Exploring Ogunquit - A Beautiful Place By The Sea
The word "Ogunquit" comes from the Algonquin Indians, translating to "beautiful place by the sea" - and the southern Maine resort town that shares the moniker has certainly earned it! Less than an hour south of Portland, Ogunquit is a family vacation destination halfway between York and Wells, nestled alongside the Atlantic Ocean shores. Ogunquit enjoys a long and proud history as a thriving fishing village and vibrant art colony. Today, visitors can find ample opportunities for sightseeing and outdoor recreation, as well as exploring the history and art that has helped to shape the culture of the region, making Ogunquit a fabulous spot for a New England excursion.
Things To Do In Ogunquit Maine
Ogunquit Beach
Photo Credit: Mike_fleming via Flickr CC2.0
Ogunquit Beach spans three miles of picturesque Atlantic coast. Known for calm waters and clean, wide shorelines blanketed in fine, sugar white sands, Ogunquit Beach is comprised of Main Beach on the south end and Footbridge Beach on the north end. Main Beach borders Downtown Ogunquit at the mouth of the Ogunquit River. The river side of Main Beach is a popular spot to hit the water with stand-up paddleboards and inner tubes. A pedestrian bridge over the river connects Main Beach to Footbridge Beach, for a quieter, more natural experience. Both areas offer parking and public facilities. Ogunquit Beach is the site of multiple annual events, like summer's Sandcastle Contest, and the Capriccio Festival of Kites, which takes place in the fall. Just beyond the sand dunes, which are Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, visitors are welcome to explore the downtown streets of Ogunquit. Locals recommend combing the beach for colorful sea glass, shells, sand dollars, mussels, clams, and sea beans. The middle section of the beach is the most abundant and (coincidentally) the least populated, with spring and fall during low tide being the prime time for treasure hunting.
Marginal Way
Marginal Way is a winding, 1.25-mile, paved cliff walk connecting Ogunquit Beach to Perkins Cove. The walk is relatively mild, with minor elevation changes, and the pavement makes it reasonably accessible to hikers of different abilities. There are multiple pedestrian access points and outcroppings with benches along the trail for those who require periodic breaks, or simply wish to take their time and soak up the views along the way. To access Marginal Way from Ogunquit Beach, take Wharf Lane to Shore Road and follow the path that hugs the coastline southward to Perkins Cove.
Perkins Cove
Photo Credit: Mattia Panciroli via Flickr CC2.0
The quaint fishing village of Perkins Cove is home to original gallery shops, locally-flavored eateries, and inspiring ocean views from a working harbor. Once locally known as "Fish Cove", this is the point of origin for many boat tours, sailing trips, and fishing charter services, like Finestkind Scenic Cruises. Anglers can also stake out a spot on the docks to cast a line. Top local recommendations include lobster rolls from Barnacle Billy's or The Lobster Shack, and salt-water taffy from Perkins Cove Candies. Many Perkins Cove businesses are seasonal in nature, so check for operating dates and hours before your visit.
Boat Tours And Fishing Charters
- Silverlining Sailing Cruises
80 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-9800 • silverliningsailing.com
- Finestkind Inc
70 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-5227 • finestkindcruises.com
- Sail The Gift
76 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-3758 • sailthegift.com
- SAIL ME
82 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 801-1987 • ogunquitsailme.com
- Salty Lewer Charter Fishing
70 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (321) 412-7949 • saltylewerfishing.com
Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse
Lighthouses are a signature feature of Maine's rocky coast, as well as a symbol of tradition and history. Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse is a cast iron and brick structure standing 41-feet tall just a few minutes from Ogunquit in York, Maine. Cape Neddick Light Station was dedicated by the U.S. Lighthouse Service and put into use in 1879, and it is still in use today. The lighthouse itself is not accessible to the public, but it can be photographed and enjoyed from Sohier Park.
The park is open year-round, and the on-site gift shop and restrooms are open seven days per week from early May through late October. The annual Lighting of the Nubble is a popular event that sees many visitors gather in late November to watch the lighting of the Cape Neddick buildings in start of the Christmas holiday season.
