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Artist's Perch on Madeline Island Overlooking Big Bay and Short Walk To Beach

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Front row seats for Lake Superior action.
Living area
Living area
Interior
Bathroom

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1+ bathroomSleeps 6120.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking available
  • Laundry
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
La Pointe, WI
  • Big Bay State Park
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
  • Apostle Islands Marina
    ‪66 min drive‬
  • Ashland, WI (ASX-John F. Kennedy Memorial)
    ‪100 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 6)

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Studio Bedroom

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Half bathroom in master bedroom

Toilet

Main bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Artist's Perch on Madeline Island Overlooking Big Bay and Short Walk To Beach

Wrapped around an original fieldstone fireplace, this 2-bedroom cabin with 1.5 baths will thrill you with its cliffside views of Lake Superior and the Porcupine Mountains. Rustic and modern, the cottage was designed by two Chicago artists who also designed the Eleanor and Sam Himmelfarb House, now on historic registries. With Frank Lloyd Wright touches, the cabin features floor-to-ceiling windows and walk-out decks from each room where birds are ever-present and sunrise and moonrise provide spectacular entertainment. The naturally wooded perch includes birch, maple, spruce, and pine along with a variety of native flowers and lupine. A stone's throw from sugary Big Bay Beach, the cabin uniquely mixes antique barn wood boards and white-washed walls to create a dreamy aesthetic where time stops, waves lap, and sun stirs the soul. Evenings spent around the campfire with light breezes off the lake are perfect for stargazing and reflecting on the cosmos. The elegant master bedroom features a queen bed and its own half bath. The second bedroom is a converted artist studio with vaulted ceilings and wraparound windows with wooded and lakeside views along with 1 queen and 1 double futon bed (extra day bed available in the main room). A light-filled galley kitchen and cozy bath retain 1950's touches. Enjoy an easy walk or use of our free bikes to the Riviera of the North (Big Bay Beach) or head to the tiny town of LaPointe for open-air bars and farm-to-table cafes.

Property manager

June Thiemann
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Laundry
Outdoor space
Parking available

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Exterior

50 Acres Private Cabin Nestled in the Woods

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
50 Acres Private Cabin Nestled in the Woods

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Steep drop-off at edge of property.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 3 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Fire wood is free. Charcoal grill available. And there are usually 4 bikes available for your use.
Please bring your own salt, pepper, spices, etc. Please bring your own beach towels. We'll provide bed linens, bath towels, dish detergent, hand soap
Please leave dirty sheets in hampers; comforters stay on beds; towels on floor of bathroom. Pls do dishes; leave garbage in trash container on deck.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

La Pointe

Located in La Pointe, this cottage is on a lake. Madeline Island Museum and Bayfield Heritage Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Bayfield Maritime Museum and Ashland Mural Walk. Kayaking and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and cycling nearby.
Map
La Pointe, WI

What's nearby

  • Big Bay State Park - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Madeline Island Museum - 13 min drive - 11.0 km
  • Madeline Island Ferry Line - 65 min drive - 15.7 km
  • Apostle Islands Cruises - 66 min drive - 16.1 km
  • Apostle Islands Marina - 66 min drive - 16.2 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Bell Street Tavern - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Island Oasis - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Peterson Fisheries - ‬68 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Artist's Perch on Madeline Island Overlooking Big Bay and Short Walk To Beach pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 3 total).

What time is check-in at Artist's Perch on Madeline Island Overlooking Big Bay and Short Walk To Beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Artist's Perch on Madeline Island Overlooking Big Bay and Short Walk To Beach?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Artist's Perch on Madeline Island Overlooking Big Bay and Short Walk To Beach located?

Situated on a lake, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Lake Superior and Big Bay State Park. Major Gilbert Beach and Madeline Island Museum are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 36 out of 41 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 41 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 41 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 41 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 41 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Christopher J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great trip

The view and location was great. Highly recommend the house. We will be back for sure.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Camille M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great experience again and again!

