kennebunkport or ogunquit
 

Can anyone suggest which location is better to stay in? We're planning a trip for July 4th weekend. We're driving from NYC with our 3 and 4 year old and would have 3 full days. Our wishlist: easy access to beaches with good tidepools and where kids can pick up shells/sanddollars; reasonable drive to outlet shopping (Freeport/Kittery); nice downtown/Main Street where we could just walk around or window shop; choices of good seafood shack eating. Narrowed locations to Southern Coast because we don't want to intense a drive but open to other suggestions. If anyone has accommodation recommendations, would appreciate that too (am finding that many places will only rent by the week).Thanks

I love both, but with your two little ones, I think you'd be better off in Kennebunkport. However, you'd better make resevations soon; it may already be too late for that weekend.

This is a real tossup - both towns have what you are looking for - great beaches (chilly water!), cutesy downtowns, lots of eating and shopping options. Ogunquit may be a bit more touristy and crowded, but both towns get pretty busy in the summer. Kennebunkport is a bit further ride, and is more rural once you get out of the downtown. Ogunquit is more artsy, with lots of galleries and the summer theater. They both are brimming with the usual gifty shops, ice cream parlors and seafood restaurants. Other nice beach towns in the area include Wells (nice beaches, but no town center) and York beach. Be aware that rte 1 thru Ogunquit gets really congested in the summer due to the blinker light intersection. Also Ogunquit is considerably closer to the Kittery outlets if that's a big factor.

I love Ogunquit!

Ogunquit! The beach is great,and you could do the 1 mile scenic walk(marginal way),that goes along the ocean on the cliffs. This ends at Perkins cove where there are lots of shops and a great candy store for the kids.There is a shuttle bus back if the kids are too tired to walk.

Sounds like both are nice. Would it be too ambitious if we tried to see both and spend one day at Ogunquit beaches and one at Kennebunkport beaches? Are they that different? How far is it between these two towns? Deciding factor will probably where I can get lodging. Prelim research appears that there's more offering in family (and cost) friendly options in Ogunquit. Any suggestions. Thanks.

You are correct about the accommodations. Check the Spar Hawk hotel in Ogunquit for a great family place. But as someone else said, a lot of prefered places will already be booked for the 4th of July. Call now, as this place is right downtown, beach access, pool, continental breakfast, kid-friendly...

The Lodge at Turbot Creek or the Rhume Line Motor Inn in Kennebunkport would both be more moderate. No views, and you have to drive to either downtown or the beach, BUT, a good central spot between both Kennebunk Mother's Beach and Kennebunkport Goose Rocks beach (which are both great with kids). If you want to stay right on Goose Rocks Beach, and pay a little more, check the Tides Inn By-the-Sea. No parking worries here!

The problem between town/beach hopping is going to be the Rt. 1 stop and go traffic - especially on July 4th weekend. They are only about 20 minuts apart, but it could easily take over an hour. I wouldn't want to be sitting in wet, sandy bathing suits! The major clog is at the Ogunquit five corners; I would even consider looping around and taking the Rt. 95 highway during high traffic times! The best time to do this drive would be early morning (8:am ish), or around 4-5:pm. Getting to the beach at that time would at least help you find a parking spot, which is very difficult, especially 4th of July weekend. Both charge for beach parking, but in the Kennebunks you have to go the police station and buy a day pass. Not so bad if you buy one for the week, but you wouldn't want to do that every day!

I like the window shopping better in Kennebunkport, but the Cliff Walk and Perkins Cove are fun in Ogunquit. I also like the restaurants better in K-port, but I am also more familiar with them. Freeport is mostly LL Bean; Kittery has everything! (Including Heartstrings/Kitestrings if you are in to dress up clothes for your wee ones! )

Oh- Ogunquit has the better 4th Fireworks. But it's a lovely setting for a pre-fireworks picnic at the Episcopal Church grounds in K-port, and further away from the Ka-boom if your little ones are frightened of loud noises. Both will have extra stuff going on during the week.
Just pick up a calendar.

I think you'll have a wonderful time. Hope you can find your accommodations soon! Good Luck, and let us know if you have any other questions.

Kennebunkport and Ogunquit are only a twenty minute drive apart. In between is Wells/Wells Beach, perhaps more suitable for families than the other two. More reasonably priced lodging, and more located right on the water. Check out Ocean Dunes, Grey Gull, Moody's Cottages, Haven by the Sea, Atlantic Motor Inn, Bellevue Cottages, Eastwinds...

For all these towns, the Chamber of Commerce is a terrific resource for lodging options. There are many wonderful places to stay that do not have websites or online booking.

As noted above, your options will likely be quite limited by now for July 4th weekend this year. The first and second weeks of July are the very busiest time on the coast of Maine. Many, many folks return to the same place year after year, or find an appealing spot and book while there for the next yeat.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I found a place called the Riverside Motel that's on Perkins Cove and very well priced. Found positive reviews on tripadvisor and yahoo. Does anyone have thoughts on this place?.

This place looks great from the outside, although I've never seen a room. Great location, well kept, lovely landscape.

One concern would be your pre-schoolers wandering, however. The property slopes down to the river - boulders and deep water. I'd suggest a second floor room to avoid them letting themselves out without your knowledge!

Kennebunkport is a lot more quant and charming - nicer places to stay

Kennebunkport is a lot more quaint and charming - nicer places to stay

I too would choose Kennebunkport. As another person recommended, try either the Rhumbline or Lodge at Turbat's Creek. They are both fairly resonably priced and good for families - especially the Rhumbline. Check the Kennbunkport Chamber of Commerce website, as I'm sure they have many of their lodging choices listed.

Goose Rocks Beach would definetely fit the bill for a family oriented beach, complete w/tidal pools. The only problem is there are no public bathrooms. We still have one young one who loves those little tide pools when they fill up. Also, the waves aren't huge so the kids should be able to enjoy the shoreline as well.

Tides Inn is a great place but I'm sure you'd be paying big bucks. You might try the Sand Dollar Realty (next to the Goose Rocks General Store). They have a few mini-condo's and apartments: not sure if they rent them out over the long holiday weekend or not.

Good places to eat would include The Captains (in Cape Porpoise, between GRB and Kport). It's BYOB which is even better. Alison's in downtown Dock Square is a friendly place with great food and cold beer on a hot summer day. The Green Heron is a good breakfast place...as a matter of fact they have a few little rooms too, you might try there for rates.

Freeport is about 45 minutes North, Kittery about 30 minutes south. Don't forget the Maine sales tax though...

Have a blast.