Kennebunkport
 

We drove thru Kennebunkport a few years ago but I don't quite remember the area. I remember lots of people walking around and lots of shops. Is that Kennebunkport or Kennebunk? Is there a difference? Someone said it was like 5 miles apart. Whats the best place for a lobster roll? Thanks

Sounds like Kennebunkport, which is a small area, with lots of shops, and a nice oceanside walk, which you can take up to the GHW Bush estate. Kennebunk is the town, larger, with a more work-a-day feel, while Kennebunkport is right on the water, and is definitely a tourist destination in the summer.

Lobster rolls? My favorite place is actually in Bar Harbor, at the Bar Harbor Inn, but that's about 3.5 hours north. Can't really say who has the best in Kport. I'm sure others will chime in.

Mabel's serves a very good lobster roll with The Clam Shack a close 2nd. Alisson's is consistenly good, too. Nunan's nearby on Cape Porpoise if you're ready for yet another one, or if you're driving up route 1 stop off in Ogunquit at Footbridge Lobster.

Yes Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are about 5 miles apart, Kennebunk being inland and Kennebunkport on the coast. Kennebunkport is far more touristy and has many shops and restaurants to go to. It is quite picturesque and parking is difficult during busy times. You can get lobster roll at almost any restaurant, and most are pretty good. Opinions on where you can get the best one are varied so suggest you just try some and form your own opinion. If its lobster, you generally can't go wrong. Just so you know, most lobster rolls are served in a grilled hot dog bun...but not all are. it does vary. Eat" LOBSTA " as we call it here in Maine.

Acutally the above info is not quite right. Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are both on the water - just on opposite sides of the river. Both share the village tourist area that is connected by a small bridge. Both have nice hotels/inns, restaurants and beaches. Kennebunk also has a largish "downtown" area that Route 1 runs through - I think that is what the posters above are thinking of. It might seem a bit of semantics but I would hate to think that you missed out on the Kennebunk offerings. For example, the iconic White Barn Inn is in Kennebunk and the Bush Compound is Kennebunkport. Federal Jacks is in Kennebunk and Mildred's is in Kennebunkport.

Sorry - Mabel's - not Mildreds. After owning property in Kennebunkport for 4 years you would think I would get that right but I never do.

Bennnie do the locals really call it "Kennie-bunk"?

hmm - I'm not sure. I've heard both Ken a bunk and Kenn ie bunk. I'll have to listen more closely. I'm not a local but I think I pronounce it Ken ie bunk (but after saying both out loud over and over again it all just sounded strange).

I'm a local,live about 30 min. from Kennebunk and I call it Kennie-bunk. (Although after almost 30 years in the area, the "locals" might still consider me "from away")