Kennebunkport and Kennebunk, or the Kennebunks as they’re known, are two of the most charming towns in southern Maine. Between the two of them, they can capture your heart with sweeping ocean views, historic inns, quaint town centers just waiting to be explored, charming shops, and delectable restaurants and bakeries! They are all that one could ask for in a great seaside, summertime vacation in New England.

“The Amiable Traveler Guides - Follow along with the Amiable Traveler Guides, if you, like me, enjoy pleasant travel with companionable people, the comfort of distinctive lodgings with thoughtful touches, seek out good baked goods and restaurants with quiet views, enjoy spending the day in nature but want a good meal and a comfortable bed at the end of it, like carefully curated shops run by cheerful shopkeepers, and like knowing the inside tips before you travel. Based in New England. Explore my day trip and getaway guides to the New England states. Exploring farther whenever possible!”
— Debbie Harpe, Wonderful Life Farm

I have spent several overnight trips to Kennebunkport and more day trips than I can count, but this is my first ever travel guide to the Kennebunks. (Kennebunk is the more inland neighbor to coastal Kennebunkport.) Included you will find all my best inside tips for: places to stay, where to eat, and my favorite shops, strolls, and views.

Recently, my husband and I went for a one-night, two-day stay, dividing our time between Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. By arriving in the morning of one day and not leaving until late afternoon of the next, we turned a one-night getaway into a relaxing stay where we felt like we’d been gone for much longer.

WHERE TO STAY IN KENNEBUNK OR KENNEBUNKPORT

There are many lovely places to stay in the Kennebunkport area, from historic hotels to charming inns to chocolate box cottages. On this particular stay, we stayed at the Waldo Emerson Inn in Kennebunk. The inn, built in 1753, was once owned by the great-uncle of Ralph Waldo Emerson. The latter is said to have spent ten summers in this home. Once a stop on the Underground Railroad, the inn now serves up historic accommodations and truly delicious breakfasts to travelers. And it’s pet-friendly too! In my view, that’s a bonus whether or not you’re traveling with your pet. We stayed in the room named “Waldo’s Retreat”, a second-floor suite in the oldest part of the house, which has a kitchenette and lovely views of the gardens. The inn has bicycles and a beach pass you can borrow. Our hearty breakfast included yogurt topped with fruit and granola, bacon, quiche, and more. Find out more about the Waldo Emerson Inn here.

Other places I’ve stayed and enjoyed are:

Kennebunkport Inn, which is in the heart of downtown Kennebunkport. It is close to everything, if you want the ability to walk everywhere. Outdoor dining in season. Open year round.

The Cottages at Cabot Cove are a collection of 16 chocolate box cottages with charming coastal decor. They have bicycles and kayaks for your use. Open seasonally, May to October.

Ocean and pool views from the Poolside Ocean Terrace at The Colony Hotel.

The back porch of The Colony Hotel, Kennebunkport, Maine.

WHERE TO EAT LUNCH IN KENNEBUNKPORT OR KENNEBUNK

At the start of our visit to Kennebunkport, we had lunch at The Colony Hotel. It is on the register of Historic Hotels of America, which we try to patronize whenever possible, enjoying the history and grandeur of the older hotels across the United States. We ate at the Poolside Ocean Terrace, where we enjoyed delicious food and drink with a sweeping view of the hotel’s pool and the ocean beyond, watching sailboats and yachts pass in and out of the harbor as we dined. The atmosphere was very relaxing and a great start to a mini-vacation.

Other places I can recommend to grab a bite for lunch are:

Boulangerie - A Proper Bakery in Kennebunk, serving up fresh baked goods, quiche, soups, salads, and more. It is also open for breakfast. It’s nestled off the road a bit, so look closely for it.

Fiafia in Kennebunkport (no website, but they have a FB page), where you can fuel up on smoothies (which were our lunch on our second day), smoothie bowls, coffee, and more.

Musette is a casual and tasty bistro just outside of town. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the center of town.

WHERE TO SHOP IN KENNEBUNKPORT AND KENNEBUNK

The Kennebunks are packed with all sorts of shops for t-shirts and souvenirs. But, here’s the inside scoop on fabulously unique shops that will truly make you fall in love with coastal Maine! These are the three shops I visit whenever I’m in the Kennebunks in the summertime:

Seacraft, one of the best places to shop in Kennebunk.

I always stop by Seacraft to see the latest vintage nautical finds from our friends, Paul Havel and Jackie Greaney. Together, they curate the finest gathering of “coastal curiosities” you can find in New England. Their shop is a feast for the eyes…impeccably styled, unique, and a stand-out among the local shops. It is a great place to stop in for a nautical souvenir that you’ll treasure forever as a memory of your trip to Maine.

Snug Harbor Farm is a must-see destination for gardening and flower enthusiasts.

