Vermont, Maine, North Carolina—all states synonymous with leaf peeping and peak fall pleasures. But why isn’t anyone talking about Ohio? The Midwestern destination—known for being a manufacturing hub, the birthplace of aviation and the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, among other notables—is finally getting the autumnal recognition it deserves.
According to Airbnb, the Buckeye State is the fourth-most top-rated fall destination, coming in behind Vermont, New Hampshire and New York for travelers chasing seasonal foliage. So, what’s drawing people in? A stunning A-frame cabin tucked in the Ohio woodlands, where I got to spend the perfect fall weekend.
The appeal of a secluded weekend away in the woods surpassed any need for pumpkin patches or hayrides. As a Miamian, I know two types of weather: rainy and not-rainy. So when dry air was guaranteed, I couldn’t wait for the quiet of the countryside—which is exactly what I got. This little pocket of peace in Lancaster, Ohio—just 45 minutes outside Columbus—has zero noise pollution. Look up, and you’ll notice there’s barely any artificial light either. The absence of external interference was so striking, it was the first thing I noticed when we pulled onto the long gravel road.
Getting there was easy thanks to host Andrew’s detailed directions, down to the note about a mailbox marking our turn. Once there, the cabin was exactly as pictured. Sitting on 35 wooded acres, our wood-clad hideaway was at once rustic and modern, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, two bedrooms downstairs and a second-story loft with an ensuite bathroom.
I prefer an open floor plan, and this one was ideal for a group with different interests that still wanted to feel connected. One of us could be reading at the dining table while another watched TV and another cooked dinner—each wrapped up in our own task but still within earshot to keep the conversation going.
We arrived at night and didn’t get a full picture of the cabin’s beauty until daybreak, when the sunlight really worked its magic. I woke up at sunrise and marveled as the rays peeked through the trees, gently bathing the space in a warm, amber glow. Too cold to sit outside, I admired the ridgeline and mostly bare trees from my cozy perch on the couch.
The Airbnb—one of the most wishlisted properties in the country—offered plenty to keep us occupied. At night, we sat in Adirondacks and warmed up around the campfire, soaking in the vast stillness. We skipped a dip in the hot tub, though it was bubbling and ready should the urge strike. During the day, we roamed the property, following creeks and trekking through mounds of crimson and orange leaves. It finally clicked why people obsess over fall foliage trips.
Just 15 minutes away, downtown Lancaster delivered the rest of my fall fantasy. I started my day with a proper diner breakfast at Todd’s Mountain View Restaurant (spoiler: your "mountain view" is actually a parking lot), drove by the bustling Fairfield County Fair on the way to the Mount Pleasant Overlook, and lost track of time sipping coffee and painting a ceramic pumpkin at Art & Clay on Main.
I got a few confused looks when I told friends I was going to Ohio for the weekend, but once I showed them the cabin, they immediately got it. It doesn’t take much to see the appeal of an impeccably designed woodland escape—remote enough to reset, but close enough to reality if you need it. If fall is a feeling, this little A-frame in Ohio might just be where it lives.
