Things to Do in Ogunquit, Maine: My Long Weekend Guide

If you’re planning a trip to Ogunquit, Maine, you’re in for a treat!

We spent four nights in Ogunquit, which gave us enough time to walk Marginal Way, shop around Perkins Cove, take a day trip to Kennebunkport, spend an afternoon doing absolutely nothing by the pool, and somehow eat seven lobster rolls in four days. I took my research very seriously.

And after spending several days exploring the area, I think Ogunquit deserves more of your time than you might expect. There’s plenty to do without packing every day full, which is exactly what I want from a summer trip to Maine.

If you’re trying to figure out the best things to do in Ogunquit, Maine, where to eat, where to get the best lobster roll, and whether Kennebunkport is actually worth the day trip, here’s everything I would do again, plus a few things I’d do differently.

Ogunquit at a Glance

If you don’t want to read the entire guide, these were the standouts from our trip:

Best thing to do: Walk Marginal Way to Perkins Cove

Best lobster roll: Footbridge Lobster — 9.6/10 and I ate three of them

Best breakfast: It’s a very close call between Cove Cafe and The Greenery Cafe

Don’t miss at Cove Cafe: Blueberry French toast

Don’t miss at The Greenery Cafe: Blueberry pancakes

Best dinner with a view: M.C. Perkins Cove

Best steak: The Front Yard

Best ice cream: Blueberry pie ice cream from Big Daddy’s

Where we stayed: Cliff House Maine

Best day trip: I’d personally choose Portland over Kennebunkport unless there’s something specific you want to do in Kennebunkport.

The Best Things to Do in Ogunquit, Maine

Walk Marginal Way

This oceanfront walking path runs along Maine’s rocky coastline and connects Ogunquit with Perkins Cove. We walked it around sunset our first evening and then again when we were heading into Perkins Cove.

I love that you don’t really have to treat Marginal Way as a separate “activity.” You can grab breakfast, walk Marginal Way to Perkins Cove, spend the morning shopping, and get a lobster roll for lunch.

It makes for a perfect slow Ogunquit morning without feeling like you’re running from one tourist attraction to another.

If you’re visiting during the summer, I’d go earlier in the morning if you can. You’ll avoid some of the crowds, and then you’ll already be in Perkins Cove when the shops start getting busy.

Spend a Morning in Perkins Cove

Perkins Cove was one of my favorite areas to walk around in Ogunquit. It’s filled with restaurants, small shops, galleries, and places to stop for seafood, and it’s compact enough that you don’t need to dedicate an entire day to it.

We walked here via Marginal Way and spent the morning wandering around before getting lobster rolls for lunch. If you’re driving, there’s a parking lot nearby that gives you a pass to come back later if you’re done for the day but coming back for dinner. You can also take the trolly around for about $5!

Some of the shops we stopped at were Perkins Cove Pottery, Perkins Cove Candies, Perkins Cove Bookshop, Kiki’s, and Maine Originals.

I’d give yourself a few hours here and combine it with Marginal Way and lunch.

Go Shopping in Downtown Ogunquit

Don’t save all of your shopping for Perkins Cove! Downtown Ogunquit is very walkable and filled with boutiques, gift shops, restaurants, and coffee shops. This is one of the reasons I don’t think you need to schedule every minute of a trip to Ogunquit.

Leave yourself some time to walk around and pop into places that look interesting.

Spend Time at Ogunquit Beach

One thing I’d add to our next Ogunquit trip is more dedicated beach time! Ogunquit is known for its long stretch of white sandy beach.

If you’re staying somewhere without a pool — or you just want a classic Maine beach day — I’d build a few hours here into your itinerary.

Summer parking can be tricky, so if you’re staying somewhere that allows you to walk or use local transportation, take advantage of it.

Take a Boat Tour From Perkins Cove

This is probably the biggest Ogunquit activity I wish we’d had time to do. Boat tours leave from the Perkins Cove area, so you could easily make an entire morning or afternoon out of walking Marginal Way, shopping in Perkins Cove, getting lunch, and then heading out on the water.

If I had one more full day in Ogunquit, this would be high on my list.

Have a Pool Day

We stayed at Cliff House Maine, which made spending an afternoon at the pool especially easy. There’s a family-friendly pool if you’re traveling with kids, plus a separate pool with an infinity edge overlooking the ocean. It’s beautiful and serene, perfect for relaxing!

I was about 8 months pregnant during our stay so the downtime was much needed. I also saw several couples there on their babymoon! It’s the perfect destination for a relaxing babymoon.

