Top 12 Things to Do in Ogunquit

A harbor in Ogunquit, ME

If you’re a fan of relaxing and enjoying the coastal scenery when partaking of a seaside vacation, then Ogunquit is the place for you. Meaning “beautiful place by the sea” in Abenaki, Ogunquit is certainly that.

But if you also like to take part in activities you otherwise don’t have time for when back in the 9-to-5 grind, you won’t be disappointed with the myriad options on offer for your precious downtime.

Ogunquit is known for its LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, its walkable center of town, its beautiful beaches, and its dining, shopping, and arts scenes.

Take a look at all the things to do in Ogunquit, courtesy of this helpful map:

Take a peek at this rundown and plan your travel itinerary—because there are always plenty of things to do in Ogunquit. Here are our favorites:

Poke around Perkins Cove

Lined with over 30 restaurants, galleries, and shops, Perkins Cove is not only a tourist destination in its own right but also an Instagram-worthy working fishing village; this quintessential cul-de-sac of iconic coastal imagery and charm is typically mobbed during the summer months—so you may want to park in one of the lots just before you turn off Route 1A.

The Cove is also the starting point for the famous Marginal Way (see below). Pro-tip: If you choose to walk the Way, you’ll probably work up an appetite…so go to Barnacle Billy’s for a lobster roll and chowder, and be sure to order one of their signature rum punches to enjoy while sitting on the deck and gazing out at the famous Perkins Cove Footbridge—which is still raised by hand—over the constant boat traffic below.

Stroll the Marginal Way

Beginning in Perkins Cove and wending northward along the coast to its terminus at Ogunquit Village, this 1.25-mile trek is a well-tended cliff walk that affords breathtaking, up-close views of the Atlantic to one side, and the impressive edifices and beautifully maintained gardens of multi-million-dollar homes to the other.

Historic mansion Anchorage By The Sea on Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine

The walk is relatively easy and family-friendly; it can become bottlenecked in high season with busloads of visitors, so bring your patience, your walking shoes, and your phone for pictures of the crashing surf just a bit beyond the tips of your toes.

Get Sand Between Your Toes

Ogunquit has the benefit of two beautiful beaches—both of which have appeared on several “Top Beaches in the U.S.” lists—to enjoy. Popular for its soft sand and kid-friendly, gentle surf, Ogunquit Beach is 3.5 miles long and tends to be the busier of the two locations. The Ogunquit River empties into the ocean at the end of this beach, making it a great spot for floating and tubing.

Footbridge Beach is quieter and is located at the north end of Ogunquit Beach; there are public restrooms and take-out dining options accessible to both beaches, and there also are places to rent chairs, umbrellas, and floats.

Take in a Show

Regardless of what image pops into your head at that phrase, Ogunquit can make it happen. Every summer season, The Ogunquit Playhouse features a lineup of off-Broadway classics and theater hits; the iconic Leavitt Theater offers live music, comedy, and film presentations; lively Mainestreet has a rotating lineup of fantastic drag shows; and both Jonathan’s and The Front Porch feature live weekly entertainment.

Source: Ogunquit Playhouse Facebook Page
Ogunquit Playhouse’s Young Frankenstein

Shop ‘til You Drop

Offering everything from homemade candy and candles to upscale clothing, jewelry, toys, and everything in between, be sure to bring your gift list when visiting Ogunquit. You can’t walk more than a dozen steps without passing by some sort of retail shop, which ensures that there is something for everyone here.

For one-of-a-kind locally-made gifts, check out Perkins Cove Pottery, On the Main, and Revelations; for top-quality clothing for the whole family, head to This Is It or The Lazy Daisy; and for jewelry or fine art, try Sea Glass Jewelry Studio or Grace Oliver.

Admire—or Acquire—Art

Whether your art preferences lean toward oils, watercolors, and acrylics or wood, glass, metal, and stone, there’s a gallery for you in Ogunquit.

You’d need to dedicate an entire week’s vacation to properly tour them all, so do your homework and map out your visits.

Check out the Ogunquit Art Association’s fascinating, diverse exhibitions at the Barn Gallery; for an eclectic collection of objects d’art, try Abacus or Panache; and the Scully Gallery is a great option if you are looking for breathtaking renderings of Maine’s rugged beauty.

Ogunquit Museum Of AmericanArt | Photo via ogunquitmuseum

Spend a Day Antiquing

U.S. Route One in Southern Maine is renowned for antiquing opportunities…and the portion that runs through Ogunquit is no exception.

If you’re an antique aficionado, rejoice and prepare to enjoy the thrill of the chase for that elusive treasure you didn’t know you needed to have.

Just to name a couple: Hutchins’ Antiques, which is an antiques mall of sorts, with multiple dealers and booths, and Uniques and Antiques, a cozy shop in Perkins Cove that not only sells antiques, heirlooms, and collectibles, but also carries a bespoke, handmade collection of holiday swags, wreaths, and garlands.

Don Your Walking Shoes

When you’ve had enough sand between your toes, brush off your feet, grab your hikers, and head to one of these popular preserves, both properties of the Great Works Regional Land Trust.

The beautiful, half-mile meadow loop trail at Beach Plum Farm Preserve is the perfect spot to bring the family for lovely views of the ocean as well as the Ogunquit River; bring a picnic, as there are plenty of tables available for public use.

Payeur Preserve offers a 1-mile, wooded loop trail with gentle slopes and open wetland meadow views.

Muse through Museums

Opening for its 70th season in the summer of 2023, the Ogunquit Museum of American Art (OMAA) caters to art lovers of all ilk by “acquiring, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting American art.”

Overlooking Perkins Cove, this local gem features over 3,000 permanent works of modern art as well as ongoing, rotating exhibitions and an oceanfront sculpture garden.

The Ogunquit Heritage Museum is located in the historic Captain James Winn house, where you’ll find all manner of exhibits and archives related to the town’s rich past and arts-centric heritage.

Rest Your Feet

If you want to see Ogunquit’s sights but don’t have the energy to hoof it everywhere, ride the Ogunquit Trolley.

Whether using it simply to get from point A to point B in town, or relaxing while playing tourist, you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a stop for this popular local icon.

It’s a great way to get around and learn about the area all in one go—and you don’t even need to change out of your flip-flops.

See Ogunquit from the Water

If you’ve already ticked all of the above boxes, then make sure you leave time for a water tour of Ogunquit. It’s the best way to get a completely different perspective on the town’s beauty—and, bonus—no bumper-to-bumper Route One traffic.

Finestkind Scenic Cruises, Silverlining Sailing, and Sail The Gift all launch from Perkins Cove and feature a variety of experiences such as scenic cruises, cocktail sails, and charter trips.

Finest Kind Scenic Cruises | Photo via finestkindsceniccruises

Rent a Surfboard or Kayak…

…and if you don’t know how to do either sport, you can sign up for lessons at Liquid Dreams surf shop.

Everything you need for a gnarly day on the water is on offer here for purchase or to rent, including surfboards, bodyboards, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, wetsuits, and more.

And, since all of these activities are sure to whet your appetite, be sure to stop into the on-site Caribbean bar & grille, Hook’s Chill and Grille.