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Did Eva put your money keys in your khakis after you bought the money?
Yes, me too. But when that thick Boston accent hits you right between the ears, it’s like a wake-up call to explore more of the action-packed East Coast.
Whether it’s underrated beaches, charming small towns or some of the most iconic cities in the world, this side of the country teams up with cool places to visit.
One of these is the great state of Maine. And yes, Mainers have a distinct accent too, but you don’t have to worry about mispronouncing “clam chowdah” in a world of red shellfish.
We all know Maine as the seafood mecca, especially their succulent lobstahs (Ah, I mean lobsters!).
What is overlooked by outsiders, other than locals, are charming small towns with beautiful coastlines.
Yes, there is more to Maine than Portland.
Home to New England charm and miles of beaches, Kennebunkport is from the east coast secret gem.
Forget Portland! This Centuries-old city is the perfect getaway
Dating back centuries, well into the 17th century, this beautiful city has stood the test of time.
I know this because I took a road trip up the East Coast from Baltimore to Portland, where Kennebunkport was one of the biggest surprises, even though it was small in size.
Most similar to Newport, Rhode Island on this particular road trip, I have to admit that I only loved Newport the most because the geography required me to stop there first.
By the time I reached Portland, however, Kennebunkport was the small town I most wanted to return to: a magical, timeless place surrounded by beautiful scenery and endless shops to peruse.
Oh, and don’t get me started on the seafood.
Yes, you can enjoy all the lobster rolls you can imagine, but the best stop was an unsuspecting shack, appropriately named The Klamhut.
It’s one of those places worth queuing for – it’s that tasty! Although it is a bit pricey, in my opinion it is worth the splurge if you are a foodie like me.
Maine in general is undoubtedly a foodie destination, but there is much more here in the Kennebunkport area that will entice you to visit, especially history buffs.
Old World Charm: Time stands still in Kennebunkport
Although you won’t find the same cobblestone streets in Kennebunkport as you do in Portland, walking the streets and observing the picturesque New England architecture will take you back to simpler times when this lovely town was simply a fishing village.
Although time machines have yet to exist (come on AI, we’re rooting for you!), the closest comparison in Kennebunkport is the 20th century vintage trolley that’s open to the public.
The Intown Trolley is a fun ride through the city and showcases over 300 years of local history.
Priced at $28 for adults and $22 for children, this is a great way to explore the city for all ages. You can also book private tours.
Better yet: the Coastal Trolley Museum is a first of its kind and the largest electric railway museum.
Kennebunkport is easily accessible on foot and you never know what historical element of the town you will discover, but I have to say St. Ann’s stone chapel stood out like a sore thumb in all the best ways, pretty impressive.
2 beautiful city beaches that are kilometers long
The 2 public beaches in Kennebunkport are:
- Goose Rocks Beach
- Colony beach
Goose Rocks stretches 5km under its own power. While it certainly doesn’t have powdery soft sand like the Caribbean or Cape Cod, it is still a beautiful beach and one of the locals’ favorites for sun and sand.
The water is clean, the beaches are easily walkable and the scenery is amazing. Of course, there are also views of a typical Maine lighthouse.
Colony Beach, on the other hand, is more secluded yet close enough to have up-close access to all the city’s delights until October, before Maine’s frigid winters begin.
Plus, there may not be a better place to stay in the area than the historic beach Colony Hotel.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.