Get Blueberry Pie Ice Cream at Big Daddy’s

Maine is known for their blueberries and we were there during peak blueberry season. One of the most memorable things we ate on this trip besides lobster rolls was the blueberry pie ice cream from Big Daddy’s.

We could NOT stop thinking about it afterward!

The Best Lobster Rolls I Tried in Ogunquit

It wouldn’t be a trip to Maine without a lobster roll. Or, apparently in my case, seven lobster rolls in four days.

Like I said, I took my research very seriously.

We tried lobster rolls around Ogunquit and Kennebunkport, plus one poolside at our hotel, and I started rating them as we went.

My ideal lobster roll has big pieces of fresh lobster, a well-buttered and toasted bun, and just enough mayo to hold everything together without overpowering the lobster.

Here’s how the ones I tried ranked.

1. Footbridge Lobster

My favorite lobster roll of the entire trip.

I had a feeling Footbridge Lobster was going to win before we even got there. I looked at so many lobster roll photos while planning this trip because I can tell if one is going to be good just by looking at it.

The lobster was incredibly fresh with HUGE pieces of meat, and the ratio of lobster to bun was exactly what I wanted.

I ordered mine with both butter and mayo, which was new for me but now my favorite way to order a lobster roll.

I liked it so much that I ate three Footbridge lobster rolls during our trip, including one right before we drove home. If you only eat one lobster roll in Ogunquit, this is the one I’d get.

Rating: 9.6/10

2. The Clam Shack

This was the biggest surprise of the lobster roll tour.

The Clam Shack in Kennebunkport is all over social media, and I almost didn’t go. I assumed there was a very good chance it was overhyped.

I’d also seen people complain about the round bun instead of a traditional split-top lobster roll bun.

I was prepared to be disappointed and I was very wrong.

The bun was perfectly toasted and buttered, and the lobster was incredibly fresh and tender. There was a lot of tail meat, which I especially loved because it’s so sweet.

I ordered the butter-and-mayo combination here too, and once again, why is this not more common?!

At first, I thought the lobster-to-bun ratio might be off because the lobster didn’t extend all the way to the edges. But when I finished eating, I only had two tiny pieces of bun left. The ratio was pretty spot-on and this one absolutely lived up to the hype.

Rating: 9.4/10

3. Brix + Brine

Yes, I ordered my seventh lobster roll in four days at Brix + Brine. For research purposes, obviously.

The lobster itself was incredibly fresh, with big chunks and a generous amount of meat. I also really liked the tarragon aioli (similar to the one I make in this Lobster Cobb Salad), which made this one different from the more traditional lobster rolls we’d been eating.

My biggest issue was the bun. It was a little too big for me and could have used more butter and a deeper toast. Also, lettuce is never necessary in a lobster roll…in my opinion.

Still a very good lobster roll, especially if you want a slightly less traditional version.

Rating: 7.9/10

4. Cliff House Poolside Lobster Roll

Obviously I couldn’t conduct a thorough lobster roll investigation and ignore the one available approximately 30 seconds from my pool chair.

The Cliff House poolside lobster roll had really fresh lobster and a great buttered bun. My only complaint was that I wanted more lobster meat and this one was more expensive than the others I tried.

Would I still order a lobster roll while sitting next to a pool overlooking the ocean? Absolutely.

Rating: 7.5/10

5. Mabel’s Lobster Claw

Mabel’s was our first lobster roll in Kennebunkport. I originally planned to make The Clam Shack our first stop, but I was so convinced it might be overhyped that I changed the plan and tried Mabel’s first.

There was a lot to like here. The lobster meat was super fresh and they gave you plenty of it. The mayo was light rather than heavy, and the toasted, buttered bun was great.

But there was SO much pepper.

I genuinely wondered if someone had accidentally gone rogue with the pepper shaker because it was enough to affect my rating.

If that was a fluke, I think I would’ve rated this one considerably higher.

I’d still give it another chance because everything else about the lobster roll was really good. We didn’t order it, but the lobster cobb salad looked really good!

Rating: 7.4/10

Where to Eat in Ogunquit

Yes, you should eat as many lobster rolls as possible. But Ogunquit has plenty of other great food too.

These were some of my favorite places we ate during the trip.

Cove Cafe

What to order: An omelette + blueberry French toast

Cove Cafe is small, so you may have to wait for a table. Go early. It is absolutely worth it.

The omelette I had here was one of the best I’ve ever had, and the blueberry French toast is a MUST. If there’s a wait, you can pop into the bookstore while you’re waiting for your table.

This was easily one of my favorite breakfasts of the trip.

