The 10 best Cottages in Wisconsin, United States

April 19, 2023 Christa Meece

When you think “adventure travel” you probably think of far-flung places like Belize and Alaska—not Wisconsin. But if you’re an outdoor adventurer, you’ll find plenty of places to explore in Wisconsin. A vacation in Wisconsin can put you close to the Kettle Moraine State Forest, which has excellent biking trails. Or choose Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands—kayakers will love exploring Lake Superior’s many caves and shipwrecks. Packers fans don’t wear those cheese-wedge hats for nothing! Foodies will love tasting as many of Wisconsin’s artisanal cheeses as possible. Either drive from cheesemaker to cheesemaker, or choose a Wisconsin vacation in a town with a good farmers’ market—then the cheesemakers bring their wares to you. And what goes better with artisanal cheese than craft beer? In Milwaukee, visit the Lakefront and Sprecher Breweries for tours and tastings. Wisconsin Dells is a classic family vacation destination. A vacation in Wisconsin Dells will put you close to all the excitement—you’ll have to tear the kids away from the theme parks, wave pools and water parks in Wisconsin Dells! Lake Geneva boasts clean beaches, golf, and a small-town feel that definitely appeals to city dwellers—it’s a popular getaway for residents of Chicago.
Things to do in Wisconsin

1. Woodside Cottages of Bayfield

84790 State Hwy 13 South County Hwy J, Bayfield, WI 54814
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 83 reviews

Woodside Cottages of Bayfield

Our Cottages offer a quality and unique lodging opportunity for visitors to Bayfield, Wisconsin. Each Cottage provides a quiet, cozy, and comfortable setting as well as spacious grounds with lots of room to roam and enjoy the outdoors. We offer 1 - 3 BRs, jacuzzis, kitchens, gas fireplaces, AC, WIFI, and direct access to the Brownstone Trail . Open year-round and conveniently located, we are a five-minute drive from the busy part of town or an easy 1 1/2-mile hike or bike ride into town on the historic Brownstone Trail next to Lake Superior.

Great option for a group!

Reviewed By allifromWI

I stayed here with friends on a girls trip. The cottage was very nice and very clean. It is really nice having so much space to hang out in and the kitchen was wonderful to have, both as a money saver, and to make it a safer option for traveling during COVID. The staff was very nice, also. I think the only thing that could be improved (if there were room) was the shower. It was really small. If you sneezed, you hit your head on something. If you're trying to skip washing your hair one night - good luck. Other than that, we really enjoyed it.

2. Hawks View Cottages & Lodges

17 North St, Fountain City, WI 54629-8718
Excellent
59%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
10%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 91 reviews

Hawks View Cottages & Lodges

You'd better have good legs, heart, and lungs

Reviewed By MinnMel

My wife and I are always on the lookout for new locations for periodic reading and writing retreats. We came across a favorable article on Hawks View in a trusted newsletter, and our perusal of the website seemed to confirm that this would work for us. Cottages were spacious, with two levels of comfortable seating, including decks, and a table that would accommodate writing/typing. We would be surrounded by May's emerging greenery, with views over the Mississippi River, and we could take exploration breaks to Winona and around the Driftless Area. We chose the Coopers Cottage, the highest one with the best views. What we did NOT do was read any online reviews. My bad! I don't know of anything that was UNtrue on the Hawks View website, but one important reality was nowhere mentioned. With the exception of one cottage, which in retrospect we should have chosen, all of the cottages require a pretty steep climb from parking space to front door. The climb to Coopers was approximately 115 vertical steps, roughly equivalent to a seven-story building. We are both in our 70s, in decent health (thanks, cardiac rehab), but making multiple trips to lug our bags, books, writing materials, and food a-l-l the way up to Coopers was not among our expectations. We ended up tossing a couple meals worth of food because we couldn't squeeze it into our carefully-rationed vertical treks. Be better informed than we were! A few nits to pick regarding Coopers: windows have no coverings, so if you are light sensitive, take a sleep mask; the bed is NOISY, which suggests that it has endured quite a bit of energetic prior use, and your sleepmate's movements will not go unheard; the bedside rugs have no pads, and they easily slip and slide on the smooth wooden floors, which is a threat to anybody, but especially us senior citizens; the provided coffee filters were too large for the coffee maker, requiring them to be folded over around the edges. On the plus side, if you're an exercise freak, you will have a natural stairmaster.

3. Mainsail Cottages

4138 Main St, Fish Creek, WI 54212-9699
Excellent
80%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
8%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Mainsail Cottages

Cozy waterfront cottages featuring a spectacular view of the bay located in the heart of Fish Creek. Mainsail offers fully equipped 1, 2 or 3 bedroom cottages steps away from shops, restaurants, galleries, public beaches and Peninsula State Park. You can fish, swim, sun or just relax on our private waterfront lawn. Bikes, kayaks and boat dock available with stay.

Ok, good view and location

Reviewed By J6386BXmichelleh

Great location and view. Could definitely use updates. floors weren’t very clean. Few issues including critters in the bedroom/ bathroom wall, water in the shower was warm at best, stove wasn’t level which made cooking challenging, and Lamp switch was broken in bedroom. We unfortunately also had neighbor cottage lighting off fireworks at 11pm right next to our window which really sucked when we were sound asleep

4. Pioneer Acres Cottages

2965 County Q, Ephraim, WI 54211
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 17 reviews

Pioneer Acres Cottages

The perfect “family vacation” cabin

Reviewed By Jill E

My son in law found these cabins in Door County- and made arrangements for kids, parents and grandparents to enjoy his favorite childhood vacation destination. And, he found the perfect spot! We had a 3 bedroom log cabin, with a large living room and dining room. The kitchen was ready for us-and there was a grill/picnic table. Each cabin was secluded in a wooded setting. The kids could ride bikes and explore the woods. Best of all- the Cabins are a 5 min walk through the woods to a playground and the waterfront in Ephraim. Easy walk to restaurants, boat rentals, sunsets, etc. Great spot!!!

