kennebunkport vs Ogunquit?

[suzct]

We are planning a long weekend in June and have found availibility at Nonantum in Kennebunkport ot Beachmere in Ogunquit. It is me,DH DD5,DS3 and MIL,FIL in another room. My in-laws have trouble walking long distances and would probably be happy sitting and staring at the ocean. Any recommendations in which town is better for our family? Kennebunkport seems more $. Is that also true for restaurants etc?

Thanks

 

[antkim]

Well I am partial to Ogunquit! Spent summers there for many years..worked there as a teenager and early 20's! It is the MOST beautiful town. The beach is gorgeous and the view from the Beachmere should be breathtaking....the Anchorage on Shore Rd. has the most beautiful grounds....the rooms are nothing out of the ordinary...but the resort is VERY nice. THe Anchorage has both an outdoor and indoor pool so the kids might like that.

There are trolley's that will take you all over the town and up Rt.1 North towards Wells quite a way. Food can be average priced or a bit more..depending on what you are looking for. Perkins Cove at the end of Shore Rd has lots of dining options. The Margianl Way is a 1 mile walk from right around the Beachmere area, along the rocky shorline and ends up in Perkins Cove....a must see/do!

Kennebunkport is wonderful as well...like I said I am partial to Ogunquit. You can't go wrong at either location!

Enjoy! Let me know if you need any advice etc!

Kim

 

[aprilvaca04]

Have you looked in to York Beach? There are actually two areas...Long Sands and Short sands...I prefer short sands because you can walk to area with shops and restaurants. Beautiful beach...check out the Union Bluff Hotel or Sands by the Sea...great family place to visit...

 

[spring51]

My vote would be Ogunquit. It's closer to the beach and the Marginal Walk
is beautiful.

 

[saving2go2dis]

I remember staying at the beachmere in 1991, when I was in 7th grade and I loved it. That summer I got to plan the family trip and we went to Maine for a few days and then to Prince Edward Island because I was hooked on the Anne of Green Gables Books.
I almost went back and stayed at the Beachmere for my honeymoon last summer. My sister and brother and I had this amazing room with a kitchenette and these rock walls and my parents stayed in a room in the big house part. There is a tiny little beach right in front and it's so beautiful.

My review is quite dated but we only have happy memories from that trip.

 

[CPM]

I don't think you can lose with either choice. We also love Wells, which is in between both of your choices.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I must say that although I love York, Kennebunkport and Ogunquit are much nicer in the village down town area. I do not know what is wrong with the town government in York but they will let fortune tellers and honky tonk businesses open but they will not let anyone do anything good with Pop's Shell Shack which is a big eyesore!! If you go there you know what I mean.

 

[antkim]

I must say that although I love York, Kennebunkport and Ogunquit are much nicer in the village down town area. I do not know what is wrong with the town government in York but they will let fortune tellers and honky tonk businesses open but they will not let anyone do anything good with Pop's Shell Shack which is a big eyesore!! If you go there you know what I mean.

I agree. York is nice, the beaches are beautiful but (not to be mean or disrespectful) it is a bit "honky tonk". We visit there for a day now and again...for the amusement park.

Now, if I were going to go to a beach in Maine...strictly for a nice beach and entertainment for the kids..I would opt for Old Orchard Beach. Again, this is quite "honky tonk" but I think it is a better beach. There is only 1 resort I will stay at though....every other I have stayed at or looked at are pretty run down! The SEAVIEW is immaculate and right on the beach. Last year went went to the Seaview for a night...met up with some friends by surprise. They were staying another night so we decided to stay as well. The Seaview did not have any rooms available so dh and I walked around looking at rooms at other resorts in the area...I do not think we missed one on that side! They were all dumps compared to the Seaview....don't think they have had any work done to them since the 70's! LOL ANd they were charging and arm and a leg for a room! We settled for a $99 room across the streeet from the beach and we could not wait to leave in the morning!!! YUCK!! I put towels on the beds...I did not want touch anything!