The Greenery Cafe

What to order: Blueberry pancakes

Put the blueberry pancakes on your list! Easily one of the best pancakes I’ve ever had. If you’re trying to decide between Cove Cafe and The Greenery, my answer is to make time for both.

Maine Catch

Maine Catch was one of our more casual dinners, and I loved that it didn’t feel overly touristy.

We saw a lot of locals eating here when we went, which is always a good sign in a town with this many visitors. The atmosphere is relaxed, the food is great, and it’s a good option when you want fresh seafood.

M.C. Perkins Cove

If you want dinner with an ocean view, make a reservation at M.C. Perkins Cove and request an outdoor table. The views are gorgeous and the food is incredible.

I was really feeling the appetizer menu, so we ordered a bunch of apps and shared everything.

Highly recommend this strategy when the entire menu sounds good and you can’t make up your mind. It’s also an excuse to try more things, which is basically my approach to vacation dining.

The Front Yard

If you’ve reached your lobster limit — apparently there is one for some people — go to The Front Yard.

We had one of the best steaks we’ve had in a LONG time here.

It’s a great dinner option with a Mediterranean inspired menu if you want a break from the traditional Maine seafood restaurants, and I would absolutely go back.

LoveShack Juicery

After multiple lobster rolls and restaurant dinners, an açaí bowl starts sounding pretty good, especially if it’s hot out. We loved the bowls from LoveShack, but fair warning: they are HUGE. Unless you’re really hungry, you could probably share one.

Backyard Coffeehouse & Eatery

Backyard is an easy stop when you want coffee before heading out for the morning. I’d pair it with a morning spent walking around downtown rather than treating it as a whole breakfast destination.

Where to Stay in Ogunquit: Cliff House Maine

We stayed at Cliff House Maine, and the hotel is a destination in itself with stunning views, amazing cliffs you can walk out on, a beautiful pool, a spa, and a full service bar and restaurant.

The property is kid-friendly and has a family pool, but there’s also a separate pool with beautiful ocean views and an infinity edge overlooking the Atlantic.

I saw a lot of pregnant women here on their babymoon while I was there! It’s very pregnancy friendly because you won’t have to walk too much (unless you want to) and it’s very relaxing.

Even if you’re not staying at Cliff House, you can still experience the property. Go for drinks or dinner to enjoy the views, or book a treatment at the spa.

This is also why I liked having four nights in Ogunquit. We didn’t feel like we had to leave the hotel every morning and stay out until dinner just to make the most of the trip.

We could explore for half the day and then relax and enjoy where we were staying.

Is Kennebunkport Worth a Day Trip From Ogunquit?

Potentially controversial opinion: I thought Kennebunkport was overhyped.

Social media made me think we absolutely needed to dedicate a full day to it, but once we got there, I realized it was crowded and a lot of the shopping felt similar to Ogunquit.

We even saw some of the same stores and a lot of the same types of merchandise.

I’m glad we went, but I wouldn’t automatically tell someone spending a long weekend in Ogunquit that they need to dedicate an entire day to Kennebunkport.

If you have four or more days and there’s a specific restaurant, shop, experience, or beach you really want to visit in Kennebunkport, then make the day trip.

Otherwise, I would consider using that extra day to drive a little farther north and explore Portland instead. We visited a few years ago and loved it, I’ve got a whole list of Portland Maine restaurants and other things to do in Portland Maine.

What We Did in Kennebunkport

We walked around Dock Square and checked out shops including Daytrip Society, Seacraft Vintage, The Lobstore, and Sea Love.

Good Stock was another reason I specifically wanted to go because I really wanted to make a charm necklace.

We also went to Goose Rocks Beach, which has beautiful white sand and was a nice break from crowded Dock Square.

And obviously, a significant portion of our Kennebunkport excursion was dedicated to lobster rolls.

More Ogunquit Restaurants & Things to Do on My List

Four nights sounds like plenty of time until you realize how many restaurants there are in and around Ogunquit.

Before our trip, I asked friends and my Instagram audience for their recommendations and ended up with a VERY long list. We obviously couldn’t get to everything.

I haven’t personally tried the places below yet, so consider this my crowdsourced list for next time rather than a personal review!

Barnacle Billy’s

Barnacle Billy’s was recommended as another casual option for a lobster roll in Perkins Cove. It would be especially convenient if you’re already spending the afternoon in the cove or taking a boat tour.

Ogunquit Lobster Pound

If you want the full Maine lobster dinner experience rather than yet another lobster roll, Ogunquit Lobster Pound was another recommendation I received.

