Ogunquit means “beautiful place by the sea”
in the Abenaki language, and this artsy little resort town on the coast
of southern Maine sure fits the bill. Located 35 miles south of Portland
Maine, Ogunquit is a 4 square mile town with 3 miles of lovely white-sand
beaches. Its origins as an art colony ensure that there are a number
of good galleries and art museums to enjoy, and the Ogunquit Playhouse,
where legends like Betty Davis, Basil Rathbone and Claudette Colbert
once performed, is still packing them in after 73 years.
Outdoor adventure in and around Ogunquit is just a short trip to the
beach. There are cruises and charted deep-sea fishing trips to take,
ocean kayaking to enjoy and swimming in the brisk Atlantic surf or peaceful
back-cove waters. Visitors have lots of beaches to choose from. Ogunquit
Beach is a fine white sand beach within shouting distance of the summer
art colony (please don’t shout at the art colony). Moody Beach
is a poplar swimming area, as is Wells Beach, which is near a marsh
and bird watching area.
Speaking of Wells, the Wells Reserve contains fields, woods, marsh and
beach, all of which is set aside for wild plants and animals. Visitors
who wish to see the reserve or hike its 7 miles of nature trails should
stop by the Visitors Center and decide on a guided or self-guided tour.
The nearby Wells Beach Resort Campground is close to both Ogunquit and
Kennebunkport Maine, and has all the modern facilities for campers who
want to rough it, but not that rough.
Gay and Lesbian travelers will be happy
to know that the friendly and progressive little town of Ogunquit Maine
has welcomed them and their families for over a century.
History lovers will be fascinated by the Old York Historical
Society, which preserves buildings, records and artifacts from York,
Maine, the oldest chartered city in the United States (1632) and one
of the earliest English colonial settlements in the area.