Ogunquit Heritage Museum
Follow the storied history of the Ogunquit fishing village and art colony at Ogunquit Heritage Museum. Situated on the grounds of the Dorothea Jacob Grant Common, the museum itself is a testament to the past. Housed in The Captain James Winn House, an 18th-century Cape-style home that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the home still features its original flooring, fireplaces, and paneling. Exhibits include artifacts highlighting the heritage of Ogunquit and the surrounding area. The Ogunquit Heritage Museum is open afternoons on Tuesdays through Saturdays from June through October. It is free and open to the public.
Ogunquit Playhouse
The Ogunquit Playhouse produces world-class off-Broadway musicals each year from May through October- a mix of old favorites and new productions to greet discerning theater guests. In the past, the stage has welcomed illustrious performers like Helen Hayes, Bette Davis, and Anthony Quinn. The Playhouse joins a host of local museums and galleries to create a respectable arts and culture scene in the area. The Ogunquit Playhouse first opened in 1933, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ogunquit Museum of American Art
Photo Credit: JR P via Flickr CC2.0
The Ogunquit Museum of American Art is a small gallery founded in 1953 along the Ogunquit oceanfront on Shore Road. Home to a permanent collection of more than 3,000 paintings, sculptures, and photographs from the late 19th century to today, OMAA also features revolving temporary exhibits, three acres of landscaped gardens, and a rustic Barn Gallery. The resident installations include works from members of the Ogunquit Art Colony as well as other notable American artists. It is the only museum in all of Maine dedicated exclusively to American art history. A short walk from Perkins Cove, the museum overlooks Narrow Cove and the Atlantic Ocean.
Art Galleries And Boutiques
- Van Ward Gallery
49 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-0554 • vanwardgallery.me/index.html
- Scully Gallery
680 Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-2850 • franscully.com
- Panache Fine Jewelry and Art Gallery
307 Main Street, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-4878 • panachegallerymaine.com
- Sea Bell Gallery
53 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-5411
- Abacus
213 Main Street, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-0399 • abacusgallery.com
- Todd Bonita Art Gallery
102 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (603) 819-9100 • toddbonitagallery.com
- Don Gorvett's Perkins Cove Gallery
100 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (603) 436-7278 • dongorvettgallery.com
- Art & Soul Gallery
23 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-2751
- The Green Heron
16 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 502-0142
- The Lazy Daisy
45 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 641-2820 • lazydaisyclothing.com
- Perkins Cove Pottery Shop
104 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-7619 • perkinscovepottery.com
- On the Main
234 Main Street, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-9280 • onthemain.com
- Sea Glass Jewelry Studio
104 Perkins Cove Rd # C, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-3393
- Revelations
59 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-4141 • facebook.com/revelationsgiftshop
- Spoiled Rotten
27 Beach St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 641-8477 • spoiledrottenogt.com
- Blacksmiths Mall
166 Main Street, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-9643
- Celtic On Main
254 Main Street, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-6246 • celticonmain.com
- Whistling Oyster
116-2 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-5368
- Aquinnah
104 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 641-2050 • aquinnahogunquit.com
- Liquid Dreams Surf Shop
696 Main Street, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 641-2545 • liquiddreamssurf.com
- Village Toy Funatic
232 Main Street, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-7728 • villagetoyfunatic.com
- Ogunquit Trading Post
97 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090 • (207) 646-5654 • clarkscorner.com
- Atlantic Softwear
37 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-6777 • atlanticsoftwear.com
- Uniques & Antiques
61 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 641-8588 • uniquesandantiqueschristmas.com
Ogunquit Restaurants
Savor the flavors of Ogunquit with original craft cocktails, fresh Maine seafood, and live performances by local and regional artists. From traditional breakfasts and brunches to late-night drinks and snacks, indulge in delicious dishes while taking in beautiful views near the beach or the cove.
