Explore Southern Maine
The Coastal Towns of Kennebunkport, Wells, Ogunquit, and York
The small beach and port towns of Southern Maine host twenty miles of the scenic Maine Coastline.
Kennebunkport, Maine
History
Known as the location of the vacation compound for the former presidents Bush family and other wealthy families. First incorporated in 1653. The Abenaki tribe remained and ran off settlers until 1748. Kennebunkport became a tourist destination in the 1870s.
Parking
Parking can be hard to find during the busy tourist season. We like to park in the parking lot in front of Rococo Dessert Bar This is a pink palace of desserts and cocktails. We like to end our day here with a sweet treat and a drink. Booth and bar seating make this tiny dessert bar feel like a jewelry box.
Shopping
Stroll through the shops in Dock Square. Some of our favorites are Home Ingredients, Minka, Kennebunk Outfitters and Sea Glass Jewelry.
Activities
Take a drive along Ocean Avenue. After you pass two bridges, you’ll find parking at the Cove Market. Pick up a coffee and enough supplies for a picnic. Across the street are a few gift shops that are worth a visit. Continue on Ocean Ave. to the ocean views and fun stops at Arundel Beach, at Cape Arundel to Blowing Cave Park with views of Walkers Point, the Bush family compound. You can also stop at Heaven Swamp Park with an anchor sculpture dedicated to former president George Herbert Walker Bush.
St. Ann’s Church -The stone chapel built in 1883 and the Seaside Chapel built in 1974 are stunning. This church is a wonderful stop for a prayer or meditation. Please come fully dressed, no beachwear, and with a respect for the institution. Non-flash photography is permitted. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful landscaped grounds.
Visit the Seashore Trolly Museum . Once trolleys moved vacationers up and down the Southern Coast of Maine beach towns. The museum has preserved some of this history. Take a short scenic ride on a trolley, look in the Car Barn to see current restoration projects, and walk the trolley yard.
If you’d like a unique adventure, try Rail Biking on the trolley rail line. We had fun peddling this scenic rail line. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: This requires some leg strength to peddle the bikes up a slope. Reservations need to be made prior to arrival.
Beaches
Mother’s Beach and Gooch’s Beach are sandy beaches.
Middle Beach is a rocky beach. A permit to park at the beach is required. Non-resident daily, weekly, and seasonal passes are available at three kiosks and the PassPortParking app.
Colony Beach (off Ocean Avenue, near the Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport)
This pretty little beach is a gem. No parking permit is needed.
Hiking
Hike the Kennebunk Land Trust Preserves
Dining
The Clam Shack has been around since 1968 and has a loyal following. They serve award-winning lobster rolls with mayo, butter, or both, fried seafood lunch boxes, and perfect lobster dinners. You may have to wait in line, but the location is on the bridge over the Kennebunk River.
The Boathouse Restaurant If you want a quick bite at the bar or a big meal, this is the place to go. The oyster selection is outstanding. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Make a reservation for the best outdoor seating or get on the list and have a drink at the bar while you wait.
Wells, Maine
History
Wells is the town in the center of the Southern Maine Coast. Wells was originally awarded to Sir Ferdinando Gorges in 1622. The incorporation of Wells in 1653 made Wells the third town in Maine. Wells originally encompassed the current-day towns Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Ogunquit. In the 1870s, wealthy tourists would arrive by train. They would spend their entire summer in Wells and travel to the beaches and shops by a trolley line.
Wells is in the center of all the Southern Maine beaches, port towns, and activities and the southernmost stop in Maine on the Downeaster train from Boston.
Activities
Wonder Mountain Fun Park has mini golf, go-karts, a maze, and an arcade. We love to go in the evening for a date.
World Within kayak and SUP rentals make it easy to sit in a kayak and take off into the salt marshes of Wells and Ogunquit. When your time is up, you just paddle back and walk away. So easy!
Ocean Boat Charters for fishing charters, lobster tours, sunset boat tours, or scenic boat tours of the area.
