Ogunquit
Ogunquit
Southern Maine Coast

Ogunquit

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…

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 theatre 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:

  1. Ogunquit has been referred to as the most walk-able community in Maine, so a car is not a necessity.
  2. Visitors don’t want to miss the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, which has been named “the most beautiful small museum in the world.”
  3. The town has been named a “top beach town” by Yankee, Travel and Leisure, and Coastal Living magazines.
  4. 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.
  5. The summer population swells to an estimated daily average of 75,000 to 80,000 people!

Details

Hotels

Where to stay in Ogunquit

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Hotel

Old Orchard Beach

Walk to Old Orchard Pier Cozy Beachfront Condo

Steps from Old Orchard Pier and Palace Playland. Fully equipped beachfront apartment with private patio, sea views, and direct sand access.

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Hotel

Old Orchard Beach

Sea Shell

Private one-bedroom apartment steps from Old Orchard Beach and downtown. Full kitchen, fireplace, balcony. Perfect for couples and solo travelers.

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Hotel

Old Orchard Beach

Beachfront 15 Condo on Old Orchard Beach

Beachfront condo steps from Old Orchard Beach's sand and boardwalk. Full kitchen, grill, and sea views. Perfect for families and couples seeking Maine beach getaways.

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Saco

The Gregory House

Six-bedroom Victorian mansion in Saco perfect for groups, families, and events. Full kitchen, fireplace, balcony with city views. Book your Maine getaway.

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Hotel

Old Orchard Beach

Moontide Motel

Steps from the beach with clean cabins, kitchenette motel rooms, and friendly owners. Free parking, BBQ area, water park. Old Orchard Beach lodging.

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Hotel

Old Orchard Beach

Make Lasting Memories at the Bougie Beach Bungalow

Thoughtfully appointed 2-bedroom beach house steps from Old Orchard Beach Pier. Families love the games, full kitchen, and host who thinks of everything.

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Hotel

Old Orchard Beach

Old Orchard Beach Apartment

Beachfront 1-bedroom apartment steps from Old Orchard Beach Pier and Palace Playland. Full kitchen, fireplace, sea views, and on-site parking.

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Old Orchard Beach

The York

Direct beachfront apartments in Old Orchard Beach with full kitchens, sea views, and free parking. Perfect for families and couples seeking Maine's sandy coast.

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Old Orchard Beach

Old Ocean Beach Apt

Two-bedroom beachfront apartment steps from Old Orchard Beach Pier and Palace Playland. Full kitchen, fireplace, patio. Perfect for families.

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Old Orchard Beach

Sea Drift Motel

Steps from the sand with a heated saltwater pool, kitchenettes, and an owner known for genuine hospitality. The Sea Drift is where Old Orchard Beach families keep coming back.

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Old Orchard Beach

Atlantic Ocean Suites

Beachfront suites with full kitchens steps from Old Orchard Beach Pier. Indoor pool, free parking, and spacious rooms ideal for families. 9.3/10 rating.

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Old Orchard Beach

White Cap Village Unit 6

Steps from Old Orchard Beach. Kitchenette apartments with sea views, free parking, and instant beach access. Couples rate it 9.9/10.

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Restaurants

Where to eat in Ogunquit

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