Top 12 Things to Do in Kennebunk

Not to be confused with Kennebunkport, Kennebunk—or “the only village in the world so named”—is a vibrant, coastal town that has many faces.

Just over a mile from the beach, Kennebunk’s Lower Village has a plethora of amenities attractive to visitors and tourists, such as beaches, shops, galleries, restaurants, and upscale lodging, yes. But Kennebunk is also home to a host of other more practical businesses, like banks, grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, and hair salons, thanks to the town center’s proximity to Interstate 95 and State Route One.

No matter what time of year and which area you’re visiting, there are always plenty of activities to keep you busy in Kennebunk.

Take a look at the list below, see what catches your eye, and plan your adventure itinerary. And if you plan to be in town for a while, check out the list of lodging options at the end of the article.

Map of Things to Do in Kennebunk

Check out this helpful map of things to do in Kennebunk.

Soak up the Sun

Kennebunk is home to four beautiful and distinctly different beaches. Mother’s Beach, Middle Beach, and Gooch’s Beach all require parking passes from June 15th to September 15th; these can be purchased at kiosks stationed along the parking areas.

Mother’s Beach is sandy, fairly small, and features a playground, while Middle Beach is even smaller; because it is comprised solely of water-washed stones, Middle Beach is typically the least populated.

Gooch’s Beach is long and often very busy—except at high tide when much of the beach is underwater.

Parson’s Beach, located a five-minute drive south of the above three beaches, is a sandy, privately-owned beach that is open to the public; parking is free but limited, and you may have to park on the main road and walk more than a half-mile to get to the beach.

Mosey Through a Museum

The Brick Store Museum is located in downtown Kennebunk on Route One and is open to the public year-round, featuring fascinating artifacts and rotating exhibitions about regional history, culture, and art.

Originally built as a dry goods store in 1825, the striking brick structure was inherited by the builder’s great-granddaughter, who turned it into a museum in 1936, making it one of very few in the country to open during the Great Depression.

She later purchased the three surrounding buildings to add to the museum’s display space; now all four are open to the public, and the low admission fees support ongoing operations.

Hike Through History

Offering a free, self-guided walking tour of Kennebunk’s many historical sites, the Museum in the Streets program was initiated in 2012 and consists of 25 informative display stations throughout town and an accompanying tour map.

Don your walking shoes, pack a lunch, and do it all in one go, or take your time and do a few visits per day…it’s up to you.

Linger with Literature

If the weather won’t cooperate with your outdoor plans, then head over to the Kennebunk Free Library and while away the hours in the fireplaced reading room with a literary classic or a local author’s latest release.

There is always a jigsaw puzzle out and waiting to be worked on by anyone who cares to try, and the Speer’s Gallery on the first floor showcases rotating exhibitions of local artists’ work.

Admire an Abundance of Art

Perhaps due to the inspiring presence of the sea, Kennebunk is home to an embarrassment of riches when it comes to talented artists.

Galleries and studios by the dozens call the area home, and you can check out several in one outing by exploring the Art Trail of the Kennebunks and the Maine Art Hill. And we’re not just talking paintings of boats and waves, here.

Expect to see fascinating pieces in every medium imaginable—and be sure to bring your wallet, because chances are you’ll fall in love with the perfect handcrafted memento of your trip.

Snap Selfies at an Architectural Icon

Add a five-minute stop-off to your itinerary and pull over on Summer Street in front of “the most photographed house in the state of Maine.”

The original brick structure now called The Wedding Cake House was built in 1825 and presented to 4th generation shipbuilder George Washington Bourne as a wedding present from his parents; he added the iconic lacy woodwork over 25 years later.

Amble through Architectural Salvage

Folks that are ambitious enough to take on the restoration of a historic home know this is the place to go when they need a specific construction item for their project.

But The Old House Parts Company is also a great spot to spend an hour or two wandering the many jam-packed rooms full of architectural elements and random antiques and décor.

Entire rooms full of doors, windows, lintels, mantels, millwork, and ironwork, yes—but also period hardware, lighting and plumbing fixtures, furniture, and so much more.

And that’s just inside the building—you can easily spend another hour outside exploring reclaimed treasures; I even saw stacks of varnished parquet panels from a disassembled bowling alley there.

Wear Out Your Walking Shoes

If easy hikes are your cup of tea, Kennebunk has you covered.

Most of the options in town are flat, picturesque, and easy to get to—perfect for families and picnics.

There are multiple properties protected by the Kennebunk Land Trust and Conservation Trust to choose from, but my favorite walk is at the Franciscan Monastery, smack between Gooch’s Beach and Lower Village, and within walking distance to both.

Linger in Lower Village with Local Libations

Often confused and conflated with Kennebunkport’s Dock Square, Kennebunk’s bustling Lower Village is located just over the bridge and full of shops, galleries, restaurants, and lodging options, all within walking distance of each other.

And, if you enjoy a tipple or two during long shopping excursions, why not sip locally-crafted quaffs? Enjoy local mead at the Honey Maker Mead Room, sip house brews at Federal Jack’s, and raise a toast with craft-made spirits at Batson River Distilling.

Meander the Outdoor Markets

If you’re in town between May and November, you’re in for a treat. Grab your reusable shopping bags and head to the Kennebunk Farmer’s Market downtown for a bushel of local flavors; you’ll see everything from fresh produce, baked goods, kombucha, and eggs to local meats, cheeses, maple syrup, flowers, and honey.

And then head across Main Street to the open-air Waterhouse Center, where you’ll find the expansive Kennebunk Artisan’s Marketplace.

Over two dozen local artists market their diverse wares here from November to March…and if you’re in town during the off-season, grab your ice skates and whirl around the Waterhouse Center’s man-made rink, instead. Best of all, it’s free!

Take a Two-Wheeled Tour

A common sight in Lower Village and at the beaches during the warmer months are happy folks tooling around on colorful scooters and retro-looking bicycles, the latter complete with baskets and fenders.

If motorized two-wheeling appeals to you, rent a candy-colored scooter from Coastal Maine Scooter Rentals and tour the town in style.

Or, if you’d rather travel by pedal power at a more leisurely pace, check out Coastal Maine Kayak & Bike or Mainely Bicycle for pedal and E-bike rentals, which come with helmets and locks.