Hiking
There are many hiking trails all around Wells, Maine. Our favorite is Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.
Beaches
Drake Island, Wells Beach, Crescent Beach, and Moody Point - Check out this Town of Wells Beach Brochure
Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Download the ParkMobile app before you arrive for easy parking.
Antique Shopping along Route 1 (Post Rd) in Wells. A few of our favorites are Bo-Mar Hall Antiques 1622 Post Rd, Anytime Antiques 762 Post Rd & Half Moon 1773 Post Rd
Dining
Spinnakers This casual outdoor dining restaurant has traditional fried seafood and chowder. And the bonus is it’s right up the road from the beach. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Seasonal restaurant, so check days and hours before you go.
Mike’s Clam Shack is a casual seafood restaurant with large indoor seating and a bar.
Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Open on Monday and Tuesday night when many area restaurants are closed. They are closed on Sunday.
Check for midweek specials like a 2-lobster dinner for $29, a steal during high tourist season.
The Steakhouse One of the most popular spots in Wells. People wait for hours to get in. The bar is open for those who wait. They serve a great steak and they have a big menu of appetizers and sides. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: We suggest you arrive very early; they open at 3 or 4 p.m. depending on the day of the week.
Maine Diner opened in the 1960s. It was named the Maine Diner in 1983. They serve 1300-1400 guests on a typical July day. The wait is not bad, and there is a shop next door to walk around in while you wait. The food is predictably good, and the wait staff is always friendly. They serve an all-day breakfast, a huge dessert menu, and all the traditional Maine seafood dishes.
Mekhong Thai makes a great Pad Thai, curries, summer rolls, crispy fried tofu, papaya salad, fried rice, and much more. Eat in or take out of delivery. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: They have fast takeout. Dishes aren’t spicy unless you mention your spice level preference.
Cogdon’s Doughnuts is a local favorite for breakfast and donuts. When you see a long line on Route One in Wells, it’s probably Cogdon’s.
Cogdon’s After Dark has evening food trucks and occasional they have antique car shows.
Big Daddy’s Ice Cream has gluten safe practices for those with allergies.Located in Wells and Ogunquit.
DIY Meals
Chase Farms farm stand at Buffum's Hill During summer months, the folks at Chase Farms have a farm stand right on Route 1. Since 1720, they have been selling produce like tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, and strawberries. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: This is a cash-only farm stand.
You can also visit the shop at Chase Farms for wine, cheese, coffee, baked goods, maple syrup, jams, and much more.
DIY Lobster Feast Every year, we enjoy one of our favorite meals, the lobster feast. It’s the perfect way to end a beach day. We call ahead to Wells Hannaford’s Seafood department and order steamed lobsters. Then we stop by Chase Farms farm stand and get fresh produce. When we get to Hannaford’s to pick up our lobsters, we buy local potato chips, Maine Root sodas, and even liquor and mixers. Try a local gin and tonic on a hot summer day.
This is the best way to enjoy all of the best Maine summer has to offer at a reasonable price without heating up the kitchen. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Take a few shopping totes with you, or you will be charged for paper bags. Sea Crescent cottage has lobster crackers and picks in the kitchen supplies.
Ogunquit, Maine
History
The indigenous people of the Natick tribe named Ogunquit, meaning beautiful place by the sea. It was originally a village within the town of Wells, Maine. Settled in 1641, it was incorporated in 1980, separating it from Wells.
Ogunquit is an upscale coastal town known as the vacation spot for the LGBTQ+ community as well as all lovers of Maine’s beaches and rocky coast.
Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: drivers are required to yield to anyone who looks like they might cross on a crosswalk. This causes cars to stop abruptly. Traffic can be heavy in the summer months.
Parking is available at Obed’s lot near the Fire Department and at the Perkins Cove lot.
