Hospitality business ideas you can start in the US

167 ideas

Hospitality is about giving people a place to eat, drink, stay or enjoy themselves, and these 167 ideas cover a wide range of sizes. Some are light and flexible, such as a restaurant menu and food cost consultant or mobile bartending classes.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premises
Narrowboat moored on a canal during a relaxing holiday trip.

Single houseboat rental on a lake

Buy one used houseboat and rent it by the weekend or week to vacationers at a nearby lake or river.

  • $30k-120k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
2,936 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year

Houseboat rental business with a small fleet

Run a few houseboats from your own dock or marina slips, renting by the day or week to vacationers.

  • $150k-600k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,936 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year
Tents pitched in a green field beside a working farm with grazing animals.

Seasonal farm campsite with basic pitches

Open a few tent and RV pitches on your working farm for weekend and holiday campers.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
5,018 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year

Farm campground with RV hookups and glamping tents

Turn farmland into a year-round stay with RV hookups, a bathhouse and a few glamping units.

  • $120k-500k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,018 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year
Tourists sitting aboard a tour boat on calm water.

Small-boat sightseeing and charter tours

Run scenic, wildlife or sunset trips for small groups from a local dock on your own licensed boat.

  • $15k-75k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
2,217 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year

Boat tour booking agency

Sell local boat trips online for licensed operators and earn a commission on each booking, without owning a boat.

  • $500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,217 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year
Visitors riding horses across open pasture at a rural guest ranch.

Small ranch stay with a few guest rooms

Host a few guests at a time at your ranch or farm for riding, chores and country meals.

  • $8k-40k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
2,967 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year

Full-service dude ranch with cabins and week stays

Run a small all-inclusive guest ranch with cabins, daily rides, meals and a few staff.

  • $400k-1500k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,967 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year
Hot air balloon rising over countryside at sunrise with passengers in basket.

Balloon ride booking agency

Sell hot-air balloon flights online for licensed local pilots and earn a commission on each booking.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
255 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.5% in a year

Hot-air balloon flight operator

Fly paying passengers in your own balloon with a small crew, selling seats and private flights for tourists and celebrations.

  • $90k-200k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
255 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.5% in a year
Tents, caravans and motorhomes on pitches at a busy countryside campsite.

Pop-up campsite on your own land

Rent a few tent or van sites on spare acreage by the night, with basic facilities and online bookings.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
5,018 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year

Small campground with tent and RV sites

Run a small campground with tent sites and RV hookups, paid nightly or weekly, plus a bathhouse.

  • $150k-600k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,018 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year
Bright furnished flat living room with sofa, table and kitchen corner.

Furnished apartment for business and medical stays

Furnish an apartment or house and rent it for 30+ days to traveling nurses, relocating staff and business visitors.

  • $4k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year

Guest suite or backyard unit short-stay rental

Rent a spare suite, basement apartment or backyard unit you own to visitors and business travelers, with cleaning included.

  • $1.5k-40k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year
Bright self-catering holiday cottage living room with a no-smoking sign.

Non-smoking guest suite or backyard cottage rental

Rent a spare suite, garage apartment or backyard unit to visitors on a strict no-smoking basis.

  • $1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year

Non-smoking whole-home vacation rental

Furnish a house, condo or cabin as a self-catering stay for families and groups, with a firm no-smoking rule.

  • $8k-30k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year
Tidy furnished apartment bedroom ready for holidaymakers arriving for a short stay.

Vacation rental in your spare apartment or suite

Rent a basement apartment, in-law suite or garage unit you already have to visitors for short stays.

  • $1k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year

Furnished vacation apartment in a tourist area

Furnish a dedicated apartment, with the landlord's written consent if you rent it, and let it to visitors by the night.

  • $5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year
Students learning cocktail making from an instructor behind a bar.

Mobile bartending classes

Run short bartending courses in rented venues, bars or event spaces, with no permanent classroom to pay for.

  • $1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
4,657 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.5% in a year

Bartending school with a training bar

Open a small classroom with a practice bar and run regular courses for aspiring bartenders.

  • $10k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
4,657 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.5% in a year
Bright furnished holiday apartment living room with sofa and sea view window.

Vacation rental in a unit you own

Furnish a condo or apartment you own and rent it by the night to vacation guests.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year

Vacation rental in a unit you lease

Lease an apartment with the owner's written approval, furnish it and rent it to guests.

  • $5k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year
Tourists on a boat deck watching a whale surface near the coast.

Small-boat whale watching tours

Run small-group whale and dolphin trips from your own boat for tourists in a coastal town.

  • $25k-120k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
2,217 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year

Whale watching trips on a partner's boat

Sell your own whale watching trips using a chartered or partner-owned boat, with no boat to buy.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
2,217 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year

About these ideas

Others need premises and staff, such as a small cocktail lounge or a bed and breakfast in your own home. They suit people who enjoy hosting, can handle busy evenings and weekends, and like working with the public. Before you pick one, think about how much money you can put in, whether you want a fixed location, and how much of your week you can give. Then look into the local permits, insurance and zoning rules that may apply to your chosen idea.

More ideas

Questions

What should I check before starting a hospitality business in the US?

Check your city and county rules on business licenses, zoning, health inspections and signage. Food, alcohol and lodging often have extra requirements. Also ask an insurance broker what coverage you may need, and confirm how your state treats sales and lodging taxes.

Do I need a license to serve alcohol or run a lounge or bar?

Often you will, but rules differ by state and sometimes by city. Check with your state alcohol control agency and local government about license types, costs, waiting times and any limits on location or hours before signing a lease or buying equipment.

Can I run a short-stay rental, B&B or farm stay from my own property?

It may be possible, but check local zoning, short-term rental rules, homeowners association restrictions, your mortgage or lease terms and insurance. Some areas require permits, safety inspections or tax registration for guest stays, so confirm requirements with your local authority first.