Always a good time in Kennebunkport.
Lobster. Blueberries. Ice cream.
Our first trip to Kennebunkport, Maine (KPT, as the cool kids call it) was in September 2019 when our son was a little over a year and half. Things were getting monotonous as first-time parents, and I was itching for a getaway. With some hesitation from my husband, I booked a flight to BOS from PHL (and a rental car to drive to KPT), and we embarked on our first trip to our favorite city in the world. You read that right. We’ve been back every summer since, even a global pandemic didn’t stop us.
Where to stay?
KPT has some great hotels for short stays with kiddos. We stayed at the Lodge on the Cove our first time and loved every bit of our time there. They cater to families. Think heated pool with kid-friendly poolside food options from their on-site restaurant, The Dory, morning bag of breakfast delivered to each room, complimentary lawn games like cornhole, and s’mores by the fire at night—among other amenities that make this a great spot for families. Location is great, just a few miles from downtown KPT, but a bit of a ways off from beaches (you’ll need a car).
For longer trips—we now stay in KPT for a week—Airbnb or VRBO rentals are the way to go. There are also rental companies you can go through for weekly rentals. Look for spots near Goose Rocks Beach (more on that below) or downtown. Price point for a 2 bedroom rental is between $200-400 a night. This was worth it for us because we always do breakfast and lunch at our rental and feel less bad about splurging on dinner.
What to eat?
KPT has so many options for great seafood! The places mentioned below are ones we frequent with our young children. There are also some higher end restaurants suitable for date night if you’re lucky enough to have a sitter.
Mabel's Lobster Claw: This is a favorite of ours. GREAT lobster roll, the best in KPT, in my opinion. Make sure you get the blueberry pie for dessert. The kids love the fries and stuffed mushrooms (we have some adventurous eaters).
Make a reservation in the summer months. This one’s popular and right in downtown.
Nunan's Lobster Hut: The best lobster spot, and it’s family owned and operated. They not only have great tasting lobster, they offer it at the best price. Our toddler ordered a 1/4 lb lobster for himself last time we went, and probably could have had a 1/2 lb! Do yourself a favor and visit. Nunan’s is decorated like a fisherman’s haven inside, the kids loved it.
It’s small and gets pretty crowded so we start lining up right when they open at 5pm.
Nunan’s is cash only so be prepared, although they do have an ATM on-site.
Dock Square Coffee House: Small coffee spot in downtown KPT. The owners are awesome and we always grab a bag of grounds before we head back home. Always nice to grab an early morning cup of coffee (because our kids are up super early) and walk around downtown before the rush.
H.B. Provisions: A cute little general store in downtown that has a bunch of Bush family paraphernalia/decor. Yes, those Bushes (Bush ‘41 and ‘43). The Bushes have a massive compound in KPT that you can drive/walk by. Visit here for breakfast…or cigars/beer/wine pickup.
HB has great breakfast sandwiches!
Bennett's Sandwich Shop: We love Bennett’s for sandwiches for the beach. It’s on the way to Mother’s and Gooch’s Beach.
Roma Pizza: Now if you’re a pizza snob (or from NY), don’t go in expecting the best pizza. But it gets the job done if you’re looking for something quick and cheap.
We grab a pie and take to eat on the beach while watching the sunset!
Alisson's Restaurant: Man, this place is good. I have regular dreams about the Maine Lobster Bisque and Lobster Pizza.
Federal Jack's: One of Maine’s first brew pubs. Great bar food and beer with views of the sailboats. The brewery was built on a site where schooners were built in the 19th century. Federal Jack is one of the ships built here in 1908. If you’re visiting closer to fall, make sure you try their pumpkin beer (with cinammon sugar on the rim of the glass). They also have a bunch of kid-friendly options on the menu.
The Clam Shack: This place was once awarded the best lobster roll in the country. They ask you if you want mayo, butter, or both when ordering a lobster roll. If you get both, they hand out pins designating as such. I wear mine every time I’m in KPT. There’s plenty of outdoor seating and you can grab beer here too.
The Tides Beach Club: This one’s a splurge, but the whole family enjoyed having lunch on the front porch of the Tides Beach Club resort. It sits right on the beach, and while the food isn’t as good as some other spots in KPT, the views are ambience are worth the price tag. Plus you can head to lunch right from a morning at the beach.
Goose Rocks Dairy: Nothing’s better than having a cone after a lobster dinner on the New England coast. This wholesome spot has some really amazing flavors and a ton of outdoor seating. The variety is awesome, and you’ll find a flavor (or 5) for everyone in the family.
Servings are gigantic (even kid’s servings). The prices are good compared to the more touristy downtown-based Rococo ice cream.
We like Rococo, but after our second year in KPT, we realized it’s just too expensive and crowded for us.
Five Acres Farm: Make this farm your first stop for a fresh blueberry pie that you can enjoy throughout your trip. They use Maine blueberries, and sell pies on an honor system. You walk into a little barn and drop your money in a jar (or Venmo) and pick up your pie.
Not sure if the honor system was just because of Covid, but it’s quick, convenient, and city people like us love these types of things (ha).
Five Acres is also known for their fresh produce and other desserts.
Other honorable mentions include Three Seas Fish and Lobster and Langsford Road Lobster and Fish House for picking up fresh seafood (yes, lobster too) for a seafood bake at your rental home.
What to do?
This is quintessential sleepy New England beach town. There aren’t many activities beyond the beach, eating, and shopping. But this is exactly why we return year after year. After a few days in KPT, we feel rested and whole again. We keep our schedule flexible beyond making lunch or dinner reservations.
The beaches in KPT are gorgeous and allow dogs before 9am and after 6pm in the summer. Our favorites?
Goose Rocks Beach: the sand is soft and the water is calm, making it perfect for the younger ones.
Gooch’s Beach: My husband is a surfer and enjoys heading to this beach to catch some waves. Note that the water here is rougher, but it’s a fun beach nonetheless.
Mother’s Beach: this is a children’s beach a few miles down from Gooch’s Beach, and there’s a massive playground facing the water. We like grabbing a coffee and starting our day here or taking a pizza pie here to take in the sunset and have dinner while the kids run around the playground. Bonus: there are a ton of rocks to jump around when the tide goes back out.
Shopping in downtown is one of our favorite activities. There are a plethora of tiny shops in downtown specializing in nautical antiques, KPT swag, and Maine goodies (blueberry pie, jam, dog treats, etc). Places to visit with the kids:
Daytrip, Jr.: Nautical clothing for the kiddos. They have a cute ride on mechanical horse in here that often has a queue out the door with kids waiting to get on.
Scalawags Pet Boutique: Pet store that has lobster and blueberry treats.
The Candy Man: Smack dab in downtown. We hand our son a scoop and he can fill a bag with gummies and chocolate to eat throughout the trip (and when we get home). Great deal.
Acquaholic Surf Shop: Surf shop with surfboard and wetsuit rentals (and lessons) if you want to try catching some waves at Gooch’s. The owner is awesome.
Seacraft Vintage: Fell in love with this place since following @jackiegreaney on Instagram. She and her husband opened up this nautical antique shop and it’s a sight to behold. We grabbed some things for our home and our son’s surfer themed room from here.
Seashore Trolley Museum: This one’s a good cold/rainy day activity. Our three year old cried when we left because he was having so much fun. The exhibits are a little worn/small, but younger ones will enjoy walking around amongst the retired trolleys, and riding a 1940s trolley with an actual conductor. The folks that work here are volunteers that have a passion for trolleys. They’re also dog friendly! Our pup enjoyed the trolley ride as much as the kids.
