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There is certainly no lack of accommodations for travelers venturing to Milwaukee for a long weekend or extended stay vacation. But for those looking for a conveniently located gem that provides all the comforts of home – along with a bit of artful inspiration – there are few better options than The Muse in Bay View.

The newer bed and breakfast is easy to find, located at 602 E. Lincoln Ave., just a few blocks off of Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View. And it’s just steps away from a hotbed of restaurants and entertainment venues.

On the gastronomic side, guests are within walking distance of popular spots like Odd Duck and Lazy Susan. Lovers of craft beer will find respite at Sugar Maple, while craft cocktails enthusiasts can enjoy a tipple at Tonic Tavern or the recently opened Urban. Coffee lovers have easy access to both Colectivo and Stone Creek. Get the full list of options in our Bay View dining guide.

For those seeking entertainment, The Muse is just minutes away from The Avalon Theater and eclectic shopping venues like The Sparrow Collective, The Brass Rooster, Acme Records and Voyageur Bookshop. The Muse is also just over two miles from South Shore Park where guests can enjoy lake views, trails, picnic areas and a Saturday farmers market during the summer. It’s also just five miles from variety of local attractions including Discovery World, Milwaukee Art Museum, the Summerfest grounds, the theater district and the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Accommodations

In terms of accommodations, The Muse combines classic 19th century architecture with modern amenities, well-appointed furnishings with rooms that range from $99 to $139 per night, including breakfast at 8:30 a.m.

Rooms, each named for family members, include two first floor accommodations: Julia’s Room, named for co-owner Mary Ellen Hermann's daughter, which offers up bright, peacock-adorned quarters, a whirlpool bath and easy access to an adjoining dining and sitting room.

This was the room where we stayed, and we found the space immaculately clean and comfortable with enough privacy to make our stay effortless.

Loli’s Room, named for co-owner Andrew Meechan's mother, offers contemporary decor with an en suite bathroom.

Breakfast – which for us included fresh fruit, quiche and fruit cobbler – comes complete with juice and steaming mugs of freshly brewed coffee.

For larger groups seeking homey accommodations, the upstairs guesthouse can comfortably accommodate up to six guests with two full bedrooms (Cheryl's Room and Angela's Room), one side room perfect for children or singles.

Adjoining spaces include a spacious dining room and living area. There's also a fully equipped kitchen for self-catering.

If you arrive by 5 p.m., your stay will begin with refreshments – a glass of wine perhaps along with cheese and a plate of The Muse’s signature chocolate chip cookies, which get an extra bit of crunch from crisped rice in the batter.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be indulged with stories from proprietors Mary Ellen Hermann and Andrew Meechan, who opened the bed and breakfast in April 2015 after extensive renovations. The 19th century Victorian home had fallen into a severe state of disrepair after years of neglect by former owners.

Amenities include off-street parking, an on-site laundry, free Wi-Fi and Smart TVs loaded with complimentary access to Netflix, Hulu and Pandora. During the summer and fall, outdoor spiffs include a rose garden, fire pit and usable gas grill.

Among its many charms, one is particularly notable: Nearly every wall in The Muse is adorned with a rotating collection of art by local artists.

Art is curated by local artist Jeff Redmon, exhibition and residency manager at Redline Milwaukee, a community art studio that provides artist residencies, education, outreach and exhibitions with a focus on socially relevant topics. Redmon is also the co-founder of Bay View Gallery Night.

"I loved the idea of having an alternative venue for art in Bay View," Redmon notes of the art at The Muse, which regularly displays nearly 70 pieces of art from between five to seven local artists on a quarterly basis.

"He brings all the connections," says Hermann of Redmon. "And he has the talent for really pulling in pieces that fit our space. One of the benefits of showing work here is that it shows people what a piece looks like when it’s hanging in a home."

But the art isn’t just a beautiful addition to the space. It also provides income for participating artists, whose featured work can be purchased. Meechan says that, since The Muse opened last April, they’ve sold more than $8,000 worth of art, with proceeds going directly back to local artists.

The current exhibition features work from seven female artists from Redline, including Lori Bauman, Jamie Bilgo Bruchman, Jody Emery, Monica Gorko, Dara Larson, Katie Ryan and Julie VonDerVellen. A public opening for the artists will be held at The Muse on Dec. 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.