Things to do in Kennebunkport Kennebunkport has become a destination for travelers seeking a multi-faceted locale that offers exceptional dining, world-class shopping, and limitless activities. Our seaside town embodies the best of traditional coastal Maine fresh seafood, friendly faces, and a quaint yet sophisticated culture. Schooner Eleanor The Schooner Eleanor, launched in May 1999, was built in Kennebunkport by Captain Rich Woodman and a crew of local craftsmen to the lines of L. F. Herreschoff's 1935 Mobjack design. Although her hull was constructed using modern techniques, Eleanor is in every other way a traditional gaff rigged schooner. Spruce spars, mahogany transom, locust rails and hand carved trail boards all contribute to the beauty of this vessel. Flying four sails, with a large teak cockpit and spacious cushioned cabin tops to stretch out on, Eleanor will give you the feel of yachting in the 1930's. The Schooner Eleanor is an excellent opportunity to view the coastline of Kennebunkport from a different perspective. Test out your sea legs! Enjoy this 2-hour sail for $40 per person. Phone: 207-967-8809 Address: 43 Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport Rugosa Climb aboard this New England wooden lobster boat for a memorable Maine experience. In a fun 1-1.5 hour trip you ll take a tour of the Kennebunk River, enjoy the beautiful coastline, and watch the captain haul lobster traps. Sit back and relax or roll up your sleeves and join in the fun! This trip is perfect for families $30 for adults and $20 for children. Phone: 207-468-4095 Address: Nonantum Resort, 95 Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport
Explore the Lighthouses Goat Island Lighthouse Wood Island Lighthouse Nubble Lighthouse Whaleback Lighthouse Boon Island Lighthouse For lighthouse lovers, Kennebunkport is home to its very own guiding light and is surrounded by four others within a 20-mile radius. Goat Island Light in Cape Porpoise can be seen from Cape Porpoise Harbor (right near Pier 77 and the Ramp). Within the area there are 4 others: Wood Island Light, Nubble Light, Whaleback Light and Boon Island Light. Although not all of these lights are accessible by car or foot, all but one can be viewed from land and are perfect photo opportunities for your next holiday or family greeting card. Wood Island Lighthouse A tour to Wood Island Lighthouse is run by the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, an all volunteer nonprofit organization. The lighthouse is located off the coast of Biddeford Maine and tours leave from Vine's Landing in Biddeford Pool in July and August as follows: Wednesday: 10 a.m. & 11 a.m., Friday: 10 a.m. & 11 a.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. & 11 a.m.. The guided tour takes about 1 1/2 hours and is subject to Mother Nature and her weather and sea conditions. Suggested donation is $12. Phone: Contact number will be posted in mid-june. Address: Website: www.woodislandlighthouse.org. Kayak Rental Join Coastal Maine Kayak and paddle pristine scenic coastlines and clean rivers. CMK offers lake and sea kayak rentals and tours, as well as hybrid and cruiser bicycle rentals. All tours are led by licensed Maine Guides. Located in Lower Village (right next to Federal Jack s), CMK has tours and trips for all age groups and experience levels. For more information, visit their website at www.coastalmainekayak.com. Phone: 207-967-6065 Address: 8 Western Avenue, Kennebunkport
Hike Kennebunkport Kennebunkport and the southern Maine coastline is a hiker s paradise offering seaside strolls down Ocean Avenue, wildlife walks at the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and hilly hikes through the Kennebunk Bridle Path. Scenic Ocean Avenue winds through Kennebunkport offering views of public and private beaches, rocky jetties, oceanfront estates and the famed Walker s Point. The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge totals 50 miles of coastline throughout York and Cumberland counties. The portion in Kennebunk and Wells is comprised of forested upland, barrier beach/dune, coastal meadows, tidal salt marsh and the distinctive rocky coast. The Kennebunk Bridle Path is an old railroad bed from the 1880 s about 3 miles in length from the Kennebunk Depot to the Webhannet Golf Course. A section from Sea Road to Route 9 is wheelchair accessible for those with wide-tread tires. This path is a birdwatcher s paradise and a wonderful nature walk for the family. Inquire with the Concierge for directions as there are multiple locations for the trails. Mini Ponies and Garden Glory at Snug Harbor Farms Just a 2-minute drive outside of Kennebunkport this greenery and garden store has 4 miniature Shetland ponies that guests can have a look at as well as a vast variety unusual perennials, annuals, shrubs, trees, succulents, classical topiary and terra-cotta planters. Phone: 207-967-2414 Address: Route 9, Lower Village, Kennebunk Vinegar Hill Music Theatre Vinegar Hill Music Theatre offers the finest in national, regional, and local music talent throughout the summer and fall season. A gracious, historic barn setting, Vinegar Hill offers an intimate venue that provides entertainers with a superlative, vibrant setting to showcase their talents.. For a schedule and performance information, please visit vinegarhillmusic.com/. Phone: 207-985-5552 Address: 53 Old Post Road, Arundel
