Kennebunkport: Coast, Nature and History

Kennebunkport offers several distinct highlights for a stay: trails through protected areas, coastal scenery, access to the water and historical tours. If you’re looking for hotels in Kennebunkport, you can start by considering which of these interests will shape your trip. Attractions range from individual trails and large protected areas to coastal views and guided introductions to local history.

Protected Areas, Trails and Coast

Visitors can hike and snowshoe at Emmons Preserve. The stone-dust trail from the trailhead to the labyrinth is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. The Batson River Trail runs 1.8 miles from the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust headquarters to Tyler Brook Preserve. Smith Preserve covers more than 1,100 acres and has ten miles of recreational trails. It primarily serves as a wildlife habitat and is suitable for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and birdwatching. The Batson River Trail is a single route with endpoints; by contrast, the ten miles at Smith Preserve refers to the recreational trails across the entire area.

Goose Rocks Beach offers miles of white sandy beaches, views of the Atlantic Ocean and the islands, and harbor seals. At the Grist Mill Property, there is public access to Mast Cove; the property also has a public boat launch for canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. The Grist Mill Property is within walking distance of Lower Village.

Lighthouse and Local History

Goat Island Lighthouse was built in 1833. It is owned and maintained by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust and is located in Cape Porpoise Harbor within Kennebunkport. During the summer months, visitors can reach the lighthouse by boat or view it from the landing at the end of Pier Road in Cape Porpoise. As this visitor access is seasonal, check the latest information in advance.

White Columns is a Victorian house dating to 1853. Guided tours let visitors see the original furnishings and also explore Kennebunkport’s shipbuilding and maritime traditions. The guided tours of Dock Square offered by the Kennebunkport Historical Society focus on a different subject: social, cultural and architectural history. Check the current schedule for these tours before visiting.

At Log Cabin Road in Kennebunkport, the Seashore Trolley Museum has preserved four miles of the Atlantic Shore Line route between Town House Square and Biddeford. The public observation gallery at the Donald G. Curry Restoration Shop lets visitors see vehicles currently being maintained or restored. The George H.W. Bush Hometown Collection is a one-day, single-room exhibit about President George H. W. Bush in Kennebunkport.

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