Destination Suggestions - Cottages, Cabins and Bed & Breakfast Inns for a Weekend Getaway or Family Vacation

Our Search For The Perfect Cottage Vacation

If you are like many of our readers, most of whom are avid proponents of the art of cottage living, you are constantly striving to find a weekend getaway or a family vacation spot that lets you escape from the rigors of everyday life and experience a relaxing few days with a good book, good food and drink while ensconced within the cozy confines of a rustic mountain cabin or sitting on the veranda of an ocean front cottage.   

To help you find just that kind of place, here are some an interesting and varied destinations across the country that offer exciting cottage accommodations.

Perhaps no place is more equated with the concept of cottage vacations than the coast of Maine, where for generations, families have returned each summer to rustic beach homes, secluded cabins or palatial family compounds on Penobscot Bay for their summer outings. Thus our featured cottage community this month is Cundy's Harbor, where you will find plenty of good places to eat and a collection of charming B&B's and private rental homes, along with plenty of outdoor activities.

Cundy's Harbor, Maine may be the perfect spot for your cottage vacation.
Cundy's Harbor, Maine

California
Cecilia's Vineyard in Healdsburg CA

Cecilia’s Vineyard and Villa
Healdsburg
, California

A world away, your private Tuscan Villa is only 70 miles from San Francisco.  Amid lush acres of old vines, the Villa is nestled in Healdsburg, the heart of Sonoma County’s acclaimed wine regions of Dry Creek, Alexander and the Russian River Valleys.  Secluded and private, the Villa is just a few minutes away from the charming town center and dozens of wineries, gourmet restaurants and boutiques!      More Details
Florida
Steinhatchee Landing Cottage Rentals

Steinhatchee Landing Resort
Steinhatchee
, Florida

As the shimmering line blurs between the emerald Gulf of Mexico and the tannin-colored Steinhatchee River, so blurs the line between Old Florida and new at Steinhatchee Landing Resort.  Nestled among moss-draped oaks and towering pines, Steinhatchee Landing Resort offers a natural Florida paradise unlike any other. The resort’s 50, one to four-bedroom Victorian and Florida Cracker cottages blend historic architecture with contemporary amenities for a truly unique getaway. 19 cottages are pet-friendly.  More Details

Gulfside Resort at Indian Rocks Beach

Gulfside Resorts
Indian Rock Beach
, Florida

Gulfside Resorts, a collection of premier properties in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, includes beach cottages with completely renovated studio, two bedroom and three bedroom accommodations.  Each offers beautiful views of lush gardens and the beach.  These cottages are ideal vacation spots for families and offer great privacy and rare beach level living.  More  Details

Cottage Rentals at Seaside, Florida

Cottage Rental Agency
Seaside, Florida

Seaside is a town like no other, yet with elements of every classic American beach town. The Cottage Rental Agency was born of this place. Community, Human Scale and Socialization— are essential elements of every visit. The Beaches of South Walton are unique locations, and we are honored to provide accommodations all along the coast. Our places range from classic to grand. You’ll find world-class shopping and activities but, more importantly, you’ll rediscover yourself and your family.   

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Georgia

cottage rentals at The Inn at Serenbe

The Inn at Serenbe
Palmetto, Georgia

The Inn at Serenbe is a rustic getaway near Atlanta and yet only 30 minutes south of the international airport. Its eighteen guest rooms are around a restored 1905 farmhouse and barns and adjacent to a new residential community, complete with a variety of interesting shops and dining selections. Children love the activities and farm animals, and the beautiful grounds make the perfect spot for weddings, corporate meetings and family gatherings.   More Details

Cottage rentals in the North Georgia mountains

Big Canoe, Georgia

Located in the mountains of North Georgia, yet only an hour from Atlanta, Big Canoe is a complete vacation destination with a host of choices for your accommodations, ranging from mountainside cottages to executive homes and villas along the golf course or overlooking spectacular Lake Sconti. A diverse range of activities offers something for everyone, whether your preference is for golf, tennis, swimming or just hiking along the mountain trails and birdwatching.  More Details

