Things to do and see near and by Kennebunkport Maine

Beaches

So much of the coast of Maine is beaches, and the Kennebunkport beaches are some of the loveliest. With white bright sand, a sidewalk the entire length and beautiful summer homes, the beaches are a great place to spend the day swimming, sunbathing, picnicking and napping. Just three quarters of a mile from the Franciscan Guest House are the Kennebunk beaches know to locals as Gooches, Middle and Mother’s Beaches.

Gooch’s Beach is the closest, with the most sand, and right next to the mouth of the Kennebunk River. The stone breakers lining the river outlet are a great place to sit and watch the sailboats enter and depart the river.

Middle Beach has plenty of rocks and pebbles creating tidal pools great for exploring and shell hunting. If you forgot your lawn chair, there’s always a rock to lean against at middle beach.

Mother’s Beach is the smallest of the beaches but the most fun for the kids because there’s a playground!

Learn more about the Kennebunkport beaches.

Local Walking & Hiking Trails

There are many places to go walking or hiking in the Southern Maine Coastal area.The closest and easiest is the walking trail at St. Anthony’s Franciscan Monastery. The trail is about 1.4 miles long, is paved, has benches and shrines for contemplation, and two lookout points. Be sure to go behind the statue of Saint Tekakwitha on the dirt path to a little point where there is a magnificent view of the bridge between Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. Relax on the benches there and watch the ducks paddling around the rocks. The other lookout point is nearly at the end of the path. Right by a hard turn, there is a dirt path toward the river and can be pretty muddy. There you’ll find the old posts of the former boathouse, which is long gone, and views toward the mouth of the river.

Parsons Way Shore Walk in Kennebunkport has expansive ocean views, rocky outcrops, cliffs and leads to the almost famous Spouting Rock and Blowing Cave where you may sometimes see spectacular surf during tide changes. This is also a leisurely walk that is paved and is at times alongside a well-traveled road. The path will bring you past Walker’s Point and St. Anne’s Church. To find it, travel along Ocean Avenue until you see the sign and pull over.

Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge will immerse you into the local fauna and flora. The walking path runs on the edge of marshland, rivers, streams, the sea and something called “salt pannes”. This is a great walk for bird watching. Located just south of Kennebunk in Wells, the entrance is off of Port Road.

Wells Reserve at Laudholm provides many educational opportunities along with the beautiful walking trails. There are three primary trails: one through a bog, one through a forest and the last along the beach.

Learn more about local walking and hiking trails.

Here is a list of things to go and see in the Kennebunkport and Southern Maine Area

Seashore Trolley Museum
Brick Store Museum
Arundel Playhouse
Wedding Cake House
Intown Trolley tour
Cape Porpoise Pier 
Strawberry, blueberry or apple picking
Cabelas and L.L. Bean
Old Port, Portland Maine
Nubble Light House, Cape Neddick Maine
Fort Williams, South Portland Maine
Kayaking and surfing
Saco Drive In
Horseback riding
Art galleries
Dine out
Lobster boat, whale watching, island boat tour