Kennebunkport, ME

Travel Guide
Kennebunkport
Former presidents are among the many who enjoy the picturesque beaches, tasty seafood and relaxing atmosphere of this charming coastal town.  

Spend a day scouring the beaches for shells or soaking up the sun on one of Kennebunkport’s beaches. Take a tour around the coast on an old lobster boat and keep an eye out for a passing whale. End your day with a seafood dinner in one of the many inns or restaurants in the small town center.  

Kennebunkport, Maine, is 28 miles (46 kilometers) south of Portland. The town is built along the banks of the Kennebunk River. Settlement here dates back to the 1600s. For many years Kennebunkport was an important boat-building hub, though recent times have seen the eastern town become a popular resort. Many former mansions of ships’ captains now serve as inns.  

Walk or drive down Ocean Avenue to admire the coastal view on one side and the luxurious vacation homes of America’s well-heeled on the other. Towards the end of Walker’s Point you’ll see the vacation residence of former president George. W. Bush.  

Spend a day or two exploring the area’s coastal treasures. Visit Goose Rocks Beach for swimming and snorkeling. The Blowing Caves, Spouting Rock and Goat Island lighthouse all make for pleasant excursions. 

Take a tour on a former lobster boat or join a whale-watching expedition to see these giants up close. If you prefer to stay on land, then visit the Franciscan Monastery and the Kennebunkport History Center to learn about the area’s past.  

Wander around the small town center and without knowing it you may well slip into the neighboring Lower Village. Only locals would really distinguish between the two, because both offer gift shops and galleries, good restaurants and plenty of places to stay.  

Visit the town in summer and you’ll almost certainly be able to attend a festival. The Kennebunkport Festival in June features wine, food and music. The fireworks displays held as part of Fourth of July celebrations are best seen from a lobster boat out at sea. Winter offers different charms, with the possibility of picturesque empty beaches just one of the many reasons to visit in the low season. 

Where to stay in Kennebunkport

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Goose Rocks Beach

Goose Rocks Beach might not have many top sights, but Goose Rocks Beach and Fortunes Rock Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Goose Rocks Beach
The Breakwater Inn and Spa
The Breakwater Inn and Spa
4.5 out of 5
127 Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport, ME
The price is ¥25,464 per night from May 19 to May 20
¥25,464
per night
May 19 - May 20
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kennebunkport. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Colony Beach and St. Ann’s ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (406 reviews)
"I would come again 👍👍"

Reviewed on May 2, 2024

The Breakwater Inn and Spa
Kennebunkport Captains Collection
Kennebunkport Captains Collection
4.5 out of 5
6 Pleasant Street, Kennebunkport, ME
The price is ¥43,182 per night from Jun 9 to Jun 10
¥43,182
per night
Jun 9 - Jun 10
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kennebunkport. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (346 reviews)
"Felt very privileged to have the opportunity to spend a night in an incredibly historic house in a beautiful quiet residential neighbourhood"

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

Kennebunkport Captains Collection
The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel & Marina
The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel & Marina
3 out of 5
21 Ocean Ave, Kennebunkport, ME
The price is ¥26,256 per night from May 29 to May 30
¥26,256
per night
May 29 - May 30
Stay at this hotel in Kennebunkport. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Dock Square and Northlight Gallery are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (275 reviews)
"Could not get closer to kennybunkport village."

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel & Marina
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Quintessential Maine Beach Cottage
Quintessential Maine Beach Cottage
Kennebunkport
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Kennebunkport. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the clean rooms in ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (86 reviews)
Cute little cottage on a salt marsh
"Right near Goose Rocks Beach, quiet, clean, peaceful getaway overlooking a salt marsh."

Reviewed on May 5, 2024

Quintessential Maine Beach Cottage
NOTHING LIKE IT!  STUNNING, PRIVATE ESCAPTE W/ OCEAN FRONT VIEWS, PRIVATE DOCK.
NOTHING LIKE IT! STUNNING, PRIVATE ESCAPTE W/ OCEAN FRONT VIEWS, PRIVATE DOCK.
Kennebunkport
Stay at this vacation home in Kennebunkport. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Vaughn's Island Preserve and Walker's Point are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
Beautiful Property
"We had a great stay at this beautiful property. It was just as descibed in listing and was in a very convenient location. Owner was very responsive to any questions that came up. Would stay again."

Reviewed on Sep 6, 2022

NOTHING LIKE IT! STUNNING, PRIVATE ESCAPTE W/ OCEAN FRONT VIEWS, PRIVATE DOCK.
Village by the Sea
Village by the Sea
3.5 out of 5
1373 Post Rd, Wells, ME
Stay at this condo in Wells. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (442 reviews)
"Large spacious rooms"

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

Village by the Sea
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Kennebunkport

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
163
" "5 - Excellent 75.11520737327189%
4 - Good
47
" "4 - Good 21.658986175115206%
3 - Okay
6
" "3 - Okay 2.7649769585253456%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.4608294930875576%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 31, 2019

nice area. with lots of interesting shops and cafes. we had dinner at boathouse and it was great!

4/5 - Good

Dissatisfied
Dec 9, 2019

Overall a quaint village

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Dec 8, 2019

Our first trip to Winter Prelude in Kennebunkport. It was great.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Nov 20, 2019

Great relaxing place to visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Nov 11, 2019

Kennebunkport is a quiet little town full of rich history and beautiful coastal scenery.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 31, 2019

This is a Fall bucket list vacation! It is a fabulous place to visit!

Cities near Kennebunkport