42nd Annual Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude 2023

42nd Annual Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude is Nov 30 -Dec 10, 2023 Christmas Prelude is among the Top Christmas celebrations in the country… Prelude lovers, have no fear, its never a Bah Humbug year, there’s always holiday cheer! Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude is a four-decade long holiday tradition. See our Christmas Prelude Schedule of Events. Here are a few favorite signature events at Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude, there are many more festive events in the world-renowned two-week holiday celebration. FIRE & ICE at Nonantum is a perennial favorite – now in year 13, enjoy outdoor bonfires, ice bars, bands and dancing, creative food […]

Best Lobster in Kennebunkport

The 2nd question every visitors asks as they arrive in Kennebunkport, “where do I get the best lobster?” The 1st being, “how do we get to see The Bush’s place?” Folks eagerly want to see Walkers Point out Ocean Ave, to see the Bush Compound where two former presidents and their family have spent every summer. So we locals give directions out Ocean Ave, past St Ann’s Church where the Bush’s go for Sunday service, to The Blowing Cave and Anchor to Windward perched on the sparkling granite shores, this scenic vantage offers a fantastic view of Vesuvius Point, the so-named […]

Walker’s Point – Bush Family Estate

Walkers’ Point is one of the most popular sites in Kennebunkport, the summer home to the Bush family. As you drive out Ocean Avenue, past St Anne’s church where the Bush family goes to church, by Blowing Cave and Spouting Rock, you are led to the spectacular peninsula where President George H W Bush, and his wife Barbara, spent every summer with their family from mid May to mid October each year. The people of Kennebunkport love the Bush family, affectionately referencing the two Bush presidents as 41, and 43 – President George W. Bush who spends summers in Kennebunkport […]

Kennebunkport’s Road Less Traveled

So many top spots in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, the “must be seen” from Dock Square to Walker’s Point, the beautiful beaches and out to sea. But this is a guide to the hidden gems, off the beaten path, the road less traveled in the Kport, the Bunks, Cape P and Arundel. Add these cool outings to your Kennebunkport Bucket List… for a fun diversion and excursion… Pull a Lobster Boat Trap Do not miss a ride aboard on The Rugosa with Captain Bob. This 1.5 hour tour will take you past Walkers Point, pull a few lobster traps and maybe […]

Kennebunkport’s Launch – Floating Success!

Launch – a Maritime Festival is a fun boating fest in Maine, a celebration along the Kennebunk River. Its a wave of fun – five days of fishing, a boat parade, lobster bakes, fun runs of pirates and mermaids on the beach, Chef Competitions and much more. The nautical theme is the undercurrent to showcasing the Kennebunks’ rich maritime heritage in this lively seaside community. #LaunchFestME – originally launched in 2016. 2023 Launch is afloat!  June 16-17 Launch is mid June … 10 Things WE love about Launch:1. Launch is a grassroots, multi-town festival for locals by locals, stretching from K’Port to […]

The Kennebunkport Festival – Cancelled

For 15 Years the Kennebunkport Festival was a Charity kick off to the summer season in Kennebunkport. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. There are no plans to continue this event. Photos and Content Copyright KennebunkportMaineLodging.com 2023    

Walking Tours of Kennebunk

The Kennebunks are small seaside towns, Kennebunkport, Kennebunk and Cape Porpoise. with a population of about 14,000. Even with the summer popularity as a resort town, you won’t be stuck in traffic for hours, you can feel safe walking at night, you can see the sunrise by the sea in the morning, the stars at dusk, and you can take a breath of fresh air. Yet despite being rather small towns, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport can have a fun festive vibrant atmosphere, there’s always something happening…

Paint the Town Red with Romance in Kennebunkport

Here’s a romantic little secret… Kennebunkport and Kennebunk  is for lovers in winter. This seaside resort town is perfect for couples in search of a romantic retreat when Kennebunkport “Paints the Town Red” as part of its February is for Lovers. Cupid loves KPT! Bring your sweet heart for seaside beach walks, horse-drawn carriage rides, art browsing, ice skating, cross country skiing at Harris Farm or Wells Laudholm, boutique sales, cozy fireplaces, four poster beds at local inns, ocean view hot tubs, and private seaside dining for two in an igloo or a ski gondola. COOL! Kennebunkport celebrates February in style with a “Paint the Town […]

Fun Activities in Kpt Outside

Go out to sea – there’s nothing more therapeutic than salty ocean air – get on board a cruise with Captain Bob of Rugosa Lobster Boat Tours. Just you and you party and your Captain if you arrange for a private charter. As you cruise out of the Kennebunk River, out to sea, you’ll see Walkers Point- home of the Presidential Bush family, to Cape Porpoise where you’ll see Goat Island Light house, and the most picturesque fishing village. Your Rugosa Captain will pull a lobster trap. Rugosa & Pineapple Ketch Sailing leave the docks at Nonantum Resort daily. Sail […]

