Home of the Terrapin King

Property grounds
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
5 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
4.7
Outstanding(108 Reviews)

Farm Stay in Chesapeake Bay, NC

12 guests · 5 bedrooms · 2 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Includes essentialsGarden, Pool, Kitchen or Kitchenette and more

About this farm stay rental

HISTORIC, WATERFRONT HOME ON MARYLAND’S EASTERN SHORE (CRISFIELD, MD) – SECLUDED/QUAINT/PEACEFUL

The LaVallette House is where the Maryland terrapin originated! Albert Tallmadge LaVallette Jr. launched the terrapin soup industry from this very site. (You can still see the old terrapin pins beside the driveway.) In addition to the property’s historic charm, the location just can’t be beat. The five-bedroom house is completely private. Guests have to drive through wetlands to get to it, and the only neighbors in close proximity are the gulls and the fish in the Chesapeake Bay. The house is surrounded on three sides by water; you can see the Bay from all of its windows. Outside, you can sun yourself on the private beach, sit with a cool drink on the front porch, fish and crab from the bulkhead, or launch your boat or kayak from the dock. And the fishing’s great from the front yard! You hardly ever need to leave this place—but if do you want to get out, downtown Crisfield offers charming restaurants, shops, an ice cream parlor, and plenty of places to get fresh crabs. Crisfield is known as the “Crab Capital of the World.” This home is unlike any other. It’s a perfect spot for family vacations, friends’ getaways, or writing retreats. It’s been in our family for over 20 years. We love it dearly and know you will, too!

This Queen Anne Victorian was built in the late 1800's. The main floor features a large updated kitchen with seating for 8-10; a family room with a Visio TV, WiFi, Apple TV, Direct TV; a formal dining area; a sitting room with a futon that sleeps two; and a queen bedroom with panoramic views of the Bay. There is also a bedroom with two twin beds and another large bedroom with a king size bed.

Upstairs, the master bedroom features a widow's walk for two, a queen size bed, and furniture to lounge on. There is a full bath across the hall. The second upstairs bedroom features two double beds. The house is spacious with lots of room to spread out.

There is also two screened porches, and an outside shower! There are two kayaks for you to use, be sure to bring it to launch from the beach and explore the natural wonders that surround this local treasure.

Additionally, please do NOT use any fireplaces in the house except for the pellet stove. No weddings / large gatherings allowed on property. Please keep all cars within the parking area. All people accessing the house and PETS must be listed on the reservation.

