An hour away from Boston and 3 short hours away from Connecticut and Rhode Island, lies another magical New England town Kennebunkport, just over the border into Maine. After growing up in Connecticut, spending my beach days in Rhode Island and living in Boston for 8 years, I have a strong and intimate relationship with the ins and outs of Southern New England. Getting to explore a new and magical place made me see there is so much more to see as you drive up north in New England. This summer, we were fortunate enough to visit Kennebunkport, Maine.
From shades of pink sunsets to starry nights, we were able to experience this gorgeous coastal town while staying at a gem tucked away just minutes from the bustles of town, The Lodge on the Cove.
While Kennebunkport is no secret to many travelers, our trip came at a time where the town and all its beauty sat peaked in the height of summer. Seeing Maine was a vacation for my mini family and our last ‘baby moon’ adventure until we have a newborn in tow. I was also lucky enough to have a few girlfriends with their littles join us to explore Kennebunkport.
Where to Stay
The Lodge on the Cove, one of eight Kennebunkport Resort Collection properties, was the absolute perfect place to stay for all of us. Transforming you back to memories of your childhood, The Lodge on the Cove is a vintage motor lodge decorated with a modern twist, clean colors and all the fun details you need to have the perfect family vacation.
Driving through the town at dusk, we arrived late to such a warm and personalized welcome from the Lodge on the Cove both at check in and in our room. Our spacious room had a special treat for Bailey waiting inside. Soon in a hula skirt and flower crown, she was dancing and jumping on the soft beds in our coastally decorated turquoise room that overlooked the pool and the cove. Excited to explore as any 5-year-old would be, we darted around the property to find not only gorgeous views but a complete clubhouse equipped for entertaining kids of any age and followed our noses to the smell of roasting marshmallows.
The next day our girlfriends arrived as we eagerly waited by the pool enjoying treats from the Dory. What I loved about the pool at the Lodge on the Cove, is that the restaurant folds out into the pool area so parents are able to sit back and enjoy a cocktail or milkshake while watching their kids splash around just a few feet away. The pool was equally stocked with pool noodles as it was flavors of refreshing and fun beverages.
After dinner fun was always right there for our littles ages 3, 4 and 5. From games to s’more’s during golden hour, the Lodge on the Cove provided you with a wonderful Maine vacation exactly the way you imagined it.
Be sure to check out the entire Kennebunkport Resort Collection with 8 beautiful and unique properties to meet your travel needs. Each property stunning and 100% Instagram worthy 😉
Things to Do
One of the things I loved about Lodge on the Cove was that you could select an enhancement to your stay for the kids. From superhero treasure hunts to beach coming adventures, they provided you with all you needed. Picking up free parking passes for the local beaches at the front desk, the first day Bailey and I were off to explore Mother’s Beach.
Mother’s Beach is one of 3 beaches conveniently located just 9 minutes away from our hotel. With easy parking, a large and beautiful playscape and a place to use the bathroom, we parked it on the beach for the day. Coastal scenery surrounded us while Bailey made new friends and collected shells in the tide pools. We wandered down the coast line to the other two beaches to scope out the perfect place to watch a sunset later on.
Later on in the week we headed out to Goose Rocks Beach, a strip of serenity on a quiet cove to play in the water. Sunset cruises, Whale Watching Tours, Sailing and Lobster Fishing were all in arms reach of Kennebunkport. The bustling little town including Porter Square and Ocean Ave is a great area to take in the colors of Kennebunkport, poke around in the shops and grab lunch or an ice cream cone.
Where to Eat
Chock full of delicious options from the freshest seafood caught earlier that day to Asian fusion, the town and surrounding area of Kennebunkport is no short on foodie feasts. Since this was our first trip to the area, we kept dinning to the immediate area.
The Dory Restaurant at the Lodge on the Cove was our go to for eating pool side. It was so nice for us to be able to sit, sip and eat while the kids played in the pool. It almost felt like a built-in babysitter right at the resort! With a light menu including salads, sandwiches and burgers the Dory is a great place to stop by for lunch even if you’re not staying but want to dine al fresco. As a mom, I was also happy with the Dory’s pricing. Kids meals were $8 per a meal and included all the little one’s needed. The freshly muddled mint in my Arnold Palmer didn’t hurt either 😉
For breakfast, our pick downtown was the upstairs bistro serving up approachable comfort food in Dock Square, Salt and Honey. Breakfast and Lunch is served until 2 pm for those late morning risers. While Joey went for the Skinny Burrito, I stuck to my firm belief in starting the day with pancakes and had Erin’s Wild Maine Blueberry Pancakes with Lemon Curd.
A lunch on vacation is always best quick and filling so we kept it classic on the Kennebunkport River Bridge at The Clam Shack. This walk-up window service has been famed since 1968 with seafood steamed in seawater from the river. Rumor has it the Secret Service stops by to pick up when the Bush family is in town.
While the list of dinner option is long we tried a few classics during our stay. David’s KPT serves up contemporary cuisine waterside along Dock Square. Their deck offers one of the best water views in town. Enjoy Maine dining at its finest and finish up just before sunset to walk over to the bridge on the river as the sky lights up shades of pink, purple and orange.
We visited Ports of Italy twice during our stay mostly for my cravings of simple Italian food! You will find delicious pasta’s and pizzas at Ports of Italy. Start off with the Burrata and fresh arugula and on to a main course of hearty Bolognese. This is a great place for a date night if you are able to sneak away for a glass of vino and fresh pasta, as prices for kid’s meals are a bit too high for cheese pizza. Helpful note, if you have small children have them share a pizza as they are big enough for 2.
When your craving for tacos calls (and honestly when doesn’t it?) head on over to Pedro’s. This fun atmosphere with fantastic margarita’s will have you happy in a second. After the owner spent 20+ years immersed in Mexican cuisine on the West Coast, he brought the traditions and most importantly the food, back to Maine. The Guacamole is a must try.
We also stopped by the patio of Ryan’s Corner House Irish Pub along Western Ave. Easy dining, live music on the patio and some of the most delicious loaded baked potato skins I’ve ever had! Another great option along the Kennebunkport River.
At every mention of my trip to Kennebunkport, I was told over and over “you’ve got to visit Rococo’s!” Rococo offers hand crafted ice cream in artisan flavors. This isn’t your grandmothers ice cream. Smooth and creamy, the flavors change daily. Bailey went for salted caramel while Joey and I ordered a ‘flight’. I highly recommend ordering the flight of ice cream to experience something different such as Goat Cheese Blackberry Chambord or Sweet Avocado Cayenne. Maine’s Whoopie Pie was one of our favorite flavors while the Chili Chocolate gave a kick! Definitely a fun way to do dessert. Across the street is also a Ben and Jerry’s for those that have kids that can’t live without their vanilla bean and sprinkles.
This post is in partnership with the Lodge on the Cove.
All photography by Jenny Meassick and Joe Resignato and is copyright by Chocolate and Lace, LLC.
I would love to hear your Kennebunkport recommendations for our trip next summer! If you’ve enjoyed this post please use the buttons below to share on social.
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