- That Place in Ogunquit
331 Sh ore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-8600 • thatplaceinogunquit.com
- The Front Porch Piano Bar and Restaurant
9 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-4005 • thefrontporch.com
- Northern Union
261 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 216-9639 • northern-union.me
- So Zap
185 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 216-9098 • sozapmaine.com
- Five-O Shore Road
50 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • Phone: (207) 646-5001 • five-oshoreroad.com
- Lobster Shack
110 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-2941 • lobster-shack.com
- Ogunquit Lobster Pound Restaurant
504 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-2516 • ogunquitlobsterpound.com
- Smokey B's Gin Mill
422-432 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 360-2198 • smokeybsginmill.com
- M.C. Perkins Cove
111 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-6263 • markandclarkrestaurants.com
- La Orilla Tapas + Specialty Cocktails
53 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 216-9913 • laorilladining.com
- Jonathan's Ogunquit
92 Bourne Ln, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-4777 • jonathansogunquit.com
- Angelina's
655 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-0445 • angelinasogunquit.com
- Loveshack Juicery
68 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • loveshackjuicery.com
- Brix + Brine
49 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 641-2971 • brixbrine.com
- Barnacle Billy's
50 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-5575 • barnbilly.com
- Foot Bridge Lobster
108 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 251-4217 • facebook.com/Footbridge-Lobster-103743646330827
- Omelette Factory
422 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-4110 • omelettefactoryme.com
- Ogunquit House of Pizza
731 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-1386
- Caffe Prego
44 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-7734 • cafeprego.com
- Amore Breakfast
87 Main Street- Box 684 At the blinking light, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-6667 • amorebreakfast.com
- Roberto's
200 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-8130 • robertos.com
- Jackie's Too
91 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-4444 • jackiestoo.com
- The Wild Blueberry Restaurant
82 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-0990 • thewildblueberryrestaurant.com
- Egg & I Restaurant
501 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-8777 • eggandibreakfast.com
- Rose Cove Restaurant
221 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 641-2494
- Pizza Napoli Inc
667 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-0303 • pizzanapoliogunquit.com
- Bintliff's Ogunquit
335 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-3111 • bintliffsogunquit.com
- Ogunquit Beach Lobster House
111 Beach St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 360-2286 • ogunquitbeachlobsterhouse.com
- Bessie's
8 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-0888 • eatatbessies.com
- Hooks Chill & Grille
696 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 216-4813 • hookschillgrille.com
- Roost Cafe & Bistro
262 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-9898 • roostcafeandbistro.com
- BeachFire Bar & Grille
658 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-8998 • beachfiremaine.com
- The Greenery Cafe
369 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 360-0211 • facebook.com/thegreenerycafeogt
- Cove Cafe
20 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-2422 • covecorner.com
- Backyard Coffeehouse & Eatery
178 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 251-4554 • backyardogunquit.com
- The Beach Basket
22 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 360-0255 • beachbasket.me
- Food for Thought
414 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 216-9102 • foodforthoughtme.com
- Treehouse Taqueria
237 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 646-7580 • treehousetaqueria.com
- Black Sushi House
259 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907 • (207) 360-2607
Getting Around On The Ogunquit Trolley
The Ogunquit Trolley has been providing a popular public transportation service to Ogunquit residents and visitors since 1981. The service operates eight open-air, red trolley buses seasonally from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. The Ogunquit Trolley loops between Perkins Cove and the Ogunquit/Wells line, with stops are every 15 – 20 minutes at designated locations. Aside from a convenient way to get around, the trolley provides a great way to see Ogunquit from a different perspective. The Ogunquit Trolley also offers private rentals for large groups and private events.
Vacation Rentals Nearest To Ogunquit
Our luxury vacation rentals make the perfect home base to explore the Southern Maine coast. We have homes Less than an hour away from Ogunquit in Cape Elizabeth, Portland, Falmouth, and Yarmouth, providing a great excuse for a day trip to discover the unique culture of the Ogunquit area. Our properties in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are a short drive of a half-hour or less away. If you're looking to be as close as possible to the charm of Ogunquit, consider our 3-bedroom waterfront condo in York - just 15 minutes away.