Snug Harbor Farm is one of the prettiest nurseries in New England. From the windows of the farm shop, you may see ducks waddling about outside on the lawn. Stroll through the barn and the shop, full of fresh flowers, plants, decorative planters, and home goods. And then take a meander through the numerous greenhouses (don’t miss the topiary greenhouse…it’s a wonder). And if you’re in Kennebunk at Christmas time, be sure to stop in for fresh greenery and beautiful ornaments.

Blending your own candle at Sea Love in Kennebunkport is a fun activity.

Sea Love is a candle bar and boutique in the heart of Kennebunkport. Here, you (or you and a group of friends) can sit down at the candle bar and blend your own custom candle. The nearby shelves are packed with a staggering array of tantalizing scents. Choose three essential oils and blend your own candle at the candle bar. Your poured candle must sit for two hours before you can take it with you, providing you with a great opportunity to grab a bite to eat or do more shopping while you wait. Reservations are recommended (and can be made online) for the candle bar. Ready made candles in Sea Love’s signature scents are also available for purchase.

Other fun shops in the area include:

Daytrip, Jr. in Kennebunkport (right in the center of town) for everything for kids…clothing, books, games, puzzles, etc. This is my go-to destination in New England whenever I need to pick up a baby gift, or something special for the grandkids. I’m particularly smitten with their ultra-cuddly, traditional, stuffed animals and have given many as baby gifts.

Farm + Table in Kennebunkport (but out of town) is a great place for unique, all-natural housewares…candles, charcuterie boards, linens, jams, and more. I love how it’s housed in a red barn…for that feeling of having visited a classic, New England destination.

THINGS TO DO IN KENNEBUNKPORT, MAINE

Coastal Maine is a beautiful place to explore! I recommend that you park your car in one of the public parking lots in the center of Kennebunkport and set off on foot to explore the downtown area, initially.

Explore the center of Kennebunkport, based around the very heart of the town, called Dock Square.

The Arundel Yacht Club (members only) in Kennebunkport.

Turn at Ocean Ave. and take a long walk. You’ll pass the Arundel Yacht Club, which I think looks its prettiest when the front and back doors are open, giving you a glimpse all the way through of this members only club. Continue on and grab a coffee or picnic provisions at the Coveside Market.

Coveside Market opens early, making it a great place for early risers to grab a coffee or pastry.

Continuing on from there, you pass the historic Colony Hotel. Beyond that, continue on for a walk that winds along the ocean, providing breathtaking views of the ocean on one side and gorgeous, seaside homes on the other. If you walk far enough, you can view the Bush Compound on Walker’s Point, the summer home of the Bush family for generations.

A day at the beach, or an early morning or post-dinner walk on the beach is a must in Kennebunkport. The family-friendly beaches require a day pass parking permit during the summer (about $25), so be sure to check and see if your hotel or inn has a pass you can use. Parking off the main streets has eluded me thus far, and hourly parking is not available. We thoroughly enjoyed our sunset walk on the beach! If you go to the beach early or late, the beaches allow dogs…always a happy sight!

Charter a sail for your time in Kennebunkport.

Sailing aboard the Schooner Eleanor out of Kennebunkport, Maine

You will be rewarded with coastal views of Kennebunkport, Maine.

We chartered a sail aboard the Schooner Eleanor out of Kennebunkport for a two hour sail up the coast. It passes through the harbor, past the Colony Hotel, and up the coast, giving you a good glimpse of the coastal homes and the Bush Compound from the vantage point of the sea. It really is the most relaxing time…so quiet…just the sound of the wind and the waves. Highly recommend!

WHERE TO EAT DINNER

Kennebunkport is usually a day trip destination for me, so I have limited experience with fine dining in the area. But I had a mental list of places I’ve been wanting to go! So, I decided we should just start at the top, and we made a reservation to dine at White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport.

White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport is a delightful choice for fine dining in the area.

Be sure to make a reservation far in advance to dine at White Barn Inn. Its main dining room, in the largest part of the white barn, features a bar, live piano music, its iconic American flag hanging from the barn’s beams, and a prix fixe menu. Little Barn, in the smaller part of the barn, features á la carte menu items in a slightly more casual atmosphere, as well as a limited amount of outdoor seating (seasonally).

Another fine dining recommendation:

Of particular interest for seafood lovers is The Boathouse Restaurant. This waterfront restaurant has incredible oysters! It’s conveniently located in the center of Kennebunkport.

I hope you find this guide useful for planning your next extended stay or day trip to Kennebunkport and/or Kennebunk. Here’s a handy graphic to pin to your travel or New England boards, so you know just where to find this information when you need it. Do please leave a comment, if you’ve enjoyed the guide!

The Amiable Traveler - Guide to Two Days in Kennebunkport, Maine

Wonderful Life Farm