This summer I am taking advantage of the kids being out of school and really trying to travel with them whenever I can. They’re at the perfect age when we can really all have fun together and they can (for the most part) appreciate their new surroundings. Last week we traveled up the East Coast to Kennebunkport, Maine. We visited a few years ago with the kids and fell in love with it, so decided to make another visit.
The town is small, beautiful and quaint. It’s full of so much history, gorgeous architecture, and of course, a lot of lobster.
We took a lobster tour upon arrival in Kennebunkport. It was super educational and you really learn so much about lobstering. I wish I’d gotten more photos, but it was super windy and quite informational that I didn’t have a chance to take out my camera. And the kids wouldn’t go near the lobsters that we caught in the trap. Fun Maine Lobster fact: When applying for your lobster license, each person is given a buoy to design. The buoy is what they attach to their boat and to each trap. The design on the buoy is how they determine which trap in the ocean is theirs. It’s best to keep the design as simple as possible because they are in charge of painting all of their buoys (which can be hundreds for the commercial lobsterman.)
While in Kennebunkport we stayed at The Lodge on the Cove. It’s a family-friendly hip hotel that is nestled in the woods in Kennebunkport. The site is actually a refurbished motor lodge and offers so much for the entire family. Between the food, games, and the pool, The Lodge on the Cove could’ve kept us at the resort for our entire stay.
The kids spent hours in the pool. It had a large shallow area that was perfect for Macks and Avery to practice their swimming while the deeper area was wonderful for Harlan to perfect her cannon ball. I loved that it was so intimate that I felt relaxed lounging poolside while the kids played.
They could’ve played corn hole for hours. It’s so funny to watch their faces as they threw the bean bags. I loved all of the family-friendly outdoor activities that the Lodge on the Cove offered. And because the resort is so intimate, there was never a wait to play with anything.
We spent a lot of our time in The Dory, the restaurant at the resort. Not only did it offer great fun and delicious drinks (rootbeer floats and milkshakes were a fav,) but the games were a hit with everyone!
The Club House had the perfect hip yet vintage vibe for board games and even a record player (complete with a TON of records) to play some tunes!
We made sure to take advantage of all that the town of Kennebunkport. We shopped in all of the shops and of course had to make a stop at the famous Clam Shack for dinner. While MacKay dined on their famous lobster roll, Harlan and I had the full lobster dinner. This was the freshest lobster I’ve ever had (the Maine seawater came out of the shell when I cracked it.) We made it a goal to try to eat lobster at every meal while we were there and Kennebunkport makes it easy to do so. Seriously it’s so good.
The kids loved walking around the town and seeing everything. And we always made sure to stop at the local fudge stop each night for a nightly candy fill.
Each night before we headed to bed, we’d enjoy the bonfire at The Lodge on the Cove and the s’mores that they provided for all of the families. It was the perfect treat and such a great way to end a great day. Harlan also made sure to always get in a little bike ride in the parking lot. The Lodge on the Cove offers complimentary bikes during your stay, and with Harlan just learning to ride a bike without the training weeks, she took advantage. It was such a fun thing for her to do during our stay.
The front porch of our room was a favorite place to hang out. The kids would sit and enjoy the view and our bikes were right outside so we could just pick them up and go.
For our last two trips to Kennebunkport, Maine, we’ve been fortunate enough to visit the Bush family on Walker’s Point. MacKay has been close with the family for many years. And every time I see President Bush and Mrs. Bush, I am always in awe. They are both such wonderful people.
If you’re looking for a place in the Northeast to bring the family, you will not be disappointed in Kennebunkport. With the beaches, the history, the shopping (make sure to stop at H.B. Provisions for a whoopie pie,) the activities, the wonderful places to stay, and the food, there is so much to do for the whole family, you’ll always wish you had more time to stay. We loved it so much this time that we’re already planning our next trip out next summer!
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