Rhumb Line Resort l Seaside Inn l Nonantum Resort
The Best of Kennebunkport and Kennebunk…where to enjoy the best lobster roll, see the best sunset, stay beachside, find the best happy hour, the best wine bar, even the B&B with the best bathrooms… seriously. The best place to stay with your kids, and the place to see the President. Find the best of Kennebunkport here, and some hidden secrets about the Kennebunks seaside community too!
Best Beachfront Hotel
The Seaside Inn is the only hotel in the Kennebunks with direct access to the beach, no road to cross – just a sand dune and the beach. This 9th generation Inn has location, location, location, but also a charming family – the longest running family business in the country (since 1667). By the way, the ocean view hot tub on the upper deck is pretty sweet for guests too. Hot tub could compete for best sunrise and sunset. More Kennebunk Area Hotels
Best Place for Wine
Old Vines Wine Bar is cozy and casual, but the wine list is global, and the bartenders are friendly and fun. You can have half pours, full pours or a clever craft cocktail. The small plates of flatbread pizza, fresh salads, artisan cheese and meats are tasty too.
Best Picnic Spot
There are so many perfect places to picnic… heading out Ocean Avenue you will pass many picture-perfect benches along Parsons Way. Take out a freshly made Kennebunkport Maine lobster roll and your all set!
Best Place for a Lobster Roll
Hmmm, you tell us! We are on the look out!
Best Beach in Kennebunk or Kenne
bunkport?
The Kennebunks are blessed with several beaches, you can’t just pick one. The real beauty is they are all proximate to one another. On the Kennebunk side, there is the long sandy Parsons Beach at the head of the Mousam River. Then there is Mothers Beach is a sandy crescent beach with a playground – ideal for families. Middle Beach is stony but offers parking along the boardwalk for strolling or setting up a beach chair – bonus no sand on your feet. Gooch’s Beach, often referred to as Kennebunk Beach, is a broad stretch of sand by the Kennebunk River – very big at low tide for sun bathing, and often good for surfing.
On the Kennebunkport side, Colony Beach in front of the historic Colony Hotel on Ocean Ave is a small beach, not so sandy, but offers a wonderful view of the Atlantic and the boats passing in and out of the Breakwater. Goose Rocks Beach, past Cape Porpoise about five miles out of town, offers beautiful sand and a gentle surf. So this one of the most stunning beaches in Maine. There are other small beaches too but we don’t just divulge – you have to charm a local, and always respect private property owners. More About Kennebunk Beaches
Best Boat Rides
Get on the water, for a lovely scenic Lobster Boat tour aboard Rugosa! Or enjoy sailing out of the harbor aboard the Pineapple Ketch. Both these charter boats leave from the docks at Nonantum Resort on Ocean Avenue. There’s just no better way to “sea” Kennebunkport and the Maine coast. For a wild fun ride to lighthouses, New England Eco Adventures is a fun fast rib boat adventure!
Best Place for Events
The Nonantum Resort Hotel is a grand old hotel on the banks of the Kennebunk River, popular for weddings, parties, and vacationers, just a short walk to Dock Square. Relax in Adirondack Chairs on the sweeping lawn and watch the sunset over the river. The Nonantum staff is super friendly too. Home of the Famous Fire and Ice Christmas Prelude Event.
Best Shopping
You must poke around the boutiques and gift shops in Dock Square. Harbor Village and heading toward Kennebunk on Port Road, Route 35, you will find cool art galleries. Downtown Kennebunk has a Boulangerie, women’s clothing stores, jewelry and art boutiques, and Kennebunk Toy Co from the kiddos, plus a bowling alley – Garden Street Bowl.
Best Kennebunkport Resort for Families
Rhumb Line Resort has an indoor and o
utdoor pool, hot tubs too, a poolside cabana bar serving drinks, burgers and lobster. This affordable family friendly resort offers free Wi-Fi, continental breakfast and kids 16 & under stay free with their parents.
Best Time to Visit Kennebunkport and Kennebunk
Anytime really, but we do love spring – late May to mid-June are fantastic – nice weather not so many visitors. In June, Launch – is a Martime Festival – family friendly and fun with a nod to our fishing, boat-building and seafaring traditions. The ten days following the fireworks of July 4th is perfect summer without the peak crowds, the third week of July to the third week of August is peak summer. September can offer great beach days and boating too. Peak Foliage is early October to about Oct 20th. November can offer outrageously good lodging deals. Early December is Kennebunkport’s famous Christmas Prelude – a magical holiday celebration. January to March are quiet but beautiful in a wintry way by the sea, Feburary Kennebunkport Paints the Town Red for romance, another opportunity for off peak steals and deals. By April the weather turns warmer and the prime season fun starts all over again.
Rhumb Line Resort l Seaside Inn l Nonantum Resort
