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Have you heard of Ogunquit, Maine? This seaside getaway is likely one of the nicest cities to go to in southern Maine. Just previous the New Hampshire border is a colourful, artsy city set on a wonderful stretch of seaside.
Ogunquit (pronounced oh-GUN-quit) is the Abenaki phrase for “beautiful place by the sea.” And when you get right here, you’ll see how true that’s!
Ogunquit is the uncommon vacation spot that truly has one thing for everybody. It’s a well-liked household getaway and good for youths of all ages. It’s an evergreen LGBTQ journey hotspot that nearly appears like a mini Provincetown. It’s a middle for the humanities with glorious museums, galleries, and an exquisite native theater.
Ogunquit is magnificently photogenic, particularly Perkins Cove, and there are many methods to be lively outdoor. And if all you need is to lie on the seaside? It’s nice for that, too!
I’ve been to Ogunquit many instances over time, having grown up about 90 minutes away. It’s about time I share this place with all of you.
The Best Things To Do in Ogunquit, Maine
Kids in Ogunquit will love driving on the Ogunquit Trolley and constructing sandcastles on the seaside. Sailing journeys are at all times enjoyable for the entire household, too.
The finest day journeys from Ogunquit embrace visiting the close by cities of Wells, York, and Kennebunkport. You may also take a straightforward day journey throughout the border to Portsmouth, NH.
Ogunquit is pronounced oh-GUN-quit.
Walk the Marginal Way
There’s no higher place to acquaint your self with the attractive seaside surroundings of Ogunquit, Maine, than alongside the Marginal Way. This strolling path stretches throughout a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and supplies beautiful views all through its complete size.
The clifftop path is paved, which helps be certain that that is an accessible stroll, fairly than a strenuous hike. It’s not a very lengthy journey, measuring only one.25 miles, which makes it a doable exercise for most individuals. There are even 39 benches to relaxation at alongside the Marginal Way, positioned at key factors on entrance of a few of the finest views.
When the climate is good, the Marginal Way gives a very idyllic seaside stroll, full with its personal little lighthouse. You’ll usually discover sailboats adorning the ocean on one facet, with the opposite facet dotted with inns and resorts. It’s an ideal introduction to the allure of Ogunquit village and is a particular should for guests to this New England city.
Stretch Out on Ogunquit Beach
It wouldn’t be an Ogunquit journey with out a seaside day! You can benefit from the crashing of the waves and the sleek sands the world is understood for once you plunk your chair down at Ogunquit Beach. Just take Beach Street from the middle of city and go straight till you hit the sand and surf.
Ogunquit Beach is lengthy and expansive with comfortable sand, and steadily finds a spot on “best beaches in the US” lists. It’s an incredible place to simply lay out and catch some rays, construct a sandcastle, or wade within the surf. You’ll discover the occasional surfer, too.
If you wish to keep away from the crowds of the primary seaside, Footbridge Beach is a superb different. It’s simply as beautiful as Ogunquit, with the identical waves and white sands, however is far quieter.
Dogs are permitted at Ogunquit and Footbridge Beach from Labor Day till the tip of March yearly. Both stunning seashores supply public restrooms, and Ogunquit has leases for umbrellas and different tools that can assist you calm down within the sunshine.
Stroll Through Downtown Ogunquit
The picture-perfect downtown space is likely one of the finest components of Ogunquit, Maine. Grab an ice cream and take a look at the superb outlets and galleries. There are additionally many scrumptious eating places, bars, and cafes. If you’re a foodie, fascinated with antiquing, or simply seeking to take a stroll, that is the place for you.
There are tons of nice outlets that you simply received’t wish to miss. Some of those are area of interest spots for specialty gadgets, such because the Tea Space. Here you’ll find a wide range of loose-leaf teas, in addition to tea equipment, for the right brew. There’s additionally Mainely Quilts, which sells quilts which are each new and vintage, together with quilting provides. If you’re out there for ceramic items, the Pottery Shop is a superb cease as effectively.
If you’re out there for a souvenir or present, you’ll want to try Spoiled Rotten. They have an eclectic choice of candles, jewellery, house items, and extra, so you’ll find nearly any type of memento.
Alternatively, if you need one thing really distinctive or with historical past, Blacksmiths Mall Antiques may also help. The retailer options greater than 70 sellers, and it is likely one of the hottest locations for antiquing in the complete state of Maine.
See a Show on the Ogunquit Playhouse
Calling all Broadway followers and theater geeks! The Ogunquit Playhouse, set in a barn, was established in 1933 and has continued to placed on superb performs and musicals for nearly 100 years. It has even featured reveals with nationally-acclaimed performers, akin to Bette Davis and Sally Struthers.
