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Apr 10, 2023 · If you’re going on a road trip from Portland to Kennebunk, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Ogunquit and Kennebunkport, as well as top places to visit like Oxford Casino Hotel and Thompson's Orchards, or the ever-popular Ultimate Dog Sledding Experience. Visiting Portland or Kennebunk?
- Kennebunkport
- Cape Elizabeth
- Bath
- Damariscotta-Newcastle
- Camden
- Castine
- Stonington-Deer Isle
- Bar Harbor
- Lubec
- And more!
Beginning on Maine’s South Coast, Kennebunkport is the perfect starting point on any Maine coastal road trip. Beautiful beaches, grand houses, a quaint harbor, local craft stores – it ticks all the boxes without coming off as a tourist trap. No wonder it’s become a summertime favorite for many American families – not least the Bush family. You coul...
Turn off Route 1 as Portland approaches, and you’ll wind your way past neat clapboard houses and shady woodland until you reach the pretty town of Cape Elizabeth. This is just a stone’s throw from Maine’s biggest city, but it feels a million miles from the hustle and bustle of downtown. So how should you spend your time? Start by hitting the beach....
Okay, Bath isn’t technically a coastal town, but it has some real charm and it’s such a good base for exploring the area that we couldn’t leave it off the list. Sitting on the banks of the Kennebec River, around 15 miles from the sea, It’s a small city with a huge maritime history and an incredibly well-preserved center. Bath is the perfect place t...
The “Twin Villages” of Damariscotta and Newcastle are a must-stop destination on any Maine coastal road trip. The towns sit on either side of the Damariscotta River. They’re joined by Main Street Bridge to make a quaint, pedestrian-friendly downtown full of boutiquey shops and delicious eateries that are just begging to be explored. Heading out of ...
There’s a long list of things that make Camden one of the best coastal towns in Maine. The town sits in the natural shelter of Camden Harbor, nestled into West Penobscot Bay. It boasts an 18th century Historic District full of grand buildings and shaded parks. And of course, the harbor itself is home to more sailing yachts and Downeast lobster boat...
Turning off Route 1 and down along the mouth of the Penobscot River, you reach the historic town of Castine. Once the capital of Acadia, the area’s grand past is clear to see in its huge old houses. Walk the streets and you’ll find signs explaining how the French, Dutch, and English all fought over this strategic location. To be fair, the views fro...
We’ve already listed Stonington among the most unspoiled vacation spotsin the US, but the area is well worth another mention. Thrown way out into the Gulf of Maine, miles from Route 1 and the major tourist trail, it’s the perfect place to lose yourself in Downeast Maine’s staggering coastline. Arriving to Deer Isle is an experience in itself. Make ...
You can’t cover the best coastal towns in Maine without tipping your hat to Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor sits between the untouched wild of Acadia National Park and the craggy straits of Mt. Desert Narrows. Unsurprisingly, this incredible setting has attracted its fair share of artists and outdoorsy types over the years, along with a few post-apocalyptic...
As you make your way toward the northeast corner of Maine’s coastline, you leave the gift shops and guided tours squarely behind you. The land becomes more wild and less built-up – even by Maine standards. Finally, right on the border with Canada, you reach Lubec. Lubec is about as authentic as it gets. It’s a working town, with lobster boats moore...
These are some of the best coastal towns in Maine to visit, but there are so many more out there. The entire coastline is littered with little fishing villages and artistic retreats, each more picturesque than the last. Whether you’re on a weekend break from Boston or a full-on road trip through New England, you’ll find more idyllic seaside spots t...
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- 25 min
- Harpswell. One of the sweetest Maine beach towns, Harpswell is an easy and quick drive from Portland, Freeport, or Brunswick. Despite this proximity to cosmopolitan life, its unique geography makes it the perfect spot for some quiet exploring and long, windows-down coastal cruises with far less crowding and tourists.
- Five Islands. A reality of life in coastal Maine you’ll quickly discover while you make your way up the seaside: nothing is as close as it seems. Roads from town centers to coastal vistas and harbors follow old farm routes and back roads put down long before tourists were trying to find some fried haddock.
- Christmas Cove. Located on Rutherford Island at the terminus of a stretched-out finger of land in South Bristol, Christmas Cove is a haven of quiet harbors and secret beaches.
- New Harbor. Just a ten minute drive from the famously photogenic Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, New Harbor is tucked into a tiny sliver of protected Maine shoreline that gets far less traffic and visitors.
Nov 7, 2023 · Kennebunkport. Kennebunkport is one of the best coastal towns in Maine. Perfect for all ages, there’s something for everyone in your group to enjoy. For children, check out the Seaside Trolley Museum or spend the day at one of the beautiful beaches.
- Allison Green
- Ogunquit. Southern Maine is home to some of the few sand beaches along the Maine coast, which tends to trend rockier as it goes further north. York, Ogunquit, and Kennebunkport are the three most popular beach getaways in Southern Maine – and in this itinerary, we’ll cover the latter two.
- Kennebunkport. Spend the day on Gooch’s Beach. I hope you didn’t have too much beach time yesterday… because it’s time for what is, in my opinion, one of the best beaches in Maine!
- Portland. Have breakfast at Becky’s Diner. One of Portland’s main institutions is Becky’s Diner, and you can’t go wrong following the crowds to eat one of th best, heartiest breakfasts in Portland!
- Portland. Spend the morning on Washington Ave. Like its West Coast sister city of the same name, Portland, ME is becoming a hipster-topia. Nowhere else is that more obvious than on Washington Avenue in South Portland!
Jul 2, 2023 · Bar Harbor. Located at the gateway of Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor is a Maine coast town that shouldn’t be missed on a New England itinerary.
There are 3 ways to get from Portland, ME to Kennebunkport by train, bus, taxi, or car. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
