Home of the Terrapin King

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Photo gallery for Home of the Terrapin King

Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Terrace/patio
Living area

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Parking available
  • Laundry
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
NZ$769
avg per night

Explore the area

Map
Crisfield, MD
  • Jersey Island
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Smith Island
  • Somers Cove Marina
    ‪3 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bunk Room

1 Single Bunk Bed

First Floor King Bedroom

1 King Bed

First Floor Queen Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Upstairs Bedroom

2 Double Beds

Upstairs Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

Room

  • 271.4 sq m
  • Sleeps 12
  • 2 Queen Beds, 1 Single Bunk Bed, 1 King Bed and 2 Double Beds
Price is NZ$769 avg per night,

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About the area

Crisfield

Located in Crisfield, this farm stay is in a rural area and on the beach. Somers Cove Marina and Sea Mark Marine are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Jersey Island and Crisfield Municipal Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Jersey Island - 2 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Somers Cove Marina - 3 min drive - 2.0 km
  • J. Millard Tawes Museum - 4 min drive - 2.3 km
  • University of Maryland Eastern Shore - 30 min drive - 33.0 km
  • Salisbury University - 43 min drive - 50.5 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Cafe Milano - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Linton's Seafood - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Gordon's - ‬4 min drive
  • Water's Edge Cafe

About this property

Home of the Terrapin King

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.

Property manager

Dominic Liberatore
Premier Host

Amenities

Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Parking available
Laundry

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking

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
Cashless transactions are available
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Frequently asked questions

Is Home of the Terrapin King pet-friendly?

Yes, this farm house allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Home of the Terrapin King?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Home of the Terrapin King?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Home of the Terrapin King located?

Nestled on the beach, this Crisfield farm stay is within 2 mi (3 km) of Jersey Island, Somers Cove Marina and Crisfield Municipal Park. Sea Mark Marine and Wellington Beach and Park are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Home of the Terrapin King Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 84 out of 112 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 25 out of 112 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 112 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 112 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 112 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Monica A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family getaway

Home was so private and unique. Fully stocked with lots of thoughtful amenities and activities supplies. No bunk beds now. Washer needs cleaned and dishwasher but home was very clean. Host was very supportive and available. Home has new floors and room hvac units. Hiking trails and perfect for kite flying.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Deborah W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful location

Another great trip to this beautiful house! Peaceful spot, incredible views. Love the house - very comfortable and room to spread out. Will definitely return again!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linnea L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing, private getaway

We had a lovely time! Communication from the owner was timely and helpful. We loved being right on the water while still being totally private with plenty of space for the dogs to romp around. The screened in porches were our favorite places to spend time and the house was incredibly spacious. We would love to enjoy it again in the future with more of our family and friends!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andre D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing property

Loved the property. Very relaxing location and we were able to fish and crab from the dock and beach areas right next to the house. Spent the evenings by a fire staring at the stars and mornings on the porch watching the birds catch fish in the surrounding waters. Looking forward to staying here again next year.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Annette V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great sunsets

Very relaxing spot and the view is spectacular!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Thomas C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Property

Amazing home! 10/10
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

gloria d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect spot

Great location and getaway spot
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amber L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Your Own Private Oasis

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.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girls trip

We had an amazing time. The views are beautiful. We would love to return in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Annette V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Home

Wow what a view! We saw porpoises on our last day!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carrie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very Peaceful Property

Beautiful property to relax and enjoy peace and quite! Worked perfect for our elderly family member to sit on screened porch and enjoy waterviews.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Gary D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A relaxing place

We went the to go fishing but in early April it was windy and cold. The location to the bay and the house were wonderful !
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Robin T.

Awesome family getaway

Thank you much, we had a great time crabbing and just watching the boats pass by. This vacation was the first in a long time that I didn't feel like I needed another day off to recoup after vacation. Highly recommend !
Stayed 3 nights in May 2016

10/10 Excellent

Heather L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house on the water

Thank you for sharing your house with us. It was beautiful and the rooms were very big. We enjoyed exploring outside and listening to the animals at night while we sat around the fire. It was a perfect Christmas with my family.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Anne M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great House to Get Away From It All

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.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quick winter vacation

We went down to stay with some friends for a few days and two of us duck hunted the WMA just south of the property. Great spot and it's nice to be in a small town for a bit when living full time in DC.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

april w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful

I absolutely enjoyed this stay. Everything was very clean. We had everything needed to cook meals. Beds were comfortable. Only complaint was water pressure in shower wasn't that great.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erik L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peace on the Point

We just loved our time here. The kids loved running around the property and porches. The adults loved the peace and quiet in the evenings listening to the bay. The history of the home was so interesting to learn and we enjoyed crabbing and fishing every day.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Heather S.

Beautiful location!

Lovely location and cool history! Those renters looking for luxury may be a little disappointed, but those of us looking for charm and history will love this comfortable old house. Recommend taking a ferry out to Smith Island while you're visiting. The owner was responsive and easy to work with.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family Time

We enjoyed our stay at the Lavallette House. My kids favorite part was crapping off of the dock. We loved the history of the house. We had 4 adults and 3 kids and the house fit our needs well.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Josh K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

What a property! Terrapin King for the win!

We had a wonderful stay at this property on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The house was situated on a private peninsula, surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay and beautiful marshlands. We enjoyed the views of the town of Crisfield in the distance and the privacy of the location. The house was spacious and cozy, and it felt like we were on a boat. We loved exploring the trails around the property and learning about the history of the terrapin king who used to live there. This was a perfect getaway for us and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing and scenic vacation.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Staying in Chrisfield

Having known Crisfield my whole life I knew exactly what to expect and was not disappointed. My entire family love staying at this house and are sad to leave at the end of our stay.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Theresa D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great, quiet getaway on the bay!

We had a great, quiet weekend at this house! We wanted to be on the water but by ourselves and this filled the bill. We saw boaters from a distance but our nearest neighbor was a great blue heron who fished in the wetlands behind the house!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Laurie D.

Family vacation

The house was exactly as described. The location was absolutely beautiful with water views from almost every window! We enjoyed being surrounded by nature, the egrits, herons, and of course crabs! We had fun crabbing and even invited some of them to dinner :)) Kayaking was a plus, and the sunsets were amazing. We had a great week with our family.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Renee P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Heaven on Earth

Home of the Terrapin King was exactly what we were looking for! The peace and tranquility truly soothed my soul. I cannot recommend this place highly enough. Check in was simple, communication with the owner was seamless, and let me just say that the views are spectacular! Thank you so much for allowing us to stay in your beautiful home. We will definitely be back! Respectfully, Renee and Miguel
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023