Maine is one of America’s hidden gems. While it doesn’t boasts major metropolitan areas or
big-time landmarks, it’s one of the most gorgeous places to visit. And while many people think of
Maine as a frozen and snow-covered place, much of the year it is temperate and lovely. In fact,
people flock to Maine from all over the east coast and beyond to enjoy its incredible summer
weather. It stays warm all summer, without any of the sweltering heat that many other
places get. It also boasts a stunning coastline, plenty of history, amazing seafood,
watersports of all kinds, and much more. One of the most popular places to visit in Maine,
especially in the summer, is Ogunquit. A quaint beach town, Ogunquit provides visitors with a
fantastic getaway from the hustle and bustle of cities, or from the heat of the countryside. In
this video, we’re taking a look at some of the top things to do and see in Ogunquit. It’s a
wonderful spot that you should definitely check out. And while you COULD visit in the winter (and
bring some seriously warm clothes if you do) it’s probably best to stick to the warmer months. So
stay tuned, as Viewcation presents: The Best Things to Do in Ogunquit, Maine!
Ogunquit Beach Provided you’re in Ogunquit
during nicer weather, which is generally the case for visitors to the area, and Maine in general,
hitting up Ogunquit Beach is a must. It’s been called “The Beach That Has It All” and for good
reason. It’s huge, for starters, boasting 3 miles of coastline where you can post up all
afternoon and soak up some sun. It has stunning white sand that reaches from the water’s edge
to miles of rolling dunes. You can easily spend a day (or several) on the beach doing
a variety of beach activities, from sunbathing and sandcastle building to surfing, flying kites,
and much more. Because of its length, it’s also perfect for taking a long beach stroll
and people watching. It’s also a fantastic spot if you’re visiting with your family. There’s a
separate beach just adjacent to the primary one that sits on the banks of a tidal river. So the
water there is particularly calm, and there are lots of little pools separated by sand bars. That
makes it great for the younger folks, who can dip safely into the water, and use the wet sand
for building all sorts of sand creations. Parking is a breeze at Ogunquit beach – just grab a spot
at one of the three designated areas, and you can even reach it by trolley during the summer months.
Marginal Way Perhaps the best way to view the
gorgeous Ogunquit coastline is to walk along the Marginal Way, which is a path that runs parallel
to the ocean, along the shore. It’s a lovely hike and one that most people will easily be able to
do. That’s because not only is it paved, but it’s fairly flat. Plus it’s only a mile and a quarter
long, so you can easily go back and forth without eating up too much of your day. The views from the
Marginal Way are so tremendous that it’s become a major tourist destination. It provides perhaps
the best views of the entire coast of the state. There are benches set in from the path that also
allow for great views of the ocean, and they’re a great way to slow down your stroll and take in
the scenic views. There are several spots along the way where you can enter the Marginal Way,
so you don’t have to walk the entire length if you don’t want to. But a good option is
to begin around Perkins Cove, continuing to Shore Road, then going down to Ogunquit
Beach by way of Wharf Lane. Regardless of how much of the path you walk along,
or how long you spend on it, you’ll love the incredible views and serene beachfront setting.
Bald Head Cliff
Perhaps the best place to catch a sunset in Ogunquit is from the Bald Head Cliff. While
most places along the Ogunquit coastline will provide lovely sunset viewing, Bald Head Cliff
is a step up. One great move is to eat your dinner at the Cliff House Resort. You can certainly stay
there if you’re looking for incredible sunset views every night of your trip. Plus it’s one of
the more charming and lovely hotels in the area, so we highly recommend it. But the restaurant is
open to the public, so you don’t have to stay there to be able to get dinner. As you dine,
you’ll have a perfect view of the sun setting over the Atlantic. Of course, there are other
options for dining in the Bald Head Cliff area. Check out Nubb’s Lobster Shack for some freshly
caught lobster and other seafood, as well as The Cove Bar and Grille, and the Tiller Restaurant.