Maine

Cottage Rentals in Bayside, Maine

Bayside Cottages
Bayside, Maine

Experience a wonderful Maine cottage vacation near the shores of spectacular Penobscot Bay at Bayside, a charming 19th century Victorian cottage community along Maine’s mid-coast.  Families have been returning here for generations to enjoy summers filled with swimming, sailing, kayaking and golfing, all just outside your front door.  Situated just five minutes from the seaside village of Belfast and only twenty minutes from historic Camden, Bayside is the perfect place from which to explore all of the delights to be found on Maine’s beautiful coast.   More Details

Maine cottages for lakefront vacations

Cottage Connection of Maine
Boothbay, Maine

Located on Maine’s Mid Coast, we have more 150 vacation homes and cottages to choose from, situated in quaint villages from Harpswell to Waldoboro here on the coast.  Our beautiful oceanfront, lake front, in-town and water view properties offer something for everyone. We offer an authentic Maine experience for family reunions, romantic getaways. Choose a cottage that is perched at open ocean’s edge, one of our salt water river properties with spectacular sunrises and sunsets, or perhaps something tucked away from the main stream—a little cabin in the woods.   More Details

Vacation cottages in Cabot Cove, Maine

The Cottages at Cabot Cove
Keenebunkport, Maine

The Cottages at Cabot Cove is a magical enclave of 16 new and unique cottages in Kennebunkport, Maine, all nestled in an idyllic tidal cove-side setting perfect for a romantic escape. Evoking sweet memories of summers past  and a simpler way of life, each of our intimate cottages has its own charm and personality.  The setting overlooking Cabot Cove is breathtaking and quintessentially Maine.  More Details

The Harbor Watch
Cundy's Harbor, Maine

Your perfect Maine vacation starts with a reservation at the Harbor Watch, located in the scenic lobstering village of Cundy's Harbor in the town of Harpswell. This delightful cottage rental has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths & sleeps 10!    More Details 

 

North Carolina

Twiddy & Company
Outer Banks,  North Carolina

We have been helping vacationing families and friends find their perfect Outer Banks rentals since 1978. In the Outer Banks, we know the value of simple pleasures and realize the importance of your time here. We invite you to let us share our unique understanding of this coastal landscape and assist you in finding the Outer Banks rental vacation home that best suits your group's style and preferences. We're here to provide all the help and hospitality you've anticipated. Our Outer Banks vacation rentals are the perfect place to reconnect with family and friends.    More Details

   
Oregon

Olivia Beach
Lincoln City
, Oregon

Olivia Beach offers wonderful vacation rentals in a coastal neighborhood located in the Historic Nelscott District of Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast. Although still under construction, this community offers the beauty and style of the traditional coastal neighborhoods. Every vacation rental at Olivia Beach is immaculate and completely furnished for your stay on the Oregon coast. All amenities are provided - bedding, linens, towels, dishes, cookware, and more.   More Details

Tennessee

Norris Lake Vacations

Norris Lake Condos
Andersonville
, Tennessee

At the Yacht Club Condos, on East Tennessee’s beautiful Norris Lake, you and your family will experience waterfront vacationing at its finest. With 34,000 acres and 800 miles of shoreline, there’s plenty of room for your boating pleasure. And right outside your front door, you’ll find a host of amenities, including clubhouse, pool, Jacuzzi and exercise area.  These condos are located at Stardust Marina which has full services for all your boating needs, as well as a restaurant and convenience store for your daily supplies.  And you are readily accessible to I-75 with just a short drive to downtown Knoxville.    More Details

Butterfly Gap Retreat
Maryville
, Tennessee

If you're seeking the perfect setting for a special event - or just making plans for a quiet weekend getaway - look no further than Butterfly Gap Retreat.  Located six miles from downtown Maryville in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, this gorgeous property offers luxury, privacy, and convenience in a scenic hideaway that will have you counting the days until your next visit.  From the distinctive architecture and supreme comfort of the secluded guesthouses to the spacious and stunning event spaces, the accommodations of Butterfly Gap guarantee a unique and unforgettable experience.   More Details

Washington
Pacific Beach & Beyond
742 Heritage Lane, Portland, OR 97205

Pacific Beach & Beyond has a number of private vacation properties available for rental in and around Pacific Beach, a small and welcoming community approximately 150 miles southwest of Seattle.  These cottages are tastefully furnished and at the center of all the activities and outdoor adventures to be found is this great coastal playground.   More Details