17 Amusing Issues To Do In Ogunquit, Maine

Have you ever heard of Ogunquit, Maine? This beach getaway is among the nicest cities to seek advice from in southern Maine. Simply previous the New Hampshire border is a colourful, artsy the town set on a fabulous stretch of seashore.

Ogunquit (pronounced oh-GUN-quit) is the Abenaki phrase for “gorgeous position via the ocean.” And if you get right here, you’ll see how true this is!

Ogunquit is the uncommon vacation spot that in reality has one thing for everybody. It’s a well-liked kinfolk getaway and excellent for youngsters of every age. It’s an evergreen LGBTQ trip hotspot that just about appears like a mini Provincetown. It’s a middle for the humanities with superb museums, galleries, and a beautiful native theater.

Ogunquit is magnificently photogenic, particularly Perkins Cove, and there are many techniques to be energetic outdoor. And if all you need is to lie at the seashore? It’s nice for that, too!

I’ve been to Ogunquit repeatedly through the years, having grown up about 90 mins away. It’s about time I proportion this position with all of you.

The Highest Issues To Do in Ogunquit, Maine

Stroll the Marginal Manner

There’s no higher position to acquaint your self with the pretty beach surroundings of Ogunquit, Maine, than alongside the Marginal Manner. This strolling path stretches throughout a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and gives shocking perspectives all through its whole period.

The clifftop trail is paved, which is helping make sure that that is an obtainable walk, moderately than a strenuous hike. It’s no longer a in particular lengthy adventure, measuring only one.25 miles, which makes it a potential job for the general public. There are even 39 benches to leisure at alongside the Marginal Manner, positioned at key issues on entrance of probably the most perfect perspectives.

When the elements is good, the Marginal Manner provides a actually idyllic seashore stroll, whole with its personal little lighthouse. You’ll continuously in finding sailboats adorning the ocean on one aspect, with the opposite aspect dotted with lodges and hotels. It’s a super creation to the appeal of Ogunquit village and is a certain should for guests to this New England the town.

Stretch Out on Ogunquit Seaside

It wouldn’t be an Ogunquit go back and forth and not using a seashore day! You’ll benefit from the crashing of the waves and the graceful sands the realm is understood for whilst you plunk your chair down at Ogunquit Seaside. Simply take Seaside Boulevard from the middle of the town and cross directly till you hit the sand and surf.

Ogunquit Seaside is lengthy and expansive with comfortable sand, and steadily unearths a place on “perfect seashores in the USA” lists. It’s a great spot to only lay out and catch some rays, construct a sandcastle, or wade within the surf. You’ll in finding the occasional surfer, too.

If you wish to keep away from the crowds of the primary seashore, Footbridge Seaside is a brilliant choice. It’s simply as beautiful as Ogunquit, with the similar waves and white sands, however is way quieter.

Canines are authorized at Ogunquit and Footbridge Seaside from Exertions Day till the tip of March once a year. Each gorgeous seashores be offering public restrooms, and Ogunquit has leases for umbrellas and different apparatus that will help you loosen up within the sunshine.

Walk Via Downtown Ogunquit

The image-perfect downtown space is among the perfect portions of Ogunquit, Maine. Seize an ice cream and take a look at the superb retail outlets and galleries. There also are many scrumptious eating places, bars, and cafes. If you happen to’re a foodie, occupied with antiquing, or simply having a look to take a stroll, that is where for you.

There are heaps of significant retail outlets that you simply received’t need to omit. A few of these are area of interest spots for strong point pieces, such because the Tea Area. Right here you’ll be able to in finding a lot of loose-leaf teas, in addition to tea equipment, for the easiest brew. There’s additionally Mainely Quilts, which sells quilts which are each new and vintage, together with quilting provides. If you happen to’re out there for ceramic items, the Pottery Store is a brilliant prevent as smartly.

If you happen to’re out there for a souvenir or reward, make sure that to take a look at Spoiled Rotten. They have got an eclectic collection of candles, jewellery, household items, and extra, so you’ll be able to in finding on the subject of any roughly memento.