The Beachmere is gorgeous! Ogunquit is beautiful. You can't go wrong!

Kim

 

[seashoreCM]

OT: Come to the trolley museum (my namesake "theme park") in Kennebunkport. I am often there on a Friday to play TG Mike (tm), Main Street Transportation, Keys to the Kingdom and Storytime with Belle (Bo).

Excellent rainy day activity.

Wish we could add Cinderella's Golden Carrousel. After all the trolley industry did spark the amusement park industry a hundred years ago.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Snoozan]

I'm a big fan of Ogunquit myself. I love the Anchorage, like another poster said, it's right overlooking the beach and at the end of the Marginal Walkway, which leads down to Perkins Cove - a little village with shops and restaurants and lots of benches for people watching. My DH and I love to sit and watch the boats/people in Perkins Cove and really enjoy the walk along the ocean on the Marginal Walkway. The Anchorage has some lovely rooms - the ones across the street from the ocean view rooms. The building we stay in is The Lighthouse. Beautiful building where some of the rooms have gas fireplaces - nice in the fall, when we usually go. Here's the link to the Anchorage:

http://www.anchoragebythesea.com/

 

[suzct]

Thanks everyone. I was really surprised to see so much more about Ogunquit than Kennebunkport. I think we are leaning towards that. Maybe Beachmere as I read reviews about the Anchorage that it was no very "kid friendly". I really appreciate the help.

 

[Mermaid02]

I say Bar Harbor.

 

[antkim]

Thanks everyone. I was really surprised to see so much more about Ogunquit than Kennebunkport. I think we are leaning towards that. Maybe Beachmere as I read reviews about the Anchorage that it was no very "kid friendly". I really appreciate the help.

HMMMM..not sure I agree with that! It is LOADED with kids in the summer months! I like it because it has the indoor pool as well as outdoor. Depending on when you are going in June...it could still be a bit cool....therefore, the indoor pool option is nice. The Beachmere is beautiful as well...I was just thinking about the pool for the kids....FYI, the Anchorage even has a little kiddie pool outside so I am not sure why you read it was not kid friendly!

Have fun!

 

[momof2minnies]

I just have one thing to add, agreeing Ogunquit is the way to go. The beach is awesome but do not expect to go swimming in the ocean in June unless you are part polar bear. The water temp in Aug. when we go every year is a mere 55 degrees! It hurts my ankles to stand but we eventually get to wave riding even though we are numb!!! Have fun,
Linda

 

[LegoMom3]

We are planning a long weekend in June and have found availibility at Nonantum in Kennebunkport ot Beachmere in Ogunquit. It is me,DH DD5,DS3 and MIL,FIL in another room. My in-laws have trouble walking long distances and would probably be happy sitting and staring at the ocean. Any recommendations in which town is better for our family? Kennebunkport seems more $. Is that also true for restaurants etc?

Thanks

My DH and I have gone there for get-aways for years and always love it! Coincidentally, we always stay at the Anchorage! While we do tend to see more couples in the spring/fall, it's loaded with kids in the summer and as others have mentioned, the pools are great! Lots of places in Ogunquit are also on the trolley line, so getting around is easy.

If you end up there and are looking for a couple places for a good meal, try Amore Breakfast (just down the street from the Anchorage, on Shore Road) to start the day, and for a slightly more upscale dinner option, Jonathans is wonderful.

 

[P-Dust]

I have lived in Maine my whole life and never been to either. (sad, really)
It makes me want to book a trip!
Have fun!

 

[Mermaid02]

I have lived in Maine my whole life and never been to either. (sad, really)
It makes me want to book a trip!
Have fun!

I live here too and have been to both (and Old Orchard and Bar Harbor)- but I know lots of people who haven't. Most have been to Bar Harbor though. It's just spectacular at Acadia National Park!

 

[englishteacha]

I'm a Mainer who worked in the tourism industry summers in Wells and Kennebunk. I was so busy working I never got to the beach! I don't have much advice, except to say, "Enjoy your trip!!"