Ogunquit, the Kennebunks, and the Southern Coast

Ogunquit, the Kennebunks, and the Southern Coast Travel Guide

Maine's southernmost coastal towns -- Kittery, the Yorks, Ogunquit, the Kennebunks, and the Old Orchard Beach area -- reveal a few of the stunning faces of the state's coast, from the miles and miles of inviting sandy beaches to the beautifully kept historic towns and carnival-like attractions. There is something for every taste, whether you seek solitude in a kayak or prefer being caught up in the infectious spirit of fellow vacationers. The Southern Coast is best explored on a leisurely holiday of two days -- more if you require a fix of solid beach time.

North of Kittery, long stretches of hard-packed white-sand beach are closely crowded by nearly unbroken ranks of beach cottages, motels, and oceanfront restaurants. The summer colonies of York Beach and Wells brim with crowds and ticky-tacky shorefront overdevelopment, but nearby, quiet wildlife refuges and land reserves promise an easy escape. York evokes yesteryear sentiment with its acclaimed historic district, while upscale Ogunquit tantalizes stylish and sporty visitors with its array of shops and a cliff-side walk.

More than any other region south of Portland, the Kennebunks -- and especially Kennebunkport -- provide the complete Maine Coast experience: classic townscapes where white clapboard houses rise from manicured lawns and gardens; rocky shorelines punctuated by sandy beaches; quaint downtown districts packed with gift shops, ice-cream stands, and visitors; harbors with lobster boats bobbing alongside yachts; rustic, picnic-tabled restaurants specializing in lobster and fried seafood (aka lobster pounds in Maine lingo); and well-appointed dining rooms. As you continue north, the scents of french fries, pizza, and cotton candy hover in the air above Maine's version of Coney Island, Old Orchard Beach.