We loved our time at this gem (this was our second time here) and hope to come back again and again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Crystal M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Refreshing

Great location and gorgeous views of the Porkies, Lake Superior, and the town park. I loved the record collection. Cabin had everything we needed. Definitely recommend a stay here in the woods.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maureen O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great gal friend getaway

Lovely cabin, poetic and peaceful. Perfect for 3 high school friends to reunite in. Loved the location, the lovely hearth that is the home’s heart. Also loved that our dogs could join us.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful View

We throughly enjoyed our time at Artist's Perch overlooking the majestic Lake Superior. The cabin had everything we needed to make our trip perfect! The location was very close to everything and the views could not be beat. We would recommend this cabin again and again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carrie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Worth It!!

Madeline Island is pure magic - La Pointe is absolutely lovely - and this eclectic artist’s abode is the picture perfect perch to experience and enjoy it all!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Meaghan E.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful spot!

This was a gorgeous, rustic cabin on a gorgeous spot. We loved the big windows and beautiful views from the firepit and deck. The steep stairs down to the water were a fun discovery!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Madeline Island

Location, Location, Location
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Spencer L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy Cliff Cabin

The large windows facing the water in every room make a big impact. Coffee at the fire pit/cliff during a sunrise is something everyone should experience. Being able to bring our dogs was amazing.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bill V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Views

You can't get much closer to the water than this cabin. Plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the views from any room in the house. Waking up in the morning surrounded by trees and listening to the waves gently meeting the shore was incredible. My wife and I played records and had a fire in the fireplace during one of the rainy days. On the sunny days we went to the beach just down the street and kayaked and had lunch on the beach. This cabin will have a special place in our hearts forever.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle Q.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just what we needed!

The property is unique in all the best ways! We loved it and June was incredibly responsive!!! Thank you!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mireille R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful views and sounds of the Lake

We had a wonderful stay! So quiet and so close to the water. On a cliff, but great views of the lake and so close we can hear the waves lapping the shore down below. The fireplace is almost suspended over the lake. The huge windows made it possible to enjoy the views and the sounds directly from our bed. We truly enjoyed our relaxing stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Camille M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful lakeside retreat

We are so happy to have stayed here! While we came for Madeline Island and expected to spend way more time in La Pointe, we ended up spending most of the trip lounging around at the house. They had a good selection of records, bedrooms with ample lighting, the space was laid out nicely, and it had most everything needed for a long weekend. Not to mention that the view of the lake was beyond gorgeous. We hope to return for another round of fun!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

What a beautiful property. It was lovingly created and maintained with such fun details. The space was comfortable and fun for everyone. The view couldnt be beat either. It was such a refreshing and relaxing time. June was awesome and so responsive
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Ryan B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Highs and lows

We drove up to the property and were amazed by its presence. The views and lot really are spectacular. The cabin takes advantage of the lake and brings the outdoors in. The biggest setback for us was the lack of access to the lake, as we really thought we would be able to walk out to the water. A second comment and note to the owners would be please consider updating the bathrooms, while we like the rustics charm, that was a bit rough for the rate. Fun week, we will be back to the island.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Kim C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rustic house in Beautiful setting

This is a rustic house with incredible views. We loved the beautiful setting of the house on a cliff overlooking Big Bay. We spent many evenings by the fire pit and loved being so close to Big Bay Town Beach. The house itself is interesting. The main room is cozy and the fireplace is really nice. It was great to have heaters in every room to deal with the unpredictable temperatures of the lake. The home, especially the bathroom and kitchen are VERY rustic. They are serviceable, but requiring some work arounds. It's clear that some updating has happened (the furniture and beds are very comfortable), but much of the house looks and smells like it was built in the 1940s. I think a lot of the challenges would be solved by a deep cleaning of the whole house and some WD-40. But overall, we had a wonderful time and truly enjoyed our week on the cliff.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Trevor L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Better Than We Expected

