Ogunquit. Maine, is a great place for a historical vacation, with its trolley transit, museums and tours of historical homes and businesses in nearby Kennebunkport. But this seaside village in southern Maine has much more to offer than history. Ogunquit also has great beaches, fishing and water sports, plenty of shopping, golf and, of course, famous Maine lobster.
The Kennebunkport Historical Society offers one-hour guided tours of historical sites. Self-guided tours are also offered. Tours showcase Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian architecture.
Tour the Nott House, build in 1853, and an example of Greek Revival architecture. The home is a time capsule, with original furnishings, wallpaper and artifacts. The Town House School displays a New England one-room schoolhouse. The building served as a school until 1951. At the Benson Blacksmith shop, visitors can see what a true working blackshop operation looked like. The Old Jail Cells, near the school, show that prisoners didn’t have many luxuries. The Clark’s Shipwright’s Office served as a busy shipping yard and now displays artifacts of this time.
The Ogunquit area also is home to the Seashore Trolley Museum on mass transit. Ride the trolley system and visit the Town House Restoration Shops and watch volunteers work restoring old trolleys. The museum also displays examples of all types of transit from across the globe.
The Ogunquit Museum of American Art features hundreds of art works as well as musical performances, lectures, tours, films and book signings. The 7,500-square-foot museum is home to a 1,600-piece permanent collection.
Visit the Wells Reserve -- more than 2,200 acres for research, education and recreation. The reserve has seven miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails with access to woodlands, fields, wetlands, dunes and beaches. Don’t miss the reserve if you’re a birdwatcher or a photographer.
Because Ogunquit is a seaside town, it has miles of beaches and plenty of ocean kayaking, parasailing, canoeing and ski jet rentals. Or find a charter boat and try your hand at deep-sea fishing or fly fishing. Many rentals can be found at Perkin’s Cove, the quaint shopping area at the end of Ogunquit's famous Marginal Way seaside hiking trail.
For golf enthusiasts, the Ogunquit area boasts 10 golf courses. The Ledges Golf Club in nearby York allows players to see wildlife while playing the par-72 course.
Head to Federal Jack’s for beers brewed at the Kennebunkport Brewing Company, conveniently located beneath Federal Jack’s. Try the sampler and get a taste of all the brewery has to offer or take a brewery tour.
Stroll along Main Street to see many of the town’s shops, such as Abacus with jewelry, gifts and candles, or Animal Instinct, featuring games and souvenirs. Perkin’s Cove also has many shops. Visit Dock Square Clothiers for apparel or Out of the Blue for nautical items. And, about an hour away, the L.L. Bean store is open 24 hours a day.
