About Kennebunk Maine

Located about 90 miles north of Boston and 25 miles south of Portland, Kennebunk is a small, coastal fishing town seemingly lost in time. Founded in 1621, early settlers focused on fishing, trading, agriculture, ship building, and light manufacturing. To the Native Americans who lived there, the Abenaki Indians, the name Kennebunk meant the “the long cut bank” – derived from the long unspoiled bank behind Kennebunk Beach. It’s town center is located along the Kennebunk River.

Rich in tradition and history, the area is referred to fondly by locals and visitors alike as “The Kennebunks” – an intersection of four seaside communities: Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel and Cape Porpoise. Each features unique charm and atmosphere, from gently rolling beaches and quaint shops dotting cobble-stoned streets to spacious seaside mansions now doubling as bed and breakfasts that were originally built more than a hundred years ago by shipbuilding and manufacturing barons.

Things to do while you’re there

Located in York County, Maine, Kennebunk has become a popular seaside tourist destination combining a small district of souvenir shops, art galleries, inns, bed and breakfasts, hotels, and seafood restaurants famous for fresh lobster caught in the ocean only a few miles off shore.

From the Lower Village along Ocean Avenue to Cape Porpoise and Goose Rocks Beach, the area bustles with activities, events, and cultural attractions designed for any taste and budget, regardless of the time of the year.

For tourists, the “Kennebunk’s” top five attractions include:

• Christmas Prelude, a town within a town where the wonders of Christmas are celebrated in stunning displays of festive lights and lavish decorations.
• The Clark Shipyard Office. Established around 1850 and used on and off till the early 20^th century, the building became part of the Kennebunkport Historical Society in 1977.
• The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, run by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service comprises more than 14,000 acres along 50 miles of coastline of York and Cumberland counties. The area allows for hiking, limited hunting and fishing, and the ability for visitors to take in the wonder of many endangered wildlife species like birds, the Piping Plover, and rabbits, the New England Cottontail.
• Finally, tourists to the area can enjoy individual or guided tours of The Sea Captains Mansions on Summer Street, or visit the famous Mousam and Kennebunk rivers for walks along the beach or other events.