Kennebunkport Luxury Vacation

We love Kennebunkport… so do Presidents, painters and poets… it’s a beautiful seaside village encompassing two towns, four beautiful beaches, miles of coastline, an iconic lighthouse, and a plethora of great pubs, waterfront restaurants and lovely inns and hotels.

Confession: we lived here and loved Kennebunkport… from the beautiful Kennebunk River that divides Kennebunk and Kennebunkport – perfect for boating, paddleboarding, kayak and canoeing, to the oceanfront beaches and walks of Gooch’s, Parson’s Way, Colony Beach, and Goose Rocks Beach. We are proud to call Kennebunkport our home for 26 years! Of late, Kennebunkport has become rather pricey, even bougie… but its still a great seaside town, compact & cute!

What we love most about KPort is the culture, you have hard working lobstermen sitting at a bar next to Secret Service agents, famed artists and actors (we are not going to name drop) enjoying happy hour at favorite bars like Old Vines and the Pilot House. Sightings of President Bush, #43 (as #41 passed in 2018 along with his beloved wife Barbara), along with big tuna catches off commercial fishing boats are common from the same pier.

Our idea of a perfect Kennebunkport day is a morning walk along Ocean Avenue past St Anne’s Church, Spouting Cave and the Blow Hole to Walkers Point, coffee at Dock Square Coffee House, and a trip to the Farmer’s Market in downtown Kennebunk if its Saturday. Then a boat ride!

We love to get out on the water, boating, the best way to see the Maine coast. For a great hour and half lobster boat tour, Rugosa Tours leaves the Nonantum Resort and Captain Bob gives a wonderful, narrated tour as you pass the Bush Compound, the seals and birds on Bumpkin Island and out towards Goat Island Light. You even pull up lobster traps and learn all about lobstering. If you prefer to sail, the Pineapple Ketch offers a beautiful sailboat for a two hour cruise, particularly at sunset. Or for speed lovers, New England Eco Adventures rib boat is wild, and wet, zipping to Wells and Cape Porpoise!

Lunch at The Boathouse Bar KPT overlooking the River is a ten, especially when you can sit outside on the riverfront deck. Or the Spirit and Pilot House across the river has a commanding view too! See Kennebunkport’s best restaurants reviews.

Depending on the tides, we highly recommend renting a kayak, SUP or canoe from Kayak Excursions to go up River, ideally with an incoming tide, continue under the bridge toward Cape Arundel Golf Course (where former Presidents play) and beyond to picnic rocks. Time the tide right, just before high tide, and you can ride it inland and when the tide turns – you can ride it back toward the sea. That’s true luxury – letting nature give you a push paddling versus charging against the strong Maine tides.

Drive out to Cape Porpoise, a traditional working pier, for stunning views of Goat Island Lighthouse, and continue on out to the best sand beach – Goose Rocks Beach for a walk. Rent a bike from Kayak Excursions to cycle around the coastal roads, out Ocean Ave and to Cape Porpoise.

For shopping, Kennebunkport’s Dock Square is loaded with fun boutiques for clothing, jewelry, home décor, art and gourmet food. Our favorite Kennebunkport Shops: Dannahs’, Dock Square Clothier, Daytrip Society, Minka, Spaces, and Mainely Vines. Be sure to browse some of the best art galleries in Maine, Maine Art is the largest – with the Lyman Whitaker wind sculptures out front.

Happy Hour in Kennebunkport and Lower Village is happening. We love getting drinks at Stripers at the Breakwater Hotel in the Adirondack chairs out front on the riverbanks, Teh Colony by the pool is dramatic, or The Boathouse on the deck. In town, The Spirit – the sailing vessel turned bar by the river is cool, or Old Vines Wine Bar across on Port Road is cozy and convivial, with an extensive cocktail and wine list plus tapas style bites. Batson River Brewery has a nice vibe for a distillery with an outdoor deck overlooking town.

Enjoy live music at The PHouse, Nonantum’s Latitudes, Old Vines or a concert at Vinegar Hill Music Theatre – this classic old playhouse barn, or hear live music and meet the locals at Pilot House, Pedros or The Burleigh. The most splendid sunset spot is The Colony Hotel by the saltwater pool looking out to sea. Then head to your hotel, your bed, and rest till you do it all again!

Kennebunkport’s best waterfront hotels! See this guide to the best lodging in Kennebunkport, the best beachfront inn is the Seaside, the most romantic BnB is The Kennebunkport Captains Collection, the most fun and family friendly on the water is Nonantum Resort.

Visit Kennebunkport during some of its best festivals, Launch – a Maritime Festival, fall foliage and Halloween when Summer Street decorates their haunted homes to the hilt, and Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport which resembles a Rockwellian holiday postcard.

You will soon “sea” why we “LoveKpt” the best seaside town in Maine! Love where you live! And be sure to tour the coast and stay at our top waterfront Maine hotels from Ogunquit to Kennebunkport to Camden and beyond – Acadia & Bar Harbor.

“Kennebunkport has been my anchor to windward throughout a full and challenging life. It has kept me grounded and focused on what is really important.”
-President George H. W. Bush, 41