Lobster shacks
Best lobster dinner in town at a quintessential, New England lobster shack. Casual, easy dinner out.
Traditional, "Maine" lobster shack, family owned and operated - this is a favorite of the locals! We eat a lot of lobster, but Nunan's somehow is always has the tastiest bugs around! Nothing like a day at the beach followed by early dinner at Nunan's.
DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT EATING THE BLUEBERRY PIE!
28 locals recommend
Nunan's Lobster Hut
9 Mills RdTraditional, "Maine" lobster shack, family owned and operated - this is a favorite of the locals! We eat a lot of lobster, but Nunan's somehow is always has the tastiest bugs around! Nothing like a day at the beach followed by early dinner at Nunan's.
DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT EATING THE BLUEBERRY PIE!
Our favorite, local, casual lobster shack with a view. This is typically our first stop when we arrive and our last stop as we leave Kennebunkport.
17 locals recommend
Cape Pier Chowder House
79 Pier RdOur favorite, local, casual lobster shack with a view. This is typically our first stop when we arrive and our last stop as we leave Kennebunkport.
Lobster with a view! The shop inside also has a ton of goodies you can stock up on like Maine wild blueberry pie, local beer, wine, cheese, etc. In addition to lobster, lots of other great items on the menu like fish tacos, fish and chips, and so much more.
12 locals recommend
Pool Lobster at Goldthwaite's
3 L.B. Orcutt BlvdLobster with a view! The shop inside also has a ton of goodies you can stock up on like Maine wild blueberry pie, local beer, wine, cheese, etc. In addition to lobster, lots of other great items on the menu like fish tacos, fish and chips, and so much more.
Food scene
Special occasion spot - Earth is one of the most famed restaurants in the area. Reservations can be hard to come by in the summer month, so book far in advance.
The Earthy, trendy ambience created by candlelight and wood leave you feeling as if you are about to dine in a designer tree house. Farm to table style restaurant specializing in meats, fish and organic vegetables.
44 locals recommend
Earth at Hidden Pond
354 Goose Rocks RdSpecial occasion spot - Earth is one of the most famed restaurants in the area. Reservations can be hard to come by in the summer month, so book far in advance.
The Earthy, trendy ambience created by candlelight and wood leave you feeling as if you are about to dine in a designer tree house. Farm to table style restaurant specializing in meats, fish and organic vegetables.
Great, casual restaurant in Cape Porpoise offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.
15 locals recommend
Musette Restaurant
2 Pier RdGreat, casual restaurant in Cape Porpoise offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Our favorite, neighborhood spot for lunch and dinner, a drink on the porch or front lawn, or take-out to the beach! Make a reservation to be safe since seating is more spread out. Their watermelon martini is amazing! Given this is on the same block as the house, you can often just walk up to make a reservation and of course, easy to get take-out for the beach or house. Happy hour daily from 3-5!
16 locals recommend
The Tides Beach Club
930 Kings HwyOur favorite, neighborhood spot for lunch and dinner, a drink on the porch or front lawn, or take-out to the beach! Make a reservation to be safe since seating is more spread out. Their watermelon martini is amazing! Given this is on the same block as the house, you can often just walk up to make a reservation and of course, easy to get take-out for the beach or house. Happy hour daily from 3-5!
Waterfront spot in the heart of Dock Square. Great food, great views, open-air or indoor dining. Reservations in advance or often you can walk up and make a reservation, and if there's a long wait, we typically kill time by shopping in Dock Square (Daytrip Society and Daytrip Society Junior + The Candyman all tend to be open later).
18 locals recommend
The Boathouse Restaurant
21 Ocean AveWaterfront spot in the heart of Dock Square. Great food, great views, open-air or indoor dining. Reservations in advance or often you can walk up and make a reservation, and if there's a long wait, we typically kill time by shopping in Dock Square (Daytrip Society and Daytrip Society Junior + The Candyman all tend to be open later).
Casual with great views of the harbor. This is the perfect spot to grab a bite outside after shopping around Dock Square or a sail with the Schooner Eleanor. The restaurant is right next to the schooner’s dock and office and has a great patio and tent with water views
20 locals recommend
Arundel Wharf - Seafood - Cocktail Bar - Craft Beer
43 Ocean AveCasual with great views of the harbor. This is the perfect spot to grab a bite outside after shopping around Dock Square or a sail with the Schooner Eleanor. The restaurant is right next to the schooner’s dock and office and has a great patio and tent with water views
Great place to grab fresh fish/catch of the day to cook at home, or a lobster roll to eat overlooking the water at St. Ann's down the road. Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy the views (and the lobster roll -- best deal in town!).
6 locals recommend
Port Lobster Co Inc
122 Ocean AveGreat place to grab fresh fish/catch of the day to cook at home, or a lobster roll to eat overlooking the water at St. Ann's down the road. Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy the views (and the lobster roll -- best deal in town!).
