Our Fall Roadtrip to Kennebunkport, Maine

Our Fall Roadtrip to Kennebunkport, Maine

We just got back from a lovely trip to Kennebunkport in Maine. Getting there was an easy six-hour drive from New York City, and I returned enamored by the beautiful lakes and towns of coastal Maine!

I am excited to share all about where we stayed, where we ate, and what we loved during our stay in Kennebunkport.

Here are three ways to explore the area:

Best Things To Do in Kennebunkport

What to do in Kennebunkport ME

GOOSE ROCKS BEACH – A beautiful area located just north of Kennebunkport by Cape Porpoise. The beach is wide, the sand is incredibly soft, and the horizon is lined with the cutest coastal homes!

Checking out Goose Rocks Beach in October was perfect – we had the entire beach to ourselves. If you visit during the summer months, parking is generally limited.

Goose-Rocks-Beach-kennebunkport-maine — Goose Rocks Beach

WHERE WE STAYED

THE COLONY HOTEL – Our stay at this hotel happened by total chance. We had been planning a trip to Maine but were so focused on work and our wedding planning-cancellation-replanning that we forgot to make a reservation. We were also aware that the weekend we intended to visit Maine, would be one of New England’s busiest weekends.

Kennebunkport is a small coastal town in southern Maine, so on a holiday weekend, hotels get booked fast. Now, we were less than two hours away and every hotel I called replied with “Sorry, we are fully booked!” The receptionist at one hotel suggested that we try The Colony Hotel, in case they had any last-minute cancellations. And, surprisingly, they did! There was only one room available and for that night only. We checked in to The Colony Hotel at around 9 PM, and I will note that our room’s windows were shut.

The following morning I woke up to my husband saying: “Woah! Check out these views!” As you can see from the image below, our room had a breathtaking view of the ocean.

ana-florencia-at-the-colony-hotel-kennebunkport-maine

Shop: Margaux The Pointe Flat

The Colony Hotel is a historic 1914 resort on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. While the colonial revival-style architecture is beautiful, the ancient wood and gorgeous cedar strip floors give this place a super cozy feel.

The first day we enjoyed breakfast outside on the veranda overlooking the water, and the following mornings we ate in the ocean-view dining area. In my husband’s own words, the breakfast was “excellent.” Every dish tasted homemade, so he felt that he was back at his grandmother’s house! On Saturday night, while he watched college football, I ordered the ravioli from the bar area downstairs, and they were delicious.

Because Kennebunkport goes to sleep at 9 PM, be sure to make your dinner plans early! We enjoyed a relaxing stay, and we even got to extend our stay for two more nights.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

PIER 77 RESTAURANT – During our first day in town, we headed to Cape Porpoise for a late lunch at Pier 77. We found the restaurant at the end of a road lined with New England-style homes. Because Pier 77 sits on the harbor, the views from the inside of the restaurant are quintessential Maine.

While in Maine, trying lobster rolls or clam chowder is a total must! I started with clam chowder, while he ordered the burrata-grilled peach salad (both so good!). This was the only time during our stay that we ate indoors, and we were only one of four groups inside the restaurant. Coming here was the perfect way to kickstart our trip!

BATSON RIVER TASTING ROOM – My husband wanted to try craft beer during our stay in Kennebunkport, so one afternoon we checked out Batson River. We sat on the outside deck and ordered a few fantastic appetizers: Cajun dusted, spicy remoulade fries & roasted cauliflowers (lemon, gremolata, grana, and pine nuts!) Great place to close out our vacation!