Sparrowhawk Orchard
A mountaintop orchard with views toward the White Mountain National Forest. Pick-your-own apples and fresh cider make this a natural stop on a fall outing.
684 Grover Hill Road, Bethel
The seasonal journal / Fall
A little color.
A slower pace.
Orchard afternoons, mountain rounds and a road worth taking slowly. Make The Tourmaline your base for a fall weekend in western Maine.
Find your kind of fall ↓
Foliage watch
Reports begin September 9
Maine Forest Service · 2026 season
Source checked September 4, 2026
The official 2026 reporting season has not started. No current regional color percentage is available here.
Read the official Maine foliage report ↗Regional estimates, not a measurement at the house.01 / Orchard afternoons
Pick a little.
Linger a little.
Two Bethel orchards to explore when the harvest is on. Check the latest picking updates before setting out; fruit availability and opening days change with the season.
Gibson’s Apple Orchard
A traditional orchard stop for picking apples and browsing the farm store. The orchard advertises cider, honey and maple syrup; check what is available during your visit.
55 Gibson Road, Bethel
02 / A round in the mountains
Bring your clubs.
Start with Sunday River or Bethel, then explore more of western Maine’s courses. All six welcome public play; reserve a tee time and check seasonal availability.
Sunday River Golf Club
Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s mountain course pairs elevation changes with broad views. Make the round the centerpiece of your day, with time afterward at the Clubhouse.
Plan around a 4½-hour round, plus arrival and warm-up.
Course details & tee times ↗The Bethel Inn course
Now part of The Bethel Resort & Suites, this Geoffrey Cornish–designed, par-72 course is another local option for a day on the fairways.
Check available tee times directly with the course.
Course details & reservations ↗More courses to explore
For guests happy to venture farther afield.
03 / Follow the scenery
Take the long way.
Let the weather and your group’s energy shape the day. A scenic drive, a short walk or a mountain outing can each be enough.
Route 26 & Grafton Notch
Follow Route 26 from Newry through Grafton Notch. Maine’s official western foliage route continues toward Lake Umbagog; choose a comfortable turnaround rather than rushing the whole route.
Official scenic-route guide ↗A little time on the trail
Choose a Grafton Notch outing that fits your group. Check trail notices and difficulty, bring layers, and leave plenty of daylight for the return.
Sunday River scenic rides
Consider a scenic lift ride for another perspective on the mountains. Operating dates and weather matter—confirm the schedule before making it your day’s main plan.
Lift schedule & tickets ↗04 / Make room for play
A lighter afternoon.
Big Adventure Mini Golf
A round of 18-hole mini golf in Bethel is an option for families looking for a change of pace. Seasonal operation: confirm fall opening hours before visiting.
Mini golf details ↗See what’s on
Leave space for a local event. Check the calendars for your actual travel dates rather than building a weekend around last year’s schedule.
05 / Around the table
Let someone else cook.
A short list for a coffee stop, a casual meal or an evening out. Hours shown are the latest posted schedule for this month, not a guarantee for every date. For a larger group, contact the restaurant ahead.
Gemini Cafe & Bakery
Hours unconfirmed—check current hours.
Hours details
Official hours ↗Stop in for coffee and something from the bakery before exploring Bethel or heading out for the day.
Cafe details & current hours ↗Butcher Burger
Hours unconfirmed—check current hours.
Hours details
Official hours ↗Burgers, sandwiches, hand-cut fries and lobster rolls make this an option for an informal meal in town.
Bethel menu & hours ↗Modern Barn
Hours unconfirmed—check current hours.
Hours details
Official hours ↗A seasonal dinner menu featuring steaks, seafood and fresh pasta. Consider it for a sit-down evening out, and check reservations for your dates.
Menu & reservations ↗The Clubhouse
Hours unconfirmed—check current hours.
Hours details
Official hours ↗At Sunday River Golf Club, the restaurant welcomes non-golfers as well as players. Pair a meal with mountain views; check seasonal service before visiting.
Menus & seasonal hours ↗06 / A change in the weather
A good day indoors.
Keep a weatherproof option in reserve. Check opening times and availability before heading out with the whole group.
River Lanes
Ten-pin bowling, an arcade and pool tables, with a restaurant and bar on site. A practical option when a wet afternoon calls for a change of plans.
Activities & contact details ↗Stay in. Play a little.
Make a movie-room afternoon of it, or challenge each other to ping-pong, foosball and arcade games. No drive—and no need to fill every hour.
Explore the house →07 / A weekend, not a checklist
Out for the day.
Home for the evening.
Choose one main outing each day and leave room for the house.
- Friday / Settle in
Arrive. Unpack. Exhale.
Share dinner and ease into the weekend with a movie or a soak in the hot tub.
- Saturday / Find your adventure
Apples or fairways.
Pick an orchard outing with a scenic drive, or reserve the day for golf. Return for time on the deck and an evening around the fire pit when conditions allow.
- Sunday / One more look
Keep the morning simple.
Make breakfast together and, if your departure plans allow, stop for a short walk or a little time in Bethel on the way home.
The Tourmaline / Newry, Maine