40 Best Sights in The Southern Coast, Maine

On a small island just off the tip of Cape Neddick, Nubble Light is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the globe. Direct access is prohibited, but the small Sohier Park right across from the light has stunning coastal views, parking, historical placards, benches, and a seasonal information center that sells gifts and shares the 1879 light's history.

Restaurants, art galleries, clothing boutiques, and other shops—both trendy and touristy—line this bustling square and nearby streets and alleys. Walk onto the swing bridge to admire the tidal Kennebunk River; cross to the other side and you are in the Lower Village of neighboring Kennebunk.

Three-mile-long Goose Rocks, a 10-minute drive north of Kennebunkport, has a good long stretch of smooth sand and plenty of shallow pools for exploring. It's a favorite of families with small children. Pick up a $30 daily parking permit at one of two kiosks along the beach: one outside of Goose Rocks Beach General Store at 3 Dyke Road and the other at the Proctor Avenue beach path. Dogs are allowed (on a leash), but only before 9 and after 5 during the summer season. There is one Porta Potty behind the General Store, but otherwise no facilities are available at the beach. Amenities: parking (fee). Best for: swimming; walking.

Ogunquit has long been an important site for artists, and this stellar museum—the only one in Maine focused solely on American art—continues that legacy. The collection includes 3,000 early modern and contemporary paintings, sculptures, drawings, and more, including works with ties to Ogunquit's once-famous artist colony. The main gallery offers sweeping views of Perkins Cove. Leave time to stroll around the 3-acre seaside sculpture park in good weather. Visit the website for admission pricing.

Familiar to many from photographs and the Edward Hopper painting Portland Head-Light (1927), this lighthouse was commissioned by George Washington in 1790. The towering, white-stone structure stands over the keeper's quarters, a white home with a blazing red roof, today the Museum at Portland Head Light. The lighthouse is in 90-acre Fort Williams Park, a sprawling green space with walking paths, picnic facilities, a beach and—you guessed it—a cool old fort.

The great American landscape painter created many of his best-known works in this seaside home from 1883 until his death in 1910. It's easy to see how this rocky, jagged peninsula might have been inspiring. Access to the historic property, which is on a gated residents-only road, is only allowed via a guided 2½-hour tour with the Portland Museum of Art. Tours depart from the museum’s downtown Portland campus at 7 Congress Square.

The cornerstone of this block-long preservation of early-19th-century commercial and residential buildings is William Lord's Brick Store. Built as a dry-goods store in 1825 in the Federal style, the building has an openwork balustrade across the roofline, granite lintels over the windows, and paired chimneys. Rotating exhibits chronicle the Kennebunk area's history, art, and culture for kids and adults alike. In addition, museum staffers lead walking tours of Kennebunk's National Historic District (Thursday and Saturday from June through October) and of the town's beaches (one Saturday a month from June through October).

This was the site of twin lighthouses erected in 1828—and locals still call it Two Lights—but one of the lighthouses was dismantled in 1924 and converted into a private residence. The other lighthouse still operates, and you can get a great photo of it from the end of Two Lights Road (note that it's not quite visible from the nearby Two Lights State Park). The lighthouse itself is closed to the public and set off on a hill, but down by the water you can explore the tidal pools.

Just north of Kennebunkport is the small but bustling fishing village of Cape Porpoise, with a working lobster pier and spectacular views of the harbor and lighthouse.

Lined with summer homes, this sandy strand is busy in the summer, but the beach and the water are surprisingly clean, considering all the traffic. The swimming's good, and beachgoers can also explore tidal pools and look for seals on the sea rocks nearby. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: swimming.

Just off scenic Route 77, this ½-mile-long, half-moon-shape swatch of sand has some of the warmest ocean currents in the state, making it a favorite for swimming. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

Smaller and quieter than the other two beaches in Wells, Drakes Island Beach is also a little more natural, with rolling sand dunes and access to salt-marsh walking trails at an adjacent estuary. The ice-cream truck swings by regularly in summer. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: walking.

Built in 1773, just before the American Revolution, this stunning church is a marvel. The 1804 Asher Benjamin–style steeple stands proudly atop the village, and the sounds of the original Paul Revere bell can be heard for miles.

Fisherman's Walk, which begins near Harbor Beach, is an easy stroll. Starting across Stage Neck Road from the beach, it passes waterfront businesses, historic homes, and rocky harbor beaches on the way to York's beloved Wiggly Bridge. This pedestrian suspension bridge alongside Route 103 (there is minimal parking here) leads to Steedman Woods, a public preserve with a shaded loop trail along the York River estuary's ambling waters. You can also enter the preserve near the George Marshall Store Gallery in York Village.

This spot offers excellent swimming, beachcombing, and bodysurfing opportunities, as well as a boat launch for kayaks, small boats, and stand-up paddleboards. Typically less crowded than neighboring Ogunquit Beach, it’s reached by crossing a footbridge that runs over the Ogunquit River. Dogs are welcome from September through March. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets. Best For: solitude; sunrise; sunset; surfing; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Given the clear line of sight down to the Piscataqua River from here, it's easy to understand why this has been considered a strategic location since the 1600s. The fort was named for Major Andrew McClary—an Irish immigrant whose family settled in New Hampshire prior to the Revolution and who was reportedly the highest-ranking officer and the last Continental Army soldier killed at Battle of Bunker Hill—and although it never saw a major conflict, it was manned and developed during several of them, including the War of 1812 and the Civil War. The remaining fortifications showcase the history of American military architecture and include the Magazine Building (circa 1808) and the iconic Blockhouse (1846), a large, hexagonal structure set atop an imposing granite-block foundation. Wandering the grounds or along a short trail here is, given the original purpose of the site, an ironically peaceful way to pass an afternoon.

