Cottage In The Woods Close To Hershey PA

Our cottage is truly a mother–daughter labor of love. After losing my father, my mother and I wanted a way to stay connected to him and preserve one of the places he loved most. What started as caring for a family cottage became a meaningful way for us to spend time together, keep his memory alive, and share Mount Gretna with others.

Mount Gretna has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up spending summers here — swimming at the lake, walking to the playground, and enjoying everything the Chautauqua had to offer. Surrounded by trees, cottages, music, and the lake, it always felt like a place where time slowed down.

As I got older, my connection to Mount Gretna only deepened. I worked summers at the lake during high school, and later, after becoming a mother myself, I began creating those same memories with my own children.

My father especially loved this cottage for its vintage charm, colorful personality, and peaceful porch where you could hear music drifting over from the Playhouse in the evenings.

Today, managing the cottage together has brought my mother and me closer than ever. We hope you fall in love with Mount Gretna the same way our family did many years ago.

We had dreamed about owning a cottage in the Mount Gretna Chautauqua for many years, but never quite found the right one — until this house came along. The moment we saw it, tucked up in the trees with its incredible porch and perfect location close to everything, it immediately felt special.

When my mother first came to see the cottage, she brought her best friend along. As they were driving through the neighborhood, her friend casually mentioned that someone she had known for years lived somewhere nearby — though she wasn’t exactly sure where. Moments later, that very friend unexpectedly walked outside from the neighboring cottage, and they realized they would be next-door neighbors. It felt too perfect to be a coincidence, and in that moment, it truly felt like the house was meant to be ours.

What we love most about this location is that it offers the best of Mount Gretna. The cottage feels peaceful and tucked away in the woods, yet you are just a short walk from the Playhouse, the lake, the Jigger Shop, the playground, basketball courts, gift shops, and many of the experiences that make Mount Gretna so special.

In the evenings, sitting on the porch listening to music drifting from the Playhouse is pure magic — and one of the many reasons my father fell in love with this home from the very beginning.

What makes our cottage truly unique is the feeling you get the moment you arrive. Perched high above the street among the trees, the oversized front porch feels like a peaceful treehouse retreat — private, relaxing, and unlike anything else in Mount Gretna. Sitting on the porch in the evening while music drifts over from the Playhouse is one of the most magical parts of staying here.

Originally built in the 1890s, the cottage still holds much of its original romantic charm while blending in colorful vintage décor, eclectic artwork, and subtle French Quarter-inspired touches throughout the home. It feels cozy, artistic, collected over time, and full of personality rather than overly modern or generic.

The location is another part of what makes the property so special. You are tucked away in the trees, yet only a short walk from the lake, Playhouse, Jigger Shop, playground, basketball courts, and many of the activities that make Mount Gretna such a beloved summer destination.

The kitchen is also thoughtfully stocked for guests who truly enjoy spending time in the home, complete with Fiesta dinnerware, cast iron cookware, and everything needed for cooking, gathering, and relaxing after a day at the lake.

More than anything, this cottage simply has a warmth and character that is hard to describe — it feels lived in, loved, and deeply connected to the history and spirit of the Mount Gretna Chautauqua.