Then again, if you need one thing actually distinctive or with historical past, Blacksmiths Mall Antiques can lend a hand. The shop options greater than 70 sellers, and it is among the most well liked puts for antiquing in all of the state of Maine.

See a Display on the Ogunquit Playhouse

Calling all Broadway fanatics and theater geeks! The Ogunquit Playhouse, set in a barn, was once established in 1933 and has endured to place on wonderful performs and musicals for just about 100 years. It has even featured presentations with nationally-acclaimed performers, similar to Bette Davis and Sally Struthers.

Ogunquit Playhouse is understood across the nation for its manufacturing high quality and wonderful performances. As some of the simplest final unique off-Broadway summer season theaters, it these days is referred to as The us’s primary summer season theater, and providing a glimpse into the historical past of Maine and the theater typically.

(Additionally, amusing truth: my aunt and uncle as soon as noticed George and Barbara Bush at a display right here.)

If you happen to’re visiting Ogunquit anytime between the tip of spring and the center of fall, you must be sure you catch a display. Previous seasons have featured productions similar to The Sound of Track, and Grease, and Stunning: the Carole King Musical, however there also are matinee performances like Elf: The Musical which are simply as amusing for youngsters.

Sing Your Middle Out at The Entrance Porch Piano Bar

The Entrance Porch Piano Bar has been an Ogunquit staple for greater than 35 years. This established order provides a fantastic leisure revel in this is splendid for a date night time or birthday party. It’s positioned proper downtown and lines performances each and every night time of the week, with two other musicians taking part in on weekends.

Probably the most perfect issues in regards to the Piano Bar is that it provides a whole revel in for an evening out. There’s wonderful are living song, nevertheless it’s greater than only a venue. There may be a bar and front room for pre-show beverages, and a cafe for high-quality eating.

The eating place portion’s award-winning meals is served in all portions of the Entrance Porch, together with the Piano Bar. The delicacies options increased New American dishes with many influences for a numerous, and thrilling menu. There’s additionally a craft cocktail menu as smartly. However regardless of which a part of the Entrance Porch you seek advice from, you’ll make lifelong recollections.

Take a Crusing Go back and forth

Why no longer discover Ogunquit’s coast the thrill manner? Crusing is the easiest way to really feel the wind for your hair and the sea spray to your cheeks. You’ll take a seat again and loosen up whilst you are taking within the impressive perspectives, or take a excursion that gives some schooling and perception into native historical past or marine existence.

There are a number of firms that provide nice crusing tours. Finestkind Scenic Cruises provides somewhat a couple of choices. You’ll witness flora and fauna like harbor seals, drink cocktails, or find out about lobstering, relying at the choice you select.

Silverlining Crusing provides some vintage and standard crusing reviews. Their excursions can simplest accommodate six folks in step with adventure and can take you alongside the southern Maine coast for gorgeous snapshot alternatives. Those boat journeys can help you take a look at your hand at crusing your self.

Different firms to appear into come with Sail Me and Sail the Present. The previous provides 3 other cruise varieties, together with a well-liked sundown go back and forth. The latter can accommodate greater events of as much as 12 folks for a memorable revel in for your entire team.

Discuss with Ogunquit Heritage Museum

If you happen to’re looking for an area tutorial revel in to complement all of the kinfolk, glance no additional than the Ogunquit Heritage Museum. It’s located within the 18th-century Captain James Winn Area and provides perception into the historical past of the realm. The construction, which was once erected in 1780, nonetheless is composed of a in large part unique construction.

This museum may be located in a in point of fact great park, referred to as the Dorothea Jacob Grant Commonplace. The grounds are nice to only stroll thru and wander round, as there are a selection of woods, open spaces, and paths to discover.

The reveals throughout the museum focal point at the historical past of town, together with subjects surrounding the trades that experience supported it, like lobstering and fishing. It additionally provides perception into the cultural and societal heritage and the outstanding artwork and theater communities that experience advanced in Ogunquit.

