Ogunquit: Maine's Hidden Gem

A few years back, I was invited to a gorgeous destination wedding in Ogunquit, Maine. I was pretty stoked about the trip because I had never been to Maine before and had always heard it was a beautiful state.

Well, the rumors are absolutely true because it was definitely gorgeous—at least in that little corner of the state. Ogunquit is in York County which isn’t too far from the New Hampshire border. The quaint little town is home to around 1,000 people, and apparently, the name, Ogunquit, comes from the Abenaki language and means “beautiful place by the sea.”

Getting to Ogunquit, Maine

My kids and I flew into Boston Logan International Airport, where we were picked up for the drive to Maine. That ride is pretty easy, about one hour and 20 minutes long with some nice scenery to look at along the way.

Other options for flying include Portland International Jetpor,t which is about 45 minutes away, or you could fly into Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, which is only about a 25ish minute drive from Ogunquit.

Once you get to town, you will find plenty of stuff within walking distance (depending on where you stay), but there is also a trolley for taking in the sights. Of course, Uber is always an option.

Note: When it comes to the downtown area of Ogunquit, parking is tough to come by. If you can walk or catch a trolley or Uber ride, that is probably your best bet for keeping things simple.

Ogunquit accommodations

Since we were in town for a wedding, we rented one of the rooms in the “wedding block” at a hotel that the bride and groom had chosen: The Meadowmere Resort. It is an older property in Ogunquit that has a lot of charm and is within walking distance of the downtown area. They have a variety of different room sizes and suites to choose from, and the property has plenty of amenities to enjoy.

The kids enjoyed splashing around in the indoor pool, and the adults liked having a pub on site. There are both indoor and outdoor pools, a Roman spa, a game room, and a tea room to enjoy. A daily buffet breakfast is included in your nightly rate, and the property offers seasonal specials. We were very happy with our nights spent at Meadowmere.

If you want something super adorable and cozy, The Little Cottage is a good choice. This Airbnb property has three bedrooms and 2.5 baths and is ranked as one of the best places to stay in Ogunquit. Your rental comes with a nice yard and a bicycle for guest use, and it isn't too far from the beach. Plus, if you want to hang about for a while, they allow long-term stays.

Budget-friendly accommodations can also be found at Stage Run by the Sea, which is also within walking distance of the beach. This property has a seasonal outdoor pool for you to enjoy, and there is free WiFi across the entire property. The decor is beachy-themed with lots of soothing blue tones throughout.

Things to do and places to eat in Ogunquit

A good portion of our visit was consumed with wedding activities, but we did manage to get out and do some exploring. It was a bit overcast the majority of the time we were there, but that didn’t stop us from heading out to watch the waves crashing at the beach. Maine residents must be hardy folk because there were actually a few people out there surfing! I was coming from the 90º heat in North Carolina and didn’t get anywhere near that chilly-looking water.

The town is full of little shops, as can be expected at a touristy destination, but there was a phenomenal bakery and candy shop that we patronized more than once. The Bread and Roses bakery kept the kids supplied with freshly baked cookies, and the Harbor Candy Shop was a great spot for picking up treats for those back home.

Several of the people in town for the wedding spent an evening at the Front Porch piano bar known for its cocktails, dancing, and the sing-along piano music! While I didn’t get a chance to catch a show while I was in town, the Ogunquit Playhouse gets amazing reviews.

Eating was something I definitely got to do during my visit, and of course, I had to nibble a bit of Maine lobster while I was there! The rehearsal dinner for the wedding was held at York Harbor Inn, which I 100% recommend. I had a lobster-stuffed chicken dish covered in a cheesy sauce that was super tasty. Ours was a private party, but they do have several dining options open to the public, including a pub that makes you feel as if you have set sail on a large yacht.

A couple of honorable mentions include La Pizzeria, which is just across the street from the bakery and candy shop. We took a large pepperoni back to the hotel one afternoon, and everyone was quite happy to grab a slice.

I also had wine and antipasto at Pizza Napoli, which is a little further down the road (not really in walking distance), but the service was also very friendly in this establishment. There are plenty of other restaurants in town to enjoy, including several lobster places! You are sure to find a bite to eat no matter what you are craving.

Final Thoughts...

All in all, we had a great weekend, and I hope to go back for another Maine visit soon. While the golden and orange trees did make a lovely backdrop for the outdoor wedding ceremony, “color” isn’t really my thing. I would much prefer a summer visit when I can splash around in the surf.

Guess I have a reason to visit again...