Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is a coastal town in southern Maine. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. It is known for its shopping, atmosphere, and for providing access to Maine breaches. The Bush family, including two United States presidents, often visit their compound on nearby Walker's Point.

Understand

The predominant language of the town is English, but due to the large number of visitors from Quebec, some locals will have facility with French.

An information kiosk is open in Dock Square. It provides information free of charge, much of which is based upon the suggestions of the local chamber of commerce.

Information about upcoming events will often be made available at the local libraries: The Kennebunk Free Library and The Louis T. Graves Memorial Library.

Get in

By plane

Portland International Jetport is located approximately 45 minutes from Kennebunkport.

Manchester International Airport, located approximately 90 minutes from Kennebunkport.

Boston's Logan International Airport, approximately 90 minutes drive from Kennebunkport.

The region has some smaller regional airports, suitable for receiving small private planes.

By car

Take the Maine Turnpike (I-95). From Exit 16 (Wells), take Route 109 east to Route 1 to Route 9 east. From Exit 25 (Kennebunk), follow Route 35 east.

By train

Amtrak to Boston South Station. Continuing service with Amtrak Downeaster to Wells Maine.

By bus

Greyhound bus lines service Portsmouth and Portland. From there, one must provide one's own transportation.

By rented car

Taxis are available throughout Maine, but appointments must be made by telephone. In the Kennebunkport area, expect to make the appointment at least 2 hours in advance.

Limousines are available in Maine, originating most commonly from Portland.

By boat

Kennebunkport is a busy small harbor. Docking can be purchased for short- and long-term. Many boats are stored on land during the winter months.

Get around

By foot

The center of Kennebunkport is designed to accommodate the pedestrian. Sidewalks are spacious, crosswalks are common, and window-shopping is encouraged.

There is little opportunity to move between nearby towns via foot. Sidewalks end just outside the city centers. Roads can be poorly lit at night. In the wintertime, snow can limit the space on the side of the roads to the point where one must walk in traffic.

Pedestrians found walking along the wrong side of the road (the right-hand side, with traffic) may be stopped and corrected by police. They will not be ticketed.

By bicycle

There are no dedicated bicycle paths in the area. Bicycles are expected to share the road with cars. Bicycles are expected to share the bridal paths with pedestrians (and sometimes horses).

The speed limits in the area are rarely over 25 miles per hour. Car drivers tend to be conscientious about road-sharing, especially off-season.

Winter snow storms may make bicycle riding difficult from December to March. Ice storms make bicycle riding incredibly dangerous, but such storms are rare.

There is a helmet law in the state of Maine for bicyclists. Those who violate it may be ticketed.

By car

During the primary tourist season (June through August), congestion in Kennebunkport can be severe. It may take ten minutes to go from one side of downtown Kennebunkport to the other - a length of approximately three hundred meters. Off-season, this trip will take about fifteen seconds.

Outside of the Dock Square area, traffic is negligible at any time of year.

To park alongside one of the local beaches requires a permit. These can be purchased at the Kennebunk or Kennebunkport town halls or police stations. Their numbers are limited. As of 2010, they cost $10 for a day pass.

There are many places to park within a short walking distance of the beach, sometimes directly across the street, such that a permit is not required. Oftentimes these 'spaces' are at the edge of the road. They are of dubious legality, but are tolerated.

Permits are not required between September 15th and June 15th.

Cars are not allowed on the beach between 11PM and 6AM, year round.

By motorcycle

Maine is known to be friendly to motorcyclists. Coastal Route 1, which runs through downtown Kennebunkport, is a common route for motorcycle touring.

Kennebunkport does have noise regulations, but motorcyclists will rarely be stopped due to volume complaints.

By truck

Kennebunkport Bridge cannot support large loads. The tight turns in the town center prohibit the passage of large trucks. Kennebunkport maintains noise legislation which prohibits engine breaking.

See

The primary draw of the region is its beach access. Kennebunkport is home to a number of public or publicly-accessible beaches. These include Kennebunk Beach, Gooch's Beach, Mother's Beach, and Parson's Beach. (All are shared with Kennebunk)

  • The Franciscan Monastery, 28 Beach Ave. Year round, sunrise to sunset. Includes a place of worship, maintained grounds, and paths that follow the course of the harbor and afford fabulous views of the ships at anchor. 
  • The Kennebunkport History Center, 125 North St, ☏ +1 207 967-2751. Year round. Tu-F 10AM-4PM. Maintained by The Kennebunkport Historical Society. 
  • 🌍 Seashore Trolley Museum, 195 Log Cabin Rd, ☏ +1 207 967-2712. Daily mid May-Oct 10AM-5PM. Museum displays and rides, including the opportunity to operate a streetcar yourself (with guidance, of course). Adults $8, children (6-16) $5.50. 

Do

Golf

Buy
  • Dock Square. The center of Kennebunkport shopping. Some of the stores are closed or keep reduced hours off-season. 

Art Galleries

Eat

Drink

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in public. Open containers of alcohol will be confiscated and their owners fined.

  • Kennebunkport Brewery, ☏ +1 207 967-4322. Also known as Federal Jack's. Brewery tours. Shipyard Ale. 

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range
  • The Lodge at Turbat's Creek, 7 Turbat's Creek Rd, ☏ +1 207 967-8700, toll-free: +1-877-594-5634, fax: +1 207 967-0528. Country location. 
  • Rhumb Line Resort, Ocean Ave, ☏ +1 207 967-5457, fax: +1 207 967-4418. Indoor & outdoor heated pools and hot tubs, complete fitness center & function room. Poolside Restaurant in summer. On Trolley Route. Kids Stay Free. Off-season packages. 
  • King's Port Inn (Beach Av and Western Av), ☏ +1 207 967-4340, toll-free: +1-800-286-5767, fax: +1 207 967-4810. Downtown location. 
  • Kennebunkport Inn, One Dock Square, ☏ +1 207 967-2621, fax: +1 207 967-3705. Downtown, piano bar. 
  • 🌍 The Seaside Inn, 80 Beach Av, ☏ +1 207 967-4461. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Oldest inn in the United States, family owned since about 1667. The current innkeepers are 9th generation descendants of the first owner, Jedidiah Gooch. Today accommodations are modern and all guests have access to breakfast in the 1850 boathouse room, ocean view deck and hot tub, and private access to Gooch's Beach. From $140. (updated May 2023)
  • The Beach House Inn, 211 Beach Ave, ☏ +1 207 967-3850, fax: +1 207 967-4719, . Providing quality hotel lodging in historic Kennebunkport since 1891. Romantic ocean front inn offering panoramic ocean views across Kennebunk Beach. Rooms cost approx $150 - $290 per night. 

Splurge

Stay safe

During the summertime, cars that exceed the speed limit will be stiffly fined. This is especially true of cars with out-of-state license plates.

Kennebunkport limits the discharge of firearms. Other loud activities will likely be stopped by the police as disturbances of the peace.

Go next

Kennebunkport abuts Kennebunk, Wells and Cape Porpoise.

To the south (along the coast), Ogunquit and York.

To the north (along the coast), Old Orchard Beach.

To the west (inland) are the lakes of Maine, of which the largest is Sebago

Portland and Portsmouth are the nearest cities, to the north and south respectively.

Routes through Kennebunkport
Dover ← Kennebunk ←  W  E  → Biddeford → Portland


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