When it’s time for a much-needed getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a trip to Ogunquit might be what you need. Located along the southeastern corner of Maine, this beach community boasts pleasantly mild temperatures during the summer. In the fall months, New England and Maine come alive with yellows, oranges, and reds as the fall foliage marks the start of winter. Enjoy biking, walking through the downtown area, and playing outdoors at Ogunquit. Up and down the Maine Coast, you’ll find welcoming beach communities with a plethora of activities. Book a stay at a Ogunquit vacation rental today. Check out the most scenic attractions in and around Ogunquit.
1. Ogunquit
Settle into the small beach community of Ogunquit, whose name means Beautiful Place by the Sea, to spend time on the beach, explore the downtown area, and enjoy fresh seafood almost every night. Throw your beach blanket out anywhere along the 3-mile stretch of sand, and catch up on your reading while the kids splash in the water, fly a kite, and take turns burying each other in the sand. Learn more about the history of the area with a visit to the Ogunquit Heritage Museum or the Ogunquit Fire Company Fire Museum on a rainy afternoon.
2. Bald Head
Drive a few miles south on Highway 1 to find vacation rentals with stunning views in the community of Bald Head. Take the kids for a walk out to the Bald Head Cliff area for views that make you feel like you can see forever. Take some time for yourself when you book a spa appointment or couple’s massage at the Cliff House. For the golf lover in the family, the nearby Cape Neddick Country Club offers 18 holes to practice their swing while overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
3. York Cliffs
York Cliffs is a quiet little village, where you and your family can enjoy some much-needed peace and quiet any time of year. Hop in the car for the quick drive to the Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region. Start with an introduction to the region at the visitor’s center, and then hike to one of the summits or overlook areas for amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean in the distance. Enjoy the coolness beneath the shade of white pines, oaks, and birch trees.
4. Cape Neddick
Choose a vacation rental along the waterfront or a family home near the center of the village in Cape Neddick. Take the family out to the Nubble Light, a working lighthouse since 1879, to walk around this marvel of technology. At Sohier Park, you can explore the visitor’s center, find the perfect souvenir to take home and use the telescope to get a better view of the sky or the lighthouse.
5. York Harbor
Down Highway 1 from Cape Neddick sits the village of York Harbor at the entrance to the York River. Take the family down to the harbor and marina area to watch the fishing boats head out in the morning or arriving back at the end of the day. Rent a boat or engage a charter company to spend a day out on the water sailing and fishing. Take a deep breath and gather your courage for a walk over the suspension bridge, Wiggly Bridge, that connects Barrell Millpond to Steedman Woods.
6. Wells
Wells offers a lot of options for vacation rentals, from a home with an ocean view, to one close to all the town activities, or a home on the remote edges of the area. Walk along the rocky outcroppings, and dip your toes in the Atlantic Ocean at Wells Reserve at Laudholm or do some hiking and biking out at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. Be sure to pack binoculars to get a better look at the birds and their nests in this protected area.
7. Kennebunk
Plan your trip to Kennebunk for either June or the Christmas holidays, when this village hosts festivals. During the Christmas Prelude, you can find some great deals and fresh hot cider waiting in the shops for you, tour a couple of historic homes, and listen to the Christmas singers. When the weather turns warm, the town enjoys live music, family activities, and food vendors during the Kennebunkport Festival.
8. Old Orchard Beach
This small seaside town attracts lots of families during the summer season, which makes finding a vacation rental to suit your family a cinch. Head out on to the town’s iconic pier to enjoy the rides, eat an amazing seafood dinner, and cast your line into the ocean to try your hand at fishing. In the immediate area, there are 10 golf courses, so the golf lover in your family can hit a different green every day.
9. Higgins Beach
Slow down and enjoy life a little more in the small coastal community of Higgins Beach. Pay the small fee to access the Scarborough Beach State Park, where you can enjoy a day out on the beach and swim in the ocean with lifeguards on duty helping to keep an eye on your kids.
10. Cape Elizabeth
You’ll feel like you’re almost as far east as you can be in the United States with a vacation rental in Cape Elizabeth. It’s a great place for long walks along the shoreline in the evenings and bike rides around the area during the day. Take the family to Fort Williams Park to explore the remains of the military bunkers and see the historic lighthouse. Hike around the rocky coastline at Two Lights State Park and see the twin lighthouses.