Scenes from a Brief Stopover in Ogunquit, Maine

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Departing from Kennebunkport, the next stop on the road trip to Maine was Ogunquit. This small town is known for its beaches and seascape views. 

Ogunquit (pronounced "Oh-gun-kwit") means "beautiful place by the sea" in the indigenous Abenaki (Native American) language. A few photos from this sea-side town are below.

Walking in Ogunquit. The main beach on the Atlantic Ocean is beyond the tree line; here, people are enjoying the little cove next to Beach Street.

View of the cove across the Beach Street bridge (far right).

Ogunquit Beach Lobster House. 

Detail on an Ogunquit storefront.

Ice cream stores are very popular in the summer time in Maine.

Rose Cove Restaurant in Ogunquit, ME. This is where I had lunch. Recommended lunch meal: fish tacos.

The Bread & Roses Bakery in downtown Ogunquit. Recommended stop for tasty treats and/or coffee.

A lot of pride in Maine.

Marginal Way

If you make your way to Ogunquit, ME, then Marginal Way is a must-see destination. Marginal Way is one of New England's only paved (and public) shoreline footpaths. It spans a little more than a mile long, connecting Ogunquit Beach to Perkins Cove to the south. Incredible sea views abound on this stroll. There are multiple entrances to the Marginal Way path, including one that leads to a "secret" beach. The land for Marginal Way was donated to the town of Oqunquit in 1925 and a non-profit organization was set up in 2010 to protect Marginal Way for future generations to enjoy.

One of the entrances to get to Marginal Way. 

A view from Marginal Way in Ogunquit, ME. 

Paddleboarders enjoying the Atlantic Ocean in Ogunquit Beach.

A tree grows on the Marginal Way path. 

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of central Ogunquit Beach, head about a half mile on Marginal Way to discover this "secret" beach. 

Flowers are plentiful on Marginal Way. Gorgeous.

Perkins Cove and Perkins Cove Drawbridge

From center of town, I drove a few miles south toward a picturesque area of town nestled on Perkins Cove. Here, there are quaint shops and a wonderful drawbridge with amazing views in both directions.

Walking up the Perkins Cove drawbridge.

View from Perkins Cove drawbridge toward Ogunquit (looking Northwest).

View from Perkins Cove drawbridge toward Perkins Cove/Atlantic Ocean (Southeast)

View from Perkins Cove drawbridge toward Perkins Cove/Atlantic Ocean (Southeast)

Quaint storefronts in the Sandy Cove part of Ogunquit, Maine.

Ending the photo set with a mystery: what is the inspiration/clue behind this CONFIDENCE sign? Is it in reference to someone or some event? 

If You Go

If you decide to visit Ogunquit, ME, I recommend parking your car away from the beach (there is $20 parking there and it's cheaper in the center of town; one example: the large lot at Blacksmiths Mall antique store charges only $5 for all-day parking) and walking your way around this town. Walking from center of town to the beach to Marginal Way shouldn't take more than two hours round trip (about three miles), even if you make a few stops along the way.

As for dining options: Amore for breakfast, La Orilla Tapas or Rose Cove for lunch, and Backyard or Bread & Roses Bakery for snacks or coffee.

The Charm of Kennebunkport, Maine

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During my visit to the Boston area last month, I had the opportunity to take a road trip to Maine. I did some research on towns worthy of a day trip, and settled on visiting Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, and York. In this post, I share some photos from Kennebunkport, the town farthest north of the three.

Dock Square and Western Avenue

Western Avenue (Maine State Route 9) is the main road in the center of Kennebunkport. The majority of activity in Kennebunkport is in Dock Square, a colorful jumble of onetime fishing shacks that now house galleries, stores, and restaurants. 

A beautiful display of flowers in the Kennebunkport town center. 

Flowers growing inside these ship-shaped "pots" adorn Western Avenue (Dock Square) of Kennebunkport.

Colorful sign and American flag.

Cruising in style in Kennebunkport, ME. I did not catch the license plate of this vehicle, so am uncertain whether this is a local or a tourist.

Dock Square views.

One of my favorite images I captured in Kennebunkport is below. This lady was cruising through town on the bike, either making a selfie video or "Facetiming" with friends or family:

Morning bike ride and views in Kennebunkport, ME.

Harbor views in Kennebunkport, ME.

The gorgeous Kennebunkport Inn in the center of town. I would stay here or at least grab a drink in their outside patio.

Outdoor patio of the Kennebunkport Inn looks incredibly inviting. 

Cape Porpoise Pier

Departing from Dock Square of Kennebunkport, I continued driving toward Cape Porpoise Pier. From here, one could see the Goat Island Lighthouse in the distance.

At the edge of Cape Porpoise Pier. The Goat Island Lighthouse is seen in the distance.

Cape Porpoise Pier in Kennebunkport, ME.

Old boats at the edge of Cape Porpoise Pier.

If You Go

If you decide to visit Kennebunkport, ME, I recommend doing a loop around this town. Beginning on Western Avenue and explore Dock Square. Stop by Mornings in Paris for coffee and Rococo Ice Cream (6 Spring Street) for ice cream if you are visiting Kennebunkport in the summertime afternoon. Continue toward Cape Porpoise Pier to take in the views of the Goat Island Lighthouse. Continue the loop toward Blowing Cave Park (there is ample street parking here) to take in views of the George H.W. Bush Compound (summer home) in the distance. Finish your loop back through center of town and check out Snug Harbor Farm on your way back (separate post forthcoming).

Suggested itinerary through Kennebunkport, ME.

If you've ever been to Kennebunkport, which spots were your favorite and why?