Ogunquit, Maine Travel Guide
Retaining much of the charm that it had over a century ago when artists were captured by a stunning coastline, the tiny fishing village of Ogunquit, Maine is one of the most popular vacation resorts in southern Maine, and New England!
It is easy to see why…
Known to the native Abenaki Indian Tribe as “beautiful place by the sea”, this quaint seaside town has a picture-perfect working harbor, a cliffside walkway bordering the Atlantic Ocean, an expansive sandy beach dozens of boutiques, art galleries, shops and restaurants, and more than its share of world-class hotels, motels, inns and bed, and breakfasts.
Add to that all of the fun activities and events in Ogunquit, Maine, and this tourist favorite (nestled between York Beach and Wells Beach) becomes a great family Maine vacation spot and couples getaway.
Things to do Ogunquit, Maine, Tourist Attractions
You will not run short on activities in Ogunquit, and things to do. You may want to let your day begin, just as many locals do, with an exhilarating walk along Ogunquit’s most popular walking path, Marginal Way.
The Marginal Way in Ogunquit is a 1-1/4 mile winding footpath from Ogunquit Beach to Perkins Cove (or vice versa) that weaves its way along with stunning vistas of the Atlantic Ocean.
With 30 memorial benches on Marginal Way, there is no need to hurry. And from the number of photographs and paintings that depict the marvelous views from Marginal Way, it appears that others have lingered en route, as well.
Please note… NO scooters, bicycles, rollerblades, or skateboards are allowed on Marginal Way – walking only!
The starting and endpoints of Marginal Way encompass two popular Ogunquit tourist attractions. The tiny Ogunquit Perkins Cove Harbor, one of the most photographed locations in southern Maine, is filled with lobster boats and fishing vessels and adorned with a hand-operated, pedestrian-only drawbridge.
The backdrop to the scenic harbor is a quaint fishing village, with a mixture of art galleries, jewelry stores, craft shops, boutiques, candy shops, and restaurants.
At the opposite end of the Marginal Way footpath, is one of the biggest reasons people vacation in Ogunquit, Maine – to enjoy the 3-1/2 mile Ogunquit Beach.
With a wide-open expanse of soft white sand, the beach in Ogunquit is one of the most popular Maine beaches for families. To sunbathe away from beach crowds, you may want to try the nearby Footbridge Beach, accessed by way of Ocean Street. This lesser-known and smaller area is a lovely spot that was named in 2007, by Boston Magazine, as the #1 Beach in New England.
What are some of the other best things to do in Ogunquit, Maine?
It is nearly impossible to surround yourself with this much water and not be part of it. You can test your sea legs on the Finestkind.
Ogunquit scenic cruise boat tours aboard the 36-foot Finestkind I (the fleet’s newest), the 38-foot Finestkind II, and the 44-foot Finestkind III, offer a variety of sightseeing and lobster boat tours. A Scenic Breakfast Cruise, the Nubble Lighthouse Cruise, the Lobstering Trip, and a late afternoon or evening sunset cruise, take passengers past the best scenery along the Ogunquit, Maine shoreline.
If you would like to go deep-sea fishing in Ogunquit, Bunny Clark Deep Sea Fishing charters provide half-day and full-day adventures to some of the best fishing grounds in the Gulf of Maine.
Sailing in Ogunquit aboard the Silver Lining, a 42-foot sloop, or the 34-foot The Gift, whales, dolphins, seals, cormorants, and local lobster fishermen, are likely to be part of the scenery.
Whale watching cruises, lobster boat cruises, kayak excursions, and kayak rentals are also plentiful In nearby Wells, Kennebunkport, Cape Neddick and York.
Back on land, the Ogunquit Trolley is a perfect way to get around town.
Although Ogunquit is small enough to be covered on foot, the 8 Molly Trolley’s in Ogunquit make a day of shopping, sightseeing, and eating that much easier.
And trust me, once you have seen the Ogunquit Village boutiques filled with clothing, jewelry and Maine made works of art, a few shopping bags will be inevitable!
For a break from the crowds or sun, great places to visit in Ogunquit are the Ogunquit Heritage Museum at the Captain James Winn House, the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, AND an Ogunquit “must-see”- the Ogunquit Memorial Library on Shore Road. A beautiful landmark, the Ogunquit Library is on the National Register of Historic Places. These attractions are also well suited for your list of the best things to do in Ogunquit on rainy days!
For Broadway theatre in Ogunquit, “America’s foremost summer theatre” John Lane’s Ogunquit Playhouse, has a schedule of plays each season that are highly rated by audiences young and old.
When you have exhausted the things to do in Ogunquit, Maine, the Laudholm Farm Reserve in Wells provides 2,200 acres of protected land with 7 miles of trails leading through open meadows and woods to barrier beaches.
In York, Mount Agamenticus offers 10,000 acres of land with trails for hikers, bikers, equestrians and ATV riders.
Within driving distance of Ogunquit, Portland (Maine’s largest city) is an excellent day trip, as is the Kittery Outlet Mall and Freeport, Maine shopping.
And if your kids need more entertainment, not far away is Old Orchard Beach, with plenty of amusement park nostalgia from years gone by.
