Welcome to our charming lakeview retreat in Crosby, Minnesota, the Whistling Pines Retreat! Nestled amidst breathtaking natural beauty, this 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house is the perfect haven for families seeking a tranquil and fun-filled getaway (sleeps 12). With stunning lake views, an outdoor sauna, a Pacman themed Arcade machine bedroom, a game room (with ping pong, poker, and darts) ample outdoor space, parking, and a speakeasy bar in the garage, your vacation here promises to be truly unforgettable.
We are pet friendly and offer monthly discounts!
As you step inside, you'll be greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that combines modern comforts with rustic charm. The main level is up a flight of stairs (kitchen and living room) and the spacious living area features a cozy seating arrangement in front of a wood burning fireplace where you can unwind and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the lake or stream your favorite on demand content on the TV. If you're a music enthusiast, our vintage record player is sure to strike a chord and set the mood for relaxation. Two of the four bedrooms are on the upper level.
The fully equipped kitchen boasts all the essentials you need to prepare delicious home-cooked meals for your loved ones. Gather around the dining table, which offers ample seating for everyone, and savor your culinary creations while exchanging stories and laughter. We provide all of the basis cooking utensils, dishware, pots and pans, seasonings, and everything you'll need for cooking.
We are built for families in mind, which is why we provide board games, a selection of DVD's (and DVD player), 4 Smart TV's, great wifi, a children's table (2 chairs), children's toys/books, a mini highchair and a swing set outside (for kids, not adults).
Wake up to the gentle sounds of nature and step outside onto the private deck, where you can relish a cup of coffee while taking in the serene lake views. With two well-appointed bathrooms (1 upstairs and 1 downstairs), getting ready in the morning or winding down at night will be a breeze for your entire group. The upstairs two bedrooms each have a Queen bed with a skylight to see the stars at night and let in lots of ample light. The downstairs bedroom has a queen bedroom and large closet. The fourth bedroom is also downstairs and is our Pacman themed arcade room featuring three twin over twin bunkbeds (built for adults in mind, so they're very sturdy), the Pacman room can sleep up to 6. One of the highlights of this retreat is the arcade bedroom, complete with a classic Pacman machine and other nostalgic video games. We also have several board games. Challenge your friends or family members to friendly competitions and relive the joy of retro gaming.
Venture back in time when you step into the large attached garage and welcome to our Speakeasy! This mob-themed home bar will transport you back to the glamorous and dangerous days of the Prohibition era. Stepping inside, you find yourself enveloped by the ambiance of a bygone era. The bar itself is an exquisite custom solid oak piece from 1973; made out of 3 whiskey barrels... you won't find anything like it. The walls are adorned with vintage artwork, classic books printed in 1910, and black-and-white photographs depicting scenes of mobsters in their prime, capturing their larger-than-life personalities and the gritty allure of the era. Hang around on the couch while a friend serves you up a homemade cocktail, or go crazy taking selfies against our custom built photo wall. Pose like a mobster in front of the police lineup (don't forget the prohibition era props) and use the ring light tripod stand for some really great pics and lighting. Challenge a friend to a game of Ping Pong, poker, or darts! (*it's a garage so there can still be bugs and it's not temperature controlled)
Outside, you'll find a large yard that provides plenty of space for outdoor activities, a swing set for kids, and games. Spend delightful afternoons basking in the sunshine or gather around the firepit in the evenings for cozy conversations under the starry sky. For the ultimate relaxation experience, indulge in the outdoor sauna and let your worries melt away in the soothing heat. Other outdoor amenities include: rocking chairs on the front porch, a bonfire pit, frisbee golf, and we have other yard games in the garage (polish golf, badminton/volleyball net, and a football) as well as an outdoor basketball hoop. We offer complimentary access to the 2 kayaks (2 adult life jackets and 2 kids life jackets). You will need to haul the kayaks yourself (nearest public launch is about a 2 minute drive on Indian Jack Lake and this house doesn't have direct lake access, but you can make your own path if you wish across the street).
Crosby, Minnesota, offers a wealth of outdoor adventures for nature enthusiasts. Spend your days fishing, swimming, or boating on the picturesque lake, or explore the surrounding hiking and mountain biking trails and immerse yourself in the beauty of the wilderness.
With its spacious layout, captivating lake views, outdoor sauna, speakeasy, arcade room, and various other amenities, Whistling Pines Retreat is the ideal destination for creating cherished memories with your loved ones. Book your stay with us today and embark on a remarkable vacation experience!
We offer DISCOUNTED LONGER TERM stays! Please reach out if you're needing a longer stay in the area.
Guest access
You will have access to the entire property -- this cabin sits on 4 acres and is very beautiful and serene.
We are not a lakefront property, but we sit across from the lake with beautiful views of the lake. Highway 6 is the cross street so you can hear cars driving by below the property (it can be loud on weekends). There's a public access point just a 2-minute drive from the house to drop in your kayaks, paddle boards, etc.
Other things to note
This is a reverse floor plan, which means that the kitchen and living room (with 2 bedrooms) are located up the stairs on the second level of the home (with beautiful views of the lake from the kitchen).
This cabin sits across from Indian Jack Lake -- although we don't have lake access directly, you're more than welcome to forge your own path into the lake from across the street, or there is a public dock (to drop kayaks and paddle boards in, etc.) just down the road, about a 3-minute drive away. This home sits 7 minutes from downtown Crosby and is the perfect, secluded spot that is close to trails yet still in the woods with privacy.
This house is nestled on 4 acres, so it's tucked away in the woods with a large driveway that can fit boats, snowmobiles, RVs, ATVs, etc. Being that we are in the woods in Northern Minnesota, there are bugs -- we do our absolute best to mitigate them as much as possible (by paying a pest control service), and our cleaners are incredible, but you might see the occasional bug. When you're using the garage, keep in mind that it's a garage so not temperature controlled and keep the doors shut in the evenings to keep bugs out.
WE ARE DOG-FRIENDLY but have some guidelines. Dogs must be fully potty-trained. There is a pet charge per pup and we can host up to 3 dogs. We just kindly ask you to keep your dogs off the newer furniture, not leave them alone in the home, and pick up after them. The yard is NOT fully fenced.
