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 Casual Dining
If you are looking for the “Cheers” of Kennebunkport, go to Alisson’s. In the heart of Dock Square this classic pub is warm and friendly, with a big bar, TV with the New England’s favorites Red Sox and Patriots, Bruins and Celtics on, and a fun menu of pub fare, pizzas, burgers, chowdah and award-winning lobster rolls. Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Restaurants
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 cocktail. The small plates of flatbread pizza, fresh salads, artisan cheese and meats are tasty too.
Kennebunkport’s Best Sunset Viewing
Stripers Waterside Restaurant and Bar at t
he Breakwater Inn is the place to be for a cocktail in the lawn chairs or the deck, overlooking the river, watching boats pass by on the Kennebunk River, a fabulous vantage point to view the sunset.
Best Picnic Spot
There are so many perfect places to picnic… heading out Ocean Avenue you will pass many piture perfect benches along Parsons Way.
Best Place for a Lobster Roll
Mabels’ Lobster Claw, as the name implies, serves lobster the good old fashioned Maine way. This classic Maine dining spot, open for lunch and dinner, serves a delicious lobster roll. For heartier palates, the Lobster Savanah is amazing, awarded high culinary praise from Rachel Ray and Men’s Health. Save room for the delicious homemade Maine blueberry pie too. Sometimes old-school is the best school.
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 Hotel Bathrooms
Captain Lord Mansion has the most beautiful bathrooms – seriously. Innkeeper Beverly has incredible taste, her spa-like bath suites are lavish – gorgeous heated tile and marble, jetted tubs, steam showers. It’s a little secret but you must stay here and spend some time on the throne, in the tub…. fantastic. Oh the four poster bedrooms are lovely too, so is the delightful homemade breakfast at this romantic B&B.
Best Hotel Room with a Deck on the River
The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel has lovely rooms upstairs. The guest room decks offer a commanding view of the Port, the River, and the boats in harbor. Located adjacent to Kennebunkport Dock Square shops, you can go downstairs for drinks and dinner or walk to other great spots.
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. You can hop aboard the Pineapple Ketch sailboat or Rugosa Lobster Boat Tour from their docks, or relax in Adirondack Chairs on the sweeping lawn. The Nonantum staff is super friendly too.
Best Spa
The Breakwater Spa will pamper you with ocean views, beauty and wellness treatments in a lovely setting. How about a Maine mani pedi or a sea salt scrub? You can lodge at the Breakwater Inn and Spa and have access to the Fitness Center with a phenomenal river view.
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, Marlows gift shop, and Kennebunk Toy Co from the kiddos.
Best Kennebunkport Resort for Families
The 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 Kennebunkport Art
In the center of Kennebunkport’s area art scene, be sure to discover Maine Art Hill featuring 9 unique galleries of its own. With over 40 artists, you will find stunning works of art including fascinating wind sculptures, paintings, photography, jewelry, mobile art, 3D and more. See more about the KennebunkArt Scene.
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, two great events, The Kennebunkport Festival is a weeklong celebration of art, food and wine, and the following week – 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 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.