Ogunquit Playhouse is understood across the nation for its manufacturing high quality and superb performances. As one of many solely remaining unique off-Broadway summer time theaters, it at present is named America’s foremost summer time theater, and providing a glimpse into the historical past of Maine and the theater normally.
(Also, enjoyable truth: my aunt and uncle as soon as noticed George and Barbara Bush at a present right here.)
If you’re visiting Ogunquit anytime between the tip of spring and the center of fall, it is best to you’ll want to catch a present. Past seasons have featured productions akin to The Sound of Music, and Grease, and Beautiful: the Carole King Musical, however there are additionally matinee performances like Elf: The Musical which are simply as enjoyable for youths.
Sing Your Heart Out at The Front Porch Piano Bar
The Front Porch Piano Bar has been an Ogunquit staple for greater than 35 years. This institution gives an unimaginable leisure expertise that’s excellent for a date night time or celebration. It’s positioned proper downtown and options performances each night time of the week, with two completely different musicians enjoying on weekends.
One of the perfect issues in regards to the Piano Bar is that it gives an entire expertise for an evening out. There’s superb reside music, however it’s greater than only a venue. There can also be a bar and lounge for pre-show drinks, and a restaurant for tremendous eating.
The restaurant portion’s award-winning meals is served in all components of the Front Porch, together with the Piano Bar. The delicacies options elevated New American dishes with many influences for a assorted, and thrilling menu. There’s additionally a craft cocktail menu as effectively. But irrespective of which a part of the Front Porch you go to, you’ll make lifelong recollections.
Take a Sailing Trip
Why not discover Ogunquit’s coast the enjoyable means? Sailing is one of the simplest ways to really feel the wind in your hair and the ocean spray in your cheeks. You can sit again and calm down when you take within the spectacular views, or take a tour that provides some schooling and perception into native historical past or marine life.
There are a number of firms that provide nice crusing excursions. Finestkind Scenic Cruises gives fairly a couple of choices. You can witness wildlife like harbor seals, drink cocktails, or find out about lobstering, relying on the choice you select.
Silverlining Sailing gives some basic and conventional crusing experiences. Their excursions can solely accommodate six individuals per journey and can take you alongside the southern Maine coast for stunning snapshot alternatives. These boat journeys allow you to strive your hand at crusing your self.
Other firms to look into embrace Sail Me and Sail the Gift. The former gives three completely different cruise sorts, together with a well-liked sundown journey. The latter can accommodate bigger events of as much as 12 individuals for a memorable expertise in your entire group.
Visit Ogunquit Heritage Museum
If you’re looking for an area academic expertise to counterpoint the complete household, look no additional than the Ogunquit Heritage Museum. It’s located within the 18th-century Captain James Winn House and gives perception into the historical past of the world. The constructing, which was erected in 1780, nonetheless consists of a largely unique construction.
This museum can also be located in a very nice park, referred to as the Dorothea Jacob Grant Common. The grounds are nice to simply stroll by and wander round, as there are a selection of woods, open areas, and paths to discover.
The reveals contained in the museum give attention to the historical past of the city, together with subjects surrounding the trades which have supported it, like lobstering and fishing. It additionally gives perception into the cultural and societal heritage and the outstanding artwork and theater communities which have developed in Ogunquit.
The better part? This museum is free to go to!
Visit Perkins Cove
Once a sleepy fishing village and comfortable native artists colony, charming Perkins Cove is now an space that begs you to {photograph} it from each angle. There’s even an iconic pedestrian bridge you can cross and manually function and draw!
This neighborhood additionally gives nice procuring alternatives. There are tons of neat boutiques, present outlets, jewellery shops, and artwork galleries. It’s an ideal place to select up a memento or simply take a stroll and browse.
There are additionally quite a few eating places price visiting round right here, particularly should you’re a seafood lover. Chow down on some freshly caught fish at Barnacle Billy, then after lunch or dinner cease in for some regionally made salt water taffy on the sweet store.
Visit the Ogunquit Museum of American Art
Just off Shore Road, the Ogunquit Museum of American Art is impressed by the artwork colonies which have flourished in Ogunquit all through the city’s historical past. There are greater than 3,000 works on show at OMAA, making it an invigorating place to go to (to not point out among the best issues to do in Ogunquit Maine on a wet day).
The assortment incorporates a wide range of artwork in many alternative media, together with drawings, work, sculptures, pictures, and even movie. There are many alternative exhibitions which are hosted at any given time. These are repeatedly up to date and altered, so should you go to Ogunquit once more sooner or later, you’ll be capable to have a brand new expertise at OMAA.
Admission to the museum is $12 for adults, $10 for college kids and seniors, and free for youths below 12. Visit any day from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM from May by October.
Ride the Ogunquit Trolley
If it is advisable get round city, the Ogunquit Trolley is a enjoyable option to trip! These trolleys are charming and enjoyable and supply a cute option to discover town, particularly should you don’t have a automotive.
