I’ve at all times beloved visiting coastal Maine. This lovely space of New England options so many issues to do with children and is a brief drive from my house west of Boston. In the summertime, it’s particularly enjoyable with a number of vacationers visiting and a great deal of nice actions. Maine is certainly top-of-the-line household summer season trip locations and it’s an awesome place to go to with the entire household.
This previous summer season, as one final getaway earlier than faculty began for the yr, we loaded up the automobile and headed to Ogunquit Maine, positioned on the coast. Though I’d visited Ogunquit earlier than on a day journey, I by no means had the chance to spend an in a single day there.
We have been so impressed with the entire issues to do in Ogunquit Maine with children, and completely plan to return once more for an extended go to. This widespread spot is a unbelievable vacationer city, with nice vitality and a enjoyable vibe.
Disclosure: We obtained a complimentary night time keep on the Meadowmere Resort in Ogunquit. This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks (together with on the map). A purchase order/click on by one in all these hyperlinks might lead to a fee paid to us at no further value to you. All opinions are my very own.
Issues to Do in Ogunquit Maine With Youngsters
Marginal Method Ogunquit
We arrived at Ogunquit round lunchtime earlier than our room was prepared. We left our automobile and luggage on the resort and instantly headed all the way down to Marginal Method. This paved path runs throughout the Maine shoreline and is roughly a mile lengthy – spanning from Ogunquit Seashore to Perkins Cove.
Throughout our first enterprise on Marginal Method, we have been in a little bit of a rush looking for lunch. Nevertheless, throughout our journey, we have been capable of take one other means, a gradual stroll to discover the entire space on this brief stroll.
As you stroll on the mile-long path, you’ll see a lot of scenic vistas, benches, and cliffs. The walkway is wheelchair and stroller-accessible, however bikes aren’t allowed. Pets are solely allowed within the offseason. That is all as a result of the coastal stroll path will get very busy within the summers and can’t accommodate them.
Whereas Marginal Method is an effective way to get from Perkins Cove to the seaside, I additionally advocate simply taking a pleasant stroll. You’ll want to cease at the entire numerous vantage factors as a result of it actually a gorgeous place.
Perkins Cove
After I checked into our resort early, we have been looking for an enthralling place for lunch. The entrance desk clerk at our resort despatched me on a stroll down Marginal Approach to Perkins Cove, a small space of city with present retailers, eating places serving contemporary Maine seafood, artwork galleries, ice cream retailers, and exquisite views.
A lot of this space of city is finest accessed by foot, though there’s a public parking space. Issues undoubtedly get busy on this space, nevertheless.
Along with the retailers and cafes, Perkins Cove presents nice scenic spots proper on the harbor. There’s a pedestrian drawbridge that friends can stroll over to get a gorgeous vantage level of Perkins Cove.
Even if you happen to don’t need to store within the space, I’d advocate consuming at one of many Perkins Cove eating places throughout your keep. It’s such a enjoyable space and the meals is scrumptious.
Ogunquit Seashore
Many individuals go to Ogunquit for the attractive Atlantic Ocean seaside and for good purpose. It’s completely attractive. Throughout low tide, the sand space is big, and there’s an excellent quantity of room throughout excessive tide. Ogunquit Seashore is the primary seaside within the space and is among the hottest sights in Ogunquit.
In case you are visiting the seaside, there may be some parking accessible. Simply remember the fact that the parking zone is more likely to replenish early. It’s finest to stroll or take the trolley in case you are staying on the town.
You’ll have a number of choices for seaside gear. You’ll be able to deliver your individual from house, which is essentially the most economical possibility. There are some retailers close to the seaside promoting objects, however they most likely received’t be the perfect costs.
Seashore gear leases are additionally accessible from impartial firms. These firms will usually ship to you and provide weekly leases. There’s often an honest surf, so chances are you’ll contemplate bringing boogie boards in case your children have them.