Comprising two parks—an amusement park and a water park—this sprawling complex of 50 thrill and kiddie rides, waterslides, play pools, and more evolved from a single drive-in restaurant built in 1960 that the founders have kept expanding ever since. Admission is by bracelet, which can be purchased for one park or both (the combo is a good deal). On the Funtown side, the Astrosphere—an enclosed scrambler-style ride and one of the park’s best known attractions—features a fantastic and dramatic multimedia experience, while the Wild Mouse is the largest roller coaster in the state. On the Splashtown side, up to five people can ride the Mammoth Thrill Slide water coaster together, while the 60-foot drop of the single-person Poseidon’s Plunge is stomach-churning. In both parks, height and weight restrictions vary by ride. Dining and snacking options abound. Note that heavy rains may temporarily put a halt to rides (gift shops and arcades will remain open). Admission is discounted after 3 pm.

The storefront windows and bead-board trim at the George Marshall Store Gallery (built in 1867) pay homage to its past as a general store, but the focus here is on the present. Changing exhibits, installations, and educational programs focus on prominent and up-and-coming regional artists. Stop in on weekends or by appointment through summer and fall.

Kennebunk Beach has three distinct stretches, one after another, along Beach Avenue, which is lined with cottages and old Victorians. The southernmost Mother's Beach is popular with families. Rock outcroppings lessen the waves, and a playground and tidal pools keep kids busy. This is followed by the stony Middle Beach. The most northerly, and the closest to downtown Kennebunkport, is Gooch's Beach, the main swimming beach. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

For an unusual experience, visit this 650-acre grasslands habitat that is home to several rare and endangered species and managed, in part, with controlled burns (an interpretive, mile-long loop trail explains the benefits of burning). Locals call it Blueberry Plains, and a good portion of the area is abloom with the hues of ripening wild blueberries in late July; after August 1, you are welcome to pick and eat all the berries you can find. The area is maintained in a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

In the peak of summer, each day sees thousands of visitors along this swath of white sand, which stretches for more than a mile. They come to sunbathe, surf (in designated areas), play volleyball, and explore tide pools. You can rent umbrellas and rafts here, but you'll have to walk to nearby restaurants for a bite to eat. Dogs are allowed (however, between late May and late September, only before 8 am and after 6:30 pm). Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (fee); toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

This mile-plus-long, paved footpath hugs the shore of a rocky promontory just beyond Ogunquit's downtown. Thirty-nine benches along the easygoing path allow you to appreciate the open sea vistas. Expect heavy foot traffic, even in the off-season—which is the only time of the year that dogs are allowed.

A park sits atop this humble summit of 692 feet, one of the highest points along the Atlantic seaboard. That may not seem like much, but if you choose to hike to the top, you will be rewarded with incredible views all the way to the White Mountains in New Hampshire. If you don't want to hoof it (though it's not very steep), there is parking at the top. If you bring your pup, make sure to keep them leashed.

Perfect for just about every beach fan—sunbathers to beachcombers and bodysurfers—this 3-mile-long, sandy beach is located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Ogunquit River. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent seasonally. Dogs are welcome from September through March. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets. Best For: sunset; swimming; walking.

Founded in the 1880s, Old Orchard Beach is the state's premier family-resort destination. The carnival lights and sounds of the amusement park Palace Playland have pulled in residents and visitors for generations, while shops and stands hawking souvenirs line Grand Avenue. But the star attraction is 7 miles of sandy oceanfront that’s popular for swimming, walking, socializing, and just plain gazing out at the ocean. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: partiers; sunset; surfing; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Nine historic 18th- and 19th-century buildings, clustered on York Street and along Lindsay Road and the York River, highlight York's rich history, which dates from the early Colonial period. Start your visit at the museum's visitor center in the Remick Barn at the corner of U.S. 1A and Lindsay Road. The Old Gaol (established 1656) was once the prison for the Province of Maine; step inside for a look inside its dungeons, cells, and jailer's quarters. The Perkins House Museum, which once housed ferrymen and sea captains, reflects the style of its last occupants, the Perkins Family, who made it their summer home in 1898.

Set right beside the beach, this 5-acre cluster of amusement park rides, midway games, and a huge arcade has been entertaining residents and visitors for generations. The park features more than two dozen kiddie, family, and thrill rides, including two coasters and the ever-popular Pirate—a pirate ship that swings like a pendulum and causes brief feelings of weightlessness; height and weight restrictions vary by ride. Inside the arcade, there are more than 200 modern and vintage video games, as well as Skee-Ball, crane games, and photo booths. There is no cost to enter and walk around, but rides as well as arcade and midway games require credits that can be purchased on a reusable card. Parking is available nearby at numerous municipal and commercial lots.

This neck of land off Shore Road in the lower part of Ogunquit village has a jumble of sea-weathered fish houses and buildings that were part of an art school. These have largely been transformed by the tide of tourism into shops and restaurants, including the classic Barnacle Billy's seafood spot. When you've had your fill of browsing, stroll out along the mile-long Marginal Way.

At the headquarters of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, which has 11 divisions from Kittery to Cape Elizabeth, is the Carson Trail, a 1-mile loop. The trail traverses a salt marsh and a white-pine forest where migrating birds and waterfowl of many varieties are regularly spotted, and it borders Branch Brook and the Merriland River.

All the good craft cocktail bars in Maine stock Bimini Gin, the flagship spirit of this distillery located in a 150-year-old textile mill on the Saco River, because of its smooth drinkability. The distilling process achieves this by promoting the juniper berries’ floral and fruity—not its piney—flavors. Sit at the well-designed bar for a gin tasting or cocktail and snacks, or pick up a bottle of house-made spirits to go.