A Local’s perspective on the 10 must see places in Kennebunkport.
This blog will cover the best of the best things to do in Kennebunkport. I’ve grown up and lived in this area for 39 years and have been to these places I’m telling you about many, many times. I want you to experience Kennebunkport for the uniquely special seaside destinations that I fell in love with as a young adult and still love today. At the end of this blog, I’ll tell you where to find the best lobster!! Be prepared when doing day trips and bring a day pack, extra water and sunscreen.
Kennebunkport beaches. Drive down route 9, Sea Road, and you will come to the first of 3 beaches. The first beach is called Kennebunk Beach or as known as “mother’s beach”. This is the most family friendly beach with lots of tide pools to explore and overturn rocks to go “crabbing”. There’s a great playground here with slides, swings and a climbing wall. The beach itself has lots of soft sand to lay your blanket and lots of hard sand for digging sandcastles. This was always our go-to beach in the summer. The next beach as you keep driving will be Middle Beach, or otherwise known as “rocky beach”, or “middle beach”. This beach is very rocky, hence the name…and if you want privacy with less people around… this beach is for you. There is a raised beach wall all around this beach and continues around to the next beach. This is a great walk on top of the wall to see all the people enjoying the sun and fun. The next beach is Gooch’s beach which is a very long sandy beach, or also called “big beach”. This is the longest of the 3 beaches. You’ll usually see some surfers catching some waves here. People stroll this beach for exercise and will walk all the way to the jetty, or the “mouth of the river”. The Jetty is a popular striper fishing location.
The beaches require parking permits which you can either get at the Town Hall in Kennebunk, or kiosks located in each of the three beach locations. If you want to avoid the parking permits there are side streets you can park on across from the beaches. As long as you are respectful of people’s lawns and not block driveways, you may be able to find a spot if you go early in the morning. Mid-day parking is challenging and when you find someone just pulling out of a spot, it’s your lucky day. Resident parking passes are $5 each and residents are allowed up to 4 guest passes at $25 each. Proof of residency is required. Non-resident day pass is $24, non-resident week pay is $100 and a non-resident season pass is $200.
Lifeguards are on duty in the summer between mid-June and early September on Mothers Beach and Gooch’s Beach. Mother’s beach has an ADA compliant polyester mat which allows wheelchairs to access the beach. Be sure to have a sun shade and lots of sunscreen.
Dogs are allowed on the beach before 9am and after 5pm June 15th to Labor Day. After Labor Day dogs are allowed on the beach at any time. Dogs need to be either on a leash or under voice command. Please be sure to pick up after your dog and keep our beaches clean.
Watch your sandwiches and food left out because our seagulls are always looking for an easy meal.
2. Downtown Kennebunkport or also known as “Dock Square”. The downtown area is a combination of local business owners, shops, art studios and fabulous restaurants. You can find something for everyone here. You’ll find a unique community that’s super friendly. In the middle of Dock Square you’ll come across the metal bridge or known as the Mathew J. Lanigan Bridge. This bridge connects Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. Right next to the bridge is the Clam Shack. This little seafood mecca is truly a shack…and will have tourists waiting in LONG lines to get a taste of this wonderful cuisine. Right behind the Clam Shack you’ll find one of the “townie” or “locals” favorite spots… The Pilot House. The food is great here, from clam chowder to burgers. The staff is friendly… my cousin Victoria is a bartender here….stop by and tell her I sent you. The Pilot House is in the process of a big make-over. In the same vicinity, or perhaps a stone’s throw away… is Federal Jacks, or “Feddy’s” as we called it back in the day. Federal Jacks is an award-winning restaurant and brewery. Sometimes they have entertainment on the weekends in the summer. Feddy’s has brought me many memories over the years, my high school reunion was one such event. Now if you’re looking for breakfast, you MUST go to Mike’s All-Day Breakfast located at 55 Western Avenue, Kennebunkport. This place will have your mouth watering. The food is always fantastic, fast, and service is friendly. Though recent renovations have created more seating in the outside area but be sure to come early in the summer because there will be waiting lines for this delicious place… and it’s worth the wait. I’ve eaten here more times and I can count… my mom is a waitress here – tell her I sent you.
