I’ve at all times beloved visiting coastal Maine. This stunning space of New England options so many issues to do with youngsters and is a brief drive from my house west of Boston. In the summer season, it’s particularly enjoyable with a number of vacationers visiting and a great deal of nice actions. Maine is unquestionably top-of-the-line household summer season trip locations and it’s an important place to go to with the entire household.
This previous summer season, as one final getaway earlier than faculty began for the 12 months, we loaded up the automotive and headed to Ogunquit Maine, situated on the coast. Although I’d visited Ogunquit earlier than on a day journey, I by no means had the chance to spend an in a single day there.
We have been so impressed with the entire issues to do in Ogunquit Maine with youngsters, and completely plan to return once more for an extended go to. This well-liked spot is a improbable vacationer city, with nice power and a enjoyable vibe.
Disclosure: We obtained a complimentary night time keep on the Meadowmere Resort in Ogunquit. This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks (together with on the map). A purchase order/click on by means of one in all these hyperlinks could end in a fee paid to us at no extra price to you. All opinions are my very own.
Things to Do in Ogunquit Maine With Kids
Marginal Way Ogunquit
We arrived at Ogunquit round lunchtime earlier than our room was prepared. We left our automotive and baggage on the resort and instantly headed all the way down to Marginal Way. This paved path runs throughout the Maine shoreline and is roughly a mile lengthy – spanning from Ogunquit Beach to Perkins Cove.
During our first enterprise on Marginal Way, we have been in a little bit of a rush in the hunt for lunch. However, throughout our journey, we have been capable of take one other means, a gradual stroll to discover the entire space on this brief stroll.
As you stroll on the mile-long path, you’ll see a variety of scenic vistas, benches, and cliffs. The walkway is wheelchair and stroller-accessible, however bikes aren’t allowed. Pets are solely allowed within the offseason. This is all as a result of the coastal stroll path will get very busy within the summers and can’t accommodate them.
While Marginal Way is an effective way to get from Perkins Cove to the seaside, I additionally suggest simply taking a pleasant stroll. Be positive to cease at the entire varied vantage factors as a result of it actually a stupendous place.
Perkins Cove
When I checked into our resort early, we have been in the hunt for a captivating place for lunch. The entrance desk clerk at our resort despatched me on a stroll down Marginal Way to Perkins Cove, a small space of city with reward retailers, eating places serving recent Maine seafood, artwork galleries, ice cream retailers, and exquisite views.
Much of this space of city is finest accessed by foot, though there’s a public parking space. Things undoubtedly get busy on this space, nevertheless.
In addition to the retailers and cafes, Perkins Cove gives nice scenic spots proper on the harbor. There’s a pedestrian drawbridge that company can stroll over to get a stupendous vantage level of Perkins Cove.
Even in case you don’t need to store within the space, I’d suggest consuming at one of many Perkins Cove eating places throughout your keep. It’s such a enjoyable space and the meals is scrumptious.
Ogunquit Beach
Many folks go to Ogunquit for the attractive Atlantic Ocean seaside and for good motive. It’s completely beautiful. During low tide, the sand space is big, and there’s a great quantity of room throughout excessive tide. Ogunquit Beach is the principle seaside within the space and is among the hottest points of interest in Ogunquit.
If you might be visiting the seaside, there may be some parking out there. Just take into account that the parking zone is more likely to refill early. It’s finest to stroll or take the trolley in case you are staying on the town.
You’ll have a number of choices for seaside gear. You can carry your personal from house, which is probably the most economical choice. There are some retailers close to the seaside promoting gadgets, however they in all probability received’t be the perfect costs.
Beach gear leases are additionally out there from unbiased corporations. These corporations will usually ship to you and supply weekly leases. There’s often a good surf, so you might think about bringing boogie boards in case your youngsters have them.
Once you might be on the seaside, there are many facilities close by. Several eating places and snack retailers are inside strolling distance. The seaside additionally has out of doors showers and foot washes, in addition to indoor restrooms. There are some coated benches and chairs close to the doorway of the seaside in case you’d like to sit down off the sand and away from the solar.
In addition to Ogunquit Beach, there’s additionally one other sandy seaside within the space – Footbridge Beach. During this go to, we didn’t get the chance to journey north to that seaside however I undoubtedly need to test it out subsequent time.
Ogunquit Trolley
Because parking and driving might be such a problem in Ogunquit, there’s the Ogunquit Trolley. This trolley makes quite a few stops throughout city, making it handy for households.
The trolley does solely take money for rides, and alter is given in trolley tokens. So, in case you plan to take the Ogunquit Trolley round city, you’ll in all probability need to carry a number of one-dollar payments for the rides. It’s at the moment $5 for adults and $3 for teenagers.
The trolley operates seasonally, so that you’ll need to verify the schedule earlier than ready for a trip.
Ogunquit Playhouse
The Ogunquit Playhouse, a summer season inventory theater providing stay reveals, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Past choices have included Jersey Boys and Cabaret.
In addition to those summer season theater reveals, the Ogunquit Playhouse additionally has a youngsters’s theater program with extra kid-appropriate reveals.
Tickets might be bought upfront, and you may also ebook a really fairly priced backstage theater tour to associate with your present tickets. Just carry alongside closed-toed sneakers as flip-flops and sandals aren’t allowed backstage.
