Kennebunk and Kennebunkport form one of southern Maine’s most elegant destinations — a pair of classic New England towns where white-clapboard sea captains’ homes line shaded streets, beautiful beaches stretch along the coast, and the Bush family compound at Walker’s Point is one of the most photographed spots in Maine. Sophisticated dining, excellent lodging, and easy access from Boston make the Kennebunks a perennial favorite.
The Beaches
The Kennebunks have several excellent beaches. Gooch’s Beach and Mother’s Beach in Kennebunk are family favorites with calm water and easy parking. Kennebunk Beach stretches nearly two miles along Beach Avenue, lined with grand Victorian summer cottages. Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport is a quieter, more residential strand beloved by locals.
Kennebunkport Village
Dock Square in Kennebunkport is the social center of the Kennebunks — a compact, walkable village of boutiques, galleries, and restaurants surrounding a small square. The Dock Square area gets busy in summer but rewards exploration with excellent independent shops and some of the best restaurants in southern Maine. The Wedding Cake House on Route 35 is one of Maine’s most photographed buildings.
Where to Stay
The Kennebunks have some of Maine’s finest inns and bed and breakfasts. The White Barn Inn is a legendary property with one of New England’s most celebrated restaurants. The Captain Lord Mansion is a beautifully restored Federal mansion offering luxurious B&B accommodations in the heart of Kennebunkport.
Best Restaurants in Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport has one of the finest dining scenes on the southern Maine coast. Earth at Hidden Pond is widely considered one of the best restaurants in Maine — a stunning farm-to-table experience in a magical forest setting. Ocean Restaurant at Cape Arundel Inn offers exceptional cuisine with direct views of Walker’s Point and the Bush family compound. Mabel’s Lobster Claw is a Kennebunkport institution — a classic Maine lobster shack that has been a local favorite for decades. Alisson’s Restaurant on Dock Square is a beloved year-round gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. Arundel Wharf Restaurant serves fresh seafood right on the Kennebunk River with beautiful water views.
Best Hotels in Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport has some of the most luxurious accommodations on the Maine coast. White Barn Inn & Spa is Maine’s only AAA Five Diamond property — an extraordinary inn with a world-class restaurant and spa. Hidden Pond Resort offers stunning treehouse-style cottages nestled in the woods just minutes from the beach. Cape Arundel Inn & Resort sits directly across from Walker’s Point with sweeping ocean views. Nonantum Resort is a classic Maine resort on the Kennebunk River, perfect for families. Kennebunkport Inn offers a convenient in-town location steps from Dock Square.
Things to Do in Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport rewards leisurely exploration. Dock Square is the charming heart of the village, lined with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Walker’s Point — the Bush family compound — is visible from Ocean Avenue and draws visitors year-round. Kennebunk Beach is one of southern Maine’s finest, with three connected beach areas perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Kayak Excursions offers guided tours of the Kennebunk River and coastline. The Kennebunkport History Center explores the town’s rich maritime and cultural heritage.
Kennebunkport in Summer & Fall
Summer is peak season in Kennebunkport, with the beaches, restaurants, and shops all in full swing from late June through Labor Day. The town hosts a beloved Christmas Prelude festival each December, when the village is decorated with lights and wreaths and the inns fill with holiday visitors. Fall is a wonderful time to visit — the crowds thin after Labor Day but the weather stays mild, and the foliage along the Kennebunk River and inland roads is beautiful through October. Goose Rocks Beach, one of Maine’s most pristine stretches of sand, is especially enjoyable in the quieter shoulder season.
Day Trips from Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport’s location near the southern tip of Maine makes it an ideal base for exploring the region. Portland is just 30 minutes north and offers world-class dining, museums, and the Old Port. Ogunquit, with its stunning Marginal Way coastal walk and beautiful beach, is 20 minutes south. The Kennebunks are also within easy reach of the New Hampshire seacoast and Portsmouth, making cross-border day trips easy.