See all properties
Entire home

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

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

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

Reviews

9.8 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
1 bedroom1+ bathroomSleeps 61300 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
  • Outdoor Space
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
La Pointe, WI
  • Place, Big Bay State Park
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Place, Apostle Islands Marina
    ‪24 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.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Private kitchen
A new contemporary escape for your next snow day on Madeline!
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Toys/Games
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (1 review)
A new contemporary escape for your next snow day on Madeline!

House Rules

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

Children

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

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

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

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Please leave duvet covers on duvets; sheets go in hamper; towels on floor of bathroom. Please do dishes; leave garbage in trash container on deck; turn off lights, etc.
Please keep pets off beds and furniture unless bringing pet blankets, etc. to protect. If pets shed a lot, please limit the number of rooms they're in.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Firewood for fireplace (not firepit) is usually available. Wood for firepit avail. at Big Bay. Charcoal grill avail. Two beach bikes usually avail.
Please bring salt, pepper, spices, etc. Plus beach towels. We'll provide bed linens, bath towels, dish detergent, hand soap. Our water=safe but irony
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

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 Soo Line Locomotive 950. Kayaking and motor 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.
View more Cottages in La PointeOpens in a new window
Map
La Pointe, WI

What's nearby

  • Big Bay State Park - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Madeline Island Museum - 14 min drive - 14.5 km
  • Madeline Island Ferry Line - 23 min drive - 17.8 km
  • Apostle Islands National Lakeshore - 24 min drive - 18.5 km
  • Apostle Islands Marina - 24 min drive - 18.5 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Legendary Sports Bar - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪Pickaroon HQ - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Bell Street Tavern - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Epic Campsite - ‬32 min drive
  • ‪Larry's Good Time Saloon And Restaurant - ‬3 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).

How much does it cost to stay at Artist's Perch on Madeline Island Overlooking Big Bay and Short Walk To Beach?

As of Mar 23, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Artist's Perch on Madeline Island Overlooking Big Bay and Short Walk To Beach on Jul 2, 2026 start from $374, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

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?

Check-out 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 1 mi (2 km) of Lake Superior and Big Bay State Park. Major Gilbert Beach and Madeline Island Museum are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 40 out of 47 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 47 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 47 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 47 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 47 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

C S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We all had a wonderful time and the property was beautiful. I especially loved the backyard and view of Lake Superior. Thanks again, June, for helping make our stay there a memorable one.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home with everything we needed for the week, plus some nice extras like board games and a record player. It's within walking distance to Big Bay Town Park which is a big plus. We had a great stay. Thanks, June!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ellen V.

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

Beautiful Spot!

Our family had a wonderful stay at the cabin. The view of the lake is spectacular and we loved waking up in the trees. Kitchen has everything you’d need and the location is great. Hope to be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Katherine S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Loved the cabin and its very cool arty aesthetic. You can tell the owners thought about joy in the details with the record player, board games, books, etc. My only gripe is that the outdoor & campfire spot was not safe for small kids with a large drop off right off the deck.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

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
Verified

8/10 Good

Ami B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved having views of the lake and enjoying coffee out on the deck every morning. It was an easy walk to the Big Bay Town Park. The rooms were nice and roomy. Beds were comfy. Loved the cabin feel.Easy to get to; but make sure you follow the directions left on the check-in process. Do not use Google maps.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy L.

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

Madeline Island

Location, Location, Location
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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

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
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback

Hotels

Vacation Rentals