Other Things to Do in Ogunquit Maine With Kids
Unfortunately, we solely had a brief period of time in Ogunquit, so there have been some issues that we weren’t capable of do. We’ll undoubtedly should return both this fall or subsequent summer season as a result of there’s a lot extra that I need to do in Ogunquit. These embody:
- The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
- Footbridge Beach
- Finestkind Scenic Cruises
- Cape Neddick
- Ogunquit Museum of American Art
Road Trips From Ogunquit
Ogunquit Maine is so accessible from many different locations within the Northern New England/Maine space. If you might be staying in Ogunquit and need to discover the native space, you could have a number of choices:
Kittery, Maine is situated about half-hour away from Ogunquit. Kittery is most identified for its premium shops, together with Under Armor, Lululemon, the Gap, and Crate and Barrel. We at all times cease in Kittery to buy each time we go to Maine.
Portland, Maine is about an hour away and is nicely well worth the drive. This scenic city has a vibrant foodie scene in addition to nice retailers and issues to do. We particularly love Old Port Maine, the quaint, cobblestoned part of city.
Portsmouth, NH is a scenic waterfront city situated proper over the border in New Hampshire. It’s a few 50-minute drive from Ogunquit however gives retailers, eating places, and extra alongside the waterfront. There’s additionally Water Country Waterpark, which is situated in Portsmouth.
Ogunquit Maine Restaurants
There are so many scrumptious and enjoyable eating places in Ogunquit. You’ll need to keep a number of days simply to go to as many eating places as potential. Since we have been there for under a short while, we didn’t get to as many locations as I might have appreciated. But we beloved each place we went to.
Barnacle Billy’s
This restaurant, situated in Perkins Cove, has two separate, adjoining buildings. One gives counter service, whereas the opposite has desk service.
On our first day in Ogunquit, we made our technique to Perkins Cove and determined to eat on the desk service part of Barnacle Billy. It was busy, however there was no watch for the out of doors seats, which have been a bit shady. We had no downside braving the slight wind to take pleasure in some beautiful seats by the water.
Barnacle Billy’s gives a full bar menu in addition to seafood specialties like fried seafood, clam chowder, lobster rolls, and boiled lobster. There are additionally some non-seafood gadgets for these members of your loved ones who could not take pleasure in seafood.
Lobster Shack
On our second day in Ogunquit, we ate on the Lobster Shack. It’s additionally situated in Perkins Cove, however will not be straight on the water. This restaurant is small and has restricted seating, so that you’ll need to arrive early.
Guests stand outdoors and wait till the particular person forward of them has ordered earlier than getting into. This is as a result of the restaurant is so small. Order on the counter, after which your meals and drinks can be delivered to you.
My husband and I ordered the lobster roll and clam chowder particular, and it was completely scrumptious. Again, there have been choices apart from seafood for these in your group that don’t like seafood.
Cornerstone Artisanal Pizza and Craft Beer
We didn’t get the possibility to eat at this downtown Ogunquit hotspot, as a result of it was so busy and the wait was too lengthy. But it seemed nice – with scrumptious meals and plenty of out of doors seating.
During our keep, we additionally ate at Brix and Brine, an outside restaurant additionally situated in downtown Ogunquit. It has an important bar, a improbable oyster menu, and a rotating menu of seasonal dishes. We beloved it, however I wouldn’t essentially suggest it for households with younger youngsters. My teenagers loved it however I wouldn’t have introduced them in the event that they have been younger.
Ogunquit Maine Hotels
You’ll discover a number of lodging choices in Ogunquit Maine, together with resorts, inns, and trip rental properties. I’d suggest discovering a spot the place you’ll be able to park your automotive and stroll to the entire issues to do in Ogunquit.
We beloved our keep on the Meadowmere Resort, which is situated between Perkins Cove and Ogunquit Beach. In addition to the improbable location, the resort additionally provided a number of fantastic kid-friendly facilities, together with an indoor pool, and out of doors pool, a small movie show, and an arcade.
We had a household suite on the resort, which included two separate rooms. It was excellent for our household of 4. You can see our assessment of the Meadowmere Resort right here, and ebook it right here.
See different resorts and lodging choices in Ogunquit on the map under (affiliate hyperlinks).
Ogunquit Maine Weather and When to Visit
As you’d count on by the New England location, Ogunquit will get all 4 seasons. The finest months to go to are undoubtedly late June to early September, when you’ll be able to make the most of the warmest temperatures.
The fall can have good temps within the 60s, and among the eating places will nonetheless be open, relying on while you go. Barnacle Billy’s, as an illustration, closes late October/early November. Traveling to Ogunquit within the fall might be an effective way to keep away from the big summer season crowds, whereas nonetheless having fun with the eating places and actions.
Winter temps are chilly – sometimes freezing or decrease. You in all probability received’t need to do a lot strolling within the winter, and most of the retailers and eating places can be closed.
The spring will also be a good time, particularly in late April and May when the eating places begin to open and the temps heat up. While you undoubtedly received’t go swimming within the Atlantic, among the Ogunquit resorts have indoor swimming pools that you may take pleasure in throughout your keep.
Getting Around Ogunquit Maine
If you might be driving into Ogunquit, there are a number of public parking heaps to depart your automotive. It’s a good suggestion to park after which stroll in all places. I undoubtedly don’t suggest driving across the city – particularly within the busy summer season months, as a result of parking is extraordinarily restricted and there are a great deal of pedestrians.
Passenger golf cart companies and the Ogunquit Trolley are each out there for a payment. Walking round city can also be very straightforward and is often your best choice. If you might be reserving a resort, I’d recommend in search of a location that’s inside strolling distance of the seaside, Marginal Way, and Perkins Cove.
For these not driving into city, you’ll be able to both fly into the Portland Maine airport or take the Amtrak Downeaster into Wells, Maine. Then you’ll be able to take a cab or trip share service into your Ogunquit resort. In season, the Ogunquit Trolley additionally travels to the prepare station to select up company.
Have you been to Ogunquit? What is your favourite factor to do there?
Read our Ogunquit Maine net story right here.
