Ogunquit — the name means "beautiful place by the sea" — is southern Maine's beach-and-art town. It is walkable, welcoming, famously LGBTQ-friendly, and built around one long stretch of sand and one gorgeous cliff path.
What Ogunquit is good for
- Ogunquit Beach — over three miles of soft sand, with warmer, calmer water than much of the Maine coast.
- The Marginal Way — a paved 1.25-mile cliff walk along the ocean connecting downtown to Perkins Cove, a working cove of lobster boats, shops and restaurants.
- Ogunquit Playhouse — one of the country's best-known summer theaters, drawing Broadway-caliber shows.
- The Ogunquit Museum of American Art, perched over the water.
Best time to visit
Summer is the beach season and the town is at full tilt. Spring and fall are quieter and lovely for the Marginal Way, and the theater season runs into the fall.
Where to stay in Ogunquit
Stay near the beach or up by Perkins Cove — a seasonal trolley connects the whole town so you don't need to move the car. Summer weekends fill up, so book ahead. Compare options on the Ogunquit where-to-stay map.
Getting there
Ogunquit sits in far southern Maine, about 1 hour 15 minutes from both Portland and Boston, just off I-95.
Best for: beach-goers, couples, theater fans, and anyone wanting a walkable, easygoing coastal getaway.