This tiny historic cottage - formerly a houseboat! - has been in our family for four generations. It's full of quirks and charm, but not at the expense of basic comforts like A/C and laundry. Everything you'll need to enjoy your stay is a short walk away, whether it's the beach, fine dining, fresh seafood, ice cream or a stiff drink. Rinse off in the outdoor shower after your day at the beach, and enjoy a drink on the porch swing while you watch the sun set over the bay. If you've ever watched a tiny house design show on TV and thought, "I'd love to try that!" then this is your chance. While the Showboat is not technically a tiny house, the first floor was once a houseboat, and you'll feel that when you walk inside. The space is compact and cozy but also, despite its size, feels open and airy. The nautical-themed art on the walls has been in the family for nearly a century. Step through the master bedroom into a screened-in porch overlooking the bay, where you can enjoy your morning coffee. We like to leave the door to the porch open at night to enjoy the cool bay breeze, but you can also run the A/C if that's more your style. Up the narrow staircase is the second floor, an open room lined with windows. In the benches by the card table you'll find board games and craft supplies for kids. On rainy days, stretch out on one of the daybeds with a book, or watch a movie (there's an old-school DVD player and a good selection of family-friendly movies, or you can use Netflix, Amazon or Hulu on the smart TV). The second floor porch is perfect for enjoying lunch and dinner overlooking the bay. Sip a drink on the porch swing while you watch the sunset. The Showboat, as we call her, is small but with a big heart. Although there is technically only one official bedroom, the house can comfortably sleep eight people, between the bunk beds, the queen bed in the master bedroom, the full-sized Murphy bed (which doubles as a desk!) and the two twin daybeds upstairs. You'll have access to the entire property, including use of the kayak outside. We'll be available by phone at any time, and though we don't live on the island full-time we do have a handyman who is available to help in emergencies. We will direct you on how to get into the house remotely. Maiden Lane is one of the most special streets on the island. Home to a number of original historic homes and cottages, you can turn on 80th Street and stroll toward the bay for spectacular sunsets, or walk in the other direction for two blocks to the beach. Restaurants like Black-Eyed Susans and Harvey Cedars Shellfish Co. are steps away; we like to follow up dinner with a walk to the Harvey Cedars Ice Cream Parlor. Neptune's Market has a wonderful little grocery store for necessities, and across the street at the Grille they offer delicious casual fare like burgers (get the Nooney Burger or the cheese steak). A longer walk (or short drive) down to the Bay Beach takes you to a gentle, bayside beach with no waves - perfect for young kids or a quiet afternoon. If you want to explore further, take a drive up to Viking Village and Barnegat Lighthouse, or drive about 30 minutes to the other end of the island to Beach Haven, where you can shop at Bay Village, visit the charming little Fantasy Island Amusement Park, or splash around at Thundering Surf Water Park. Just about everything you'd need is in walking distance - dining, groceries, booze, beach. But you'll likely want to have a car to explore all the island has to offer. There is a shuttle service from NYC, and it is possible to get an Uber and Lyft if you're unable to keep a vehicle with you for the duration of your visit. One thing that newcomers to LBI should know is that most rentals on the island do not provide linens. This is because the turnover times between guests are so fast that cleaning services are unable to do laundry. We recommend either bringing your own sheets, or working with a service like LBI Dream Makers (888-DREAMKR) to rent fresh linens at an affordable rate.