No matter what your age, gender or nationality, there is always something magical about seeing a tree house. While we will all probably have attempted to build a tree house at some point during our childhood, there are certain people who decide to take these structures to the next level. The following are 15 of the most amazing tree houses in the world. Get ready to wish you were 10-years-old again!
Minister’s Treehouse. Tennessee, USA
The Minister’s Treehouse in Tennessee is ‘unofficially’ the tallest tree house in the world and, after taking one look at this incredible structure, it’s hard to disagree! The house is spread over four large floors and stands at over 100 feet tall. Perhaps the most impressive (and eco-friendly) thing of all, is the fact the whole building was made from reclaimed wood. This is one treehouse we’d happily get lost in.
La Casa del Arbol. Banos, Ecuador
If you’re looking for a tree with a view, then La Casa Del Arbol should be your very next stop. This incredible treehouse sits at the top of a mountain near Banos in Ecuador and even provides visitors with a chance to use ‘the swing at the end of the world.’ The rope swing dangles from the tree’s branches and allows visitors to sway over the edge of a cliff with a sheer drop below and absolutely zero safety measures. This is definitely not a treehouse for the faint of heart!
The Enchanted Forest Treehouse. British Columbia, Canada
The Enchanted Forest Treehouse looks like something out of a fairytale and is undoubtedly one of the most impressive tree houses in the world. The structure can be found in British Columbia and sits on three separate levels, all connected by a spiral staircase. The treehouse is actually part of The Enchanted Forest, which is a family attraction in British Columbia that includes, walks, boat rides, adventure areas and, of course, the incredible treehouse.
Family Treehouse. Seattle, USA
If you think this stunning treehouse looks big enough for an entire family to live in…, then you’d be right! This incredible structure in Seattle is actually the home of the Danilchick family. The treehouse has an impressive wooden walkway up to its front door, some 50 feet above the forest floor, and inside there is enough space for two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and living room!
The Sustainability Treehouse. West Virginia, USA
The Sustainability Treehouse in West Virginia not only allows visitors to get up close to nature but also educates them on the importance of sustainability. This impressive wood structure is built on a number of levels and has trees growing right through its foundations. The building houses a number of educational rooms that teach people about green energies, such as wind turbines, water cleansing systems and other sustainable technologies.
4Treehouse. Ontario, Canada
It’s not just the sight of the 4Treehouse in Ontario that is impressive, but also the location. The structure is designed by Lukasz Koz and overlooks the stunning Lake Muskoka in Canada. The treehouse sits in between four trees (hence the name) and is designed to look like a floating Japanese lantern. While 4Treehouse looks impressive in the daylight, it is at night, when it is lit up, that the structure is at its most breathtaking.
Plane Treehouse. Costa Rica
While the Plane Treehouse isn’t officially attached to a tree, we thought this structure was too breathtaking not to include on this list. The unique building is made from an old 1965 Boeing 747 and is situated in Costa Rica. The Plane Treehouse is situated among the treetops and provides stunning views into the valley below. The plane is even available for visitors to hire and has a jacuzzi situated in the cockpit to really relax in style!
UFO Treehouse. Lulea, Sweden
If you’re ever out walking in the forests of Sweden and stumble across this structure, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had been contacted by beings from another planet. The UFO Treehouse is actually part of The Swedish Tree Hotel accommodation and is designed to look like an alien spaceship preparing to land. The unique structure is attached to the trees by wires and has a handy drop down ladder to get in and out. It’s the perfect accommodation for any space enthusiasts in the family!
Yellow Treehouse Restaurant. Auckland, New Zealand
If fine cuisine and treehouses are your passions in life, then you should be booking the next plane ticket to Auckland, New Zealand. The Yellow restaurant is one of the most beautiful treehouses in the world and is fully wrapped around the trunk of a huge redwood tree. The restaurant offers a unique dining experience for up to 18 people and is accessible by a long wooden walkway through the trees. For the full experience, it’s recommended that diners visit at night when the whole tree is illuminated by light. Not a bad way to enjoy a meal!
Teahouse Tetsu. Yamanashi, Japan
This rather strange looking treehouse was designed by the Japanese architect Terunobu Fujimori, who has a long history of designing bizarre buildings. The Teahouse Tetsu can be found in Yamanashi, Japan and is said to combine ‘minimalism with fantasy.’ If we’re totally honest though, we just like the cool drop-down ladder and the fact it’s surrounded by stunning cherry blossom trees!
Alnwick Garden Treehouse. Northumberland, England
The Alnwick Garden Treehouse is arguably the grandest treehouse in the world and can be found in Northumberland, in the far north-east of England. The structure is so large that a number of wooden braces had to be used to support the building. While this means the Alnwick is perhaps not a ‘traditional’ treehouse, it still has a number of live trees growing straight through its floors and above its ceilings. Inside the treehouse things are just as impressive, as the structure is home to a fancy gourmet restaurant.
Treehouse Point. Seattle, USA
Treehouse point is owned by Pete Nelson, a well-known treehouse builder, and is home to a number of different homes in the trees. One of the most impressive structures is Temple of the Blue Moon (pictured above) which features an impressive rope bridge straight to its front door. Once inside, guests can enjoy built-in cedar beds, hand made quilts and even skylights that allow for star gazing at night. There’s no wonder that this treehouse is a favourite with newlyweds.
The Canopy Cathedral. Pennsylvania, USA
It doesn’t really matter whether you consider yourself religious or not, a trip to Canopy Cathedral in Pennsylvania is still likely to make your jaw drop. This incredible treehouse was inspired by a Norwegian church and features two floors and a huge stained-glass window. Perhaps the most impressive moment of all though is saved for when you step out on the balcony and are greeted by a breathtaking view across Longwood Lake.
Nescafe Treehouse. Kamishihoro, Japan
You might wonder why such a quaint little treehouse was named after a global coffee company but Nescafe is actually the reason this structure exists at all. The company asked the famous treehouse builder, Takashi Kobayashi, to design a treehouse for a TV commercial. This beautiful structure is what he came up with and the rest is history. While the beautiful hand-made spiral staircase may scream ‘climb me,’ unfortunately the treehouse sits in a private field in Kamishihoro and is not open to visitors.
Beach Rock Treehouse. Okinawa, Japan
The Beach Rock Treehouse is not only one of the most impressive treehouse structures in the world but also one of the highest. The futuristic structure is perched right at the top of a tree in the Beach Rock resort in Okinawa, Japan and is only accessible by a set of stairs to a wooden platform before climbing a long ladder to the treehouse itself. The building was again designed by Takashi Kobayashi, who constructed it around the hope of communicating with outer space. Fair enough!