Although a number of Ogunquit, Maine attractions are seasonal – year-round, the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce, together with local businesses, sponsors fun Ogunquit, Maine activities, and events. Mardi Gras, Patriots Day Celebration, AIDS Walk Weekend, Capriccio, OgunquitFest, Ogunquit Halloween Celebrations, and Christmas by the Sea make this area a popular Maine vacation spot, not only for summer vacations but also for off-season visits in the fall, winter, and spring.
Motels Hotels Ogunquit, Maine, Inns & B&Bs
There is a wide variety of lodging in Ogunquit, Maine. From spectacular Ogunquit beach accommodations to quaint Ogunquit Village bed and breakfasts, to a Perkins Cove motel, you are sure to find a great place to stay.
A favorite Ogunquit resort, the Beachmere Inn, has several properties, each of them in a unique setting. The main house, The Victorian (originally built in the late 1800s as a private residence), sits majestically on a sprawling oceanside lawn. All with a character of their own, the six Beachmere properties are located nearby the best Ogunquit attractions.
Ideal for oceanfront Ogunquit weddings, the Beachmere hotel also offers guests complimentary continental breakfast, a hot tub, sauna, massage rooms, and an exercise room.
“The sea’s spectacular beauty is the focal point” at the Ogunquit Anchorage by the Sea. Guests in each of the properties accommodations can enjoy the heated indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool, sauna, Jacuzzis, and a poolside grill and bar.
The Anchorage Hotel in Ogunquit also has an on-site restaurant, open seasonally.
Spread over nearly five oceanfront acres – where the Atlantic Ocean intersects with the Ogunquit River – is the Sparhawk Oceanfront Resort.
Four separate buildings “styled in traditional New England clapboard architecture” provide 87 guest rooms, many with beautiful water views and most with a private balcony or patio.
Connected to Perkins Cove Village by way of the pedestrian-only drawbridge, the Riverside Motel overlooks Ogunquit River and Perkins Cove. Varying room types are available, including water view, cove view, and ocean view rooms.
Family suites, luxury suites, resort rooms, and honeymoon suites can be reserved at the Meadowmere in Ogunquit, within walking distance to Ogunquit Beach.
With over 6,200 square feet, the Meadowmere Fitness Center and Spa is the ideal place to unwind.
A five-minute walk to the beach, and less than half a block from the Ogunquit Village shops, restaurants, and nightclubs, is the 1800’s Cape Cod-style Moon Over Maine Bed and Breakfast.
Rick and Mark welcome you with a host of guest amenities and seven tastefully decorated rooms, all named after our planets.
The list of lodging for Ogunquit, Maine goes on and on…
Whether you are looking for a cheap Ogunquit motel, pampered luxury, or affordable places in between, expect to find Ogunquit lodging accommodations to suit you.
But keep in mind, Ogunquit, Maine is one of the most popular Maine vacation areas. Sometimes rooms book well before the high season (June through early September), holiday weekends, and special events in Ogunquit.
Ogunquit, Maine Restaurants and Dining
Award-winning restaurants in Ogunquit, Maine are as easy to find as are casual dining restaurants, and places to get a quick snack.
Having been named 14th in “America’s Top 50 Restaurants 2006” by Gourmet Magazine, and recipient of the James Beard Best Chefs of the Northeast. It is no wonder that Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier have such a long list of accolades for their Arrows Restaurant, an Ogunquit, Maine fine-dining favorite.
Also voted as “One of America’s 10 Most Romantic Restaurants” by Bon Appetit, Arrows in Ogunquit is a perfect place for celebrating a special occasion.
Previously voted “Best Italian Restaurant in Ogunquit”, “Best Wine Bar” and named one of the “Top 20 Restaurants on the Seacoast” by Portsmouth Magazine, for two years in a row, Ogunquit’s Angelina’s Ristorante is a favorite place for fine Italian dining. Patrons enjoy the main dining room, a wine room, the lounge, and the garden terrace.
Overlooking Perkins Cove, Barnacle Billy’s, and Barnacle Billy’s Etc. sit side by side. Combined, their menus feature lots of Maine lobster and other locally caught seafood, along with plenty of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and dinners for the landlubber.
Located just down the road “Where the Marginal Way begins and ends”, Jackie’s Too in Perkins Cove serves lobster, mussels, haddock, scallops, and shrimp, along with their award-winning clam chowder. On the menu also, In Jackie’s Too casual dining atmosphere, are steaks, chicken and pasta.
Enjoy lighter fare on Main Street at Pizza Napoli, which offers a full range of Italian selections, including “authentic thin crust brick oven pizza” or further along Main Street at Tapas and Tini’s, with a menu of Tapas, Ensaladas, Emparedados Frescos, Nuestros Panes Llanos, and Entradas.
And certainly not to be missed while visiting Ogunquit, Maine is some of the best places to get lobster rolls and lobster dinner.
With names like Footbridge Lobster, Ogunquit Lobster Pound Restaurant, Perkins Cove Lobster Shack, and the Beach Plum Lobster Farm, you will know – without a doubt – that you are eating in Maine!
As you travel between Ogunquit Center and Perkins Cove, breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and tasty temptations in between times) are only steps away. You will likely pass the Cove Cafe, Omelette Factory, Cafe Prego, Wild Blueberry Cafe, Jonathan’s Restaurant, Front Porch Restaurant, Katie’s on Shore Road, Post Road Tavern and many other great Ogunquit, Maine restaurants, cafes, pizzerias, and pubs.