The Ogunquit Trolley can take you to many of the key locations that you simply’ll wish to go to, anyway. Perkins Cove, the well-known Marginal Way, and Ogunquit Beach are all stops. Plus, they run alongside the downtown and can allow you to off on the eating places, bars, and outlets which are subsequent in your agenda.
I like to recommend hopping on the trolley once you first arrive within the coastal city of Ogunquit to present your self the lay of the land.
Visit Beach Plum Farm
If you wish to get pleasure from nature and go for a leisurely stroll, it is a great place. Beach Plum Farm gives beautiful landscapes over its 22 acres, and allows you to see dunes, the ocean, gardens, and plenty of seaside plums.
There’s a path that loops across the gardens and fields providing a brief stroll of simply 0.5 miles. There are many benches that adorn this path, so it’s very straightforward and manageable to journey throughout. Plus it’s an incredible place to sit down and suppose, learn a e book, or draw the surroundings in entrance of you.
Beach Plum Farm is house to greater than 50 plots for group gardens, many alternative species of flowers and crops, and a few wildlife. It’s a very good spot to go birdwatching. The better part is that admission is free.
Go Kayaking
If you wish to have some enjoyable on the water, kayaking is at all times an incredible alternative. Sea kayaking requires a little bit of ability, but when you have already got kayaking expertise in nonetheless water, it is best to be capable to alter to Ogunquit’s small waves.
World Within Sea Kayaking gives leases to be used alongside the Ogunquit River. They supply stand-up paddleboards as effectively.
World Within can also be positioned optimally inside the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge. You’ll be located to see a whole lot of wildlife as you paddle alongside the water. Some of the native animals embrace fish, foxes, native birds, and should you’re REALLY fortunate (like 1-in-1000 fortunate), a moose!
If you aren’t accustomed to kayaking, you’ll be able to take personal classes. Learning how you can do a moist exit is a ability that may serve you effectively irrespective of the place you go!
Visit the Maine Diner in Wells
Just a 12-minute drive from Ogunquit is the city of Wells, which occurs to be house to one in every of my favourite eating places on the planet: the Maine Diner. I’ve no phrases for the way a lot I like the Maine Diner — a lot that I repeatedly drive 90 minutes to eat there.
The Maine Diner’s seafood chowder is essentially the most scrumptious chowder on the planet. It’s stuffed with big items of lobster, scallops, clams, shrimp, and fish, and it’s up to now past what anybody else in New England makes. Seriously.
Every time I am going to the Maine Diner, I order the Jim Nantz: a cup of seafood chowder and a sizzling lobster roll with butter. Though I improve from a cup to a bowl! They even have a sampler plate impressed by their look on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
(Just you’ll want to examine their schedule on-line earlier than you go. Since COVID hit, they’ve had staffing points and have lowered their opening hours.)
As for Wells past the diner, there’s quite a bit to do on this outdated shipbuilding and fishing city. It’s an incredible place to buy groceries, particularly for antiques. There are a number of beautiful shops throughout the downtown space. There are additionally attractive seashores, that are positively price going to for some coastal walks throughout the sand.
Visit York
Another cool cease, simply 11 minutes away, is York. In truth, Ogunquit and York are sometimes paired collectively as a day journey from Boston or Portland, and I like to recommend doing the identical.
I feel York is an particularly good place to go to should you’re touring with youngsters, because it’s a really family-friendly small city with a really calm seaside, an amusement park, and a implausible sweet retailer with hypnotizing taffy pullers.
Short Sands Beach isn’t as large or huge as Ogunquit Beach, however it’s nonetheless a pleasant place to take in the solar. Fun-O-Rama Arcade is positioned proper off the seaside, has tons of video games to play, and even incorporates a fortune teller!
You must also go see the Nubble Lighthouse should you’re in York. This is an iconic spot with scenic views that makes it an incredible backdrop for that quintessential Maine picture. There’s a lighthouse museum and present store on web site.
Visit Kennebunkport
If you drive only a bit additional north, you’ll be able to try the attractive place that’s Kennebunkport. This upscale Maine city is just 24 minutes from Ogunquit and is most well-known for its affiliation with the Bush household. The Bush summer time compound has been right here for generations, and each Presidents Bush took their households right here usually.
To be taught extra in regards to the relationship that the city has with American presidents, it is best to go to the First Families Kennebunkport Museum. There are additionally a lot of different museums to spend a lazy (or wet) afternoon studying. The Brick Store and Seashore Trolley museums are glorious stops to make as effectively.
While you’re on the town, you must also go to iconic spots just like the Wedding Cake House, essentially the most photographed house in the complete state. Other cool actions embrace taking a meals tour or a lobster tour as effectively! You’ll discover that there’s no scarcity of enjoyable in Kennebunkport!