As soon as you might be on the seaside, there are many facilities close by. A number of eating places and snack retailers are inside strolling distance. The seaside additionally has outside showers and foot washes, in addition to indoor restrooms. There are some coated benches and chairs close to the doorway of the seaside if you happen to’d like to sit down off the sand and away from the solar.
Along with Ogunquit Seashore, there’s additionally one other sandy seaside within the space – Footbridge Seashore. Throughout this go to, we didn’t get the chance to journey north to that seaside however I undoubtedly need to test it out subsequent time.
Ogunquit Trolley
As a result of parking and driving might be such a problem in Ogunquit, there’s the Ogunquit Trolley. This trolley makes quite a few stops throughout city, making it handy for households.
The trolley does solely take money for rides, and alter is given in trolley tokens. So, if you happen to plan to take the Ogunquit Trolley round city, you’ll most likely need to deliver a number of one-dollar payments for the rides. It’s at present $5 for adults and $3 for teenagers.
The trolley operates seasonally, so that you’ll need to verify the schedule earlier than ready for a experience.
Ogunquit Playhouse
The Ogunquit Playhouse, a summer season inventory theater providing stay exhibits, is listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations. Previous choices have included Jersey Boys and Cabaret.
Along with these summer season theater exhibits, the Ogunquit Playhouse additionally has a kids’s theater program with extra kid-appropriate exhibits.
Tickets might be bought prematurely, and you may also e-book a really fairly priced backstage theater tour to associate with your present tickets. Simply deliver alongside closed-toed footwear as flip-flops and sandals aren’t allowed backstage.
Different Issues to Do in Ogunquit Maine With Youngsters
Sadly, we solely had a brief period of time in Ogunquit, so there have been some issues that we weren’t capable of do. We’ll undoubtedly should return both this fall or subsequent summer season as a result of there’s a lot extra that I need to do in Ogunquit. These embody:
- The Rachel Carson Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
- Footbridge Seashore
- Finestkind Scenic Cruises
- Cape Neddick
- Ogunquit Museum of American Artwork
Street Journeys From Ogunquit
Ogunquit Maine is so accessible from many different locations within the Northern New England/Maine space. In case you are staying in Ogunquit and need to discover the native space, you might have a number of choices:
Kittery, Maine is positioned about half-hour away from Ogunquit. Kittery is most identified for its premium shops, together with Underneath Armor, Lululemon, the Hole, and Crate and Barrel. We at all times cease in Kittery to buy at any time when we go to Maine.
Portland, Maine is about an hour away and is effectively well worth the drive. This scenic city has a vibrant foodie scene in addition to nice retailers and issues to do. We particularly love Outdated Port Maine, the quaint, cobblestoned part of city.
Portsmouth, NH is a scenic waterfront city positioned proper over the border in New Hampshire. It’s a few 50-minute drive from Ogunquit however presents retailers, eating places, and extra alongside the waterfront. There’s additionally Water Nation Waterpark, which is positioned in Portsmouth.
Ogunquit Maine Eating places
There are such a lot of scrumptious and enjoyable eating places in Ogunquit. You’ll need to keep a number of days simply to go to as many eating places as potential. Since we have been there for under a short while, we didn’t get to as many locations as I’d have preferred. However we beloved each place we went to.
Barnacle Billy’s
This restaurant, positioned in Perkins Cove, has two separate, adjoining buildings. One presents counter service, whereas the opposite has desk service.
On our first day in Ogunquit, we made our method to Perkins Cove and determined to eat on the desk service part of Barnacle Billy. It was busy, however there was no await the outside seats, which have been a little bit shady. We had no drawback braving the slight wind to take pleasure in some attractive seats by the water.
Barnacle Billy’s presents a full bar menu in addition to seafood specialties like fried seafood, clam chowder, lobster rolls, and boiled lobster. There are additionally some non-seafood objects for these members of your loved ones who might not take pleasure in seafood.
