Weekend Coastal Maine Road trip with kids
Maine has always been on our bucket list and during the long Fourth of July holiday, we decided to spend a weekend exploring Coastal Maine.
We spent four days exploring lighthouses, charming coastal towns, and eating all things lobster.
Since we only had a few days on our weekend coastal Maine road trip, we chose to spend more of our time exploring the Southern and Mid-coast of Maine.
On the blog, I will share our weekend coastal Maine road trip with kids starting in York, winding our way up to Rockland Maine along Route 1, which is the best scenic route to take along coastal Maine.
You can choose to add a few of these Maine points of interest on your New England road trip, or choose a specific place in Maine, and spend some time fully exploring the area.
If you plan on visiting Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, I suggest planning a one-week trip to Maine instead. Coastal Maine is huge and takes time to fully explore.
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What to pack for Maine
When planning a family trip to Coastal Maine, keep in mind that the coastal areas can get very cold and windy.
During our weekend visit to Maine, it was raining on and off, windy and so cold! Thank goodness we came prepared! Here is a list of some of our must-haves on a road trip through Maine:
- Rain Jacket
- Rain Boots
- Waterproof camera
- Umbrellas
- Light sweaters
- Waterproof backpack
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Where to stay
When planning your coastal road trip through Maine, I highly recommend you book your hotel stays in advance.
Hotels in Maine during the summer can get pretty pricey, especially in some of the more popular places like Portland and Bar Harbor.
We chose to stay just outside of Portland in Ogunquit and Bath Maine, which was perfect because we love the small-town feel.
Booking.comNubble Lighthouse
The first place we visited on our weekend coastal Maine road trip with kids is the Nubble Lighthouse along Cape Neddick in York Maine.
The Nubble Lighthouse (Cape Neddick Lighthouse) was built in 1879 to protect mariners from Maine’s rocky coastline.
It sits on a rocky islet called Nubble Island off Cape Neddick Point and is absolutely stunning! The Nubble Lighthouse is open year-round with free parking, public restrooms and a small gift shop.
The island and the lighthouse are not accessible to the public, but you can enjoy the amazing views. Fox’s Lobster House is also located right by Sohier Park and serves lobster, chowder, and ice cream.
Ogunquit/ Ogunquit Beach
On our weekend coastal Maine road trip we decided to split our stay in some of the smaller towns of Maine. We chose to stay in Ogunquit for part of our visit and I’m so glad we did.
Ogunquit is such a charming coastal town in Maine, with miles of sandy beaches, scenic coasts, and cute boutique shops.
You can easily explore Ogunquit on foot or take the trolley which makes frequent stops along Main street and the beach.
We chose to stay at the Ogunquit River Inn because of its proximity to the beach. Ogunquit beach has miles of soft white sandy beaches with lots of opportunities for some fun in the sun.
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It’s the perfect beach in Maine for families with its calm and shallow waters. There is ample parking with a daily rate between $25-$35, public restrooms, a gift shop, a snack bar, and restaurants as well.
Don’t miss a stroll along the scenic 1.25-mile coastal walking path along the Marginal Way. This scenic walk takes you along the center of Ogunquit to Perkins Cove.
This is one of the most beautiful walks along the scenic coastline with beautiful views of the beaches, ocean, and harbor.
Kennebunkport Maine
One of our favorite places we visited in Maine is the charming town of Kennebunkport. We spent part of our day exploring one of the most beautiful towns in Maine.
There are so many cute boutique shops here, and of course lots of dining options as well.
Dock Square is the heart of Kennebunkport, and where you will find boutique shops selling everything from Maine souvenirs to handcrafted jewelry, and the popular Sea bags.
There are also lots of restaurants along the square and you can find parking here as well.
We parked at the Dock Square parking lot located behind Alisson’s restaurant. Make sure to come early to ensure a spot. It got pretty crowded later in the day!
The town of Kennebunkport is so picturesque and you can easily explore it on foot.
Some fun things you can do in Kennebunkport are whale watching and sailing cruises, kayaking and boat rentals, guided tours, sightseeing, and more.
Don’t miss the seafood at the Clam Shack, they serve the best fried seafood and lobster rolls.
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Two Lights Lighthouse
After our visit to Kennebunkport, we decided to visit the Two Lights lighthouse which is located less than an hour away.
The Two Lights lighthouse is located along Cape Elizabeth, close to the Portland Head Lighthouse as well.
Built in 1828, the Two Lights or (Cape Elizabeth lighthouse) used to have two twin towers that once helped mariners out at sea. One was a fixed beam, and one was flashing.
Today only one is left and is located at the Two Lights State Park, which encompasses about 41 acres along a rocky coast with amazing views of Casco Bay and the Atlantic ocean.
While you are here make sure to eat at the Lobster Shack at Two Lights. They serve the best lobsters and lobster rolls with the most amazing views, and their whoopie pies are to die for as well!
Portland Head Lighthouse
Since the Portland Head Lighthouse was just a short drive away from the Two Lights lighthouse, we decided on visiting both on the same day during our weekend coastal Maine road trip.
The Portland Head Lighthouse is one of the most stunning lighthouses we’ve seen with the most dramatic landscape and scenery.
It is located along the Fort Williams Park on Cape Elizabeth with ninety acres of parks to explore. There are lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation here apart from the lighthouse.
There are picnic areas, hiking, and more with the most amazing ocean views. You can even explore some of the historic spots along the park which include some of the old Fort Batteries, Goddard Mansion, and more.
The Park is open year-round with free admission, but there is a parking fee. We loved strolling along the Cliff Walk which goes along the rocky coast with the most scenic views of the ocean and lighthouse.
