Travel Dispatch: An American Town, Created By Airbnb

Plus: 36 Hours in Washington, D.C.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story November 11, 2023 The tiny town of Hochatown, Okla., was created exactly one year ago. And it's almost entirely thanks to Airbnb.Shelby Tauber for The New York Times Dear Travel Fan, Airbnb's upending impact on travel, particularly in popular cities, is well-known. But did you know the home-sharing platform's influence is creating rural towns? Before Amy left for vacation for the rest of the month, she worked with the writer Julie Satow to look at the newly incorporated town of Hochatown, Okla. — an 11-square-mile strip of land with more than 2,400 rental cabins that is, as one state tax manager says, "basically one giant Airbnb." Julie's story is a delicious read about "the Airbnb effect." Another delicious read, and one that better fits that description: Timothy Taylor's account of how cooking lessons in the Japanese capital can lead to a nuanced understanding of Tokyo's restaurants and their signature dishes. We also explored historic observatories open to the public and spent 36 hours in Washington, D.C. (add your thoughts to the chosen itinerary in our comments section). A bit farther west, in West Virginia, Amanda Becker learned how to lure a fish, prepare wild game and back up a boat trailer at a Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop. Finally, if you have no interest in hosting Thanksgiving this year, Stephanie Rosenbloom suggests five hotels that do it all — the traditional feast, turkey trot races, even themed spa treatments — without asking you to clean up. Elisabeth Goodridge OPEN UP YOUR WORLD Chang W. Lee/The New York Times A Cook's Tour of the Tokyo Food Scene Taking a cooking class in the Japanese capital adds layers to an exploration of the city's abundant supply of restaurants, from a pricey kaiseki spot to a chain noodle joint. By Timothy Taylor Joey Han Where Women Learn to Hunt, Fish and Field-Dress a Deer, Among Women At the Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop, no one feels uncomfortable discussing the ick factor of live fishing bait. By Amanda Becker Julia Nikhinson for The New York Times 36 HOURS 36 Hours in Washington, D.C. Even in a time of transition, Washington is still a hub of art, history and social-justice leadership, and is home to many of the world's best free museums. By Shayla Martin Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT THE CHANGING WORLD OF TRAVEL Shelby Tauber for The New York Times Welcome to Hochatown, the Town Created by Airbnb In a rural corner of Oklahoma, rustic cabins have been replaced by $1 million rental homes. But even as Airbnb reports record profits, the boom has softened. What will that mean for hosts? By Julie Satow Nemacolin All the Trimmings, None of the Work: Thanksgiving in a Hotel Turkey trots, holiday-themed spa treatments and multicourse feasts for those who don't want to lift a finger: Here are five places to spend the holiday. By Stephanie Rosenbloom Aspen Mays Gazing Into the Past and Future at Historic Observatories As ever-larger telescopes are launched into space or built at high-altitude sites, these observatories still have wonders to share with visitors and astronomers alike. By Kim Beil Feedback, thoughts, tips? Email the Travel desk at travel@nytimes.com. Make a friend's day: Forward this email. Did you get this from a friend? Sign up for the Travel Dispatch here. You can always find our latest stories here. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT We have more newsletters you might like! Sign up for The Morning newsletter to make sense of the day's news and ideas with David Leonhardt and Times journalists. See all newsletters here. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Travel Dispatch from The New York Times. To stop receiving Travel Dispatch, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018