12 Best Shopping in The Southern Coast, Maine

The impossibly hip and well-selected array of goods at this modern-design shop makes it an excellent place for both window-shopping and finding gifts for just about anyone on your list (including yourself). A refreshing departure from the rest of the somewhat stodgy gift shops in the village, this boutique is chock-full of eye candy, most of which is also functional. There are many locally sourced and contemporary products, from hats and jewelry to novelty books, home decor, and outdoor adventure essentials. Check out Daytrip Jr., its equally hip children's store around the corner.

This delightful shop is housed in a bright-red Maine barn filled with household items both useful and pleasing to the eye. Browse the collection of ceramics, linens, kitchen essentials, and more by small-batch makers, and pick up a few artisan treats, too.

Rabelais Books, whose slogan is "Fine Books on Food & Drink," is an ode to the art of cooking, drinking, and eating (and writing about it). Get lost in one of the many recipe reference tomes, many of which are very rare (they span six centuries). Browse the collection of vintage and hard-to-find menus, or pick up a book or two for your favorite foodie. Hours vary, so make sure to check the website before you go.

Don’t let the name fool you: although there are ducks, chickens, and even peacocks wandering around the quaint grounds of this Kennebunk spot, it's far more charming than rustic. Wander through the gardens, or stop into the shop, housed in a 19th-century farmhouse, for one-of-a-kind terra-cotta pots and elevated gifts for the garden, home, and bath. 

Along a several-mile stretch of U.S. 1 in Kittery you can find just about anything—often at deep discounts. Among the stores are Crate & Barrel, Eddie Bauer, Banana Republic, Kate Spade New York, and J. Crew; spend a rainy afternoon hunting for deals, or head to the nearby Kittery Trading Post ( 301 U.S. 1), a destination for fishing, boating, camping, and other types of outdoor accoutrements.

Akin to Freeport’s L.L. Bean for camping, this destination stocks fishing, boating, camping, and other types of outdoor accoutrements. In business since 1938, the company continues to grow and offers various outdoor seminars and instruction.

Maine Art Hill's centerpiece is a two-story gallery showcasing works by artists from Maine and elsewhere in New England. There's also a sculpture garden, complete with copper wind designs and whirligigs. Just steps behind are the Studios, a cluster of cottages, each housing the work of a different artist, photographer, or creator.

This artist-owned and -operated studio and gallery features unique wheel-thrown stoneware. Stop in for keepsake souvenirs; just call ahead to make sure the studio is open during the off-season.

Since 1968, Port Canvas has been hand-crafting sporty, customizable canvas totes and duffels perfect for lugging your souvenirs home. Other products range from raincoats to keychains. Each stitcher puts their initials inside the bag ensuring authenticity and quality. 

You've probably seen Stonewall Kitchen's jars of chutneys, jams, jellies, salsas, and sauces in specialty stores back home. This complex houses the expansive flagship store, which has a viewing area of the bottling process. Sample all the mustards, salsas, and dressings you can stand, or have lunch at the café, then meander through the stunning gardens to the Stonewall Home Company Store, offering candles, hand lotions, and essentials for the garden and home.

Bring your own bag for morning shopping at the Gateway York Farmers' Market, held in the back lot at the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce on Saturday in summer (mid-May–mid-November, 9–1). You'll find fresh, locally grown produce and flowers; lots of baked goods, pies, and artisanal breads; local meat and eggs; and handcrafted items like soaps, jewelry, pottery, and candles. It's a good place to gather the makings for a beach picnic or to stock up on holiday gifts.