Ogunquit, Maine: Things to Do, Stay & Eat

Ogunquit, Maine, combines a long beach with a compact village, a coastal walking path and an established arts and theater scene. The beach, Marginal Way and Perkins Cove give a short visit three clear anchors. Decide which matters most before choosing a room: a village address and a place near the cove can produce different daily walks.

Quick facts

Region: Southern Maine Coast
Best months and seasons: Summer supports a full beach-and-evening itinerary.
Nearest airport:: Portland International Jetport (PWM), about 32 miles in a straight line.
Top draws: Ogunquit Beach; Perkins Cove; Ogunquit Museum of American Art
Nearby towns: Compare Wells for a more spread-out beach stay; Beaches and historic York; A separate Nubble Light outing

Ogunquit, Maine, pronounced oh-GUN-kwit, is a beautiful small town located in the southern part of the state, known for its beaches and thriving arts community. The summer resort's name means "beautiful place by the sea" in the Abenaki Indian language. The town is in York County, and had a population of just 892 people as of the 2010 consensus. Ogunquit is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Area.

Thankfully, for visitors, the town is easily accessible via the Portland International Airport. There are many tourists that visit Ogunquit specifically from the Hamptons and other parts of New York each year. In July 2016, there was an article published in Bloomberg that named Ogunquit as one of several “Maine coastal destinations being visited by trendsetters and gentrifiers.” This drew national attention to the small town (and many new tourists).

In terms of Ogunquit’s townspeople, the household medium income for a family was $56,731 in 2010. The per capita income for the town was $34,289, with about 1.2% of families and 4.2% of the population ranking below the poverty line. Additionally, Ogunquit has become a destination for LGBTQ tourists, with numerous LGBTQ-owned and -operated hotels, restaurants, bars, theaters and other businesses.

The town has a total area of just 15.25 square miles and is drained by the Josias and Ogunquit Rivers. The highest elevation in town is just over 160 feet above sea level in several locations and the lowest elevation is sea level along the Atlantic Ocean coastline.

Ogunquit Beach is ideal for families, where tourists are often seen creating sand castles, flying a kite, splashing in the waves, collecting sea shells or playing catch. It also ranks as one of the prettiest 3.5 miles of beach in the country and is on the list of Top 25 Beaches in the US on TripAdvisor. The middle section of Ogunquit Beach is known as Footbridge Beach because it is accessed by a footbridge that crosses over the Ogunquit River.

One of the most popular regions of Ogunquit is Marginal Way. This 1.25-mile trail offers spectacular views of Maine’s coast, is neatly paved, and allows visitors to overlook beautiful cliffs. The path also leads to the town’s shopping area, specifically Perkins Cove, which has an outdoor mall with jewelry, clothing and candle boutiques.

The town works hard to keep its public areas in great condition, and has very strict laws around where dogs are permitted. Specifically, the town states that dogs are not permitted on the Ogunquit Beach area from April 1st to September 8th, or on the Marginal Way from April 1st to September 30th. Fines are around $150 per volition.

Visitors often love Ogunquit's animated Main Street which is lined with ice cream parlors and candy shops, theaters and interesting shops. The town also has a lively bar and club scene as well as an active summer theater and art scene. Ogunquit has a great number of galleries and museums, considering the small size of the town.

5 Fast Facts About Ogunquit, Maine:

Ogunquit has been referred to as the most walk-able community in Maine, so a car is not a necessity.
Visitors don’t want to miss the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, which has been named “the most beautiful small museum in the world.”
The town has been named a “top beach town” by Yankee, Travel and Leisure, and Coastal Living magazines.
The Ogunquit Playhouse, which began as a renovated garage in town square, is known today as America's Foremost Summer Theatre, attracting Broadway actors like Sally Struthers, Carson Kressley and Andrea McArdle.
The summer population swells to an estimated daily average of 75,000 to 80,000 people!

For a southern-coast visit, the Southern Maine Coast Itinerary: A Three-Day Weekend gives York, Ogunquit and the Kennebunks a full day each without changing hotels every night.

For a beach-led stay, the Maine Coast Guide: Which Beach Town Should You Choose? compares Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, York and Old Orchard Beach by the holiday each supports.

For travel dates, the Best Time to Visit Maine: A Month-by-Month Guide compares beach, foliage, wildlife, city and winter trips rather than assigning one best month to every region.

For a beach day, the Ogunquit Beach Parking, Maine: Lots, Rates and Access compares Main Beach, Footbridge and North Beach entrances with the town’s 2026 lot rates.

Planning notes

At a glance

Ogunquit also has a long history as an LGBTQ vacation destination, reflected in its guesthouses, restaurants and nightlife. That social side is part of the town’s character alongside the shore and galleries.

Things to do

About Ogunquit

Ogunquit is an incorporated town in York County, Maine. Its population is 1,577 in the 2020 Census, measured for the whole municipality. Use the Ogunquit municipal website for town-office contacts, public records, meeting notices and local services.

Ogunquit’s beach and Marginal Way are central to its visitor appeal.

Choose your beach approach

Ogunquit Beach and the Footbridge Beach access offer different ways to reach the shore. The latter crosses the Ogunquit River on a footbridge. Choose by your accommodation and transport plan. Beach parking and the walk from your room are practical parts of the day.

Walk Marginal Way to Perkins Cove

Marginal Way follows the rocky coast between the village side of town and Perkins Cove, with places to stop and look out to sea. The paved surface does not make every approach or section suitable for every visitor; use current access information if steps or gradients matter. Perkins Cove adds shops and waterfront scenery at the far end.

Make an arts plan

The Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit Museum of American Art and local galleries offer reasons to spend time away from the sand. Choose a production or exhibition that interests you and give it a place in the itinerary. Theater tickets and museum opening days require their own planning, especially outside the main visitor season.

Getting there and around

Route 1 runs through Ogunquit, but a driving arrival does not mean you need to move the car between every central stop. Map the route among your room, the beach and dinner before booking. Excursions to neighboring towns or accommodation outside the village may still require transport.

When to visit

Summer supports a full beach-and-evening itinerary. Spring and fall can suit walks and arts visits, provided the particular venue is operating. Winter changes the selection of visitor businesses. The shore remains the setting, but cold, wind and surface conditions determine whether a long coastal walk is an appealing plan.

Common questions

Can you walk from Ogunquit village to Perkins Cove?

Yes, on the Marginal Way.

The paved path runs a little over a mile along the shoreline between the village end of town and Perkins Cove, with benches and open ocean the whole way.

It is level enough for most walkers, closed to bicycles, and busiest in the middle of the day, so early morning is the calm version.

Can you walk from the village to Perkins Cove?

Marginal Way connects the village side of Ogunquit with Perkins Cove along the coast. Allow time for stops.

Is Ogunquit LGBTQ friendly?

Yes, and it has been for decades.

Ogunquit is one of New England's best-known gay-friendly resort towns, and that history shows up in the guesthouses, bars and nightlife clustered around the village.

Visitors of every kind mix easily here; the town's reputation is for being welcoming rather than for a separate scene.

Is the Ogunquit Playhouse worth going to?

Yes, if you like musicals.

Popular runs sell out, so book before you arrive rather than hoping for seats on the night.

Where do you eat lobster in Ogunquit?

Perkins Cove is the obvious place to start.

All three run long waits in midsummer, so eat early or late, or order at the counter and take it outside.

Is Ogunquit a good choice beyond the beach?

Yes. Its theater, art museum, galleries and coastal walk can anchor a visit. Choose dates around the actual performance or exhibition you want, since a beach-season reputation does not establish every venue’s hours.