Rustic Retreat: 3 min walk to downtown Plymouth, gateway to the White Mountains

Whether you're exploring the mountains, touring campus, or just passing through — if you’re looking for something with character, this cozy side-by-side duplex has it.

A wooded hill provides a little peace and privacy, but with just a 3-minute walk you can get to the Flying Monkey Theater, PSU campus, or the heart of the downtown business district.

The main bed is in the loft, but the living room’s couch pulls out into a second.

Fast wifi, reserved parking, full kitchen, and rustic charm.

Four of us (me, my wife, my mom, and my sister) are set up to receive messages, so someone is usually able to answer reasonably quickly. So far we haven't had any property emergencies come up, but we live down in Concord, about 45 minutes away, if something does happen.

Plymouth is known as "The Gateway to the White Mountains". Situated just between the Granite State's two major tourism destinations -- White Mountain National Forest to the North (where the Appalachian Mountains cross through New Hampshire), and the Lakes Region to the South -- opportunities for outdoor recreation abound year-round.

Thanks in part to Plymouth State University, this vibrant town is the cultural and economic hub of the region. Small enough to maintain that classic New England charm (including a classic covered bridge), Plymouth still has everything you'd need (the next Walmart north is 45 minutes away, on the other side of the mountains).

Our duplex is just on the edge of downtown, a couple blocks southwest of campus and a couple blocks southeast of Plymouth Town Commons. You can walk a hundred yards or so downhill over public land to get straight to the heart of downtown Main Street -- live music, restaurants, shops, nightlife, and more.

You have this entire unit, plus a private deck, to yourself. The duplex’s other side is rented separately, and you share one wall (don't worry -- nobody is above or below you). The driveway is shared, but your unit has two reserved parking spaces.

Reminiscent of a classic mountain A-frame, this unit has a larger first floor and a smaller second floor loft. The building is a side-by-side duplex, so you share one wall, but you don't have to worry about anyone above or below you.

Leave your car in one of two off-street parking spaces reserved for you, and try not to get distracted by the opportunities that await as you walk past the wooded yard for your front door.

Sure, curling up with a good book in the lounge chairs around the fire pit, or curling up with a significant other in the two-person hammock, sounds like a nice way to relax after a long drive. But there will be time for that later. You can almost taste the burgers you’ll be flipping on your private deck’s propane grill this evening, and eating at it’s bistro table a little later this evening, but those gas station Slim Jim’s should hold you over for now. And of course you like yard games — who doesn’t? But you ignore the siren song of horseshoes, bean bag toss (corn hole), washer toss, and ladder ball to power on.

Victorious, you step through the front door to find yourself in the great room. The dining area is just to your right, beneath the fairy lights covering the exposed beams above. It has four seats, but two edges of the table fold down if you don’t need them. Sure, you’ll probably mostly dine out — there’s over a dozen restaurants in comfortable walking distance. But if you dine in, notice the surrounding walls are covered in trail maps of the White Mountains so you can plan your next adventure.

The living room is just past that. Pull the second bed out of the Lazy Boy couch if you brought friends, play one of the many provided board games, or even choose something to read from the bookshelf. It's easy to spend a rainy day watching live shows on the smart tv, log in to any apps you have, or connect your own device with the hdmi cable.

Then the kitchen is just to your left, ready and waiting. Of course there's the appliances like the fridge/freezer, stove/oven range, a countertop dishwasher, and a coffee pot. It's also got all of the basic details covered, from spatulas to salt.

Just off the kitchen is the bathroom tucked underneath the stairs. Toilet, sink, shower -- you know, bathroom stuff. Don't forget to turn on the heater to stay warm while you dry!

Climb the staircase to finally find yourself in the charming loft. It's got a queen bed under the slanting roof, so probably no jumping on the bed. It will be easy to sleep in as the blackout curtains block off the sun, but of course if you sleep too long you'll miss all that the White Mountains have to offer. The loft also has a closet to store your stuff and a desk if you're stuck working. Our building has a mesh wifi network carrying spectrum's 300 mbps plan, so at least you'll be able to zoom into meetings.

No matter the season, you shouldn't have any trouble keeping yourself comfortable. Adjust the thermostat however you see fit to control the baseboard radiators, and with the heated boot-dryer you can always put on toasty shoes in the morning. If you like things warmer than your husband does, that's fine too -- the bed has a 2-zone heated mattress pad, so each side adjusts separately, and the provided space heaters can amp up local heat even more. Or if you're trying to cool things down, the two provided window ACs make quick work of the summer sun, and a portable fan can keep a breeze on you anywhere in the unit. Regardless of season, an air purifier and a humidifier help keep the indoor climate just right.

From the apex of the vaulted ceilings high above, to the exposed beams in the open view below, plenty of interior wood defines this striking rustic setting. Just like the best log cabins, this loft feels refreshingly rugged while at the same time offering an enveloping warmth.

A little under a mile from the interstate, this is a convenient launching point for adventures nearby, or an easy rest stop for weary travelers.
->2 reserved off-street parking spaces.
->5 minute walk (point two miles) from the bus stop.
->Rideshare companies can reliably get you here, but may have longer waits for getting picked up.
->Comfortably walk anywhere in downtown Plymouth.

We allow groups of up to four people, but please be aware the space is tight with the couch folded out into the second bed. It’s totally fine if you’re just looking for a place to sleep between mountain adventures, but if you’re planning on staying in much, two is more comfortable.

Please understand that winter weather is a natural part of New England’s White Mountains, and take appropriate caution accordingly. We hire a plow service for the driveway, but they only come after a storm has stopped, and they are only able to fit the plow in the driveway if everyone parks appropriately -- as far forward as possible to leave a wide path open. We also try to shovel & salt the walks during turnovers, but we are not able to eliminate the snow and ice entirely every day. Shovels and salt are available for guest use at any time.

Rustic Retreat: 3 min walk to downtown Plymouth, gateway to the White Mountains offers its guests barbecue grills and a garden. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Plymouth apartment is smoke free.