Coastal Maine Travel Guide: Kennebunkport, Perkins Cove, and Portland — Sunday Guides Summer 2026 by The Paris House

Why We Love Coastal Maine; Where to Stay in Coastal Maine; Best Things to Do in Kennebunkport; Perkins Cove & Marginal Way; Exploring Portland's Old Port; Best Restaurants in Coastal Maine; Where to Find the Best Lobster Rolls; Shopping Along the Maine Coast; Summer Style Curated by Paris House; Planning Your Coastal Maine Vacation

 
Lobster roll on the cover of The Paris House Sunday Guides Maine edition
 

The Paris House, Sunday Guides, Maine

America’s Best Lobster Roll

Perkins Cove

The Marginal Way

Tides Beach Club

Plan a Party by the Water

Early Fall Fashion

Portland in a Day

The Best Nail Polish Ever

 
Michele Rosenthal on the beach in Maine
 

Hotels: Tides Beach Club Maine

A fresh beachy vibe with upscale interior design, fantastic food and cocktails, a gorgeous sunset and beach club!

 
Yachtsman Hotel and Marina Club in Maine
 

Yachtsman Hotel and Marina Club

Yachtsman Hotel and Marina Club is our favorite. Don’t be fooled by its unassuming facade, the bungalow style rooms boast vibrant fresh interiors. The rooms overlook the water, with boats and ducks passing by. Read a book on your private patio, it is extremely peaceful and lovely. Enjoy their light complimentary breakfast.

 
multi-person yellow and black surrey bike (quadricycle) parked near a dock in Kennebunkport, Maine, featuring a classic striped canopy and sightseeing suggestions for local spots like Walker's Point and Perkins Cove
 

Sightseeing & Things To Do

Portland, Perkins Cove, Marginal Way, Walker’s Point Bush Compound, Ogunquit Playhouse, Sunset Sailing Tours, Lobster Tours, Catered picnics on the beach, The Wedding Cake House, Saint Ann’s Church, Dock Square, Cape Porpoise, Seashore Trolley Museum, Parson’s Way Shore Walk and more!

 
Mabel's Lobster Claw in Maine
 

Restaurants

Mabel’s Lobster Claw, Ocean, Mike’s All Day Breakfast, The Clam Shack, Earth at Hidden Pond, Hurricanes, Pedro’s Mexican Restaurant, White Barn Inn, The Kennebunkport Inn

 
Summer style fashion clothing and accessories Curated by Paris House
 

A Summer Style, Perkins Cove, Maine

Curated by Paris House

 
Perkins Cove historic, picturesque fishing harbor in Ogunquit, Maine, featuring colorful docked dinghies
 

Perkins Cove

Perkins Cove is a charming fishing village on a quaint peninsula in Ogunquit, Maine within York County. Settled in the early 1600’s, it was originally called Fish Cove. Many years later, around 1900, it became Perkins Cove.

 
Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, Maine adorned with traditional multi-colored lobster trap floats, fishing gear, and a prominent Harbormaster sign
 

It still thrives as a fishing village, with an artist community and magnificent views of the ocean. It has also become renowned for its delicious seafood.

 
Marginal Way walkway in Ogunquit, Maine
 

One of Perkins Cove’s most famous attractions is The Marginal Way, a 1-1/2 mile Cliff Walk with stunning views of the rocky coast and Perkins Cove. It’s a gorgeous stroll with many spots to take photos of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. We visit every year we are in Maine.

 
outdoor waterfront dining table set with a plate of fried shrimp, a fresh garden salad, refreshing drinks, and a bottle of Corona Light, capturing a scenic lunch scene from Jackie’s Too in Perkins Cove, Maine
 

Jackie’s Too restaurant is one of our favorite places to dine in Perkins Cove. The food is very good, the service is amazing, and the views of the water, with The Marginal Way in the distance are “picture perfect.” The coconut margaritas, ice cold local beer, seafood and the spicy fried shrimp are so good that I’m tempted to head back for lunch before next August. The best part: they allow dogs!

 
Portland Lobster Co. seafood restaurant on Long Wharf in Portland Maine
 

Portland

Portland is an eclectic vibrant city that is easily walkable. Here you’ll find delicious local beer from breweries and distilleries, cozy coffee shops, scenic walks, history, art, and food that draws people in from all over. Portland has great restaurants and an abundance of excellent seafood. If you like culture, there is an art scene and plenty of shopping too! There is something for everyone to enjoy.

 
Wharf Street in Portland's historic Old Port district, featuring iconic cobblestone surface and multi-story red brick commercial buildings
 

Portland is situated on a peninsula in Casco Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. At Gulf of Bay you can enjoy a beautiful ocean view with a delightful breeze of salty air off the water. Take a quick ferry over to Peaks Island for lunch and treat yourself to ice cream.

 
Rigby Yard cafe and bar on Wharf Street in the Old Port district of Portland, Maine
 

A must for us is going to a pub on a gorgeous Wharf Street lined in charming cobblestones. Get a coffee and a delicious cinnamon bun at Rigby Yard or a cold beer and lunch. The Staycation beer is a favorite of ours.

 
outdoor drinks at The Porthole restaurant in Portland Maine
 

We had lunch on the water at The Porthole, a lively restaurant with a casual vibe overlooking the bay. On the weekends, there is music and plenty of screens showing all types of sports. They are pet friendly too! If you are bringing your dog, there are beaches, parks, and other restaurants that are also pet friendly.

 
A list of things to do in Portland Maine
 

Explore

Take a Ferry ride

Shop in town

Eat lobster

Stay fit with a nice walk around town

See the lighthouse

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