Ogunquit Museum of American Art
When you’re ready to get some shelter from the sun and get some culture, a great option is to head to
the Ogunquit Museum of American Art. It focuses completely on American works of art and is the
only museum in the state with that distinction. They have a permanent collection at the museum
that offers up more than 3000 pieces of a variety of mediums. You’ll be able to check out paintings,
sculptures, and photographs, all from American artists like Jacob Lawrence and Marsden Hartley.
Through the years they’ve also featured works by famous folks like Andy Warhol and Jamie Wyeth.
And what makes the Ogunquit Museum of American Art an even better place to visit is that the
stunning visuals aren’t limited to the works it houses. The gallery itself sits above the ocean,
and there are huge windows where you can admire the sea in between looking at the pieces of art.
Plus when you’re finished, you can sit out in the sculpture gardens and take in
a little nature before moving on. The museum is open from May first to the end of October,
so make sure you don’t add it to your itinerary if you’re headed to Ogunquit in the winter.
Perkins Cove Perkins Cove is a
small area that’s primarily set up for fishing, so it might be hard to understand why it would
be a tourist attraction. But it also happens to have a picturesque pedestrian drawbridge, which
has become famous for being the quintessential Maine spot for photographs. So if you’re looking
for a great way to preserve memories from your visit, or simply want your social media feeds to
impress your friends, snapping a shot at Perkins Cove is a must. But the benefits don’t stop there.
If you’re looking for even more great views, you can hop board one of the boats of FinestKind
Scenic Cruises, which leaves from Perkins Cove. While aboard, you’ll see incredible views of the
local coastline as well as the water. But even if you’re not looking to get out on the water,
there are plenty of other things to do in Perkins Cove. We recommend walking around
the area to the many shops and restaurants lining the streets. You’ll be able to grab souvenirs,
crafts, and delicious seafood meals at places like Barnacle Billy’s, and the Lobster Shack.
Ogunquit Playhouse The Ogunquit Playhouse was constructed in
1937 and still stands as a place to see top-notch talent performing works of theater. It has long
hosted luminaries of the acting world like Anthony Quinn, Bette Davis, Helen Hayes, and others,
who found it a delightful place to seek refuge from the rest of their year spent in the Hollywood
grind. That spirit of being a summer getaway continues today, as many Broadway stars seek
out cooler temps and a more serene setting than the sweltering New York City heat. The theater
presents classic musicals and plays and played a big role in the famous summer-stock world of
New England since its founding. Like many of the attractions in Ogunquit, it’s not open during the
coldest months, so be sure to check their schedule before heading over there. And if you happen to be
in Portsmouth, NH in December, you can go see an Ogunquit Playhouse production at The Music Hall,
because every year they take their show on the road there for a Christmas-themed offering.
Bread and Roses Bakery Bread and Roses Bakery has been
providing residents of Ogunquit (and visitors as well) with their morning sustenance since 1989.
It’s an Ogunquit staple, and they have some of the best-baked goods you’ll find in the area.
Start by ordering your morning coffee and then take a look at their incredible array of baked
goodies. You can grab things ranging from whoopie pies to blueberry sour cream coffee cake. And each
item is better than the last. If you’re looking for a more hearty breakfast, they offer things
like breakfast burritos, which are just as tasty, and a quiche that you’ll be writing home about.
Eating at Bread and Roses Bakery is a great way to support the local economy too! They have a branch
in Ogunquit, and another one less than 10 minutes away in Wells, Maine, that only has takeout.
Ogunquit, Maine is an incredible and scenic place to visit if you’re headed to New England,
especially in the summertime. The weather is perfect, the shoreline is gorgeous,
and the people are friendly. It’s a great place to pop through on your way around the area,
or to stay in for days at a time. Now it’s time to hear from you. Have
you ever been to Ogunquit, Maine? If so, did we miss any of your favorite spots? If not,
do you think you’ll ever get there? Let us know in the comments section below!