Our Fall Cabin Stay Near the White Mountains You’ll Want to Bookmark
- R A E
- Sep 18
- 3 min read
There’s something about fall in New England that feels cinematic — the burnt-orange leaves, the crisp mornings, the smell of wood smoke floating through the air. Every year, my friends and I try to plan one weekend where we disappear into that kind of calm. This year, the plan was simple: see the White Mountains in New Hampshire, breathe in as much foliage as possible, and find a cozy cabin that felt like home.
What we didn’t plan for was how perfect it would be to stay just across the border in Maine.
It started like every other trip plan — a chaotic group chat, too many Airbnb tabs, and everyone “just checking dates.” Most cabins in the White Mountains were either booked out or outrageously priced. That’s when I zoomed the map out just a bit and found this beautiful cabin in Bethel, Maine — fifteen minutes from the New Hampshire border and even closer to some of the best mountain views. The location gave us access to both states without the crowds or the chaos. We spent our days chasing views in NH and our evenings tucked away in Maine, wrapped in blankets by the fire.
The Cabin That Stole the Weekend
From the moment we pulled up, we knew we’d picked the right spot. The cabin sat quietly among tall pines, surrounded by leaves that looked like they were lit from within. The driveway crunched with every step, and the air was that perfect mix of cold and woodsy.
Inside, it was warm and inviting — high ceilings, wooden beams, and a massive stone fireplace that became the heart of the weekend. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the trees like moving art. There was a big kitchen that actually made us want to cook (which says a lot), and a dining table that became our gathering spot for every meal, coffee, and late-night story.
My favorite corner? The deck. Early mornings with coffee, watching mist rise off the trees. Nights in the hot tub, steam blending with the cold air while the forest hummed in the background. It had all the cabin clichés in the best way possible.
I’ve done a lot of New England fall trips, but staying in Maine for a White Mountains weekend felt like unlocking a secret. It was quieter, easier, and way more relaxed. We were fifteen minutes from the iconic NH viewpoints — Kancamagus Highway, Cathedral Ledge, Echo Lake — yet came home to peace, space, and no traffic.
Plus, Maine has its own underrated beauty. The forest feels deeper. The roads wind just enough to make you feel like you’re in your own movie. Every little local café or general store looks like it hasn’t changed in decades. There’s something grounding about it — you stop trying to do everything and just start being there.
What I Loved Most
The cabin itself felt designed for connection. The big living space, the long dining table, the windows that let nature in even when you were indoors — it all made us feel together without crowding.
Everywhere you looked was framed like art: the leaves through the window, the firelight dancing on wood walls, the quiet frost in the morning.
And logistically? It was perfect. Enough bedrooms for everyone, clean bathrooms, a washer-dryer for the post-hike chaos, and even a sauna next to the hot tub. It gave us a taste of luxury without losing that raw cabin charm.
If You’re Planning a Similar Trip
Here’s what I learned that might help if you’re planning your own fall cabin weekend:
Stay flexible with your location. The best Airbnbs are often slightly off the main path.
Don’t underestimate Maine’s fall views — they’re just as breathtaking as New Hampshire’s, sometimes even more.
Prioritize a cabin with a fireplace or outdoor deck. It changes everything.
Bring layers. Fall in New England can be cozy one minute and freezing the next.
Save your hikes for morning, your fires for night, and leave space for unplanned detours. That’s where the best moments happen.
It’s the kind of Airbnb that reminds you why people romanticize fall in New England. It’s where everyone becomes the “main character” — the city fades out, the forest becomes your soundtrack, and time slows down. You wake up earlier, breathe deeper, and care less about the Wi-Fi password.
That weekend reminded me why fall feels like a reset button. The drive up, the laughter echoing off cabin walls, the sound of rain on wood — it all hit different. The Maine Airbnb gave us front-row seats to everything I love about the season: beauty without the chaos, stillness without the boredom.
If you’re planning a foliage trip and can’t decide between Maine or New Hampshire, this is your sign — pick both. Find a cabin near the border, grab your closest people, and let the woods do the rest.
Love,
Rae
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