The Blackbird Inn on Rice Lake

*Special Event Alert!: The Rice Lake Aquafest Carnival 2026 will be right outside your door, on the same street as this beautiful home! Walk over and enjoy rides, stunning lake views, and fantastic food June 11–14, 2026.*

Welcome to the Historic Blackbird Inn! This cozy home is your perfect year-round destination for relaxation and peaceful living. Tucked between two parks on beautiful Rice Lake, this home features unparalleled views and welcoming spaces that allow you to relax, reflect, and unwind. With carefully selected details throughout the spaces, The Blackbird Inn feels like coming home no matter where you are from.

Set on the shores of Rice Lake, this home is the backdrop for a family story that spans generations. Nearly 100 years ago, the great-grandmother of The Blackbird Inn’s current owner, lived in this very home. A simple one-story cottage at the time, The Blackbird Inn was the setting for Mary McCluskey’s life story, and the life of the red-winged blackbird she rescued one winter long ago. He returned to her with each spring migration, coming to her call and landing on her finger. Now, the owners are honoring Mary’s memory by keeping the home in the family and opening it up for visitors to enjoy.

A buckboard wagon bench greets you in the breezeway, an homage to the very buckboard that brought Mary to this area in the late 19th century. With rich history, yet modern amenities, guests can enjoy this two bedroom, two bathroom retreat with fast WiFi, a smart TV, bluetooth sound system, board games, books, and binoculars to enjoy the beautiful variety of birds and wildlife. In the Summer and Fall, bring a canoe or kayak to get out on the water, stroll the FFA and Lakeshore parks that border The Blackbird Inn’s property, or simply enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens. During Winter, hop on the snowmobile trail, do some birdwatching while sitting by the fire, or shop and eat at the many small businesses in Rice Lake.

Step into the breezeway where you are greeted with floor to ceiling windows, a sliding glass door, and a spacious chair-and-a-half which pulls out into a twin bed. The kitchen features a full sized stove/oven, with a miniature dishwasher, and mid-sized refrigerator. The lake facing side of the house includes a living space with more windows and space to take in the views, as well as a woodburning fireplace for cozy days. This space also features a full sized pull out sofa sleeper. Off the kitchen, an open concept living room has a smart tv and comfortable seating with a full bathroom. Upstairs, enjoy a convenient desk for remote work or to explore your creative side. The primary bedroom features a king bed, five windows for more views of Rice Lake with a door opening directly into the upstairs full bathroom. The second bedroom has a queen bed. Both bedrooms feature cozy nooks and plenty of storage.

Be our guest, as we write the next chapter of The Blackbird Inn’s longstanding story. This is more than just a place to stay. The Blackbird Inn offers a chance to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with loved ones which is the very foundation on which it lives on today.

Guests will have access to the entire home and will use a keypad code for entry.

Host will be available via call or text throughout the stay.
All members of the rental party agree to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of the property and the neighbors. Be a good neighbor who is friendly, courteous, and mindful of noise, especially between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. The neighbors may have their routines disturbed by excessive noise.