Kennebunkport
A southern Maine seaside town of clapboard captains' houses, with the Bush family compound on the point beyond.
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Kennebunkport was a shipbuilding and trading port before it was a resort, and the Federal and Greek Revival houses along Maine Street were built by captains and merchants on that money. Dock Square at the centre is now shops and restaurants around the river bridge. Walker's Point, a headland east of town, has been the Bush family compound since the 1900s and is visible from Ocean Avenue, which is why a slow line of cars passes it in season. The Seashore Trolley Museum nearby holds a large collection of streetcars, several running on a demonstration line. Goose Rocks Beach is the long sand beach; parking there is permit-controlled.
What you actually see
- Captains' houses on Maine Street - Federal and Greek Revival.
- Dock Square - the shops and restaurants at the bridge.
- Walker's Point from Ocean Avenue - the compound seen from the road.
- The trolley museum - streetcars, some running.
When to go
June to October; foliage in early October. Half a day.
Honest expectations
Summer traffic through Dock Square is slow and parking is hard and paid. Beach parking needs permits. Prices are resort-level. Much of the town closes down in winter.
Nearby
Ogunquit is south; Portland is north.
What to pack for Kennebunkport
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.