The most efficient phase? This museum is unfastened to seek advice from!

Discuss with Perkins Cove

As soon as a sleepy fishing village and comfy native artists colony, fascinating Perkins Cove is now a space that begs you to {photograph} it from each and every attitude. There’s even an iconic pedestrian bridge that you’ll be able to go and manually function and draw!

This community additionally provides nice buying groceries alternatives. There are heaps of neat boutiques, reward retail outlets, jewellery retail outlets, and artwork galleries. It’s a super position to pick out up a memento or simply take a walk and skim.

There also are a lot of eating places value visiting round right here, particularly in the event you’re a seafood lover. Chow down on some freshly stuck fish at Barnacle Billy, then after lunch or dinner prevent in for some in the neighborhood made salt water taffy on the sweet store.

Discuss with the Ogunquit Museum of American Artwork

Simply off Shore Street, the Ogunquit Museum of American Artwork is encouraged via the artwork colonies that experience flourished in Ogunquit all through town’s historical past. There are greater than 3,000 works on show at OMAA, making it an invigorating position to seek advice from (to not point out some of the perfect issues to do in Ogunquit Maine on a wet day).

The gathering comprises a lot of artwork in many various media, together with drawings, art work, sculptures, pictures, or even movie. There are lots of other exhibitions which are hosted at any given time. Those are incessantly up to date and altered, so in the event you seek advice from Ogunquit once more someday, you’ll be capable to have a brand new revel in at OMAA.

Admission to the museum is $12 for adults, $10 for college students and seniors, and unfastened for youngsters below 12. Discuss with any day from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM from Would possibly thru October.

Trip the Ogunquit Trolley

If you want to get round the town, the Ogunquit Trolley is a amusing method to journey! Those trolleys are fascinating and amusing and be offering a adorable method to discover town, particularly in the event you don’t have a automobile.

The Ogunquit Trolley can take you to lots of the key puts that you simply’ll need to seek advice from, anyway. Perkins Cove, the well-known Marginal Manner, and Ogunquit Seaside are all stops. Plus, they run alongside the downtown and can can help you off on the eating places, bars, and retail outlets which are subsequent to your schedule.

I like to recommend hopping at the trolley whilst you first arrive within the coastal the town of Ogunquit to offer your self the lay of the land.

Discuss with Seaside Plum Farm

If you wish to revel in nature and opt for a leisurely walk, this is an excellent spot. Seaside Plum Farm provides shocking landscapes over its 22 acres, and allows you to see dunes, the sea, gardens, and lots of seashore plums.

There’s a path that loops across the gardens and fields providing a brief stroll of simply 0.5 miles. There are lots of benches that adorn this trail, so it’s really easy and manageable to adventure throughout. Plus it’s a great spot to sit down and assume, learn a e-book, or draw the surroundings in entrance of you.

Seaside Plum Farm is house to greater than 50 plots for group gardens, many various species of plant life and crops, and a few flora and fauna. It’s a in particular great spot to head birdwatching. The most efficient phase is that admission is unfastened.

Pass Kayaking

If you wish to have some amusing at the water, kayaking is all the time an ideal selection. Sea kayaking calls for slightly of talent, but when you have already got kayaking revel in in nonetheless water, you must be capable to modify to Ogunquit’s small waves.

International Inside of Sea Kayaking provides leases to be used alongside the Ogunquit River. They provide stand-up paddleboards as smartly.

International Inside of may be situated optimally throughout the Rachel Carson Flora and fauna Safe haven. You’ll be located to look numerous flora and fauna as you paddle alongside the water. One of the native animals come with fish, foxes, native birds, and in the event you’re REALLY fortunate (like 1-in-1000 fortunate), a moose!

If you happen to aren’t conversant in kayaking, you’ll be able to take personal classes. Studying find out how to do a rainy go out is a talent that can serve you smartly regardless of the place you cross!

