In July, Kennebunkport was our first stop on our Maine Summer Road Trip. Summertime brings crowds to the Maine coast, however, the seaside charm of this little town made it worth it in my opinion. We spent our mornings and evenings wandering the streets of the town itself and attempted to escape the midday crowds by beach-hopping throughout the day. I hope this weekend guide to Kennebunkport, Maine inspires you to plan your next weekend getaway or even your own Maine Summer Road Trip!
Snapshot
2+ DAYS
Best TIme to Visit – June through August for the best weather, October for fall foliage
Weather – Highs of 70-80F in the summer with cooler evenings
Getting Around – Rental Car
Nearby Airports – Boston Logan (BOS), Portland International (pdx)
Where to Stay
Hotels in Kennebunkport, Maine
King’s Port Inn $$ – for an affordable stay within walking distance of almost everything
The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel $$$ – this stay offers a premier waterfront location in the center of town, tidy rooms, and complimentary beach cruisers
The Yachtsman $$$ – beautifully designed rooms all come with a view of the water
White Barn Inn $$$$ – an Auberge Resort Collection property, this is where I’d want to splurge for an anniversary or special occasion
AIrbnbs in Kennebunkport, Maine
Coastal Cottage $$ – private home with an excellent location just steps from town and nearby Gooch’s Beach
Tiny House $$ – cozy studio cabin outside of town
Minnow Cottage $$$ – a classic Maine cottage right on the water and a great location walking distance from most restaurants
Where to Eat
Dock Square Coffee House – delicious coffee and pastries with a prime location on dock square
H.B. Provisions – technically a general store but also a great place to pick up a breakfast sandwich, coffee, and other ready-to-eat goods
The Clam Shack – a Kennebunkport institution with rave reviews from the Bush family themselves (the former first family members are known summer residents of the area). I would be remiss not to include it on this list! Come before it opens at 11 AM or be prepared to wait in a long line for some fresh, no-frills seafood.
Federal Jack’s – Another Kennebunkport classic, this pub serves up casual eats right on the water
Bradbury Market – a quaint market to pick up supplies for a picnic on the beach
Langsford Lobster – pick up the daily catch to take home with you and enjoy the charming exterior
The Boathouse – a trendy spot right on the river. Come have pre-dinner drinks or an appetizer on the Instagramable deck. We ordered the crab cakes and loved every bite!
Batson River Brewing and Distilling – if craft beer is your thing, check out Batson River. We enjoyed people watching from the upper deck and sipping on their summer ales. We only wish we had time to try the food too – it looked delicious!
Old Vines Wine Bar – a tapas-style restaurant with great cocktails
Chez Rosa – French fare in the heart of Kennebunk. They were closed for private events during our stay but we heard that we should come back next time for a date night!
Rococo – if you are craving a sweet treat after dinner, come to Rococo for some handcrafted ice cream in a variety of unique flavors
Earth at Hidden Pond – an upscale farm-to-table experience a little outside of the main area of Kennebunkport. We sadly did not make it here on this trip but it definitely gives us a reason to come back!
What to Do
Walk along Ocean Avenue – we loved house hunting (aka gawking at the beautifully manicured seaside mansions) along this coastal road. If you start at the Colony Hotel, you can walk one mile to the Bush family’s summer compound.
Swim or Surf at Kennebunk Beach (aka Gooch’s Beach) – one of the largest stretches of sand in town, Gooch’s Beach is a great place to spend an afternoon soaking up the sun. If you’re feeling adventurous, book a surf lesson with Aquaholics
Stand Up Paddle or Swim at Goose Rocks Beach – the sand is soft and white and the waters are calm at this Kennebunk Beach – perfect for a swim or SUP! You can rent from Aquaholics or Coastal Maine Kayak
Watch the sunrise or sunset from Parson’s Beach – we watched the sunset from this little beach after a small rain shower and had it completely to ourselves! This ended up being one of our highlights from our time in Kennebunkport!
See a Show at Vinegar Hill – we only saw the exterior of this lovely venue, but it would be worth it to check out the lineup and enjoy some live music
Shop at Farm + Table – I’ll admit, I’m not someone who typically likes to shop while traveling. However, I loved picking up some local goods at this store. Tip: they also sell fresh, local popsicles outside on warm days! Other noteworthy shops include Daytrip Society, Antiques on Nine, Snug Harbor Farm, and Spaces
Take a sunset sail – the best way to see the coast of Maine is from the water! Schooner Eleanor‘s sunset sail is the perfect way to spend an evening
