All About Ogunquit
About Ogunquit
Ogunquit is an adorable seaside town in southern Maine, not too far from the New Hampshire border, that I’ve been coming to all my life. At approximately 4 hours from our house, it’s a very easy summer getaway.
The secret is out on Ogunquit. The adorable little beach town has become a popular getaway for families and couples alike. It’s no surprise - the living in Ogunquit is easy and desirable. Hotels, shops and restaurants are mostly clustered around Route 1 and Shore Road, which makes walking from place to place a snap. There’s a large public beach (water is freezing!) in town and, as you must expect, lobster is everywhere. Not a bad place to be!
Where to Stay
Historically, my family stayed right in the center of town on Ogunquit visits, often at the Anchorage By the Sea - a decent motel with a pool and restaurant on site that's extremely well located right on Shore Road. If it’s your first visit to the area, I’d probably suggest you do the same in order to really soak up the town.
More recently, we have stayed at the gut renovated and far more luxurious, Cliff House Resort. Though not walking distance to town and technically in neighboring Cape Neddick, the Cliff House is about a six minute drive to Perkins Cove and a shuttle is offered to take guests back and forth every hour. That said, the resort is so beautiful and offers so much, you don’t need to, and may not want to, ever leave.
The Cliff House is located right on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel takes advantage of its obscene location by offering many areas inside and outside to enjoy that view. The main pool and a huge hot tub also sit along those cliffs, as do the hotel rooms with the best views and the hotel’s two restaurants.
The hotel has a spa, an upscale restaurant and bar, a casual, family friendly lobster shack with arcade games and an on-site coffee shop (Food Note: if you’re looking for truly good food, I’d suggest spending your days by the pool and leaving the Cliff House for meals).
The hotel, while beautiful, is also incredibly comfortable. There are families with young children everywhere. And the hotel goes out of its way to make them feel welcome. There’s a family pool, an indoor pool, lawn games, craft sessions and even evening movies in a theater all on property.
What to Do
When in Ogunquit, whether for just a day or a week long trip, you MUST do the Marginal Way. A breathtaking, cliff-side mile stretch of paved pathway overlooking the ocean, the Marginal Way is an invigorating walk and definitely my preferred form of exercise.
One end of the Marginal Way starts on Shore Road, right in the middle of the many hotels, shops and restaurants there, and, conveniently, the other end is in Perkins Cove, another Ogunquit area for shopping and dining.
Perkins Cove is a second area of clustered shops and restaurants, this time, right along the water in OGT. Consider taking an inexpensive, hour long, family friendly lobster boat tour with Finestkind Cruises or maybe try their sunset booze cruise while there.
If lobsters and beach time isn’t enough for you, Ogunquit also has a solid arts scene for a small town. Both the Ogunquit Playhouse and Ogunquit Museum of American Art are around town.
If you’re with kids, there is some great mini golf at Wonder Mountain Funpark in nearby Wells. And in the other direction, there are a ton of outlets in Kittery, Maine. And everywhere, including Ogunquit, has public beaches.
What to Eat
Barnacle Billy’s, a Maine lobster institution, is located in Perkins Cove. It has a sit down restaurant and a counter service spot next door. Order up a lobster and beer or signature rum punch and grab a seat on its waterfront patio. It’s heavenly and our favorite spot around town. Even when we don’t stay in Ogunquit, we ALWAYS hit the Billy’s patio for lunch on the way through.
Another great Perkins Cove option is the Lobster Shack for a tasty lobster roll and chowder combo. And our absolute favorite candy store, Perkins Cove Candies, is another must visit. It’s so adorably sweet and its chocolate offerings are delicious (though my kids prefer all the sugary candies).
On Shore Road, we've had some relaxing and enjoyable meals at Brix + Brine, an outdoor only spot. We also love getting coffee and blueberry scones at nearby Backyard Coffeehouse in the morning. We’ve also previously loved dinner at Walkers in nearby Cape Neddick.
Nearby Kittery also has some worthwhile dining spots. Bob’s Clam Hut is a popular roadside fried clam shack that works well with a visit to the outlets. If you’re just adults, stop at the Wallingford Dram for a cocktail.