Discuss with the Maine Diner in Wells

Only a 12-minute power from Ogunquit is town of Wells, which occurs to be house to one in every of my favourite eating places on the earth: the Maine Diner. I haven’t any phrases for the way a lot I like the Maine Diner — such a lot that I incessantly power 90 mins to consume there.

The Maine Diner’s seafood chowder is probably the most scrumptious chowder on the earth. It’s filled with large items of lobster, scallops, clams, shrimp, and fish, and it’s up to now past what someone else in New England makes. Critically.

Each and every time I am going to the Maine Diner, I order the Jim Nantz: a cup of seafood chowder and a sizzling lobster roll with butter. Even though I improve from a cup to a bowl! They even have a sampler plate impressed via their look on Diners, Power-Ins, and Dives.

(Simply be sure you test their agenda on-line prior to you cross. Since COVID hit, they’ve had staffing problems and feature lowered their opening hours.)

As for Wells past the diner, there’s so much to do on this outdated shipbuilding and fishing the town. It’s a great spot to window shop, particularly for antiques. There are many beautiful retail outlets everywhere in the downtown space. There also are stunning seashores, that are surely value going to for some coastal walks around the sand.

Discuss with York

Any other cool prevent, simply 11 mins away, is York. In reality, Ogunquit and York are continuously paired in combination as an afternoon go back and forth from Boston or Portland, and I like to recommend doing the similar.

I feel York is a particularly excellent position to seek advice from in the event you’re touring with children, because it’s an overly family-friendly small the town with an overly calm seashore, an amusement park, and an improbable sweet retailer with hypnotizing taffy pullers.

Quick Sands Seaside isn’t as giant or vast as Ogunquit Seaside, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a pleasant position to take in the solar. Amusing-O-Rama Arcade is positioned proper off the seashore, has heaps of video games to play, or even includes a fortune teller!

You must additionally cross see the Nubble Lighthouse in the event you’re in York. That is an iconic spot with scenic perspectives that makes it an ideal backdrop for that quintessential Maine picture. There’s a lighthouse museum and reward store on website.

Discuss with Kennebunkport

If you happen to power just a little additional north, you’ll be able to take a look at the pretty position this is Kennebunkport. This upscale Maine the town is simplest 24 mins from Ogunquit and is maximum well known for its affiliation with the Bush kinfolk. The Bush summer season compound has been right here for generations, and each Presidents Bush took their households right here continuously.

To be informed extra in regards to the dating that town has with American presidents, you must seek advice from the First Households Kennebunkport Museum. There also are a lot of different museums to spend a lazy (or wet) afternoon studying. The Brick Retailer and Seaside Trolley museums are superb stops to make as smartly.

When you’re on the town, you must additionally seek advice from iconic spots just like the Wedding ceremony Cake Area, probably the most photographed house in all of the state. Different cool actions come with taking a meals excursion or a lobster excursion as smartly! You’ll in finding that there’s no scarcity of amusing in Kennebunkport!

Discuss with Portland

Portland, Maine, is an improbable town, only a a 45-minute power from Ogunquit. It sort of feels like everybody assists in keeping striking Portland on its listing of up-and-coming towns to seek advice from in the USA — whilst we New Englanders have recognized for somewhat a while how superior it’s!

Portland is particularly referred to as a foodie town. There are many superb eating places right here, serving each high-end and informal fare.

A couple of years in the past my pals and I deliberate a bachelorette celebration in Portland, Maine. It was once a blast — we ate nice meals, did spirit tasting, kombucha tasting, wine tasting, gin tasting, and hit up the bars at night time!

If you want a dose of city existence all the way through your holiday in Ogunquit, it is a nice choice.

Discuss with Portsmouth, NH

Simply over the state line is the cool little town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, simply 25 mins from Ogunquit. That is any other spot for an afternoon go back and forth in the event you’re making plans to be at the Maine coast for some time. I’m an enormous fan of Portsmouth and love bringing out of towers to seek advice from.

To start out off, there are such a large amount of cool impartial retail outlets and eating places in Portsmouth. Portsmouth is no doubt the culinary capital of New Hampshire, with nice eating places like Black Trumpet Bistro and Durbar Sq.. There are many superb bars and bakeries, too.