3. Seashore Trolley Museum. 195 Log Cabin Road, Kennebunkport, ME. Take a trolley ride on the 1.5-mile private railroad. They have about 250 trolleys, buses and subway cars. They have restorations in progress, and you can tour the restoration shop. They have Vintage Trolleys from the early 1900’s already restored. This place is always a fun place to visit if you like to see what life was like in the 1900’s like I do. They are open starting weekends in May and will open Wed -Sunday June 1st to October 30th. They’re open from 9:30-4:30 each day and the last trolly goes out at 3:45pm. After your trip be sure to stop in at the Museum store for your souvenirs, books, clothing items and puzzles. The Trolley Museum can also accommodate large groups of 12 or more for only $10 per person. Regular admission is Adults 17-59 is $13, 6-16 is $11, 3-5 $6, 2 and under are free. 60+ is $11. Dogs are welcome on the trolly. A bit of local history… when I was in high school the Trolley Museum used to host “May Day Festival” where they would take you by trolley to a large field where live music was played and everyone would bring their blankets to sit on and listen to music all day. Great memories.
4. St. Ann’s Episcopal Church. 167 Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport, ME. This beautiful stone church was completed in 1892 is open June 18 for 2023 season. St. Ann’s sits right on the Atlantic Ocean and the Kennebunk River, and the church itself is spectacular and so are the surrounding grounds. It is open to visitors at 9am, and closing times very in the evenings. Weddings are very popular here due to its beauty. The weddings can be conducted inside the stone church or outside at an oceanside alter. They are a multi-faith church and welcome all. Dogs are welcome to tour the grounds, but their humans must clean up after them.
5. Walkers Point, 229 Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport, ME. George H.W. Bush, (#41) inherited this home from his parents (who were actually married at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church). This was his summer home and then George W. Bush (#42) visited here in the summers as he grew up. Apparently, the property has been in the Bush family since the 1870’s, purchased by George H.W. Bush’s great-great grandfather. You can’t get in to see the compound because the secret service will stop you immediately, however, you can see if from a distance and take photos. Best place to park would be by blowing cave, at 208 Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport. There is a small paved pull off where you can take photos.
6. St. Anthonys Franciscan Monastery, 28 Beach Ave, Kennebunk, ME. This Chapel and grounds used to be a private estate, purchased by the Lithuanian Franciscans in 1947. The Monastery sits on 66 acres of spectacular manicured grounds. There is a beautiful stone grotto that hosts many events and in the winter is the site of the Christmas Prelude Candle lighting and Christmas Caroling. In the summer there are paths that go out to the river, it’s a beautiful serene walk. The Monastery still hosts mass as well, please check the website for times. Dogs and bicycles are not allowed on the grounds. The stone grotto is a popular site for wedding photos. I had my wedding photos at this location many moons ago.
7. Wedding Cake House, 104 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME. The house was built in 1825 by George W. Bourne, a 19th century shipbuilder. It is said that he was a very talented craftsman and modeled his homes ornate carvings after an inspiration of a Milan Cathedral in Italy. A legend said that the Wedding Cake House became to be so, because the couple married and she did not get a wedding cake because he had to ship out and he compensated her by creating a wedding cake house. This isn’t true, but what a great story. It’s said that this house is the most photographed house in Maine.
8. Colony Beach. This small, not so busy, beach is located across the street from the Colony Hotel on Ocean Avenue. The beach is only about 150 feet long but it’s a less visited beach and has limited parking, but no permits required. On the right side of the beach is the Jetty, so you could fish here as well. The sand is a bit rocky so I recommend water shoes. No lifeguard is on duty here. The dog policy is the same as all the Kennebunkport beaches.
9. Rachel Carson’s National Wildlife Preserve. 321 Port Road, Wells, ME. Now you probably are thinking, why are you putting this on the Kennebunkport things to do. Well, this preserve is right on the line and it’s so close to K’Port and such a gem I want you to see it. This preserve was established in 1966 and has 3 nature trails and a few observation stations. This refuge is over 5,000 acres and 50 miles of coast. The trails meander through the woods and along the salt marsh. You may see lots of birds and wildlife, bunnies etc. Dogs are allowed on leash but must stay on trails. The refuge is open every day 8-5 all year round.
10. First Family Museum, 8 Maine Street Kennebunkport, ME. This is run by the Kennebunkport Historical Society. The museum is set in an old sea captains house and guided tours are available that will give you the history of the family who lived in the house, the Perkins family. The house was gifted to the Kennebunkport Historical Society in 1982. The Bush family who was very active in the community had donated memorabilia to the Historical Society over the years. One room of the beautiful mansion is dedicated to the Bush family. The museum opens in May 2023 and will be open May 29th to October 8th. It re-opens December 1-10. You can get guided tours as well for adults $12, students $10 and veterans $10, children under 6 are free.
As promised above… the best place to get lobster in Kennebunkport is Nunan’s Lobster Hut on 9 Mills Road in Kennebunkport. They have been in business for 69 years and you’ll find nothing fresher. They serve locally caught lobster. Open from May to October, opens at 5pm. Cash or checks only, but they do have an ATM on site.
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These photos were taken in the winter, so as it gets nicer weather, watch for more updated photos.
See you next time,
Sharon