It’s an old-school seafood restaurant that’s been part of Ogunquit for decades and would be a fun alternative if you want a more traditional lobster dinner.

That Place in Ogunquit

That Place was another dinner recommendation I didn’t manage to squeeze in. I’d consider this for another trip, especially after you’ve had your fill of casual lobster shacks.

The Front Porch

The Front Porch is one of Ogunquit’s best-known places for dinner, drinks, and its piano bar. This would be fun for a night when you want dinner to turn into drinks and entertainment rather than immediately heading back to your hotel.

Fisherman’s Catch in Wells

Fisherman’s Catch came highly recommended but we couldn’t squeeze it in. It’s a family-owned seafood restaurant in nearby Wells known for classic Maine seafood like lobster rolls and chowder.

They also offer a traditional Maine lobster boil experience overlooking the salt marsh, which is probably what I’d try next time considering I think I adequately covered the lobster roll category on this trip.

Wells is close enough to Ogunquit that it’s an easy meal to add without turning it into a full day trip.

Scoop Deck in Wells

Scoop Deck was on our ice cream shortlist, but we ended up at Big Daddy’s instead. It’s another popular ice cream stop in Wells, so I’d keep it in mind if you’re already driving through the area.

A Few More Things I’d Do Next Time

Go to Drag Bingo at The Leavitt Theatre

The Leavitt Theatre is right in downtown Ogunquit and hosts movies, live entertainment, and events. Drag Bingo was specifically recommended to me, and I was told to RSVP ahead of time and get there when the doors open because it gets popular.

Check the current schedule before your trip since events can change throughout the season.

Get Cocktails in Ogunquit

If you’re looking for somewhere to have drinks before or after dinner, Coastal Alchemist and Corks & Cocktails were both recommended to me.

The bar at The Leavitt Theatre also came recommended, which would be easy to pair with a show or event there.

See a Show at Ogunquit Playhouse

The Ogunquit Playhouse is another well-known Ogunquit attraction we didn’t have time to experience ourselves.

If you like theater, check what’s playing during your trip and plan one of your evenings around a show.

My Ideal Weekend in Ogunquit

If I were planning the trip again for someone who only had a weekend, here’s exactly how I’d do it.

Friday

Check into your hotel and get settled.

Walk Marginal Way around sunset and then have a casual dinner at Maine Catch.

Saturday

Get to Cove Cafe early for breakfast and order the blueberry French toast.

Walk Marginal Way toward Perkins Cove, spend some time shopping, and get a lobster roll from Footbridge Lobster for lunch.

Spend the afternoon at Ogunquit Beach or relaxing at your hotel pool.

Get blueberry pie ice cream from Big Daddy’s and have dinner at M.C. Perkins Cove.

Sunday

Get blueberry pancakes at The Greenery Cafe.

Spend the morning exploring downtown Ogunquit or relaxing at the beach.

If you’re staying at Cliff House, give yourself a few hours at the pool.

Have dinner at The Front Yard.

And yes, somewhere in there I’d probably get another Footbridge lobster roll!

Tips for Visiting Ogunquit, Maine

Don’t over-plan your trip. Some of my favorite parts were simply walking around Perkins Cove or spending a few hours by the pool.

Make dinner reservations. Ogunquit gets busy during the summer, particularly on weekends.

Go to breakfast early. This is especially important for the smaller breakfast spots like Cove Cafe.

Walk when you can. Parking can be challenging and expensive during peak summer season, particularly around the beaches and Perkins Cove.

Plan Marginal Way and Perkins Cove together. They’re naturally connected and make an easy half-day itinerary.

Eat all the blueberries. Blueberry French toast, blueberry pancakes, blueberry pie ice cream — some of my favorite ways to enjoy Maine blueberries!

And eat the lobster rolls. Obviously.

You probably don’t need an entire day in Kennebunkport. Unless there are specific stops you’re excited about, I would prioritize Ogunquit or consider spending the day in Portland instead.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ogunquit, Maine

Is Ogunquit, Maine Worth Visiting?

Yes — and I would go back.

For me, the best Ogunquit trip isn’t about trying to hit 25 attractions.

It’s walking Marginal Way in the morning, eating an excellent breakfast, shopping around Perkins Cove, getting a lobster roll for lunch, and then having absolutely no problem spending the afternoon next to a pool overlooking the ocean.

If you’re planning a summer trip to Maine, I would give Ogunquit at least two days rather than treating it as a quick stop on the way to somewhere else.

Just promise me you’ll get the blueberry French toast and a Footbridge lobster roll!

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