There’s additionally numerous historical past on this space. Strawbery Banke Museum is a re-created historic village, whole guides who act in personality. There’s additionally the African Burying Flooring, which memorializes and honors the enslaved and unfastened blacks that died on this the town. The USS Albacore Museum, which is ready in a retired submarine, provides a groovy alternative to be told as smartly.

There’s additionally nice mountaineering and cycling within the area, plus numerous boat-based actions and good things to do at the water. Oh, and did we point out the breweries right here?

How A lot Time to Spend in Ogunquit, Maine

Ogunquit is a very talked-about day go back and forth vacation spot for folks within the Boston space (certainly, I selected Ogunquit as some of the perfect day journeys from Boston). It’s essential surely day go back and forth from different portions of Maine or New Hampshire.

Is an afternoon go back and forth sufficient? It’s essential do so much in one day, so I feel at some point may well be sufficient for some folks. However staying for a couple of days will let you in point of fact absorb Ogunquit and discover the encircling space as smartly.

On the other hand, there are other people who’ve their summer season house in Ogunquit and spend all of the summer season right here! It’s simple to get hooked in this the town.

Learn how to Get To Ogunquit, Maine

The 2 closest airports to Ogunquit are Portland, Maine (40 mins) and Boston, Massachusetts (1 hour quarter-hour). You’ll in finding many extra flight choices to Boston than Portland, however test them each to look if you’ll be able to in finding any offers.

Ogunquit is positioned alongside Course 1 in Maine, only a brief power from I-95.

The Amtrak Downeaster teach, which runs from Boston to Portland, has a prevent on the subject of Ogunquit in Wells. (Understand that the Downeaster leaves from North Station in Boston, whilst different Amtrak trains go away from South Station. If you happen to’re coming from New York or in different places, you’ll want to get from South Station to North Station.)

The place to Keep in Ogunquit, Maine

There are many lodging choices in a lodge the town like Ogunquit. Listed below are some of the nicer Ogunquit accommodations:

Waterfront choice: Terrace via the Sea has gorgeous rooms, however the true draw is the impressive perspectives off Ogunquit Seaside.

Great B&B: Trellis Area could be the nicest B&B on the town, set in a beautiful area with immaculate rooms (with a excessive ticket to compare). The Inn on Shore Street is a less expensive, pet-friendly mattress and breakfast in Ogunquit.

Worth for cash: Sea View Motel is slightly farther from the motion, however those are first rate rooms right here for an extremely low value.

In finding offers on puts to stick in Ogunquit right here.

Highest Time to Discuss with Ogunquit, Maine

Ogunquit is a quintessential summer season vacation spot, like maximum seashore lodge cities. There’s not anything like stretching out at the seashore, walking the Marginal Manner, preventing for an ice cream.

However don’t put out of your mind visiting Ogunquit within the fall! New England fall foliage is really impressive, and Ogunquit holds its personal with stunning bushes exploding in sunglasses of purple, orange, and yellow.

Summer time is the busiest and most costly time of 12 months. Fall weekends may also be very busy, too. I maximum not too long ago visited on Columbus Day weekend in early October, and it was once simply as busy as a summer season weekend.

Wintry weather in Ogunquit may be very quiet and native with many companies close down for the season. Spring on this a part of Maine doesn’t kick in till past due April or so, however Would possibly and June are beautiful off-peak instances to seek advice from if the elements isn’t too wet!

Is Ogunquit Value It?

In fact Ogunquit is worthwhile! Whether or not you return for an afternoon go back and forth or an extended getaway, you’re going to revel in your time on this beautiful the town.

Simply you should definitely make the most of all that Ogunquit has to supply. You’ll want to absorb the humanities. In finding your family members some great souvenirs. Devour the entire seafood.

And don’t omit to revel in that impressive seashore.

Extra on Maine:

Extra on Coastal New England:

Have you ever been to Ogunquit? What are your suggestions?