Lobster Shack
On our second day in Ogunquit, we ate on the Lobster Shack. It’s additionally positioned in Perkins Cove, however will not be straight on the water. This restaurant is small and has restricted seating, so that you’ll need to arrive early.
Company stand outdoors and wait till the particular person forward of them has ordered earlier than getting into. It’s because the restaurant is so small. Order on the counter, after which your meals and drinks shall be delivered to you.
My husband and I ordered the lobster roll and clam chowder particular, and it was completely scrumptious. Once more, there have been choices apart from seafood for these in your group that don’t like seafood.
Cornerstone Artisanal Pizza and Craft Beer
We didn’t get the prospect to eat at this downtown Ogunquit hotspot, as a result of it was so busy and the wait was too lengthy. But it surely regarded nice – with scrumptious meals and many outside seating.
Throughout our keep, we additionally ate at Brix and Brine, an outside restaurant additionally positioned in downtown Ogunquit. It has an awesome bar, a unbelievable oyster menu, and a rotating menu of seasonal dishes. We beloved it, however I wouldn’t essentially advocate it for households with younger children. My teenagers loved it however I wouldn’t have introduced them in the event that they have been younger.
Ogunquit Maine Motels
You’ll discover a number of lodging choices in Ogunquit Maine, together with inns, inns, and trip rental properties. I’d advocate discovering a spot the place you’ll be able to park your automobile and stroll to the entire issues to do in Ogunquit.
We beloved our keep on the Meadowmere Resort, which is positioned between Perkins Cove and Ogunquit Seashore. Along with the unbelievable location, the resort additionally provided a number of fantastic kid-friendly facilities, together with an indoor pool, and outside pool, a small movie show, and an arcade.
We had a household suite on the resort, which included two separate rooms. It was excellent for our household of 4. You’ll be able to see our evaluate of the Meadowmere Resort right here, and e-book it right here.
See different inns and lodging choices in Ogunquit on the map beneath (affiliate hyperlinks).
Ogunquit Maine Climate and When to Go to
As you’d anticipate by the New England location, Ogunquit will get all 4 seasons. The most effective months to go to are undoubtedly late June to early September, when you’ll be able to make the most of the warmest temperatures.
The autumn can have good temps within the 60s, and among the eating places will nonetheless be open, relying on if you go. Barnacle Billy’s, for example, closes late October/early November. Touring to Ogunquit within the fall might be an effective way to keep away from the big summer season crowds, whereas nonetheless having fun with the eating places and actions.
Winter temps are chilly – usually freezing or decrease. You most likely received’t need to do a lot strolling within the winter, and most of the retailers and eating places shall be closed.
The spring may also be a good time, particularly in late April and Might when the eating places begin to open and the temps heat up. Whilst you undoubtedly received’t go swimming within the Atlantic, among the Ogunquit inns have indoor swimming pools that you could take pleasure in throughout your keep.
Getting Round Ogunquit Maine
In case you are driving into Ogunquit, there are a number of public parking tons to go away your automobile. It’s a good suggestion to park after which stroll all over the place. I undoubtedly don’t advocate driving across the city – particularly within the busy summer season months, as a result of parking is extraordinarily restricted and there are a great deal of pedestrians.
Passenger golf cart providers and the Ogunquit Trolley are each accessible for a payment. Strolling round city can also be very straightforward and is often your only option. In case you are reserving a resort, I’d counsel on the lookout for a location that’s inside strolling distance of the seaside, Marginal Method, and Perkins Cove.
For these not driving into city, you’ll be able to both fly into the Portland Maine airport or take the Amtrak Downeaster into Wells, Maine. Then you’ll be able to take a cab or experience share service into your Ogunquit resort. In season, the Ogunquit Trolley additionally travels to the practice station to select up friends.
Have you ever been to Ogunquit? What’s your favourite factor to do there?
Learn our Ogunquit Maine net story right here.