5. Cozy Corner Cottages

W8071 County Road Zb, Onalaska, WI 54650-9620
Excellent
65%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Cozy Corner Cottages

Cozy Corner Cottages is the perfect get away for the entire family. Whether you want to simply slow down and relax or enjoy recreational activities such as fishing, boating, swimming, biking or hiking, Cozy Corner is in the heart of a nature lovers paradise. The property is located on a small lagoon, 100 yards from Lake Onalaska which is about 7600 acres and connected to the Mississippi River system. A public boat landing is 1/8 mile away. A variety of non-motorized boats are available free for your use including: 15' jon boats, canoes and kayaks. The property offers 5 furnished cottages that sleep up to 6 people each. Each cottage has a patio, fire pit, charcoal grill, picnic table, lawn chairs and a supply of free firewood. There is an outdoor in-ground pool, playground, dock and fish/fowl cleaning building. Other amenities include: WIFI, cable tv, flat screen tv's, air conditioning, full size frig, countertop gas stoves and fully furnished kitchen. Bedding and towels are provided. Most pets are welcome for a fee, subject to prior approval.

AWESOME place to stay/ everything was fabulous!

Reviewed By goalstriving

The cottage had everything you could ask for! Plenty of beds, refrig, dishes, clean and quaint! Rowboats, canoes, and kayak's ready when you want them! Staff that is friendly and available when you need them! Plus they even provide a fire pit and charcoal grill with charcoal. Can't wait to get back again!

6. Greenway Log Cottages

401 Strauss Ave, Green Lake, WI 54941-9558
Excellent
89%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Greenway Log Cottages

Perfect Week

Reviewed By mjs3222

We are currently at Cabin #3 and having a wonderful time. Me, my wife and our Pug Gracie. So relaxing. Cute lake cottages of days gone by like in the 50s and 60s. Our hostess Stacey couldn’t be nicer and goes out of her way to make sure we have all we need. All we brought was out toothbrushes. Steps from the beautiful lake with a boat slip included if you bring your boat, which we did. We will br back for sure. A short walk into the community of Green Lake that is also from days gone by but so friendly. 2.5 hours from our home. It’s just great!!

7. Door County Cottages

7574 Relax Lane, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
Excellent
47%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
19%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 43 reviews

Door County Cottages

Relax in peaceful seclusion at Door County's premier cottages and vacation home rentals. Door County Cottages has six cabin rentals for vacationers in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin.

Door County Cottages the Elena

Reviewed By jeffpC1385KB

We stayed for a week in the Elena and it was just fine. The beds were comfortable and the rest of the cabin was great and spacious for the two of us and our dog, Although there was radiant floor heating figuring out how to turn it on was a bit challenging and had to call to get it on. Otherwise the property was great and relaxing with outdoor fire pit and indoor fireplace and only about 10 minutes from Egg Harbor. I would definitely stay here again.

8. Alderwood Resort

13028 Alderwood Lane Alder Lake, Manitowish Waters, WI 54545
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 9 reviews

Alderwood Resort

Lakeside cabins and rental homes located on the beautiful Manitowish Chain of 10 Lakes where fishing, boating, and enjoying the outdoors are a way of life. Alderwood Resort is the perfect destination for fishermen, families, and couples looking for relaxation and lifelong memories.

Amazing Fall Vacation

Reviewed By Q3286FJkerryl

We stayed in the Beachview cabin. It is beautiful inside and out. The fall colors were breath taking over the lake. The amenities of kayaks, canoe, row boat, private dock, firewood, books, games, and fish house put this cabin over the top. We had an amazing vacation! The moon was full over the fall lake. We even drove to cranberry bogs to see the night stars. This property is a GEM in the North Woods!

9. Hidden Cove Resort

W7396 S Long Lake Rd, Phillips, WI 54555-7420
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 6 reviews

Hidden Cove Resort

Hidden Cove Resort is your Northwoods oasis. We are a family friendly resort offering vintage cabins in an idyllic lakeside setting. Located in a private, wooded area on a chain of five lakes, we are just one mile from downtown Phillips. Enjoy the cove, fish from the docks, paddle onto the lake, watch the wildlife, sit around the campfire, and simply take in the Northwoods. It’s all within reach. We welcome you to our four season’s playground on Long Lake. We offer boat rentals for fishing or recreational lake fun and access to snowmobile and ATV/UTV trails. Whether you are looking for the perfect summer getaway, a hunting lodge, or a fisherman's paradise, Hidden Cove Resort is the place to experience it all.

Fishing trip

Reviewed By davecarrie52

It was a great place to stay my son and I went for 4 nights to do some fishing caught lots and pike and walleye Will go again they made sure we had everything we needed the weather was a little cool but the fishing was still good

10. Gonstead Guest Cottage

602 S 2nd St, Mount Horeb, WI 53572-2398
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 8 reviews

Gonstead Guest Cottage

FLW Prairie Style Guest Cottage, architect Herb Fritz, built for famous Mount Horeb Chiropractor Clarence Gonstead. Lanon Stone and Cypress interior finishes looking out on large yard. Accommodates 2, Queen Bedroom, full kitchen, Living room, entertainment room w/ pull out sleeper, Bathroom, Fireplace. Bicycles, Grill, fire pit available.

Winter getaway

Reviewed By valeriemn

Unique setting. Joyce and Phil were wonderful host and we wish we could have been when the weather was warmer and enjoy the outside as well. We stayed December 30th and 31st of 2017. Joyce and Phil you were above and beyond.

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