We've eaten at both the Main Barn and Little Barn and actually preferred Little Barn (and Earth for our special occasion dinner, though the Main Barn is also very nice).
Little Barn is casual, and enables you to benefit from the beautiful ambiance at White Barn Inn, but without the price of eating at the main barn (and we found the food to be even tastier).
The Little Barn
37 Beach AvenueWe've eaten at both the Main Barn and Little Barn and actually preferred Little Barn (and Earth for our special occasion dinner, though the Main Barn is also very nice).
Little Barn is casual, and enables you to benefit from the beautiful ambiance at White Barn Inn, but without the price of eating at the main barn (and we found the food to be even tastier).
Bennett's Store
200 Sea RdPeople talk about the sandwiches here.
Goose Rocks Dairy (Ice cream)
278 Mills RdFavorite place for ice cream and close to the beach house!
Shops
If you want to feel inspired to decorate your home with plants, come here! We love to buy fresh cut flowers, potted succulents, and fun gifts here. The farm has greenhouses, a retail shop, chickens, mini-ponies, and so much more! Worth a visit while you're in town. If you arrive in town via rt. 9, you'll see the photogenic white barn on your left.
7 locals recommend
Snug Harbor Farm
87 Western AveIf you want to feel inspired to decorate your home with plants, come here! We love to buy fresh cut flowers, potted succulents, and fun gifts here. The farm has greenhouses, a retail shop, chickens, mini-ponies, and so much more! Worth a visit while you're in town. If you arrive in town via rt. 9, you'll see the photogenic white barn on your left.
A stop into this quintessential, New England Red Bar is a must. Situated in the picturesque Cape Porpoise, you will find a collection of artisan goods like table linens, local restored wood bowls from down the road, pottery, jams, candles and so much more.
Be sure to walk around Cape Porpoise while you visit. A stroll down Langsford Rd. will get you views of the trio of houses on stilts and Langsford Rd. Lobster and Fish House (great for pictures and of course to pick up fresh catch of the day!).
9 locals recommend
Farm + Table
8 Langsford RdA stop into this quintessential, New England Red Bar is a must. Situated in the picturesque Cape Porpoise, you will find a collection of artisan goods like table linens, local restored wood bowls from down the road, pottery, jams, candles and so much more.
Be sure to walk around Cape Porpoise while you visit. A stroll down Langsford Rd. will get you views of the trio of houses on stilts and Langsford Rd. Lobster and Fish House (great for pictures and of course to pick up fresh catch of the day!).
One of our favorite shops in Dock Square! Amazing gifts, goods and souvenirs for everyone in your family. They stay open later than most shops so we tend to meander through while waiting to be called for a table at The Boathouse or another one of the Dock Square restaurants.
17 locals recommend
Daytrip Society
4 Dock SquareOne of our favorite shops in Dock Square! Amazing gifts, goods and souvenirs for everyone in your family. They stay open later than most shops so we tend to meander through while waiting to be called for a table at The Boathouse or another one of the Dock Square restaurants.
Best Salt Water Taffy in all of Southern Maine! No seriously. I was not a salt water taffy fan until experiencing the taffy from The Candy Man. They also have all sorts of other goodies too. The smell of chocolate greets you at the door.
The Candy Man
20 Dock SquareBest Salt Water Taffy in all of Southern Maine! No seriously. I was not a salt water taffy fan until experiencing the taffy from The Candy Man. They also have all sorts of other goodies too. The smell of chocolate greets you at the door.
Antiques on Nine
81 Western AveFood shopping/bites to go
General Store downtown. Great place to grab groceries, sandwiches to go and other necessities during your stay. Located in Dock Square.
30 locals recommend
H.B. Provisions
15 Western AveGeneral Store downtown. Great place to grab groceries, sandwiches to go and other necessities during your stay. Located in Dock Square.
Closest market for food to the beach cottage. Great place to stock up on the basics and also some special treats.
21 locals recommend
Bradbury Brothers Market
167 Main StClosest market for food to the beach cottage. Great place to stock up on the basics and also some special treats.
Great gourmet meals to go, baked goods, wine selection, etc. There's even a picnic table in the back overlooking the marsh in case you want a quick bite there before continuing on your way.
This is another frequent stop on our way in or out of town when we need a quick bite to eat or don't feel like cooking dinner but want to eat at home.
20 locals recommend
Cape Porpoise Kitchen
1 Mills RdGreat gourmet meals to go, baked goods, wine selection, etc. There's even a picnic table in the back overlooking the marsh in case you want a quick bite there before continuing on your way.
This is another frequent stop on our way in or out of town when we need a quick bite to eat or don't feel like cooking dinner but want to eat at home.
