Nourse Cottage, rich in local history, offers a peaceful retreat with the ideal location for activities at Carleton College or St. Olaf College. Unwind on the screened-in front porch with your morning coffee or evening cocktail and enjoy original artwork throughout this cozy home.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6214 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air-conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Add dates for prices
About this property
Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty
Rich in local history, this brightly-renovated 3-bedroom/2-bath gem sits on the edge of Carleton College campus. Built in 1881 and formerly the home of original Carleton benefactors Allen and Mary Nourse, the Cottage has all the comforts of a weekend getaway with the ideal location for activities at Carleton Collage, St. Olaf Collage or the vibrant Northfield community.
Sip your morning coffee or your evening cocktail on the lovely screened-in front porch. Inside, the airy living room offers reading nooks, a cozy electric fireplace and a large smart television. The sunny breakfast table is perfect for the mornings or spreading out your laptop. The living room opens to a sophisticated dining area and around the corner to a fully-equipped kitchen with full-sized refrigerator, stove and dishwasher. There are plenty of dishes, glasses and cooking equipment to whip up a quick breakfast or serve a celebratory dinner.
The first floor also offers a bright bedroom with a queen bed, large closet and an adjoining recently renovated full bath with shower.
Upstairs are two additional bedrooms, each with a double bed, as well as a second bath with shower and tub. All of the bedrooms are generously sized; the home comfortably sleep 6 people.
Original hardwood floors, crown moulding and large windows flow throughout the house making it bright and welcoming all year round.
Downstairs offers a finished basement with laundry facilities and a groovy ‘70s game table. Out back, bright red Adirondack chairs invite you to sit under the massive elm tree amongst the flowers and herbs. One reserved parking space is in the back; additional street parking is available in front. Please note that we have an exterior camera on the front porch to monitor the exterior of our home for security purposes.
Filled with original artwork and thoughtful touches, this peaceful home is one block from Carleton’s Skinner Chapel and the Weitz Center, making it an ideal location for graduation, parents’ weekend, campus performances and visiting educators. St. Olaf’s beautiful campus is 1 mile drive away.
The vibrant Northfield downtown with all of its cafes, restaurants and shops is a 5 minute walk. The entrance to Carleton’s stunning 880-acre Cowling Arboretum is four blocks down the street. You could easily go days staying at Nourse Cottage just walking or biking to your destinations without ever needing your car.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the cottage: WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Separate dining area
Entertainment
Books
Games
Smart TV
Outdoor areas
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Porch/lanai
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Work spaces
Desk
Desk chair
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Hardwood flooring in public areas
Smoke-free property
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
At least 80% lighting from LEDs
Garden
Recycling
Unit size: 2,300 square feet
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You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
Any gatherings of more than 10 people require advance approval.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Gatherings of more than 6 must be pre-approved.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
Note from host: Gatherings of more than 6 must be pre-approved.
Long-term renters welcome
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
About the area
Northfield is home to this cottage. Northfield Arts Guild and Northfield Historical Society are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Twin Oaks Driving Range and Skoglund Athletic Center. The Labyrinth and Rice County Fair Grounds are also worth visiting. Visit our Northfield travel guide
Minneapolis, MN (MSP-Minneapolis - St. Paul Intl.)
46 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's
3 min drive
Culver's
3 min drive
Taco Bell
12 min walk
Carbones Pizza
12 min walk
Loon Liquors Distillery
4 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty located?
Situated in Northfield, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Carleton College, Northfield Arts Guild and Northfield Historical Society. First U.S. Post Office Mural and The Labyrinth are also within 10 minutes.
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Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
We loved our stay at Nourse Cottage; the location, amenities and thoughtful touches made it a 10/10!
Anne H.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jenny G.
30 Dec 2025
This was such a great house for our girls weekend! It was very clean and inviting. It had all the amenities we needed and was very charming! The location was perfect and within walking distance to a lot of shops and restaurants. We also enjoyed walking the path at Carleton College.
We stayed here during family weekend at Carleton and can’t imagine a better spot! We feel so lucky we got to stay here. Great communication. Comfy beds. Perfect location. Loved the screened in porch. Walking distance to campus, town and the arboretum. We are very much hoping to get to stay here again!
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Very cute and clean home. I love that there was a binder about the house and things to do around the area. There were labels on the door to let you know where things are, which was very helpful.
The house is beautifully updated and so comfortable. It is fully stocked with everything you need and the location is perfect. We loved hearing the bells chime from Carleton's campus.
A beautiful home in Northfield! Perfect location to visit Carleton College. A very comfortable stay with family! My family loved the home and we can’t wait to book it again!
Everything was perfect! Clean, well-stocked and well-located. We loved the welcome cookies and flowers. Screened porch was delightful. Looking forward to our next stay.
The cottage was lovely. It was very clean and well-appointed with everything needed. The neighborhood was beautiful as well. The screened-in porch was very nice for the evenings.
The location is perfect with a very short walk to Northfield’s restaurants and shops.
We planned a very brief stay to visit our Carleton student and we’re delighted by the charm, location, and comforts this cottage provided. We will most definitely return!
We just stayed at Kristy and Adam's home for the second time and hope to do so again soon! Kristy is a wonderful and responsive host.
The home is clean and so comfortable, with thoughtful details and amenities provided throughout. We loved the location, which is walking distance to Carleton College and the Arborateum, which is perfect for an early-morning stroll.
Thank you, Kristy and Adam, for making our stay in Northfield so special!
We enjoyed every minute. From the moment we walked in the door, we felt at home. It is a cozy, well-appointed, historical home nestled in the quiet neighborhood right on the border of Carleton College. The kitchen is small but well equipped and I did a lot of cooking/baking for our son while there. The beds were a bit tough for our tall family. Both queen beds were the old iron frame beds that have the frame at the feet as well. My hubby and I ended up sleeping separately so we had enough space. We gave my other son who is 6'3 the bed that didn't have footboard so he could fit. I tend to appreciate homes that don't have the footboards for more universal fit for taller guests, but we made it work, and from the pictures we knew what we were getting ourselves into. The mattresses themselves were comfortable, and the bedding (sheets, blankets, extra layers) were soft and cozy. They literally thought of everything - including blackout shades - thank you!! We also enjoyed reading up on the history of the house and they provided plenty of options for local attractions and restaurants. It was a great stay and we hope to be back.
Nourse House is a treasure, and Kristi was accommodating and wonderful at communicating. The house is clean, well stocked, and comfortable. Highly recommend!
We spent 3 days in this fabulous little house during Carleton's reunion weekend, and it could not have been more perfect for my little family and as a gathering spot for friends practically on campus. I'd love to stay here during every reunion!
This is our favorite place to stay visiting Carleton College! Its charm, on a quaint street, just blocks from campus is unparalleled. The owners choice in furnishings and attention to detail make it feel like home away from home.
We really enjoyed our stay for St Olaf Graduation for immediate and extended family. The house was well stocked and allowed for family dinners and cake and champagne after commencement. It worked out so well for our family and graduate’s friends to stop by.
Nourse Cottage is a wonderful spot to stay in Northfield. The property is very clean and although we did not cook, the kitchen is equipped with everything you might need. The beds are comfortable and the location is very convenient. The owners were very responsive and easy to communicate with prior, during and after our stay. We loved learning about the property history.If we find ourselves in Northfield again, we would definitely stay at Nourse Cottage!