Ogunquit - Beautiful Place By The Sea

Ogunquit - Beautiful Place By The Sea
36 Main Street, PO Box 2289, Ogunquit, Maine 03907 (207) 646-2939

Picture a postcard...a pristine beach, waves crashing into granite cliffs, evergreens rising above the birch trees. Now, picture yourself in the postcard. Known to the Abenaki tribe as "beautiful place by the sea", Ogunquit is forever living up to its name.

Whether it's a breathtaking view of the seascape, an image of a lobster boat passing through the hand-operated drawbridge in Perkins Cove, or one of Ogunquit's fragrant and meticulously manicured gardens…there's a potential postcard with every step.

Artists discovered Ogunquit's inspirational scenery over a century ago. They helped transform the quaint fishing hamlet into one of the most picturesque and enjoyed seaside resort villages in New England.

While the artist's provide an array of fine collectibles and artwork sought throughout the East Coast and displayed in our intimate museums, it's the world-class beach and magnificent coastline that attract visitors from around the globe.

The mouth of the tidal Ogunquit River separates three miles of white sandy beach from the craggy granite ledge which dives into the Atlantic. Millions of visitors have walked the Marginal Way, a scenic cliff-walk that meanders along the ocean for over a mile.

Ogunquit has everything for every type of traveler. Lodging choices range from cozy B&B's and inns to fine hotels, resorts and spas. Theater lovers flock to the many playhouses for the summer stock performances. Shoppers rave about the assortment of galleries, boutiques and gift shops and discriminating diners have an abundant selection of fine restaurants to satisfy nearly every taste - including lobster!

Recreation enthusiasts love Ogunquit because our front yard is an ocean and our backyard is the "Vacationland" known as Maine. You can try deep-sea fishing, cast a rod into the river, even learn about trapping lobster with a licensed captain or play a round of golf at some of New England's top rated courses. Sailing, sea kayaking and whale watching are popular activities as well as hiking nearby Mount Agamenticus or the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm.

Whether it's a romantic retreat, a family escape to the beach or an outdoor adventure, Ogunquit is your premier destination.

Ogunquit Beach

With the building of a bridge across the Ogunquit River in 1888, visitors began flocking to this magnificent 3½ mile expanse of clean, powdery white sand. Ogunquit residents, soon becoming fearful that their treasured beach would become inaccessible and privately owned with the proposed development of homes and amusement parks, daringly petitioned and pleaded with the State Legislature to cede the area between the Ogunquit River and the ocean to the Town. This was eventually granted and, at a cost of some $45,000, the entire area was acquired and designated a public park. As of 1938, Ogunquit's lovely beach was one of only two municipally owned beaches in the State of Maine. Because of its vast expanses, the town continues to guard, maintain and oversee its preservation and has limited entrance to the beach from just 3 locations: the Main Beach, with access from Beach Street; Footbridge Beach, reached from Ocean Street via a lovely, arched pedestrian bridge, and Ogunquit North Beach abutting Moody Beach and accessed from Bourne Avenue in Wells. It is not uncommon to find visitors and residents alike standing awestruck on this immaculate, uncluttered stretch of silky sand, preserved for future generation to marvel at such beauty.

copyright © 2007 Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce