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Earlier this summer our family spent a few magical weeks in Maine. We made the Kennebunkport area home and had such a wonderful time enjoying the rocky coast line. Here were some of my favorite spots that we visited.
Where to eat:
If you find yourself in the KPT area you must stop by the lobster & fish house on Langsford Road. If you’re staying in a home with a kitchen, grab your lobsters to go and enjoy a New England clambake (you can read all about my clambake and what you need here!). They can steam the lobsters ahead of time or you can do it at home. You can also have lobsters & clams steamed while you’re there and enjoy on their back deck. The back deck doesn’t have a fence for littles so just keep in mind and plan accordingly. I was on high alert the entire time!
Musette is hands down my favorite spot in KPT for a date night. Everyone there was so sweet, the food was impeccable & the wine list hit all the notes. Make a reservation well in advance as its limited seating and books up quickly!
We enjoyed a dinner out at earth at hidden pond. The setting is beautiful and definitely a quintessential New England experience. Lodging is only available in the warmer months but the restaurant is open year round.
We didn’t make it to The White Barn Inn this year but have enjoyed it in the past. It’s my second favorite behind Musette.
Make sure to grab a lobster roll while you’re in downtown Kennebunkport. The oh so popular Clam Shack is worth the hype but just make sure to order ahead to save some time!
Lunch or Dinner at The Tides Beach Club on my favorite Goose Rocks beach. The food in wonderful but the interiors steal the show.
Here’s a few other favorites that need to be mentioned! Boulangerie for the best baked goods & a cup of coffee, Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster if you find yourself in the Freeport area before a day of wandering LL Bean and downtown Freeport, Cape Porpoise Kitchen (my favorite spot to grab a cup of coffee and walk the neighborhood) & Satellite Doughnuts for a sweet (but perfectly sized!) treat!
Where to stay:
Our family typically stays at an AirBnb in the area for space and the ability to cook some of our meals but here are my favorite properties in the area.
Tides Beach Club // Hidden Pond // The White Barn Inn // Cliff House
Where to shop:
I think its fair to say there’s something for everyone at Farm + Table. This is where I found the KPT baseball cap that so many of you have asked about. I also picked up candles for a dinner party & new linen towels for our kitchen.
It’s no secret that I’m Daytrip Society & Daytrip Jr.’s number one fan. Just take one foot inside and you’ll see why. The styling is impeccable and they have THE BEST selection for children. We stopped for activities to entertain the kids while we were in town and restocked for the flight home.
LL Bean’s flagship store in Freeport is a great place to spend a rainy or cooler day. While you’re there make sure to grab one of their iconic boat totes. You can bring it to the cash register right away, order your monogramming and it will be ready by the time you’ve finished exploring.
Make sure to stop by Seacraft Vintage and Apres Sea Maine while in town. Seacraft has vintage & new finds that are the perfect thing to bring back home & Apres Sea carries some of my favorite lines of clothing & home decor. They’re just outside of downtown KPT.
What to do:
While we spent most of our time relaxing at the beach, wandering our local neighborhood, going on hikes and enjoying the stunning coastal views, here’s a few things I’d recommend.
Take a stroll through Snug Harbor Farm. I want to buy a summer home in Maine solely so I can landscape it with plants & blooms from their gardens. They have an exquisite shop that you can peruse with a variety of home goods and their coffee table book selection is bar none. I was taking notes!
Spend a morning with Lucky Catch lobstering tours in Portland. They offer several group tours throughout the week during the summer months. You can also call ahead to arrange a private tour. It was definitely one of the highlights on our trip and perfect for every age in our family.
We’ve yet to spend days kayaking but it’s something I dream about as our kids get older. Maine is filled with harbors, coves & creeks making it the perfect place for kayaking. Just make sure to plan accordingly with the tides!
Kristin says
Thanks for sharing such great knowledge of the area! Im headed to KPT next week for the first time and am excited to check out these amazing recommendations.