Summer in the white Mountains
As we rounded the final bend, the mountains rose ahead of us, their peaks softened by drifting clouds.
Mist curled around the trees like something from a storybook, and the world seemed to hush. We stepped out of the car, and in that moment — surrounded by the quiet grandeur of the White Mountains — it felt as if time had slowed, inviting us to simply breathe and be.Every year, our family takes a big trip with our cousins. Usually, that means sunny beaches in Mexico or the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. But this year, something different came our way — and we ran with it. I’ve always dreamed of a New England summer, but never had the chance (or reason) to make it happen. That changed when friends of ours, who own a couple of cabins in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, invited us to stay. This summer, we packed up the crew and headed north to take in the breathtaking beauty of the White Mountains.Having never been there, we kept our minds wide open. We flew into Boston — the closest airport with direct flights — and decided to spend two nights exploring the city before heading into the mountains. We toured Harvard, ate our way through the North End, caught a game at Fenway Park and squeezed in a bit of historical sightseeing before hitting the road to New Hampshire.The drive north was about two and a half hours, and as a lover of a good road trip, I didn’t mind one bit. The closer you get, the more scenic it becomes — winding through mountain notches, past sparkling lakes, and through postcard-perfect little towns until you reach the turn-off for Bethlehem. Main Street is small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in charm: a handful of quaint restaurants, cozy breweries, and, just beyond the cabin turn-off, the best ice cream I’ve ever had at Super Secret Ice Cream. We only had time for one dinner in town at Rek-lis, a restaurant and brewery with delicious food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere — quite impressive for such a small town.
The Retreat at Arrowhead in Bethlehem, New HampshireOur cabin at The Retreat at Arrowhead was tucked away in the quiet forest of the southern White Mountains — wonderfully secluded, yet minutes from groceries, gas, and restaurants. When we arrived, the property was wrapped in a veil of misty clouds, like a scene straight out of a movie. Something about it instantly drew me in. The tension melted away the moment I stepped out of the car.Two beautifully designed cabins sit on the property, each with an idyllic deck overlooking the mountains. Surrounded by trees, it offers hiking trails to the river below, e-bikes for exploring, and more. Inside, the cabin was perfectly appointed — stylishly decorated, well-stocked, and ready for both sunny adventures and cozy rainy days.We spent nearly half of our trip enjoying the property itself. The boys tore down the trails on bikes, the girls played in the yard and soaked in the hot tub, and the adults took daily hikes, relaxed on the deck, and lingered by the fire pit with marshmallows in the evenings. The river became our favorite gathering spot — fishing, floating, swimming, or just watching the water from the deck above.On days we ventured out, we found more treasures. Echo Lake Park was a quick 15–20 minutes away and offered crisp mountain water for swimming, plus paddle boats and kayaks. One morning, we drove 30 minutes to Mount Washington
and rode the historic cog railway — the first of its kind in America — up to the observatory.The ride to the summit took 45 minutes.
we lucked out with weather that cleared just enough to reveal glimpses of the sweeping views below. After hot chocolate, a pretzel, and too many photos to count, we headed back down.
We also visited the historic Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa for lunch. It was peak season, so service was slow, but the food was excellent. The hotel’s sunny yellow exterior, framed by lush hydrangeas, looked like something from another era. Just beyond the main building, their barn became an unexpected highlight for the kids — filled with friendly animals, including llamas and alpacas.
On our last afternoon, we made our way to Littleton for a late lunch and a bit of Main Street shopping.
And still, we only scratched the surface. The area offers whitewater rafting, endless fishing and hiking, national forest waterfalls — everything an adventurous heart could want. In winter, I imagine it transforms into a skier’s dream. And its location makes it easy to hop over to Maine, Vermont, or Massachusetts to explore more of New England’s charm.We left New Hampshire completely charmed — and already feeling the pull to return.
Littleton, NH