You can also visit the museum and gift shops, which are open (Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm), and (Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm).
Museum fees: $2.00 for adults, and $1.00 for children ages 6-18, Children under 6 are free! Portland Head Lighthouse is located at 12 Captain Strout Cir, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107.
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Portland Maine
Another must-visit place on your weekend coastal Maine road trip with kids is Portland Maine. Portland is one of the biggest cities in Maine but still has a charming old-town feel.
We loved strolling around the Old Port with its cobblestone streets and charming storefronts, and is also known for its 19th-century architecture.
There are lots of boutique stores and dining options here, and all along the waterfront as well.
Some of the must-eat places are Duckfat, Central Provisions, Standard Baking Co., and the Portland Lobster Co.
One place not to miss when visiting Portland Maine with kids is the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine.
Tickets must be reserved in advance online here as they are limiting the capacity at the moment.
Your timed entry tickets entitle you to a three-hour block of play, with access to three floors of state-of-the-art exhibits.
You can also book a separate theatre performance ticket as well, just make sure to reserve tickets ahead of time here.
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Bath Maine
During our family road trip through Maine, we chose Bath as our base to explore more of the mid-coast region of Maine.
Bath was listed in the Smithsonian Magazine as one of the “15 best small towns to visit in 2021”, and felt like one of the towns in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
The town of Bath has long been known as the “city of ships” since shipbuilding has been one of the town’s main industries and continues today.
The Bath Iron Works is located here and is one of the nation’s leading shipbuilders for the U.S. Navy.
One place to learn more about Bath Maine’s history is at the Maine Maritime Museum. A visit to the museum helps visitors to understand Maine’s maritime heritage and culture with hands-on activities for all ages.
You can also explore some of the outdoor exhibits at the museum which includes the country’s only surviving shipyard where large wooden sailing vessels were once built.
The outdoor exhibits also include the full-size sculpture of the schooner Wyoming, which is the largest wooden sailing vessel ever built in North America.
Another attraction to visit in Bath is Maine’s First Ship museum. See the reconstruction of “the Virginia” which was built in 1607, and is the first English ship built in America.
The Visitors Center is open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-2pm, and admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Make sure to take a stroll around Main Street and admire the architecture and peruse the many charming boutique stores and restaurants.
It’s a quiet town and is the perfect place if you’re trying to avoid the more touristy spots in Maine.
We loved watching the sunsets along the waterfront, sitting in one of the many Adirondack chairs all along the park. It’s such a peaceful spot in town!
Wiscasset Maine
Wiscasset was the perfect detour on our coastal Maine road trip. We made a stop here on our way to see the Pemaquid Point lighthouse and it was such a cute coastal town.
We stopped by Treats for some breakfast pastries and coffee and they were so delicious.
Don’t miss the lobster rolls at Reds Eats which have been voted the best lobster rolls in Maine! Be prepared for lines though as this is such a popular spot.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Another must-see lighthouse to add to your coastal Maine road trip is the Pemaquid Point lighthouse.
Commissioned by John Adams in 1827, the Pemaquid Point lighthouse is another stunning lighthouse along the coast of Maine.
Located in the town of Bristols, the lighthouse also has a Fisherman’s Museum you can visit on the first floor.
There’s a $3 admission for 12 and over, $1 kids 5-12, and free for kids 4 and under. There is a huge parking lot and public restrooms as well. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy your meal with the most amazing coastal views.
Pemaquid Point lighthouse is located at 3115 Bristol Road New Harbor, ME 04664 and is open Mon-Sun 9:00 am – 5:00 pm from early May – to late October.
Rockland Maine
Rockland is another detour in Maine to add to your New England road trip itinerary.
Known as the “lobster capital of the world”, Rockland is the biggest lobster shipping center in the world so make sure to have some lobster here if you’re not already tired of eating them!
On our visit, we decided to take a stroll along Main Street and peruse the many cute boutique shops, and art galleries.
One event to look forward to here is the Maine Lobster Festival which takes place sometime during the first week of August at Rockland’s Harbor Park.
There are also lots of dining options in Rockland as well. Since we were already lobstered out (if that’s even a word) we decided on having breakfast for lunch at the Rockland Cafe.
Some other food recommendations are Archer’s on the Pier, Home Kitchen Cafe, Waterworks Restaurant, and Rustic.
Another thing to add to your visit to Rockland Maine is a boat tour. There are many to choose from at the nearby Maine State Ferry terminal which offers tours to nearby islands.
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Owls Head Lighthouse
Another fun lighthouse to visit on your coastal Maine road trip is the Owls Head Lighthouse. Built in 1825, the Owls Head Lighthouse sits atop the rocky coastline of Rockland Harbor 100 feet above the water.
You have to climb some short steep steps up to get to the lighthouse, but once you make it up, you are greeted with the most amazing views!
Below the lighthouse, you will find the Keepers house, which houses a small gift shop and is now the home base for the American Lighthouse Foundation.
There is a short scenic hike to get to Owls Head and free parking as well. There are no restrooms at the lighthouse, but public restrooms can be found by the parking lot.
Since the lighthouse is located along Owls Head State Park, you can make your way down to the rocky beach as well. It’s such a beautiful and serene spot to take in the views.
The Owl Head Lighthouse is located at 186 Lighthouse Rd, Owls Head, ME 04854, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed Tuesdays).
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3 Comments
Julie
Maine looks amazing! This is such a good guide. I def wanna take our kids here someday!
Amanda Emmerling
I’d love to visit Maine with kids. These are such great ideas- saved for later!
Adriane
OMG, these photos are amazing! Such great detail in this post. I can’t wait to visit.