Great place to grab a pound of steamers, fresh fish/lobster to take home. They will cook your lobsters, steamers and corn so all you need to do is bring it home and enjoy!
Beautiful area for a walk and for pictures!
Langsford Road Lobster & Fish
42 Langsford RdGreat place to grab a pound of steamers, fresh fish/lobster to take home. They will cook your lobsters, steamers and corn so all you need to do is bring it home and enjoy!
Beautiful area for a walk and for pictures!
People love the muffins in the morning and the pizza, and kids love picking out candy. Good place to stop in for items you may have forgotten or last minute snacks for the beach.
This is often a stop when we drive to the beach early (from Massachusetts) and need to grab a breakfast sandwich before heading to the beach.
Goose Rocks Beach General Store
3 Dyke RdPeople love the muffins in the morning and the pizza, and kids love picking out candy. Good place to stop in for items you may have forgotten or last minute snacks for the beach.
This is often a stop when we drive to the beach early (from Massachusetts) and need to grab a breakfast sandwich before heading to the beach.
Great place a mile from the house to grab lobsters and other fresh fish! Call and order your lobsters ahead and have them cook them for you for an easy dinner!
7 locals recommend
Wolff Lobster
376 Mills RdGreat place a mile from the house to grab lobsters and other fresh fish! Call and order your lobsters ahead and have them cook them for you for an easy dinner!
Activities
My husband and I loved this 1.25hr fun and educational tour. We went as a couple on a late afternoon tour that was adults only (it's BYOB so most couples and families on board brought wine). That said, this is a fun activity for kids and good length. At one point the fisherman pull up the traps and pass around a live lobster. Overall, we found it to be a good mix of beautiful sights from the boat, fun and educational. It's also one of the best views of the Bush Family Compound at Walker's Point.
Their website notes that this tour is for ages 6+ (under 6 not permitted).
From their website:
In a fun-filled 1.25 hour trip, you take a tour of the Kennebunk River, enjoy a scenic tour of the beautiful coastline, and watch us haul our lobster traps. Sit back and relax or roll up your sleeves and join in the fun!
Special Charters
Private charters are also available for $600 for a 1.25-hour charter May through September.
13 locals recommend
Rugosa Scenic Cruises
95 Ocean AveMy husband and I loved this 1.25hr fun and educational tour. We went as a couple on a late afternoon tour that was adults only (it's BYOB so most couples and families on board brought wine). That said, this is a fun activity for kids and good length. At one point the fisherman pull up the traps and pass around a live lobster. Overall, we found it to be a good mix of beautiful sights from the boat, fun and educational. It's also one of the best views of the Bush Family Compound at Walker's Point.
Their website notes that this tour is for ages 6+ (under 6 not permitted).
From their website:
In a fun-filled 1.25 hour trip, you take a tour of the Kennebunk River, enjoy a scenic tour of the beautiful coastline, and watch us haul our lobster traps. Sit back and relax or roll up your sleeves and join in the fun!
Special Charters
Private charters are also available for $600 for a 1.25-hour charter May through September.
Great for a day trip. Cute shops, restaurants, lobster shacks. Downtown Ogunquit is just down the road. Parking can be tricky during peak hours, but not impossible. Shoot for off hours (early or late lunch).
Take a walk on Marginal Way while there and pop into all the shops. Our son loves the toy store there and we love Blue Whale Trading Company. The candy store has an incredible view, and The Lobster Shack is one of my favorites (especially the chowder).
For lunch with a view, Barnacle Billy's and Jackie's are a good choice.
Round out the day with a drive by Nubble Lighthouse!
47 locals recommend
Perkins Cove
Great for a day trip. Cute shops, restaurants, lobster shacks. Downtown Ogunquit is just down the road. Parking can be tricky during peak hours, but not impossible. Shoot for off hours (early or late lunch).
Take a walk on Marginal Way while there and pop into all the shops. Our son loves the toy store there and we love Blue Whale Trading Company. The candy store has an incredible view, and The Lobster Shack is one of my favorites (especially the chowder).
For lunch with a view, Barnacle Billy's and Jackie's are a good choice.
Round out the day with a drive by Nubble Lighthouse!
Coastal Maine Kayak and Bike
8 Western AveKayak, SUP, Bike and Scotter rentals.
Pick your own!
Strawberries -early June - early July
Raspberries - early July to early Aug.
Blueberries -mid July - mid August
Veggies - late July until Frost
Tomatoes - August until frost
Pumpkins - mid-Sept thru Oct
Apples - mid August-late Oct.
Spiller Farm Lane
Spiller Farm LanePick your own!
Strawberries -early June - early July
Raspberries - early July to early Aug.
Blueberries -mid July - mid August
Veggies - late July until Frost
Tomatoes - August until frost
Pumpkins - mid-Sept thru Oct
Apples - mid August-late Oct.
