It’s no secret that journey within the time of COVID-19 is a polarizing topic. Whereas a few of us can now not resist the urge to flee and resume some semblance of normalcy, others are cautious about resuming journey as standard. I’m nonetheless hesitant to get on an airplane, so for my latest Labor Day getaway, I centered on places inside driving distance of NYC. And I’m so glad I did, as a result of it gave me the chance to discover a spot I’d all the time meant to take a look at however usually postpone in favor of extra unique spots: Kennebunkport, Maine.
Kennebunkport is a shipbuilding and fishing village in southern Maine identified for its lovely seashores and scrumptious seafood, and can also be the summer season dwelling of the Bush household (#TBT). Dock Sq. within the middle of city is chock-full of cute outlets, unbelievable eating places, and unbelievable views of the Kennebunk River.
Maine is a good choice for journey proper now as a result of it’s one of many states with the bottom variety of COVID instances, and it takes security precautions very significantly. All the eating places we visited spaced out the tables and took down names and cellphone numbers of diners for contact tracing functions. Nearly everybody strolling round Dock Sq. wore masks (I even noticed a mailbox with individually packaged, free masks), and outlets inspired guests to make the most of their hand sanitizer whereas limiting the variety of customers that may very well be inside on the similar time. It’s additionally price noting that, as of September 13, Maine requires out-of-state vacationers to quarantine for 14 days or present proof of a unfavourable COVID-19 PCR collected not more than 72 hours previous to arrival, excluding New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.
How To Get There
Vacationers from exempt states can simply get to Kennebunkport by automobile. The journey from NYC took simply over 5 hours (with a brief cease for meals). We left on a Wednesday night time and hit just about no visitors. Coming again on Labor Day took us someplace between 5 and a half to 6 hours. When you’re not inside driving distance, different choices embrace flying into Portland Worldwide Jetport, which is about 30 miles away, Manchester NH Airport, which is about 75 miles away, or Logan Worldwide Airport in Boston, which is a few 90-minute drive from Kennebunkport. Amtrak additionally gives a path to Wells, Maine, which is simply ten minutes away from city.
The place To Keep
There’s no scarcity of nice choices for lodging in Kennebunkport at a wide range of worth factors. Some resorts are proper on the water close to the middle of city, whereas others are in barely extra residential areas which might be only a quick stroll or drive from the motion.
After some severe debate, we selected Captain Lord Mansion, a captivating mattress and breakfast, which was at one time the house of sea service provider and shipbuilder Captain Nathaniel Lord. What actually stood out about Captain Lord Mansion was the mix of its charming Federal-style structure with all the fashionable facilities of a luxurious lodge. It was nice being only a five-minute stroll from city—eliminated sufficient that it felt like our own residence, however shut sufficient to all of the spots on the town we wished to take a look at. The lodge was additionally meticulous about security. As an alternative of the normal sit-down communal breakfast, every morning we had been despatched individualized and pre-packaged breakfasts that had been home-cooked and scrumptious. I’m nonetheless fascinated by the freshly baked muffin with melted chocolate inside that I ate the primary morning.
When you’d prefer to be proper in the course of city, The Kennebunkport Inn is a well-liked alternative with an unbeatable location within the coronary heart of Dock Sq.. When you’re a seashore bum, The Tides Seashore Membership is the one waterfront lodge on Goose Rocks Seashore, which is without doubt one of the most beautiful seashores within the space. Consider, although, that you just’ll be 5 to 6 miles from Dock Sq., so until you’re going for a Forged Away vibe, having a automobile can be key in the event you select this lodge and need to discover the guts of Kennebunkport. Every lodge’s webpage particulars its security precautions, so you’ll be able to examine and resolve the place you’re feeling essentially the most snug.
How To Get Round
One in all Kennebunkport’s promoting factors is its walkability. Nearly the entire hottest spots are inside strolling distance of one another. That stated, it was helpful to have a automobile when exploring Goose Rocks Seashore and a number of the extra distant eating places. Although we didn’t have the necessity for an Uber or Lyft, they are often tough to return by.
One standard different to a automobile is to hire a motorbike. It’s so standard, in reality, that once we tried renting bikes for enjoyable for a half-day, Coastal Maine Kayak and Bike had none left! We did snag two of the few remaining bikes at Kennebunkport Bicycle Firm, although, however in the event you’re dedicated to biking, it’s finest to guide early on throughout your journey or probably make a reservation prematurely.
The place To Eat
One of many important causes I journey is for meals, and my favourite a part of planning any journey is mapping out every night time’s dinner. Kennebunkport didn’t disappoint. Not solely are the lobster and seafood choices unbelievable and recent, however you may also discover locations to eat that vary from an off-the-cuff shack to a multiple-course prix fixe dinner.
Our favourite spot was Mabel’s Lobster Claw. The ambiance was quaint and informal, with two giant outside eating sections below tents. Mabel’s is a favourite of the Bush household and different well-known names. I overheard a waitress telling one other desk that Martha Stewart and Patrick Dempsey had been there earlier that week. After consuming there myself, I can attest that the meals is certainly definitely worth the hype. The New England clam chowder was creamy and loaded with clams, and the lobster was perfection. For dessert, Mabel’s gives a blueberry pie that includes Maine wild blueberries, that are smaller and extra flavorful than your typical blueberry. I’m not usually an enormous fan of blueberries, however after this pie, I’m a wild blueberry convert! FYI, they shut for the winter beginning September 27th, however they need to open again up in April.
