Help with Maine Summer Vacation Please...Kennebunkport?

[TnTWalter]

Ok so we have friends that live in NH and we've talked about taking a vacation together. He suggested Kennebunkport and a place nearby that starts with an A [hubby forgot]....so I'm in charge of finding a cottage that's big enough for 2 families...we are family of 5 and they are soon to be family of 5.

I've found some places but I have no idea where I want to be....so hoping someone here has been there or lives near there...

how important is walking distance to Dock Square or a beach? What about Cape Porpoise? Old Orchard Beach? York? Wells? These are all coming up on my research...

I've checked tripadvisor forum, city data....but I always have better luck on the DIS...LOL...figured it was worth a shot.

My kids will be 11,9,7 their kids will be 4,2,baby....thinking it would be nice to be able to walk to get ice cream, maybe walk to beach or catch a trolley, ride bikes, stroll around, maybe a coffee shop or restaurant nearby...hubby and I and kids did Anna Maria Island FL last summer and it was ideal....hoping to find something similar in vibe [quaint and family friendly].

Thanks so much!!

Trish

 

[merrily]

The "A" named place you're husband couldn't remember is most likely Ogunquit, Maine. Kennebunk is nice, I especially like Goose Rocks Beach.

 

[Perditamarie]

Ogunquit is charming.....if you really want to see a beautiful part of Downeast Maine check out your options for Acadia...absolutely beautiful and has it all w/regards to beach, icecream, biking, camping, lobster, whale watch, etc

 

[englishteacha]

I second going to Acadia National Park. It's beautiful and there is a ton to do in the nearby area as well.

Kennebunk is nice, but I grew up in the town next door and completely avoided K'bunk in the summer. It's very busy during summertime. Unless you want to shop and hang out at the beach every day, I personally don't see it as a week's vacation type of place. That's just me, though. Having worked in southern Maine at the beach during college, I know lots of people enjoy that type of vacation!

 

[3boymthr]

York, Wells, Kennebunk and Ogonquit are really nice places and all have about the same "feel" as far as atmosphere, activities, etc.

If you are looking at Kennebunk and wanting "quaint", I'd avoid Old Orchard Beach. It has a much, much different feel to it. It's more hmm... Well, lets just say thong bikinis are a featured item in many store windows and bars abound. Don't get me wrong I love the place but it's just not the same as Kennebunk and if your friend wants Kennebunk, well, he doesn't want Old Orchard Beach.

I can't really help you with locations within Kennebunk as we've only ever stayed in hotels there and only for a night or two.

When doing your planning be aware that although a PP mentioned Acadia, and it is also really nice, but it is probably a 4 hour drive from Kennebunk. If you go to Acadia instead you would want to look in Bar Harbor and you would definitely find all you are looking for plus a really beautiful National Park. (I just double checked my time. The approximate distance between Kennebunk and Bar Harbor/Acadia is 200 Miles.)

 

[Kate and Pete]

I see a couple people have posted about Acadia. It's so incredibly beautiful up here - we're about 4 hours from the ME/NH border. It gets crazy here in the summer, too, but there are plenty of places to get away from that - and plenty to do! If you want any help planning a Bar Harbor trip, let me know!

 

[flakypuff]

http://www.anchoragebythesea.com/southern_maine_resort_vacation_specials.html We stayed here last year...had a BALL! stayed in the Wells Lodge. RIGHT ON THE BEACH<<<<<<<<

http://www.anchorageinn.com/ stayed here also...the nice thing is the beach is directly across the street. Not a fancy palce but nice.

 

[burnsoc]

Another vote for Bar Harbor/Acadia. I'd love to buy a place there someday, just beautiful.

 

[hipchickie]

how important is walking distance to Dock Square or a beach? What about Cape Porpoise? Old Orchard Beach? York? Wells? These are all coming up on my research...

My kids will be 11,9,7 their kids will be 4,2,baby....thinking it would be nice to be able to walk to get ice cream, maybe walk to beach or catch a trolley, ride bikes, stroll around, maybe a coffee shop or restaurant nearby...hubby and I and kids did Anna Maria Island FL last summer and it was ideal....hoping to find something similar in vibe [quaint and family friendly].

Thanks so much!!

Trish

I am guessing the "A" place was Arundel, that is right near kennebunkport. A lot of the beaches in the area are permit parking only, so walking distance can be a good iea, but there are also plenty that have public parking, so it is not a necessity. Downtown Kennebunkport has a fairly large public lot, so don't worry about being close enough to walk there.

cape porpoise is lovely, but you would definitely have to drive to anything - it is on the ocean but as far as I know there is no beach.
Avoid Old Orchard. Blech.
York is nice but it is very big. I would stay away from houses close to Long Sands beach - it is very rocky and har to get to in areas. Look for things near Short Sands, there is a great playground there, nicer beach, small arcade area, quaint little town, and York wild animal kingdom....something for everyone
Wells is very nice too, and has a great trolley system to go to the beaches and what not. I think "drakes island" is in wells, which is a fun beach to go tidal pooling at.

As someone else mentioned, Goose Rocks Beach is absolutely fabulous, and sounds like what you described at Anna Maria Island - small general store, very family friendly, an island you can walk to at low tide...I think you would love it.

 

[hipchickie]

I forgot to add - try Rivers by the Sea for York rentals
http://www.riversbythesea.com/maine-vacation-rentals.php

I have also had luck with homeaway.com and cyberrentals.com

 

[mainegal]

My thoughts about southern Maine beaches in the summer - crowded. Crowded beaches, congested roads. Very slow going driving. If you want to laze on the beach, well, I'd prefer warmer water. But kids, they will go in freezing water!

I do understand you wanting to keep to Southern Maine if your friends are from southern NH.

However, I am another vote for Acadia!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Kennebunkport $$$$$ (there's a former president who lives there, lol) Agree that it's very crowded/packed in the summer. If you stay there, stay there, don't plan on driving. It's a pretty busy downtown area, if you're looking for shopping, fine dining. Not so much for biking for sure.

York, Wells, as others suggested are also good. Agree your friend was likely thinking Ogunquit (pronounced "agunquit") for the A place. I've never stayed there but the atmosphere is more what you're describing than Kport.

I'd offer up an option of one of the Scarborough beaches as an option as well. Less in the shopping/dining ammenities, but also less crowded. (Many only allow parking for residents/renters, so not wall to wall people on the beach.) Kennebunk (not -port) also an option.

Totally agree with avoiding Old Orchard. While it is better than in past years in the thong-on-someone-older-than-my-grampa department , it still is extremely crowded, especially on the beach. (There's a pier/amusement park right at the beach that keeps it busy as well, and not really in a good way, IMO.)


Acadia is nice, but, as said, a good 4 hours past the ME/NH border. There are plenty of good Maine experiences in the southern part of the state.

If you have to chose, I'd look for a place right on the beach (who wants to schlep gear in the car). If need be, drive a little bit to eat/etc.

 

[TnTWalter]

such great info here! Thanks to all...

It was Ogunquit. As soon as I said it, he said that's the town.

Acadia. Bar Harbour. Sounds LOVELY but is it farther north....BRRRR?? June is best month for us as sadly soccer starts up in JULY and school early AUGUST. Midwest school summer breaks stink!

I will avoid Old Orchard Beach....

I like the trolley ideas. It's nice not to have to drive especially with congestion.

WE want to rent a house to save money and all be together. We're treating so I'm trying to keep cost down. Hubby's best friend is battling [and winning ] colon cancer. They need a treat! Rough year for them and she's preggo with #3.

Keep ideas coming...will continue researching all options you've listed....

Trish

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

 

[amyy]

http://www.vrbo.com/
I know some people who have had good luck rented a house through this site.

 

[TnTWalter]

Can you give opinions on these? Hoping you can tell where they are....ideally we don't want to have to drive everywhere....

BAR HARBOR

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p230219

http://www.vrbo.com/96788

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p141579

NEAR GOOSE ROCKS BEACH

http://www.vrbo.com/60573

CAPE PORPOISE [BUT I THINK LEANING AWAY FROM THIS AREA? IT SOUNDED QUAINT ON THE CHAMBER SITE. LOL]

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p232639

KENNEBUNK [again leaning away but love this one]

http://www.kennebunkbeachrentals.com/php/listing.php?pop=y&Print=yes&Read=yes&ListingNo=00578

OGUNQUIT

having hardest time finding anything big enough and affordable...

http://www.vrbo.com/238339

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p112385

 

[kat3668]

You may want to try Moody ME it is right between wells and Ogunquit... only like 1/2 mile wide and 1 mile long... there are some beautiful houses there usually for rent.

 

[stephbillalec]

I love that part of Maine. We have taken the kids a few times during the summer. We've stayed in Ogunquit. Like a pp mentioned, there really isn't much to do besides the beach and shopping. We did go to this "zoo"/amusement park in York. It was run down but my kids absolutely loved the paddle boats and there was an area where you could feed a TON of deer that came right up to you. My dh really liked that! lol. I think it's beautiful up there, very relaxing.

 

[amyy]

You probably don't want Bar Harbor as that is in Acadia which I think you said was too far. Being from Maine Bar Harbor would be my pick but I am sure you will love the Southern part of the state.

 

[hipchickie]

Can you give opinions on these? Hoping you can tell where they are....ideally we don't want to have to drive everywhere....

BAR HARBOR
Personally, I LOVE Acadia, but in June it is pretty cold, and the water is just plain frigid. If it was me, I would stay further south
NEAR GOOSE ROCKS BEACH
I do think you would love Goose Rocks, but 1 mile away with kids not old enough to ride bikes may be an issue - parking there is by permit only

CAPE PORPOISE [BUT I THINK LEANING AWAY FROM THIS AREA? IT SOUNDED QUAINT ON THE CHAMBER SITE. LOL]
Cape Porpoise is nice and quiet, quaint is a perfect description. There is a small grocery store, a couple restaurants - spread out - so not a real "downtown". AFAIK you will have to drive to the beach, and definitely drive to K'port.

KENNEBUNK [again leaning away but love this one]
If you think you will spend a lot of time in town this could be a good option, it is nice to walk around, especially in the evening. You would have to drive to the beach

OGUNQUIT
Ogunquit is a very popular gay destination - I don't say that because it is a bad thing, I say that because the same visitors are there every year which makes rentals there very hard to find and very desirable, hence very expensive. If you can find a place, it is a beautiful little town and you would love it, but don't kill yourself trying, there are other lovely towns



What is your price range? What week in June?

 

[hipchickie]

Oooh, I just though, check out Biddeford Pool and Fortunes Rock Beach rentals as well - short drive to K'port, but lovely, quiet beaches....I especially love Biddeford Pool, but not sure what you will find there for rentals