Village Art Trail

Kennebunkport and Kennebunk offer the self-guided Village Art Walk, with over 20 cool studios, galleries and artists in the Kennebunks. Kennebunkport Kennebunk Art Walk for 2023 is June 30, July 28, August 25, with a finale during ChalkFest on Sept. 29. Walk from art studios to galleries in Kennebunk’s Lower Village and Kennebunkport’s Dock Square and out Ocean Avenue, and in to downtown Kennebunk. Art Trail of Kennebunks Maps are available at the galleries, the Kennebunks’ Chamber of Commerce and online. Admission is free and the Village Art Walk is open to everyone- art lovers, aficionados and newbies, thanks the galleries […]

Kennebunkport has global attraction

Kennebunkport is the only place in the world so named… one of a kind and world-famous – attracting people from all over the globe. For three centuries, Kennebunkport has lured everyone from sea captains and sitting presidents to celebrities on swank yachts, and let’s not forget – humble local fishermen. Today Kennebunkport is a hoppin’ happenin’ town, culturally deep with dining for every palate, attractions and lodging from quaint B&B’s to grand historic hotels and chic spa resorts on the river. Kennebunkport at heart is a small Maine town, population under 4,000 with 10,000+ in neighboring Kennebunk, yet this compact seaside community is surprisingly worldly in its offerings. Here’s […]

Paddles Up – Kennebunkport’s Paddle Battle

Put your paddles together for all the kayakers, canoers and SUP-ers. The 7th annual Nonantum Paddle Battle in Kennebunkport was on August 11, 2019 – truly a  Sunday fun day on the Kennebunk River. Hundreds of kayaks, canoes, surfboards and SUPs graced the waterfront at The Nonantum Resort for a fun race up and down the Kennebunk River. The Paddle Battle has not taken place since. This family fun event, The Paddle Battle is traditionally hosted at The Nonantum Resort. It expanded and grew by leaps and paddles since the first Nonantum Quest for the Cup canoe race back in […]

Vinegar Hill- Kennebunkport’s best music venue

Kennebunkport is so fun in summertime, with festivals, happy hours, live music and entertainment on every corner. On any easy breezy night, you will hear a band playing at the Pilot House, sharing a mic at Kport Inn’s Burleigh, live music ensembles at The Nonantum’s Latitudes, or music at Old Vines Wine Bar and the Colony’s Marine Room. Vinegar Hill is a fantastic event center and a beautiful rustic Wedding Venue too. Its one of the best venues for performances, Vinegar Hill Music Theatre – with its casual format, and a classic Maine music stage in the old Arundel Barn Playhouse. The […]

Best Place to Stay in Kennebunkport

People come from all over the world to stay in Kennebunkport. This classic seaside village exemplifies “the way life should be.” With miles of beautiful coastline to explore, several sandy and scenic beaches, a lighthouse, pretty fishing villages, plus sophisticated boutique shopping, art galleries and top restaurants, the BIG Question is: where to stay in Kennebunkport? Kennebunkport has every lodging imaginable for a small East Coast town, grand waterfront hotels and historic bed and breakfasts, beachfront inns, and family resorts, chic spa hotels, and waterfront suites. Here’s our guide to finding the best place to stay in K’port or Kennebunk Beach: […]

Kennebunkport’s President – Hail to 41

President George H W Bush was one of Kennebunkport’s most revered and loved residents. He never missed a summer in the seaside community he called home… except for the years he served in the war. Walker’s Point was his family compound, his happy place…. and his Anchor to Windward remains on the shore along Ocean Avenue as a legacy and tribute to this courageous, kind, strong leader of the free world, and family man. Everyone in Kennebunkport has a 41 story… a treasured moment talking with the President, or taking a photo – he was always gracious to pose for […]

Late Fall in Kennebunkport

While Columbus weekend is typically peak fall in Maine, this year the leaves took their sweet time turning to spectacular color. It’s not too late to celebrate foliage my friends. Looks like local lodging rates will fall before the leaves do this season. Need another trip to Maine’s beautiful seacoast town. How about a few fairs and festivals, and happy hours and haunted happenings? Read on and come to Kennebunkport – its fall y’all! Bike rides around Kennebunk & Kennebunkport reveal the finest foliage, on nature paths and scenic seaside drives. Rent bikes to explore in the cooler weather. Happy […]

Family Vacation Stays in The Port

When considering a family vacation destination in Maine, one of the easiest to get to and greatest towns in Maine is Kennebunkport. If you are bringing the kids for a vacation, Kennebunkport and Kennebunk is a perfect Maine destination for family vacations – truly something for everyone.

White Columns – Kennebunkport Historic House Tour

Kennebunkport’s “White Columns” The Richard A Nott House aka “White Columns” 8 Maine Street Kennebunkport Historic House Tour Known as White Columns, this Greek revival home was built in 1853 by Eliphalet Perkins, a wealthy Kennebunkport merchant. Eliphalet sold the house to his only son, Charles, as a “wedding present” for five thousand dollars. Charles Perkins, the most eligible bachelor in town, married Celia Nott, the girl next door and eldest daughter of the Baptist minister. During the mid-to late 1800s, Charles and Celia Perkins raised their family in White Columns while filling it with fine furniture, art, and books […]