This place is a quirky cabin/shack - so if you're looking for modern amenities, this isn't for you. Pros: gorgeous views, comfortable main bed (with a gorgeous view!), large enough for our family of five, a five minute bike ride to the Town Park (a magical place). Overall, the space was larger than we expected. Cons: the place is definitely drafty, and unfortunately the open fireplace - the only heat in the main room - was smoky enough to set off the fire alarm. There were some bulbs out here and there and the shower is a bit dodgy. The drop-off at the water is *dangerous* for kids and pets! That said, we really loved it and would rent again. Our four nights went by waayyyyy too fast.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

katie m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Views

Our family of 4 had a great time at the cabin. We had a few rainy days that we enjoyed inside. We loved the amazing view from the living room and keeping warm by the fire. We cooked several meals in the well-stocked kitchen (bring your own spices and seasoning) The beds were very comfortable. There are no window treatments, so if you have a child (or you) that needs dark to sleep you may want to consider bringing sleep mask or something to help. My husband and I loved waking up to the full wall sunrise in the bedroom... and then falling back asleep. Other reviews mentioned going down steep stairs to a sandy beach below. We found the stairs, but the water was too high and there was no exposed beach landing... so maybe the water is higher this year than previous years. The Town Park is very close and has amazing swimming and beach boardwalk hikes. We rented a canoe at the park and enjoyed a leisurely paddle in the back bog. We even saw a family of otters! This was a great spot for our kids (4 & 7) to get some energy out. The water at the cabin is a little irony, so we filled up jugs at the Town Park (as suggested by the hosts) All in all we had a great time and hope to return.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Andrew N.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice cabin on Lake Superior

Incredible views out the large living room looking over Lake Superior. Was perfect size for our group of 4 adults, baby, and 2 dogs. The town park beach was close by and very enjoyable
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chad B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Picture perfect

Classic property! Would stay again
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

suzanne l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

beautiful, tastefully designed, and stocked with essentials

We loved this cottage where we stayed with 2 (adult and teen) grandchildren. Quiet, gorgeous views, enjoyed building a fire outside at night, played games, and crafted. We have vacationed on the island many times over the past 30 years and this place was perfect.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

Second time back to this cottage and enjoyed it immensely. Highly recommended
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Pepper T., Minneapolis, US

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rustic Elegance with Sweeping Views

The best of all the island can offer in this charming elegant cliff side lake home. We’ve loved renting from June and cannot give higher regards for this genuinely gem of a place.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melissa T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Retreat on a cliff

The sound of the waves crashing, coffee on the back deck overlooking the water, the stars at night, camp fires near the cliff, and waking up to those spectacular views. Oh what a gift. This space provides a secluded get away to recharge and refocus. The property is very close to Town Park which has great beaches , kayak, and canoe rentals. The proximate it very convenient with kids. If you love nature reserve your next getaway at this magical gem.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

6/10 Okay

Colleen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Beautiful property but house needs TLC

Majestic property with view of lake superior. Property needs repairs and updates such as bathroom, windows and deteriorating boards. Very clean and charming.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by June Thiemann

Host profile image
We are two Carleton grads who have raised 3 kids in Minneapolis. Dan is the CEO of a national nonprofit that focuses on transportation and liveability. June is a former English teacher, author of a memoir, and mental health proactivist.

Why they chose this property

For years, we have been going to Madeline Island for family vacations. It has a simple magic that keeps pulling us back to its sugar sand beaches and all-are-welcome town. In 2018, we heard that a work associate was selling a cabin that had been in her family for two generations. We took a look and couldn't turn away from this gem on the lake!

What makes this property unique

This cabin has a perch over Lake Superior that will take your breath away. Whether you're sitting in the living room or reading in bed, you'll feel close to the water and waves and sun and moon. No matter what shape you're in when you arrive at this cabin, you will leave feeling restored and ready to return to your world. Free of the noise of everyday life (but with high-speed wifi available), this retreat respects the wonderful drama of nature.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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