Schooner Eleanor
43 Ocean AveEnjoy a sail followed by lunch/dinner in Dock Square.
First Chance Whale Watch
4 Western AveTake a surf lesson or stop into the shop. Kids surf camp and lessons available.
17 locals recommend
Aquaholics Surf Shop
166 Port RdTake a surf lesson or stop into the shop. Kids surf camp and lessons available.
Timber Island
Hike out to Timber Island during low tide.
Kennebunkport Bicycle Company
184 Port RoadRent some beach cruisers and spin around town.
Lesser known walking trail at the Franciscan Monastery.
https://mainebyfoot.com/st-anthonys-franciscan-monastery-kennebunk/
10 locals recommend
Franciscan Monastery
28 Beach AveLesser known walking trail at the Franciscan Monastery.
https://mainebyfoot.com/st-anthonys-franciscan-monastery-kennebunk/
Audubon trail at biddeford pool is another nice spot for a walk/hike.
https://www.yorkcountyaudubon.org/birds-birding/york-county-birding-trail/biddeford-pool
16 locals recommend
Biddeford Pool
Audubon trail at biddeford pool is another nice spot for a walk/hike.
https://www.yorkcountyaudubon.org/birds-birding/york-county-birding-trail/biddeford-pool
We have not gone deep sea fishing, but LOVED their evening cruise to Perkins Cove. It’s ~45-60 minute boat ride there and then they let you out for two hours for dinner and to explore the shops in the cove, with a sunset sail back from 7-8pm.
Details:
$35-per person, 4-8PM, BYOB. Leave Kennebunkport at 4. Arrive at Perkins Cove by 5. Explore the village, shop, eat, have a drink, and return to the boat by 7 to steam back to Kennebunkport by 8.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: 207-450-1831
www.noreasterfishing.co
Nor'easter Deep Sea Fishing
4 Western AvenueWe have not gone deep sea fishing, but LOVED their evening cruise to Perkins Cove. It’s ~45-60 minute boat ride there and then they let you out for two hours for dinner and to explore the shops in the cove, with a sunset sail back from 7-8pm.
Details:
$35-per person, 4-8PM, BYOB. Leave Kennebunkport at 4. Arrive at Perkins Cove by 5. Explore the village, shop, eat, have a drink, and return to the boat by 7 to steam back to Kennebunkport by 8.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: 207-450-1831
www.noreasterfishing.co
We have gone for kids take over the barn night. So cute, and fun for kids and parents alike as the fully stocked bar stays open throughout the movie for snacks and libations. Adorable spot. Great musicians and drive up movies across the season as well!
18 locals recommend
Vinegar Hill Music Theatre
53 Old Post RdWe have gone for kids take over the barn night. So cute, and fun for kids and parents alike as the fully stocked bar stays open throughout the movie for snacks and libations. Adorable spot. Great musicians and drive up movies across the season as well!
Sightseeing
Great for a day trip. You can hit up Perkins Cove and downtown Ogunquit for some food and shopping, a walk on Marginal Way, and a quick drive by Nubble Lighthouse in one afternoon!
91 locals recommend
Nubble Lighthouse
Sohier Park RoadGreat for a day trip. You can hit up Perkins Cove and downtown Ogunquit for some food and shopping, a walk on Marginal Way, and a quick drive by Nubble Lighthouse in one afternoon!
Great for a day trip to see the most photographed lighthouse in the USA! Typically there are food trucks onsite and of course Portland is the food capital of Maine!
346 locals recommend
Portland Harbor Museum
12 Captain Strout CircleGreat for a day trip to see the most photographed lighthouse in the USA! Typically there are food trucks onsite and of course Portland is the food capital of Maine!
Beautiful spot to take in the views, especially at sunset, or enjoy a picnic. Grab a lobster roll from Port Lobster down the street on your way!
11 locals recommend
St. Ann's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church
167 Ocean AveBeautiful spot to take in the views, especially at sunset, or enjoy a picnic. Grab a lobster roll from Port Lobster down the street on your way!
Cape Porpoise Pier
81 Pier RdViews of Goat Island Lighthouse.
Eat: Cape Pier Chowder House
Enjoy a walk on Ocean Avenue. Park near Colony hotel and walk to the Bush Family compound (~2 miles roundtrip). Beautiful views. Grab a lobster roll on the way at Port Lobster.
Ocean Avenue
Ocean AvenueEnjoy a walk on Ocean Avenue. Park near Colony hotel and walk to the Bush Family compound (~2 miles roundtrip). Beautiful views. Grab a lobster roll on the way at Port Lobster.
Spas
The spa at the White Barn Inn is a treat!
15 locals recommend
White Barn Inn, Auberge Resorts Collection
37 Beach AveThe spa at the White Barn Inn is a treat!
Tree Spa at Hidden Pond
354 Goose Rocks RdFor a treat to yourself!