In The Heat Of Summer Coastal Maine Is A Place to Chill And Unwind

Beginning in the early 1900s, movie theaters hung signs touting air conditioning to lure customers in from summer’s heat. The coast of Maine prefers the natural way, circulating cool air from the chilly wild Atlantic. No wonder so many people flock here to play outdoors. Coastal Maine has so much to offer: Quaint seaside villages; Miles of walking and hiking trails; Pristine beaches; Recreational boating and fishing. Oh, and lots of lobstah, as the locals say. You can check-in to an oceanfront resort, bed and breakfast, humble hotel or motel, rustic campground, or vacation rental. We opted to book a one-bedroom, full-kitchen cottage in Kennebunk through the popular rental app VRBO.

Kennebunk

The small town of Kennebunk, a native American word for “long sand bar,” was settled in 1653 and is on Maine’s southwest coast, less than 100 miles from Boston. You’ll find a diverse environment of woods, rolling hills, and seashore. It’s the kind of place you can keep the windows open and feel comfortable while the inlanders are sweltering in summer’s grip. We chose Kennebunk because of its quiet location and easy access to the more touristy areas of Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, and York. In Kennebunk, we found a convenient grocery store to stock our pantry and vehicle for road trips. The town has some delightful cafes and restaurants for a quick start breakfast, takeout picnic lunch, or casual dinner. Boulangerie was one of our favorite spots. The freshly baked quiche, pastries, and coffee gave us the boost we needed to start our mornings. Each day over our four-day stay we picked a general area to wander and explore what the locals affectionately call “The Kennebunks.”

Kennebunkport

The world came to know this tiny port village when George H.W. Bush was elected the 41st President of the United States. The Bush family compound known as Walker’s Point was dubbed the “Summer White House” and hosted world leaders during his term in office from 1989-1993. While the neighborhood around Walker’s Point is upscale, there’s a welcoming folksiness and casual atmosphere as you drive around. Traffic slows on a narrow winding two-lane coastal road as you near Walker’s Point, especially at the pullover where a trail leads to the Anchor to Windward monument, a gift to the Bush’s from the Town of Kennebunkport for their various contributions to local charities. The views from the monument are spectacular. With binoculars you can see the Bush compound up-close. Just down the road you’ll come to St. Ann’s Episcopal Church.The stone chapel was built in 1892 and is open to the public to tour on your own. Magnificent stained-glass windows adorn the stone walls, many dating back to the late 1800s. Beyond the stone chapel is the outdoor seaside chapel overlooking the Gulf of Maine, where many summer services and wedding ceremonies take place. The grounds are beautiful, easily walkable, and provide many photo opportunities. Near the center of Kennebunkport is Mabel’s, a casual tavern and restaurant serving one of my favorite things: lobster rolls. You might find them in other parts of the country, but nothing compares to a Maine lobster roll. Mabel’s has quite a history and frequently hosted the Bush family when President Bush had a yearning for peanut butter ice cream pie.

Ogunquit

Along the water’s edge in the postcard-perfect town of Ogunquit, there is the Marginal Way Walkway, a skinny meandering paved foot path with amazing scenic views. Ogunquit is a native American word from the Abenaki tribe and means “beautiful place by the sea.” It is all that and more. Marginal Way, completed in 1925, has mostly gentle slopes and spots of shade. The footpath is 1.2 miles and is not strenuous. You’ll find seatback benches here and there to sit, relax by the ocean, and gaze at passing sail boats and paddle boarders. At several points along the walkway you’ll discover stairways to public beaches with lifeguard stations. Street parking is strictly regulated, but there are plenty of public parking lots with attendants or pay stations. Public restrooms are also available at the start and end of the trail. Marginal Way connects Ogunquit to Perkins Cove, a charming and romantic artist’s village. More than three centuries old, Perkins Cove was the center of the area’s fishing industry. In the late 1800s, it became an artist’s colony. You’ll discover quaint shops, art and jewelry galleries, waterfront restaurants and cafes. There’s a neat wooden drawbridge, the oldest in America, you can walk across. The bridge connects Perkins Cove to a bucolic waterfront residential community. Ogunquit is a great place to escape the rat race and chill during a long hot summer, or see the autumn leaves change, or smell the first flower blooms of spring. The family friendly environment is also awesome for kids, as they can play on the beach, take a sightseeing boat ride, fish, and have an ice cream cone in the town square. Whether it’s a family getaway, a couple’s retreat, or a first date, you will love this spot. (See the videos below the article)

York

The Maine coast has many seaside public parks to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. In historic York, established in 1652 and the second oldest town in Maine, there are two unique park experiences connected by a common pathway. Hartley Mason Park is a relaxing sojourn with flowering hedges, manicured lawns, and sprawling beach access. Cliff Walk is an adventurous hike with gentle inclines, but requires stable hiking footwear due to some jagged rocky spots along the 1.2 mile trail. These are two great experiences in one spot. You can access both from York street or the parking area of York Harbor Beach. The public beach also has restrooms and restaurants and refreshments are within walking distance. Not far down the road is Cape Neddick Lighthouse, known as “The Nubble.” Nubble Lighthouse was built in 1879 to protect seafarers and merchant ships from Maine’s rocky coastline. The property has a Victorian-era keeper’s house adorned in gingerbread trim. The lantern with miniature cast-iron lighthouses on its railing is still working, but is automated to guide boats and ships traveling along the coastline. Nubble Lighthouse is also on the National Register of Historic Places. A fabulous location to view Nubble Lighthouse is from Sohier Park, which is part of the Cape Neddick peninsula. Parking is free. There is also an information area with news about the lighthouse. It’s a great spot to walk, view the lighthouse, and watch the lobster boats unload their traps. This is also where we discovered a nice lunch spot called Fox’s Lobster House, right on the water. Nothing tastes so good in Maine than fresh caught lobster, especially in summer! (See videos below)