Tag: Summer

Summer: One of my favorite spots to visit in the summer is Ogunquit. This is the quintessential ocean front town with the small specialty shops, great oceanside resorts, seafood restaurants, a great beach and a gorgeous walking path that runs along the edge of the Atlantic. Ogunquit is also home to the Ogunquit Playhouse which has been providing visitors with some of the musicals and renown for “bringing Broadway to the beach” since 1933. A great way to enjoy the theater during your visit is to attend one of the Playhouses dinner and show nights. If you are looking for some great places to eat, I would recommend checking out Jackie’s Too. With amazing ocean views and wonderful food it is sure to be a hit with whoever is in your group. A walk from town to Perkins Cove is always a great way to explore some of the homes in the area. Once at Perkins Cove (the end of the road) you can pick up the Marginal Way walking path which winds along the rocky coastline and provides panoramic views of the ocean. Make sure you stop in at the candy shop in Perkins Cove before hitting the trail. They have a great collection of penny candy you can buy by the bag as well as ice cream and drinks. Perkins Cove is also home to the ever famous Barnacle Billy’s which is casual seafood dining right on the docks. Of course, you will want to spend a day on the beach and Ogunquit Beach has probably the whitest, softest sand in Southern Maine. Ogunquit is a hidden gem along Route One and definitely want to check out all this great little oceanside town has to offer.

Summer: Maine has some wonderful summer resorts and depending on what you are searching for they all cater to different needs. From ocean front to mountain base, some of these resorts reflect the old time grandeur of Maine hospitality from days gone by. If you are looking for an oceanside resort and are in the southern Maine area you may want to check out the Colony Resort on Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport. This is a wonderful representation of what resorts were like back at the turn of the century and the owners have done a great job at preserving the hotel and level of service that one would have found during that period. The rooms are beautifully decorated with antiques as well as the rest of the hotel. They have a grand ballroom which is the perfect spot for a wedding, a huge dining room with porch front dining and a saltwater pool that looks out onto the ocean. One thing to note – the rooms are not air conditioned, but the salty breeze that blows off the Atlantic cools things down nicely during the evening hours. This destination offers much to do. From golf, canoe/kayak tours, antiques, boutiques, museums and art galleries – there’s something to do for everyone. Another historic Maine resort is the Bethel Inn. Tucked in at the foothills of the Sunday River Ski Resort, the Bethel Inn is the perfect four season destination. During the summer months guest can enjoy their 18-hole golf course as part of their overnight package. The resort again is tastefully decorated to reflect the early 1900’s. The service is wonderful and it’s apparent that the staff wants to ensure everyone enjoys their stay. I found sitting in the rockers on the front porch was a great way to spend some time reading and enjoying the quiet. They also have a fantastic year-round pool area for guests to enjoy. Whether it is the ocean or the mountains that is calling you, Maine has some wonderful resorts for you to choose from!

Summer: Kittery is one of Maine’s oldest towns and is filled with seafaring history. With a history deep seated in ship building visitors once flocked to Kittery just to visit the Navy shipyard. Today visitors flock to Kittery for very different reasons, outlet shopping. Known as the “gateway of Maine” Kittery has something for everyone. Kittery Trading Post , is one of the oldest shops in town is the and though it has competition just down the road it continues to be a flagship store welcoming visitors to Kittery year after year. Kittery not only has great shopping and an interesting history but, it also has very well known restaurants. Bob’s Clam Hut isn’t anything fancy but, it sure does draw a crowd. Clams cooked to golden perfection, nothing can beat them but plan on waiting in line, they are worth it. Kittery is also home to Whaleback Lighthouse which went into service in 1837 and is visible from the shore today. Fort McClary and Fort Foster are both located in Kittery as well. Ft McClary rises high above the Piscataqua River and visitors will be impressed with the views as well as this unique historic structure. Kittery is an interesting mix of old and new, a little history, a little shopping, some sightseeing and of course you don’t want to miss out on the clams. Make it your first stop in Maine or a destination spot for the day!

Summer: Blueberry Pie, strawberry shortcake, blackberry jam nothing says summer like fresh berries and all the delectablegoodies that go along with it. Berry picking season is here, and there are plenty of places for you to find to pick your own or buy them pre-picked. In the southern half of the state check out Blueberry Hills Farm in York County. There you will find acres of high bush blueberries, fresh, ripe and ready for enjoying either straight off the bush or in your favorite recipe. Looking for some of the best red raspberries in Maine? With three different varieties, head to northern Maine and stop in at Mac’s Best Produce in Aroostook County. Blackberries are so delicious and Kings Farm in Wilton has them bursting off the bushes so pick enough to freeze and enjoy throughout the winter months. I love making a blackberry sauce to enjoy over pancakes, yum! Strawberries are red, ripe and ready to be enjoyed this time of year. If you don’t feel like picking them yourself head over to one of the farmers markets happening in your town and pick up a quart or two of any variety of these native berries. How ever you decide to get them just make a point of enjoying the fruits of this season’s harvest. Red, black or blue, pick berries just for you!

Summer: Deep sea fishing in Maine is an exciting thing to do and a fun way to spend some time out on the water and a great way to enjoy fresh fish for dinner. Haddock, cod and pollock are just a few varieties that can be caught off the gulf of Maine. There are plenty of charter companies that offer trips by the hour or by the day and charge anywhere between $65 per hour and up. Bigger n’ Better Sport Fishing out of York offers giant Bluefin Tuna Fishing just off Jeffreys Ledge. Head out early before the sun rises with live bait in tow, you can feel the anticipation in the air as the anglers vie for the “fighting chair”. These Blues can weigh between 400 to 800lbs and it’s a battle until the last reel of the line but, the net results is fresh tuna, grilled, medium rare. If fishing isn’t your thing, but your group wants to try it out you should still go because it’s a great way to spot whales off the coastline. If you have kids, check out the Lady J’s two hour kids discovery tours. This trip is designed with kids in mind using kid friendly tackle and in addition to fishing, the boat captain will also haul his own lobster trap to teach the little ones about one of Maine’s largest hauls. The Lady J runs out of Kennebunkport, which while you are there you might as well enjoy this towns charm with pastel colored shops lining the street and restaurants along the edges of the water, it’s a picture perfect place to be.