5 Scenic New England Retreats with Waterfront and Mountain Views

Along the water’s edge on highly sought-after Big Barndoor Island, this custom-built timber frame home is designed around Lake Winnipesaukee’s panoramic views and unforgettable sunsets. Soaring timber-frame ceilings and expansive windows bring the lake into everyday life, while seamless indoor-outdoor living sets an easy rhythm from morning light to evening color. Two lakeview bedrooms offer a peaceful retreat, complemented by a guest bunkhouse for extra company. Outside, protected docking simplifies arrivals and departures, and interior trails invite quiet walks that feel worlds away—even as downtown Wolfeboro is just minutes by boat. The result is a lakeside hideaway that pairs craft and comfort with the rare freedom of true island living.

Set on 3+ acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Easton, this private estate offers an easy rhythm between gracious interiors and outdoor recreation. Inside, elegant living space unfolds from a banquet-size formal dining room to a chef’s kitchen with an adjoining family dining area and a raised-hearth stone fireplace. A living room with a second fireplace, generous family room, home office, and den create flexible settings for both everyday life and larger gatherings. A sunroom with a full bath and laundry adds comfort and practicality. Outdoors, the den opens to the patio, pool, and sports courts for basketball, tennis, or pickleball. Upstairs, the primary suite features a designer bath, while three additional large bedrooms include walk-in closets. A finished lower level game/playroom, oversized three-car garage, and recent updates—heating system, generator, roof, and driveway—round out the experience. Minutes to schools, shopping, town center, Easton Reservoir, trails, and key routes.

Along the water’s edge in Roxbury, this private Maine retreat is designed for a life that feels both secluded and connected. The property centers on five cabins, creating a flexible compound for hosting, gathering, or simply spreading out across your own waterfront setting. With income potential built into its layout, it offers an appealing balance between personal escape and practical use—ideal for those who value time away without leaving opportunity behind. Days here can unfold at an unhurried pace: mornings shaped by the calm of the shoreline, afternoons shared across separate cabin spaces, and evenings defined by the quiet that only a waterfront property can bring. It’s a rare kind of retreat—private, purposeful, and oriented toward the simple luxury of being by the water.

From its elevated mountain setting in Newry, this reimagined Maine retreat balances privacy with easy access to the energy of Sunday River. Set on a serene, wooded lot, the cabin is designed for both grand entertaining and quieter evenings, anchored by a great room filled with natural light and architectural warmth. Four bedrooms include two elegant en suites, while a secondary living area and a screened porch on the main level offer refined places to unwind. Downstairs, the lower level becomes a destination of its own, with a game room, bar, media lounge, and additional accommodations that make hosting feel effortless. Outside, an expansive deck overlooks the tranquil, private setting, where a hot tub and fire pit set the tone for an après-ski ritual—whether you’re coming in from the slopes or an evening at The Matterhorn Ski Bar.

Perched high on 35 private acres in Quechee, this thoughtfully designed contemporary retreat takes in sweeping long-range views of the Quechee Valley, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park, and the Quechee ski hill. Custom wood trim and quality finishes bring warmth and craft to every room. The open main level is made for easy gathering, with a chef’s kitchen, a casual sitting area, and a dramatic living and dining room anchored by soaring ceilings and a gas fireplace. Four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms include a comfortable in-law suite, offering flexibility for extended stays. Downstairs, a spacious family and entertainment room with a bar sets the tone for relaxed evenings. Outdoors, meadows once grazed by sheep unfold alongside a large barn for versatile storage, a two-car garage, ample parking, and a deep sense of privacy in nature.