Visit Portland
Portland, Maine, is a implausible metropolis, only a a 45-minute drive from Ogunquit. It looks as if everybody retains placing Portland on its listing of up-and-coming cities to go to within the US — whereas we New Englanders have identified for fairly a while how superior it’s!
Portland is very often known as a foodie metropolis. There are a number of glorious eating places right here, serving each high-end and informal fare.
A number of years in the past my buddies and I deliberate a bachelorette get together in Portland, Maine. It was a blast — we ate nice meals, did spirit tasting, kombucha tasting, wine tasting, gin tasting, and hit up the bars at night time!
If you want a dose of city life throughout your trip in Ogunquit, it is a nice possibility.
Visit Portsmouth, NH
Just over the state line is the cool little metropolis of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, simply 25 minutes from Ogunquit. This is one other spot for a day journey should you’re planning to be on the Maine coast for some time. I’m an enormous fan of Portsmouth and love bringing out of towers to go to.
To begin off, there are such a lot of cool impartial outlets and eating places in Portsmouth. Portsmouth is surely the culinary capital of New Hampshire, with nice eating places like Black Trumpet Bistro and Durbar Square. There are a number of glorious bars and bakeries, too.
There’s additionally a whole lot of historical past on this space. Strawbery Banke Museum is a re-created historic village, full guides who act in character. There’s additionally the African Burying Ground, which memorializes and honors the enslaved and free blacks that died on this city. The USS Albacore Museum, which is ready in a retired submarine, gives a cool alternative to be taught as effectively.
There’s additionally nice climbing and biking within the area, plus a number of boat-based actions and nice issues to do on the water. Oh, and did we point out the breweries right here?
How Much Time to Spend in Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit is a very talked-about day journey vacation spot for individuals within the Boston space (certainly, I selected Ogunquit as one of many finest day journeys from Boston). You may actually day journey from different components of Maine or New Hampshire.
Is a day journey sufficient? You may do quite a bit in a single day, so I feel sooner or later might be sufficient for some individuals. But staying for a couple of days will help you actually absorb Ogunquit and discover the encircling space as effectively.
Then once more, there are of us who’ve their summer time house in Ogunquit and spend the complete summer time right here! It’s straightforward to get hooked on this city.
How to Get To Ogunquit, Maine
The two closest airports to Ogunquit are Portland, Maine (40 minutes) and Boston, Massachusetts (1 hour quarter-hour). You’ll discover many extra flight choices to Boston than Portland, however examine them each to see if you’ll find any offers.
Ogunquit is positioned alongside Route 1 in Maine, only a brief drive from I-95.
The Amtrak Downeaster practice, which runs from Boston to Portland, has a cease near Ogunquit in Wells. (Keep in thoughts that the Downeaster leaves from North Station in Boston, whereas different Amtrak trains go away from South Station. If you’re coming from New York or elsewhere, you’ll have to get from South Station to North Station.)
Where to Stay in Ogunquit, Maine
There are loads of lodging choices in a resort city like Ogunquit. Here are a couple of of the nicer Ogunquit lodges:
Waterfront possibility: Terrace by the Sea has stunning rooms, however the actual draw is the spectacular views off Ogunquit Beach.
Nice B&B: Trellis House is likely to be the nicest B&B on the town, set in a beautiful home with immaculate rooms (with a excessive price ticket to match). The Inn on Shore Road is a less expensive, pet-friendly mattress and breakfast in Ogunquit.
Value for cash: Sea View Motel is a bit farther from the motion, however these are first rate rooms right here for a low worth.
Find offers on locations to remain in Ogunquit right here.
Best Time to Visit Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit is a quintessential summer time vacation spot, like most seaside resort cities. There’s nothing like stretching out on the seaside, strolling the Marginal Way, stopping for an ice cream.
But don’t overlook visiting Ogunquit within the fall! New England fall foliage is totally spectacular, and Ogunquit holds its personal with attractive timber exploding in shades of purple, orange, and yellow.
Summer is the busiest and most costly time of yr. Fall weekends might be very busy, too. I most lately visited on Columbus Day weekend in early October, and it was simply as busy as a summer time weekend.
Winter in Ogunquit could be very quiet and native with many companies shut down for the season. Spring on this a part of Maine doesn’t kick in till late April or so, however May and June are beautiful off-peak instances to go to if the climate isn’t too wet!
Is Ogunquit Worth It?
Of course Ogunquit is price it! Whether you come for a day journey or an extended getaway, you’re going to get pleasure from your time on this beautiful city.
Just make sure that to benefit from all that Ogunquit has to supply. Make positive to take in the humanities. Find your family members some good souvenirs. Eat the entire seafood.
And don’t neglect to get pleasure from that spectacular seaside.
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Have you been to Ogunquit? What are your suggestions?