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Maine Coast: Kennebunkport Travel Guide

  • Writer: Laura
    Laura
  • 6 hours ago
  • 4 min read

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Dock Square | Kennebunkport Maine Travel Guide
Dock Square | Kennebunkport

Our Kennebunkport Maine travel guide will help you discover all the best places to visit in the elegant New England village of Kennebunkport. Home to rocky coasts, artisan shops, stunning coastal drives, and Walkers Point (the Bush Compound - Kennebunkport) the town has become synonymous with luxurious southern Maine coastal living.  

Batson River Brewing and Distilling | Kennebunkport attractions | Maine coast
Batson River Brewing and Distilling

Kennebunkport is not your typical beach town. It has souvenir stores, clam shacks, farm stands, and trolley tours; but the overall vibe is a bit more upmarket. The lively boutique inn and restaurant scene are topnotch. Seeped in nautical tradition, the port-town has a chic modern flair.


Use our Kennebunkport travel guide to help you learn about the town's beaches, hotels, restaurants, and things to do in Kennebunkport Maine.

Grand Hotel | Kennebunkport Maine Travel Guide
Grand Hotel | Kennebunkport
Maine Coast Kennebunkport Travel Guide At-A-Glance
Chick's Marina | Kennebunkport Maine things to do | Southern Maine Coast
Chick's Marina

MAINE COAST TOURS & EXCURSIONS

Bush Memorial by Walkers Point | Things to do in Kennebunkport Maine
Bush Memorial by Walkers Point

KENNEBUNKPORT MAINE TRAVEL GUIDE OVERVIEW

Kennebunkport is located between York and Portland, Maine. It is situated along the Atlantic Ocean and Kennebunk River.


n the 1800’s, the area developed as a ship building port. Merchants and sea captains built magnificent homes near the sea. Guest houses were erected for tourists from Boston and New York who flocked to the oceanfront community. Today, these lovely structures are preserved as the town’s inns, resorts, restaurants, and spas.

Maine Art Hill Studios | Kennebunkport Maine Travel Guide
Maine Art Hill Studios

Kennebunkport is a 4-season New England travel destination. “K-port” stays busy in the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, many businesses close (always check ahead for opening information). To fully enjoy the region, a personal vehicle is recommended. Click here to investigate car rentals in Maine.

Kennebunk River Low Tide | Kennebunkport Travel Guide | Maine Coast
Kennebunk River Low Tide

KENNEBUNKPORT REGION


Kennebunkport

The village of Kennebunkport is packed with designer shops, art galleries, antique shops, and spas. Dock Square is the main tourist hub. Its historic streets bustle, and it is not unusual to see vintage cars cruising the narrow avenues. Along Union Street, marinas and yacht clubs line the river. Ocean Avenue winds out of town past grand old hotels and Gilded Age “summer cottages.”

Cruising Route 9 | Kennebunkport Travel Guide | New England
Cruising Route 9, Kennebunkport

Kennebunk

Five miles from Kennebunkport, is the charming town of Kennebunk. Like its sister-village, Kennebunk is full of historic streets, great shopping, and 5-star restaurants. Kennebunk has more of a small-town feel, than K-port.

MAINE TOURS & EXCURSIONS

Downtown | Kennebunk | Maine Coast Vacation Destination
Downtown Kennebunk, Maine

Cape Porpoise

A short 3-miles from Kennebunkport, is the lobstering village of Cape Porpoise. The quiet harbor is chock full of rustic Maine charm. In the village there is a working fishing pier with views of the Goat Island Lighthouse. There are houses on stilts, farm stands, and a surprisingly interesting food scene with a grocery store selling gourmet products, pier chowder house, and the renowned Pier 77 Restaurant.

Kennebunk Beach | Things to do in Kennebunkport Maine, New England USA
Kennebunk Beach

KENNEBUNKPORT BEACHES


Kennebunk Beaches

The Kennebunk beaches include Gooch’s, Middle, and Mother’s Beach. These flat, sandy beaches (some rocks strewn about) are located off Beach Avenue. The beaches are connected by a sidewalk. Parking is by permit only. Visitor permits are sold by the day or week at kiosks on the beaches.


Goose Rocks Beach

This gorgeous beach offers 3-miles of white sand, gentle surf, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. It is located about 6-miles from Kennebunkport. There are no facilities at the beach. To park in-season, a sticker can be purchased at the Goose Rocks Beach General Store.

Colony Hotel | Ocean Avenue | Kennebunkport Travel Guide
Colony Hotel | Ocean Avenue

KENNEBUNKPORT MAINE HOTELS

Accommodations run the gamut from national chain hotels, to small family-run motels, to luxury 5-star resorts. Look for lodgings near Kennebunkport Village if you want to park the car and walk to most destinations, or along the stunning Ocean Avenue area. Try one of these well-reviewed hotels:


Kennebunkport Inn - Casually elegant guest rooms in the heart of Kennebunkport

Nonantum Resort - tradtional Maine waterfront resort

Kennebunkport Captains Collection - historic hotel in prime location

Colony Hotel - overlooks Kennebunk River & Atlantic Ocean

The Clam Shack | Kennebunkport restaurants |Maine Coast
The Clam Shack

KENNEBUNKPORT RESTAURANTS

The Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, and Cape Porpoise regions are flush with high-quality restaurants. Restaurants featuring seafood and other regional favorites are predominant, but there is a wide range of different food styles and offerings.


Try these well-established favorites: Arundel Wharf Restaurant, The Boathouse Restaurant, Earth at Hidden Pond, Mable's Lobster Claw, Nunan's Lobster Hut, and Ocean Restaurant.

Twilight | Sailing Excursion | Things to do in Kennebunkport Maine
Twilight | Sailing Excursion

THINGS TO DO IN KENNEBUNKPORT MAINE

  • Explore Kennebunkport’s Dock Square and Union Square

  • Take a Lobster Boat Tour, Whale Watch, or Sailing Excursion

  • Drive along Ocean Avenue and Stop at St. Ann’s Church and the Walker Point Lookout

  • Discover the fishing village of Cape Porpoise

  • Join a walking tour of Kennebunkport’s historic neighborhoods

  • Have a beach day at Goose Rocks Beach

  • Shop Kennebunk’s Main Street

  • Rent a kayak and paddle the Kennebunk River

  • Take a trolley tour of the area or visit the nearby Trolley Museum

  • Visit Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude celebration during the holidays

Bon Appetit French Cafe | Kennebunkport restaurants
Bon Appetit French Cafe

Break out your best nautical attire and dope shades, Laura and Randy


For more information on Maine coast travel vacations read our posts on:

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