When I was in 6th grade, we moved to Kennebunk, Maine. I lived there until I went to college, and my parents lived there until they followed me out to Arizona, in 2008. When I tell people I’m from Kennebunk, sometimes they say, “Don’t you mean Kennebunkport?”
No. I know where I’m from.
But I understand! Kennebunkport is the more well-known half of the Kennebunks, probably because George Bush has a home there. I worked at a gift shop in Kennebunkport while in high school, and when we got bored, we liked to go outside with binoculars and tell the tourists that George Bush was in town and had been spotted. #lies
We visited Maine for a couple of weeks this summer, and though we stayed in another town, a trip to the Kennebunks was definitely in order! If you missed my other posts about our trip, be sure to read about our trip out, where we stopped in St. Louis and NYC, and my ode to OOB.
We actually went to Kennebunk/Kennebunkport on three separate days while in Maine. The first time I went with my mom, sister, and Harrison for, what else, shopping!
Kennebunkport is a great place to spend the day shopping, dining, and sightseeing. In the center of town is Dock Square, and I have so many memories from there. Every Christmas they have a huge tree in the middle of the square, and my high school choir always sang at the tree lighting and went caroling around in the different shops.
Southern Maine is obviously a very summer-oriented place, as tourism picks up during that time of year. But you can’t beat the gorgeous fall leaves, and seeing these little beach towns blanketed with snow in the winter is truly magical. I SO want to take my kids there for Christmas some time.
The first day we visited was bright and sunny, and we had fun looking at the clothes and souvenirs in the shops. One must-visit shop is Beach Grass.
Other must-visit places are The Candy Man candy shop (for a sweet treat), The Copper Candle (for gifts), and Next Generation (if you’re looking for children’s clothing). There’s also a shop that features really cute and durable kids’ toys, but I can’t remember the name, and I can’t find it online! If you know the one I’m referring to, please let me know! UPDATE: It’s called Daytrip Society Jr. Thank you, Kit!
There are lots of other souvenir, clothing, and specialty shops, and it’s lots of fun to walk around and browse.
After shopping I love to have a great meal! On the first day we visited, we got grilled cheese sandwiches from Old Salt’s Pantry…
…and ate them in my secret spot…
Daniel had stayed home, so we brought him back food from the Clam Shack, one of the most popular places to get seafood in Kennebunkport!
That first day we mostly browsed, but we returned on one of the final days of our trip to buy the things we had seen (and to get lots of candy at The Candy Man). On that day we got freshly squeezed lemonade from Aunt Marie’s, another of my favorites (although they used to have cheeseburgers which were delicious, and they don’t make them anymore)!
The kids found some doors leaning against the side of a shop and entertained themselves by watching themselves dance in the reflection, while waiting for their lemonade.
We went to the Kennebunks on one other day during our trip, and on that day we hit the beach!
Mothers’ Beach in Kennebunk boasts a playground, so it was a huge hit with the kids.
Harry-go-round
After playing on the playground, we braved the water for a few minutes, and then we settled on building a sand castles and finding crabs in the rocks.
We spent a few hours on the beach, and then it was time to get changed and meet my parents at the Chowder House in Cape Porpoise, for lunch on the pier!
We walked down the pier and showed the kids the lobster traps, and they watched the lobster boats going out.
Then we had a nice outdoor lunch on their patio, overlooking the water.
Harry slept through it.
At one point everyone else was up getting food, and it was just Carter and me, and he sidled up next to me and said, “Finally we get some time together!”
My cutie
Kennebunkport is definitely a must-visit when you’re in Maine, no matter what season of the year it happens to be. Check out Kennebunkport’s official website for more great information, and also see this list of 12 unique things to do in Kennebunkport.
And if you’re visiting anytime soon, let me know so I can sneak into your suitcase!
3 comments
Hey! I think that the shop with kids toys is Daytrip Society Jr.
That’s totally it!! You rock my socks off!
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