Activities
Walk along the Marginal Way. This paved, one and one quarter mile (about 2K) walkway winds along some of the most beautiful coastline in Maine. It was gifted to the town in 1923. Start at the entrance near Anchorage By The Sea hotel and walk to Perkins Cove. You can shop, go to Perkins Cove Candy, or get an ice cream at The Corner Cafe in the cove. You can walk across the drawbridge but beware if the alarm sounds; get off quickly because the bridge opens fast.
Good Vibes Collective Yoga studio and Boutique, yoga classes in person or online.
Silver Linings Sailiing Captain Jack fully refurbished this beautiful 1939 42-foot Sparkman & Stephens sloop sailboat, this tour is the best way to start the day or see the sunset.
Beach Plum Farm Preserve The last remaining salt water farm in Ogunquit, home to community gardens, and the office of Great Works Regional Land Trust. Scenic half-mile loop trail through meadow with view of marshland, the Ogunquit River, dunes and the ocean. Community garden plots available to rent seasonally.
Shopping
Stroll the Ogunquit shops, including Sea Bags, Life is Good & Art and Soul.
Art galleries: Van Ward Gallery and Abacus.
Rides in Ogunquit
There is a golf cart taxi service. They also rent beach equipment.
The Cart shuttle, an electric passenger vehicle, provides service in Ogunquit day or night. 207-606-4086
The Ogunquit Trolley runs during the July thru October. $5 a ride. Check the website for the current year’s schedule.
Dining
Sit on the patio at Caffe Prego for pizza, an espresso or coffee drink, a glass of wine, or one of their lovely desserts, including more than 25 types of gelato. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: If you dine at Cafe Prego there are free parking spots next to the building for customers.
You can get a quick coffee drink and macaron at Morning in Paris; they have a few seats inside and outdoor seating along the alleyway between buildings, which is much cuter than it sounds.
On a nice day, there is no place better to eat than Brix + Brine. They have a raw bar, a menu with mall bites and sandwiches, beer and wine, and some of the best cocktails in town. Life slows down when you sit under a big umbrella at Brix + Brine.
Eat outside on one of the two patios at Barnacle Billy’s in Perkins Cove. You can watch the boats come in and out of the cove.
Sadly, the Oarweed is closed for the 2025 season due to reconstruction after a fire.
Footbrige Lobster is a little red building in Perkins Cove that serve woderful lobster rolls, even Gluten Free! They are family run and worth the trip.
If you prefer to have a seat right next to the beach, then the casual Splash is for you. This bar and grill serves breakfast and lunch and really good tropical cocktails.
Evenings out
The Front Porch Bar and Restaurant has a piano bar that turns into party central as the evening goes on. It’s a fun way to spend the evening. Get there early and get a table or squeeze in and get a drink later in the evening.
Mainstreet Dance Club This bar and dance club hosts drag events and hosts the best parties of the summer. It’s a gay bar that welcomes everyone. Check the website for special events.
The Ogunquit Play House built in 1933, brings in stars to perform Broadway-worthy shows every season. This is a magical place to see a show. Buy tickets early for the best seats.
York, Maine
Shopping
Stonewall Kitchen Company Store and Cafe You can peek in the window of the canning factory, shop for Maine-made items, and have lunch at the café. The gardens are beautiful around the outdoor dining area.
Activities
Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse Built in 1879 on the nubble or tiny, rocky island in York. This is still a working lighthouse. Sohier Park is the viewing area for the Nubble light. There is a gift shop, restrooms, a water fill station, and a good amount of parking. Shop and restrooms open May-Oct only.
York Cliff Walk and Hartley Mason Reserve
Mt. Agamenticus Hike or drive (known by locals as Mount A) Mt. A Map
The Fisherman’s Walk Easy scenic seaside hikes and the Wiggly Bridge
Long Sands Beach
York’s Wild Kingdom Zoo and Amusement Park, Butterfly Kingdom, Mini Golf, and Midway
FUN-O-RAMA arcade at York Beach is an old-fashioned arcade and fun on a rainy day or when you want to get out of the sun