Amenities

Pool
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Family friendly

Map of Chesapeake Bay, NC

Reviews

4.7
Outstanding(108 Reviews)
4.7
Jul 2024
This beautiful historic house is perfect for families and friends to make memories. You are surrounded by nature and are close to anything you need in town. There are resident barn owls who live under the eves of the house. We also saw fox, fiddler crabs, terrapin, egrets, and so much more on the property. Cones with kayaks, crab nets, and so much more.
4.7
Jun 2024
Amazing home! 10/10
4.7
May 2024
There are not enough words to describe how perfect this property is. The house is larger than it appeared from the listing (or even from the outside), beautifully decorated, with absolutely everything we could possibly need. The kitchen was better equipped than my own. So many beautiful paintings, antiques, furniture, wonderful interesting books, and wonderful outdoor screened porches. Now for the property. A private 80 acre tract of land, surrounded on 3 sides by water and the 4th by a wildlife management area. Total peace, quiet, privacy, and solitude. Yet, the town of Crisfield is but a 2 minute drive, 5 minute bike ride, or 10 minute walk away. With a Food Lion, dollar store, pharmacy, and restaurants, everything you need is right there. I learned how to kayak with the kayaks that the owner provides, and there are so many little inlets including a water trail in the wildlife management area. I rode my bike all over the area, there are bike trails on the main roads, and they're not needed on the quiet side roads. My husband fished off the dock and the bulkhead. We ate out at the different restaurant every night and all were good. Some are not fancy at all, but don't be fooled, all were delicious. Lump crab meat crab cakes and Smith Island cake were pretty much what I lived on all week. I highly recommend Experience Smith Island tours, the tour guide does a great job and makes it all so interesting and fun. House was clean and neat, and everything worked .
4.7
May 2024
If you are looking for a home with history and charm that’s away from it all, the Home of the Terrapin King is it. Because the house is on a peninsula, you are away from the hustle and bustle of a typical town. There is plenty to enjoy some quality family/friend time. The house itself could use a little TLC as any rental would periodically need and considering it’s a 100+ year old house, but it is perfectly decorated in keeping with the Eastern Shore area. The views are incredible, especially sunrise and sunset. And if you have a dog, this place is like a dog heaven with the beach and water. We loved staying here and hope to be back.
4.7
Apr 2024
Very relaxing spot and the view is spectacular!
4.7
Mar 2024
Mesmerizing views of the water and surrounding marshland. Quick and easy drive to town for groceries and take-out. The Wi-Fi was a little glitchy but cellular reception was good enough so it did not matter. I loved the rustic feel to it, with many antique and vintage furnishings. The amount of maintenance on the place must be enormous considering it is surrounded by brackish bay water and no wind breaks. But, the owner appears to handle that responsibility. There were some items that could use refreshing both inside and out, but in no way took away from our enjoyment. One of the charms of staying in a place like this is getting to relax in a unique environment and then go home and not worry about thing! Also, since everyone wonders, here is a note about cameras: there appeared to be two outdoor Ring cameras, one at the front door, and one on the front porch. The front door one might be able to see through a window into part of the kitchen only, the porch one sees only the front yard and parking area. It would be nice if all vrbo owners would disclose cameras, but I totally understand needing them especially considering this remote location.
4.7
Feb 2024
This wonderful, isolated, 100-plus-year-old house was just the ticket for a group of four women who wanted to get away relax. It is literally on the Chesapeake Bay, minutes from Crisfield. The house has beautiful views of sunrise and sunset from its many windows, a nice screened porch and another side porch for sitting outside in milder weather, and so many interesting touches! Lots of lovely antique pieces and curios. Comfortable beds, very well appointed kitchen, tons of bottled water and basic supply needs. Could easily host a larger family gathering with still lots of room for people to have privacy. The large lawn, bordered by the bay, offers some opportunities for playing outdoor games (weather permitting; with lots of rain, the grounds can be soggy). Coming from the DC area, we had meals in St Michaels on the way to and Kent Island on the way back, and lunch at Dockside in Pocomoke City while there. Many local places were closed when we went off-season, so look forward to hitting these again when they're open. All in all just a delight, really relaxing and a fun location.
4.7
Jan 2024
The house has a ton of character, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there even if it was for one night. We got in right at sunset, which was beautiful. If you’ve ever watched the sun set in Crisfield you know they’re some of best. It was early enough to cook a pot of gumbo and all of us sat at the nice long table and enjoyed a hot meal after a long day of travel. Watched the sunrise the next day with some heavy weather that made our day interesting for sure. The host kept us posted on the weather and made sure we were aware of what to do. In the end we were glad we took their advice. Being born and raised in the area, the terapin house, with its panoramic view of Crisfield and Smith Island, was a great place to stay and talk about the “old days.”

FAQs

How much does this farm stay cost compared to others in Chesapeake Bay?

The average price for a rental in Chesapeake Bay is £211 per night. This rental is £103 above the average.

Is parking included with this farm stay?

Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Home of the Terrapin King. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this farm stay?

Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Home of the Terrapin King. Enjoy the water!

Is Home of the Terrapin King pet friendly?

Unfortunately, this farm stay is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"

What amenities are available at Home of the Terrapin King?

We found 12 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, and fireplace.

Explore similar vacation rentals in Chesapeake Bay

Explore all rentals in Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay travel inspiration

Read our blog