Time to bust out the sweaters and get your leaf peeping on this fall! Or if it’s one of earth’s now brutal summers, escape to a cooler climate up in Northern Arizona for a much needed getaway and nature reset. Much to my Colorado guests surprise and delight, if you drive three hours north of Phoenix you will pop out into a land full of trees, grass and cooler White Mountain air. Pro tip: wait to fill up your gas tank if you can it’s $1 cheaper than in the valley.
This feels-like-home cabin in Show Low, Arizona sits in a half acre tucked back in the woods with two beds (and a bunkbed on top of one) and two baths that can sleep 6 to 8 people if needed. The beds were comfy, super clean, showers were large and hot, everything we needed to cook, lounge and create comfortably, fire pit, kayaks, stand up paddle board, games and more activities were available. We were immediately struck by the warm welcome wagon of deliciousness the Williams family had created for us. My guest was obsessed with the sticky, warm cinnamon buns. And a basket full of snacks as well as a Barbie coloring book with crayons too for the kiddos!
This White Mountain cabin is a three minute drive to Fool Hollow Lake where you can kayak, fish and paddle board for a fee. In the shed out front, there are lots of outside things to do like inflatable kayaks, an inflatable paddle board, camping chairs and more fun to find inside. If you’re into skiing, this cozy cabin is only one hour from Sunrise Mountain. Or just hunker down and enjoy the cabin’s indoor fireplace, outdoor grill, corn hole, horseshoe and fire pit! The master bedroom boasts a European style wall unit air conditioner and there is a swamp cooler too if you need it. A swamp cooler uses moisture to cool air so you add water to the large unit in the living room to help cool things down if needed. You can book this cabin for a steal on either Airbnb or Vrbo and will find excellent ratings across the board!
Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona. Once you find the sort of hidden gravel driveway, you’ll be good to go!Toward the driveway, you will find a shed with key inside the house with access to all the outdoor goodies available for guest use. Recycling is available as well as firewood for your s’mores!Perhaps you would like to play a game of horse shoes at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona.The grill and heater ready for guests to use in Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona.The perfect place for some wine or coffee at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona.Seating on the back side of the wrap around porch at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona.A key code allows you into the back door at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona and you are greeted by this bar and coffee station.The living room looking out from the front door at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona. The couch is pretty darn comfy and you can see the swamp cooler and fireplace.Probably one of the best stocked kitchens I have cooked in for an Airbnb at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona.A basket given to all guests at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona. Those are pre-stamped postcards which we sent back to fam! Such nice, warm touches.The sweetest welcome wagon of local flavors at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona including Bertie’s amazing bread, some Christmas ornaments from Grandpa Goose and Flying Leap wine from Wine Mountains.And let’s not forget this amazing pan of cinnamon rolls from Arizona Mountain Coffee Co. at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona. We cooked ’em off each morning for breakfast. They were amazing!Back to the house tour! Another table if needed at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona.The comfy living room space where we enjoyed some been wanting to see movies at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona. There were fuzzy blankets and games galore in the totes underneath the tables too.The sweetest family, we felt so welcome at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona. A great addition to Airbnb!Totally agree with this sign out front too at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona.The hallway guest bath is spacious at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona with stone work in the shower.The guest room at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona has a bunk above great for space-saving! There is also a closet with pull out cot and a dresser for more storage.The stacked washer and dryer in the hallway is smart at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona.The master bedroom has the only AC unit in the house and gets chilly if you like that at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona. The bed was pretty comfy! Also a TV and dresser not pictured as well as master bath. Both bathrooms have funny signs which we laughed about!Out back is pretty much woods and some neighbors so the front is where the fun is at and the lights around the trees come to life at sunset to see at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona.We didn’t plan on visiting the farmers market the next morning but were glad we did as we learned a lot. This statue tells the tell of how the town was named Show Low in a gambling bet. You’ll find most things here make a play off of gambling words.We decided a hike was in order in Show Low! The Bluff Trail is free, open to the public and has nice bathrooms for a hiking trail. You can take it easy or go harder, there are options.We hiked up the mountain in Show Low, Arizona.We popped out near someone’s house next to the trails in Show Low, Arizona and headed back down.Straight to the horses we went who were obviously well loved and fed in Show Low, Arizona.
This trip was meant to be relaxing and not over-exert ourselves so we mostly took it easy and enjoyed lounging at the cabin, cooking, watching movies, etc. For foodies, I do recommend eating lunch at Buffalo Bill’s before checkin where you will have leftovers (portions are huge) and poking around the strange museum and climbing the giant stuffed buffalo for a photo (I’m not kidding). Also check out The House, where a wedding party was happening that night. Live music, drinks, ice cream and other fun abounds at this mostly outdoor space. But remember, things move slower up north so enjoy the rhythm and get some rest!
