Spring is upon us here in New England. The daffodils are blooming, trees have buds ready to burst open, and the grass is starting to green. I think whoever coined the phrase “April showers bring May flowers.” must have been a New England resident, because almost every day this April has been a rainy one. (It was actually an English poet, so that makes complete sense!) With this season comes the spirit of the road trip, so today I am sharing some of our favorite places in Kennebunkport, Maine.

A road trip to Kennebunkport or KPT is always a must once the weather starts to turn for the better. Once our boys are out of school in late May, we head up there a few times to be on the beach, grab a lobster roll (…or two…or three!), and indulge in some shopping.

Here’s some of our favorite stops to help you plan your time in KPT.

Beach Mornings

We always make this our first stop of the day. Our favorite beach to visit is Goose Rocks Beach. It’s clean, family-friendly, and great for little kids. You have to purchase a day pass and put the sticker on your car during day hours. If you just want to walk it after hours you don’t need a pass. When we head into town, we stop first thing in the morning at the Goose Rocks Beach General Store to get our pass. Best to get there early before parking fills up along the street in front of the beach. The Tides Beach Club is right across from the beach and a great place to grab a bite or stay the night.

Where to Eat

After spending a few hours at the beach, we like to grab lunch somewhere. We also try to make sure we get a lobster roll. Our favorite stop is on the way back from beach into town at The Ocean Roll food truck. It’s the perfect stop after a morning spent in sand and sea.

There are so many great places to dine in and around Kennebunkport, so here is a list of our recommendations:

• The Tides Beach Club Restaurant

• The Ramp Bar & Grill

• The Kennebunkport Inn Patio Restaurant

• Earth at Hidden Pond

Shopping

Part of the fun of spending time in KPT is driving the windy roads around town and checking out the surrounding areas. We love to stop by Cape Porpoise. A must-do is a visit to Farm + Table. It’s one of my favorites with a beautiful selection of kitchen goods and housewares. I never leave empty-handed.

While you are here, you’ll want to walk around the area. There are so many “moments” to capture. Lobster shacks, homes, docks, etc. It’s beautiful and quiet compared to the bustling Dock Square in town. Here’s some glimpses so you get the idea…

Dock Square is definitely a stop you must make too. It is bustling late May-early September. There are so many great places to shop and eat. Also, you can get some rentals or hop on a boat tour for a whale watch.

Here are our favorites:

• Day Trip Society

• The Candy Man

• Rococo Ice Cream

• H B Provisions General Store

Points of Interest

There are plenty of places to stop on the way up to the Kennebunks. Also, there are some great places within a short drive to spend a day too.

Here are some places we like to make a point to visit:

• Nubble Light House in York

• L.L. Bean Flagship Store in Freeport

• Marginal Way in Ogunquit

Other places to check out in the Kennebunks:

• Gooch’s Beach

• Rugosa Lobster Tours

• Ocean Avenue

• Walker’s Point

• Parson’s Beach

Stay in Kennebunkport

It’s always nice to stay in KPT and experience one of the many great hotels.

Here’s our top picks:

• The Tides Beach Club

• The White Barn Inn

• The Kennebunkport Inn

• The Cottages at Cabot Cove

There are way too many to mention. I could do a whole post about lodging!

I hope this is helpful in planning your trip to Kennebunkport, Maine. It is such a special place to visit and fun for the whole family.

Until next time,

Kristy