Here's What Those Instagram Famous Tiny Cabins Are Actually Like
I've spent the past two years romanticizing peace and quiet, ironically something my New York roots don't let me experience. Ambulance horns and screaming neighbors far outweigh the sound of chirping birds in Queens.
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Cottagecore TikTok and a newfound obsession with YouTube "I live in a tiny home" couples have also made me crave an off-grid lifestyle. I want to strain cherries for syrup and make scones in my tiny oven while my tiny fireplace keeps me warm! (This coming from someone who, by the way, will never go through the process of straining fruit to produce a syrup she can buy for a discount at Home Goods.)
Full honesty: I could never actually do it. Not permanently. I am not an off-the-grid person. Quiet scares me more than noise, and we can chalk that up to true crime podcasts and also, I read the news.
But I strongly suggest Getaway for city folks who want a slice of quiet life without the actual commitment.
You've likely heard of Getaway or seen it on Instagram — it's a network of tiny cabins with multiple locations across the United States, all nestled in remote areas two hours (or less) outside of major cities.
I opted for booking an eastern Catskills cabin, which was 1.5 hours from my home in Queens, but there are "escape from" options for cities ranging from New Orleans and Kansas City to Los Angeles and Seattle.
Check-in begins at 3 p.m. and I recommend getting there precisely at 3 p.m. We didn't arrive until 7 p.m. due to #work and it was pitch black, aka I felt like a disposable side character from The Vampire Diaries with every rustling of a leaf. It was a bit spooky because you are surrounded by trees, another lone cabin or two, and not much else.
These cabins are iconic for their floor-to-ceiling windows, which offer a stunning slice of nature...and natural light? An amenity I hadn't realized my soul was craving until now (I say as I type from my poorly lit first-floor apartment).
All cabins are strategically positioned to ensure your window provides nothing but unobstructed nature views. I went in mid-November and the foliage was just *chef's kiss*.
The cabin is teeny tiny, but it packs in all the necessities: a mini fridge, Bluetooth speaker, stovetop, sink, a private bathroom with hot water for a shower, hooks for storage, a table with two chairs, utensils and plates, a kettle and pour-over coffee maker, plus an outdoor fire pit, s'mores kit, and an outdoor picnic table.
It also comes stocked with coffee, tea, and firewood for an additional cost.
Ignore my socks.
What it does not include: Wi-Fi.
I didn't realize the Wi-Fi situation until we got there...and my immediate reaction was to panic. I had wanted to stream a movie and respond to emails in the morning. What was I supposed to do with my time? I mean, it was DARK out there! What if there was an emergency?? (Cell phone reception was totally fine, btw, I'm just dramatic.)
There was even a phone "lockbox" to give your iPhone some PTO, plus a booklet with tech-less activities: spying on squirrels and constellation tracing were my personal favorites. There was also a fireside ghost story mad libs thing, but I'm going to be honest and say I was too scared to do it. (Again, it was dark.)
Final verdict: This overnight ~getaway~ is an amazing experience. I typically stumble home exhausted and drained after a trip, but this genuinely rejuvenated me. And that's because I had actual permission to...relax! And sit in stillness!
Let me walk you through the highlights of my purposely uneventful trip.
My fiancé and I woke up and made pancakes.
AnaMaria Glavan / BuzzFeed
Tip: Bring your own ingredients and snacks! We had to research and scramble a bit last minute to throw together a meal (the closest Walmart was a 10-minute drive, which isn't far but definitely not ideal when it's pitch black in the middle of the woods and you have to drive through darkness, lol).
I sipped my coffee for a full 30 minutes and did nothing but stare out the window. My mind is too race-y for true meditation (I've tried), but I imagine *this* is what it feels like.
The cabin provides durable, insulated mugs that keep coffee piping hot for quite a while.
We put on a fire and roasted s'mores.
You get an adorable kit in your cabin with graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows, and skewers.
We also took a scenic walk! There was a booklet to highlight surrounding trails as well as a breakdown of the entire property, which hosts a cluster of tiny cabins spread strategically apart from one another.
Maybe the above doesn't sound all too exciting...and that's what made the experience special. Getaway is so. damn. good. for folks in desperate need of unplugging and giving their brains a break.
AnaMaria Glavan / BuzzFeed
I get to travel a bunch and this was by far one of my most memorable trips. The chance to reconnect with myself (and my partner!) for a day or two sans iPhone and Wi-Fi is what I didn't know I needed.
Enjoy this soothing GIF of me making pour-over coffee for the first time in my life. Did I do it right? Please tell me I did it right.
Overnight stays start at $199+ and are offered all around the United States (select the "escape from" option and scour the drop-down menu for a location near you).
Disclaimer: Our stay was comp'd, but we were under no obligation to review.
