dragonfly29

Looking for advice about the differences between Ogunquit & Kennebunkport and nice places to stay, will be in Maine for a week and this is to be our anniversary trip, not looking for a motel 6 type of place but nothing that costs an extreme amount of money either, also advice on nice restaurants,points of interest etc.This trip is not until next August, just trying to plan ahead.

starrs

My choice would be Ogunquit.

Inakauaidavidababy

why?

clarkgriswold

Ogunquit has more places right on the beach/water...and most spots are walkable to everything. Route 1 zooms right through town so there are traffic delays. Kennebunkport is more secluded, with more secluded-types of lodging rather than all clustered in a 1/2 square mile radius. I would never go near either place in August. Can you switch to September? I would be especially advisable since you are looking for something nice at a reasonable price.

You might look at Cape Porpoise Motel and Fontenay Terrace Motel. A bit pricier would be Terrace by the Sea or The Nonantum Resort.
Hard to advise since I don't know your price point. Fontenay runs in the $175 range for basic accomodations in a very nice setting. Terrace/Nonantum would be in the $275 range. I would book by January if you're going in August.

Inakauaidavidababy

Kennebunkport is more upscale republican and pricier. Great shopping and restaurants, and Kennebunkport also has mostly resident only parking at beach areas, so you should inquire in high season about your beach access.

Ogunquit is more gay and blue with the beautiful Marginal Walk and 3mile hard sand Moody Beach.

Both are beautiful, and we have decades of fond memories in both areas.

nanabee

We're from California but years ago we were all packed up doing a Northeast road trip (the whole family) and spent the day at a park in Massachusettes. We met a nice couple and they asked us where we were going. We said Kennebunkport and they said no you should go to Bahaba. After searching the map for awhile we couldn't find Bahaba on the map anywhere. We saw them again and asked them to write it out for us. Oh B-a-r H-a-r-b-o-r!!

That's were we went and had a great time!

starrs

LOL, nanabee! That's funny!

I like Bahaba too

frugaltraveler

Ogunquit ! .. peaceful and the marginal way is wonderful... I agree with Kennebunkport being pricier...

dfrostnh

IF you choose Ogunquit, check lodging at The Dunes. We liked being able to walk around the nicely landscaped property. We had a one bedroom unit with Adirondack chairs outside our door. Tiny but comfortable (LR with couch).

But staying in southern Maine in August means you have to be ok with Rt 1 traffic congestion. Friends are in Harpswell right now staying at the Quahog Inn and I am very envious. The whole area is very rural with a nice amount of lobster shacks to try each day and I much prefer the Giant Stairs over the Marginal Way. Even in August you might only meet a few other people.

But Ogunquit does have the Playhouse and it's a short drive to Stonewall Kitchen for a fun "cooking class" which is really a cooking demo (different menu all the time).

BrendaM

In fact, you should be able to visit both places. They are only about a half hour drive from each other. I would certainly take time to do so. I think you'll find more accommodations in the Ogunquit area. On Route 1 which runs thru Ogunquit, there are many nice motels etc.... I think you might search Maine Innkeepers site on the net. Just type that in and the site should come up. It will have many options from small quaint B & B's to larger inns. Both places are worth a visit. Personally, I like Kennebunkport better, but that is my own preference. I like Qgunquit as well, and highly recommend Perkins Cove and the Marginal Walk that begins there. Have fun....Maine is "The Way Life Should Be."
From a Mainiac

jubilada

I like the Anchorage in Ogunquit.

MaggieOB

We spend a lot of time in Ogunquit every summer and love the beach (great for walking, water very cold though as will be true anywhere in Maine. We also visit Kennebunkport and I think K-port has more/better restaurants and a bigger "downtown" area. In Ogunquit for a special anniversary trip I would recommend Beachmere or Anchorage as good places to stay----I think Beachmere would give you larger rooms.
Maine is great!

zootsi

Six of one, half dozen of the other, they are within 1/2 hour of each other. Ogunquit is artsy with a magnificent beach. Kennebunkport has a bit more Maine feel to it, also has some nice beaches. My choice would be York, which is a bit less touristy, has some magnificent beaches, a very 'old New England' town center with some amazing mansions,a lighthouse, and a old timey resort type charm along the beaches. Look at the York Harbor Inn.

dragonfly29

great replies thanks everyone ! as it turns out it looks as though we will be going a bit farther up to Bar Harbor, not sure if we will drive right through or half way and stay overnight somewhere, that being said wondering what half way would be ?? white mountains in new Hampshire maybe ? any suggestions for those areas ?

clarkgriswold

Ahem. Clears throat. HALFWAY FROM WHERE ?????????

dfrostnh

I think it's better to post here than on OP's newest question which is a repeat of the Sept 6 post here. I think she said she's coming from the Cape and heading to Nova Scotia (from a post on the Canada board).

You could go through the White Mountains since you are coming from the Cape (I think) but it will add a few hours to your trip. We recently drove I93 north and then west to Ellsworth ME area, ending up in the Blue Hill peninsula which is before you get to the Acadia/Bar Harbor area. The good part about this route is it's more scenic than I95 but it's also very rural.

But I'm confused, too. Are you now planning to drive to Nova Scotia instead of taking ferry from Portland? If you want to get further north than Kport, how about Camden?