Kennebunkport, located right on the beautiful Maine coastline, is quite possibly the loveliest town in the U.S. All year long, it oozes Americana charm, but they really turn up the dial for the Fourth of July. Red, white, and blue bunting decorates every fence and American flags fly proudly in yards and shops. Maine nicknamed itself ‘Vacationland’ and during the long, warm summer days it’s the best spot be.
WHERE TO EAT
The Clam Shack: Don’t let the long lines deter you; it moves fast and the food is worth every waiting second. Tossed lightly in both butter and a little mayo, The Clam Shack’s lobster roll is full of huge chunks of claw meat and served with a lemon slice. We recommend a side of fried clam strips, some french fries, and a cold beer to wash it all down.
Mable’s Lobster Claw: Decorated in buoys and lobster cages, this place serves the second-best lobster roll in town (first being The Clam Shack, in our opinion). More of a sit down joint, you MUST end your meal with a slice of blueberry pie. It’s to die for.
Nunan’s Lobster Hut: Open for over 60 years, their motto is “We catch em. We cook em. We crack em. You eat em”. According to our server, they’re serving their lobster dinners now the same way they were when they opened in 1953. They’re served with drawn butter and a bib, chips, a roll, and a couple pickles. Simple and amazing.
Tides Beach Club: THE place to go for a sunset cocktail, the food is as amazing at the atmosphere. Enjoy a drink on the porch first, curled up in one of their Adirondack chairs, then get ready for some delicious seafood.
WHAT TO DO
Get out on the water: Coastal Maine Kayak offers 3 hour long guided kayaking tours that go out to the Cape Porpoise Lighthouse. Southern Maine is also a great place for whale watching. Nick’s Chance Whale Watching tour cruises from Kennebunkport to the summer feeding grounds of Finbacks, Humpbacks, Minke’s, the rare Blue Whale and the endangered Right Whale. You may even see some dolphins, too. Meanwhile working out of the same outfit, Kylie’s Chance Lobster tour will show you what Maine is most well-known for: lobsters and they’ll bring whatever is found in the traps on board.
Hit the beach: Goose Rocks Beach is our favorite patch of white sand on the Kennebunkport coast. The 3-mile stretch is a popular place to walk, affording great views of Timber Island and Eastern Goose Rocks. At low tide, the beach nearly doubles in width – really cool to watch.
Stroll Dock Square: The center of town is filled with adorable shops and boutiques. Daytrip Society is our favorite shop in the area, filled with unique travel-related items like backpacks, clutches made from lobster nets, and fun locally made paper goods. Every year, we stop in The Good Earth, opened 35 years ago by a husband-and-wife duo - for another piece of pottery, a berry bowl one year, a coffee mug the next. Keep your eyes peeled for a rickety staircase and head right up to the shop.
WHERE TO STAY
Hidden Pond: We love Hidden Pond for its barefoot luxury appeal. One- or-two-bedroom cottages dot the property which weaves itself throughout the woods. But these aren’t your average cottages – think outdoor showers, fireplaces, and plush king-sized beds. Two pools, one specifically for families with children, allow you to enjoy the warm summer days while staying cool and the on-site restaurant Earth serves amazing meals.
Tides Beach Club: The sister property of Hidden Pond, this spot is truly a gem. Set right on Goose Rocks beach, you’ll be just steps from the soft white sand. Adirondacks chairs line the porch and front yard, just luring you to come sit and enjoy a cocktail. Be sure to enjoy a meal or two here as as they serve insanely delicious fresh Maine seafood.
WHAT WE PACKED
Torq Large Spinner: Traveling with kids, a big lightweight suitcase is imperative. The hard shell of this is sturdy enough to endure everything from air travel to being crammed in trunks for road trips and it has so much space.
Rhapsody Hanging Toiletry Kit: This made is so easy to stay organized! I was able to use the different compartments to separate kid stuff from my skin care products. Being able to hang it in the hotel bathroom made it easy to see everything we had and kept it out of reach of the little ones.
@work Large Cargo Backpack: This trip, I needed my laptop as well as dozens of snacks for the family. This backpack is a game changer. It’s so spacious and all the different pockets and compartments really simplified the packing process and kept me organized throughout the entire trip.
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