Visiting Kennebunkport, Maine
July 30, 2022
One of my favorite places I visited on the coast of Maine was Kennebunkport. There are so many fun things to do there, that I thought I’d share a few experiences I really enjoyed.
If you’re coming in from Route 1, be sure to stop by Kennebunk on your way in (just outside of Kennebunkport). I actually stayed at a cute inn there because it was a bit cheaper than staying in Kennebunkport and there were a few things to do while I was in the part of town. Definitely walk through their main street and don’t miss out on stopping by Boulangerie- a Proper Bakery for a delicious pastry…I enjoyed one of the best chocolate croissants of my life there.
2. Wonderbook Park/Preserve- this park/land trust was very quiet and includes over 2 miles of trails, which loop around towards the Kennebunk River.
3. Off of Route 35, heading into downtown Kennebunkport, you will find an area on your right with a parking lot full of cute shops in colorful cottages. I really enjoyed visiting with the owner of Maine Cottage Apothecary- she started her shop in 2020 and almost all of her products in store are homemade. Seacraft Vintage is another store in that shopping center and has some great vintage pieces for your home.
4. Rachel Carlson Preserve- while technically in Wells, ME (but just minutes from downtown Kennebunkport), this nature preserve is a great place to visit if you want to get away for a bit. The trail is well-maintained and has several viewing spots along the way, which make this a great place for people of all ages and abilities.
5. Parsons Beach- this beach is fairly hidden and only a portion of it is open to the public. For this reason though, it’s very quiet and a great place for people to fish and explore amongst the rocks. A lot of people head to Gooch’s Beach when in Kennebunkport, but I much preferred Parsons. There are only a handful of parking spaces so if you aren’t lucky enough to snag a spot there, you’ll need to walk or ride your bike there.
6. Downtown Kennebunkport- there’s so much to see and do in the downtown area and everyone has their own favorite restaurants and shops to visit. Some restaurants include Mabel’s Lobster Claw, Alisson’s Restaurant, the Clam Shack and the Boathouse. I wasn’t able to try Earth at Hidden Pond but it’s supposed to be an incredible dining experience…one day I’ll make it back there.
There are a lot of wonderful shops in downtown Kennebunkport but I really enjoyed Daytrip Society and Dock Square Emporium.
7. Walker’s Point- this estate is also known as the Bush compound- a summer retreat owned by the Bush family. If you have some extra time, it’s worth it to drive out there to take a look. It’s on the quiet part of the coast and provides some great views.
8. Right outside of Kennebunkport, you’ll also find a few small islands. I really enjoyed the drive there so I could see a different side of town. There are couple of restaurants and shops by Cape Porpoise and Bickford Island, including Pier 77 and the Cape Pier Chowder House. I loved looking at all of the lobster traps and boats just outside of the restaurants- made for some great pictures too.
This list only scraped the surface with what all Kennebunkport has to offer. Whenever you make it there for a visit, I have no doubt that you’ll be on Cloud 9.
