check out the Only In Your State AI Travel Planner to help you get started. This planner can point to locations between your sky-viewing sessions, like how to have a fun day in the nearby Shawnee National Forest. The incredible Garden of the Gods trail is not to be missed!