For a splurge meal, it’s price trying out The White Barn Inn Restaurant. They provide a four-course prix fixe dinner that mixes native elements with the inventiveness of a Michelin star restaurant. The service was impeccable and worthy of the hefty price ticket, which is greater than I can say for a number of the different costly eating places within the space (ahem, Earth at Hidden Pond). This was certainly one of our solely indoor eating experiences, however my issues had been assuaged after I noticed how far aside the tables had been.
For lunch someday, we went to Arundel Wharf, which has a big outside seating part on the water. The seafood was unbelievable, the vibe was informal, and the service was excellent.
There’s an ongoing debate about the place to get the very best lobster roll in Kennebunkport. Maybe essentially the most broadly touted spot is The Clam Shack, which is a literal shack within the middle of city that has a protracted line of patrons at seemingly each hour. We loved our rolls, however didn’t actually perceive the obsession. (I truly most well-liked the half-pint of fried shrimp we ordered as an appetizer.) A extra underrated roll, completely loaded with beneficiant chunks of lobster (an necessary consideration given the worth), was the one at Arundel Wharf. However in the event you’re like me and like a scorching, buttered Connecticut-style lobster roll to the normal Maine fashion that’s chilly and blended with mayo, this gained’t be your jam.
Whereas some locations are informal and appeared to have availability for walk-ins, it’s finest to make dinner reservations prematurely, particularly in the event you’re seeking to catch the sundown at waterfront spots like Alisson’s and Hurricane.
Final, however definitely not least, you could courageous the road and seize ice cream at Rococo Ice Cream on the town not less than as soon as. Rococo has a collection of 14 artisan flavors that rotate each day, in contrast to something you’ve ever seen earlier than. With flavors like Goat Cheese Blackberry Chambord to Candy Avocado Cayenne, you’ll be pleasantly shocked at how good one thing so seemingly unusual tastes within the type of ice cream. It’s additionally a woman-owned enterprise, so we have now no alternative however to stan.
What To Do
Kennebunkport is a well-liked summer season vacation spot, particularly for New Englanders, so the city was bustling with individuals once we stayed there. Whether or not you’re seeking to merely lounge on a seashore, or get extra lively, there’s lots to do inside and outdoors of city.
Maine has numerous lovely seashores. When you’re on the lookout for one thing near city, Gooch’s Seashore and Mom’s Seashore are one and two miles respectively from Dock Sq.. Due to their proximity to city, they’re standard and may get a bit crowded. For our seashore day, we opted to drive the 5 miles to Goose Rocks Seashore, which is a phenomenal sandy seashore that, although additionally standard, was a bit much less congested than these near city. We did do a fast journey to Mom’s Seashore one night time earlier than dinner to catch the unbelievable sundown. Parking on the seashores generally is a little bit of a ache and also you’ll want a move from one of many close by kiosks, so it’s finest to get there both early or later within the day so you’ll find a spot with out considering homicide.
Maine additionally has numerous lovely nationwide parks, with one of the crucial well-known being Acadia Nationwide Park. Nevertheless, that’s one other three to 3 and a half hours north of Kennebunkport. We didn’t need to make that sort of a drive, so we opted for a extra native and off-the-beaten-path choice for our dose of nature: a forest remedy guided stroll. Forest remedy is impressed by the Japanese follow of “forest bathing”, or shinrin-yoku, and encourages individuals to activate all of their senses and immerse themselves within the pure world. A number of the advantages of forest remedy embrace a lift to the immune system, decrease blood strain, and leisure. It was simply the escape we would have liked after dwelling by means of six months of the dumpster fireplace that’s been 2020.
For informal drinks and a enjoyable, energetic outside patio, we spent a few hours one afternoon at Previous Vines Wine Bar. The service was nice they usually had enjoyable, dwell music.
In case my meals obsession wasn’t already obvious, we spent one afternoon doing a foodie strolling tour, which was an effective way to get to know the city and familiarize ourselves with the native delicacies. We sampled clam chowder, the aforementioned Federal Jack’s lobster roll, tried native mead (also referred to as honey wine), had hand-roasted espresso and macaroons, and capped the day without work with whoopie pies, the official state deal with of Maine. How I’d gone 30-plus years with out ever attempting a whoopie pie is a disgrace that may stick with me for years to return.
Dock Sq. has numerous cute outlets with native provisions. One in all our favorites was Maine-ly Drizzle, which featured numerous distinctive infused olive oils and vinegars that you could possibly pattern (the stations had been often cleaned and refreshed and just a few patrons had been allowed in at a time).
Itinerary
Day 1
☆ Test into lodge
☆ Discover the city, both by yourself or with the foodie strolling tour
☆ Catch the sundown at Mom’s Seashore
☆ Dinner at Arundel’s Wharf
Day 2
☆ Spend the day at Goose Rocks Seashore
☆ Late afternoon ice cream at Rococo’s
☆ Dinner at Mabel’s Lobster Claw (automobile wanted in the event you’re staying close to Dock Sq.)
Day 3
☆ Forest remedy guided stroll (automobile wanted in the event you’re staying close to Dock Sq.)
☆ Lease bikes and trip alongside Gooch’s Seashore
☆ Late afternoon drinks at Previous Vines Wine Bar
☆ Dinner at White Barn Inn (automobile wanted in the event you’re staying close to Dock Sq.)
Photos: Amanda Reiss