Wells, Maine Visitor Guide — Updated 2026. Beaches, parking, things to do, and where to eat in this classic southern Maine beach town.
Wells is one of southern Maine’s great beach towns — seven miles of sandy coastline, a quieter and more family-oriented feel than its lively neighbor Ogunquit, and easy access to the whole southern Maine coast. With four distinct public beaches, the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, an Amtrak Downeaster stop, and a relaxed, unpretentious character, Wells is the choice for visitors who want the beach at the center of the trip without the crowds and polish of the pricier towns nearby.
Wells Beaches
Wells has seven miles of sandy beach spread across several distinct areas, each with its own character:
Wells Beach is the main event — a long, classic sandy beach with lifeguards, restrooms, and walking distance to shops and restaurants. It’s the busiest and most amenity-rich, popular with families. Drakes Island Beach, at the north end, is quieter and less crowded, known for sea glass and tidal pools at low tide, with a lifeguard and restrooms but limited parking. Crescent Beach sits about half a mile south of Wells Beach, a smaller lifeguarded stretch. Moody Beach, at the southern end, is a beautiful walking beach — but note that much of it is legally private under a Maine court ruling, so public beach access there is limited compared to the others.
Wells Beach Parking
Wells operates five public beach parking lots — Mile Road, Eastern Shore, Gross, Jetty (Drakes Island), and the Gold Ribbon lot on Webhannet Drive. Metered parking runs $5 per hour, payable at the meters (credit/debit, no paper cash) or via the ParkMobile app, from 8am to 6pm daily, from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Lots are open 6am-11pm; overnight parking is prohibited. Parking fills quickly on summer weekends — arriving before 9am is the safest way to get a spot. Residents and taxpayers can buy seasonal Multi-Use permits from the town.
Wells is a classic southern Maine beach town with seven miles of sandy Atlantic coastline, a thriving antiques trade, and easy access to the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Situated between Ogunquit and Kennebunk, Wells draws families, nature lovers, and beachgoers looking for a quieter alternative to its more famous neighbors.
Best Restaurants in Wells, Maine
Wells dining is casual and family-friendly. Congdon’s Doughnuts is a southern Maine institution since 1945 serving hand-cut doughnuts in dozens of varieties. Billy’s Chowder House on the salt marsh is a Wells landmark for fresh seafood and classic New England chowder. The Litchfield’s restaurant has been a reliable local favorite for decades, and several good pizza and pub options line Route 1 for casual family dinners.
Best Hotels in Wells, Maine
Wells has a solid range of family-friendly motels and cottages along Post Road and near the beaches. The Haven by the Sea is a beautiful inn in a beautifully restored 1889 church with soaring ceilings and elegant rooms — one of the most unique lodging experiences on the southern Maine coast. Many visitors opt for weekly cottage rentals in the Wells Beach and Moody Beach neighborhoods for a true Maine summer experience.
Things to Do in Wells, Maine
Wells Beach and Moody Beach offer miles of uncrowded sandy shoreline with gentle surf ideal for families. The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve at Laudholm Farm has seven miles of trails through salt marshes, beaches, and coastal forest — outstanding for birding and nature photography. Wells is also famous for its antique shops concentrated along Route 1, making it one of the best antiquing destinations in New England. The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge protects thousands of acres of coastal habitat just minutes from the beach.
Wells, Maine FAQ
What beaches are in Wells, Maine?
Wells has seven miles of sandy beach across four main public areas: Wells Beach (the main beach, with lifeguards and full amenities), Drakes Island Beach (quieter, at the north end), Crescent Beach (a smaller stretch just south of Wells Beach), and Moody Beach (largely private under a court ruling, with limited public access). Wells Harbor Beach is a calmer, family-friendly spot good for children at mid and low tide.
How much is parking at Wells Beach?
Public beach parking in Wells costs per hour at metered lots, payable by card at the meters or through the ParkMobile app, from 8am to 6pm daily, Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day. There are five public lots. Overnight parking is prohibited, and lots fill quickly on summer weekends, so arriving before 9am is recommended.
Is Wells or Ogunquit better?
They’re neighbors with different personalities. Wells is quieter, more spread out, more family-oriented, and generally more affordable, with a longer and less crowded beach. Ogunquit is more compact, walkable, and upscale, with a vibrant village, the Marginal Way, and a lively arts scene. Choose Wells for a relaxed family beach base; choose Ogunquit for walkable village energy and dining.
What is there to do in Wells, Maine besides the beach?
Beyond the beaches, Wells offers the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (the one-mile Carson Trail through salt marsh and pine woods), the Wells Reserve at Laudholm, antiquing along Route 1, boating and fishing charters from Wells Harbor, and easy trips to neighboring Ogunquit and Kennebunkport. Congdon’s Doughnuts is a beloved local institution.
Day Trips from Wells
Ogunquit is five minutes north with its famous beach, Marginal Way coastal walk, and Perkins Cove seafood shacks. Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are 15 minutes north for upscale dining, the Clam Shack lobster roll, and Walker’s Point. Portland is 45 minutes up the coast for a full day of dining, the Old Port, and the Portland Museum of Art.
Looking for work in Wells? Browse Jobs in Wells on JobsInMaine.com.
Comparing destinations? See our Kennebunk vs Wells and Old Orchard Beach vs Wells comparison guides for the honest differences.