Whale Watching with First Chance First Chance will cruise from Kennebunkport to the summer feeding grounds of Finbacks, Humpbacks, Minke s, the rare Blue Whale and the endangered Right Whale. The boat has ample space at the rails on both decks for excellent viewing and "photo ops". There is a galley on board with snack items, light breakfast and lunch fare, soda and bottled water. You may bring your own but for safety reasons, please no glass containers or coolers. Phone: 207-967-5507 Address: 4 Western Avenue, Route 9 Lower Village, Kennebunk Webhannet Golf Course Located one block from Kennebunk Beach, Webhannet is open for play mid-april through mid-october, and though 'semi-private,' Webhannet welcomes public play on a limited, time- available basis. Webhannet is a challenging par 71 course that plays 6088 yards from the blue tees. With tidal-fed water hazards, white sand bunkers, serpentine Kentucky blue fairways, undulating bent grass greens and a variety of mature trees, Webhannet offers a steady challenge to golfers of all abilities. Play it in the spring when the fairways are most lush and you will think the course is 400-500 yards longer. Play it in late summer when the ball is rolling and you might enjoy that low score that keeps golfers coming back for more. Groups of more than four players are prohibited. Golfers shall wear appropriate attire. A shirt with a collar is required for men and any lettering on the shirt shall be no larger than the logo appearing on Club shirts. Jeans, swimwear, and gym and tennis shorts are prohibited. The Club Manager and staff will enforce the dress code. Phone: 207-967-2061 Address: 26 Golf Club Drive, Kennebunk Cape Arundel Golf Course The Cape Arundel Golf Course is a perfect way to enjoy a summer or fall afternoon. The course is over a century old, and has seen the likes of George HW Bush, Richard Nixon, Babe Ruth and Phil Mickelson (who happens to hold the course record). So, whether you re looking to break Phil s record or simply play golf at a classic Maine course, Cape Arundel GC is a great choice. For more information, please visit: www.capearundelgolfclub.com Phone: 207-967-2222 Address: 19 River Road, Kennebunkport
Goose Rocks Beach Located right in front of our very own Tides Beach Club Hotel, Goose Rocks Beach is a pristine 3 mile stretch of smooth sandy beach. A barrier reef offshore known as the Goose Rocks, visible at low tide, helps protect the soft white sands of the beach. This a perfect spot to spread out the beach blankets, chairs and umbrellas for a fun day in the sun, relaxing, swimming and combing the shore for sand dollars. Parking is along Kings Highway, where there are numerous paths through the rocks, dunes and grass down to the beach. Homes and summer cottages line the drive above the beach. Dogs are allowed, but only before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. No facilities are available and parking permits for Goose Rocks Beach are available from your concierge. Kennebunk Beach There s almost a mile of oceanfront at Kennebunk Beach in Kennebunk, which includes three distinct beach areas. Tucked into the rocks south of Lords Point is Mother s Beach, a sandy pocket beach about 750 feet long. There s a playground and restrooms and a lifeguard on duty. Parking is limited and by permit only. Parking permits for all Kennebunk Beach areas are available from your concierge. Just to the north is Middle Beach, nearly a quarter-mile of black pebbly beach. A sidewalk extends along the seawall at the road s edge, which is lined with summer cottages and hotels. Parking is by permit only. Farther along is the main and most popular beach area called Gooch s Beach. Here is a crescent of fine sand more than 3,300 feet long, perfect for soaking up the sun, swimming in the waves, building sand castles and strolling barefoot in the sand. Lifeguards are on duty in high summer and there are portable toilets nearby. Parking is by permit only. Colony Beach Colony Beach, also called Arundel Beach, is a 150-yard stretch of sand and pebble beach at the mouth of the Kennebunk River on Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport, just about a mile south of Dock Square in the heart of the village. This pocket beach, hemmed in by a breakwater on the right and a jumble of rocks next to the road, is a fun spot to relax in the sun and enjoy the ocean swimming. There is a small gravel parking lot, but no facilities. Along the road beyond the beach is a small park with benches, a fine place to watch the sunset. The Parson s Way shore walk starts here and follows the shoreline for several miles, past Spouting Rock and Blowing Cave to Walker s Point and beyond. Parson s Beach Out of the way, privately owned and limited in access, Parson s is a special spot for people who appreciate and respect nature. Off-season it remains a lovely walk on a brisk day on the Maine coast. Location: Off Route 9 entering Kennebunk from Route 1 South on Parson s Road. Resources: Limited parking, no public restrooms, dining or lifeguard facilities. Rules: NO camping, fires, private parties, surfboards or motorized vehicles. Please stay off endangered sea grass and do not remove animal, marine or plant life.
Seashore Trolley Museum The Seashore Trolley Museum was founded in 1939 with one open trolley car, No. 31 from the Biddeford & Saco Railroad Company. Over the years thousands of members have followed the founding fathers by helping the Museum grow to be the premier electric railway museum in the world. Today, our collection contains over 250 transit vehicles, most of them trolleys, from all over the United States, Canada, and many other countries. We are the oldest and largest electric railway museum in the world. The Museum is open 7 days a week from Memorial Day through to Columbus Day, and Saturdays and Sundays in May and October. 195 Log Cabin Road, Kennebunkport, Maine Phone 207-967-2800 trolleymuseum.org