Palmera GO Destination Highlight: Ogunquit, ME

There are charming coastal towns, and then there’s Ogunquit, Maine. Quite literally meaning, “a beautiful place by the sea,” in the Abenaki language, Ogunquit is heaven on earth for those who adore small, walkable towns filled with local shops, galleries, and eateries, all with oodles of character. Located on Maine’s southern coast in York County, Ogunquit’s idyllic blend of a seaside getaway, no-rush atmosphere, immense inclusivity, and inspiring scenery welcomes all types of visitors from families, couples, creatives, and more.

Arts & Culture

While Ogunquit is known as a coastal destination that attracts visitors looking to spend time at the beach, for decades it was known as the Ogunquit Artist Colony. A major player in shaping American art, the artist colony welcomed creatives looking to learn and focus on plein air painting and more natural influences at the Ogunquit Summer School of Drawing and Painting, or experiment in modernism and abstract works at the Hamilton Easter Field’s School of Drawing and Painting.

Today, Ogunquit has maintained its legacy as an artist colony, and travelers looking to dive deeper into the town’s art heritage have many opportunities to do so. Start by visiting the OMAA, or the Ogunquit Museum of American Art. Here, you’ll see the site of the original art colony, and view seasonal exhibitions in addition to a permanent collection of modern and contemporary American art, as well as a sculpture garden spanning three acres.

Continue on and explore local talent at the many galleries throughout Ogunquit. The most well-known gallery in town is the Barn Gallery. Home of the Ogunquit Art Association, founded by artists in 1928, the Barn Gallery is open seasonally and showcases rotating exhibitions, hosts an annual live auction, juried show, and gala, as well as many artist demonstrations and workshops that allow for hands-on sessions with master artists.

Enjoy art in motion at one of the Broadway plays or musicals performed at the historic Ogunquit Playhouse. Originally established by Walter and Maude Hartwig in a downtown garage in 1933, the Playhouse has been a part of Ogunquit’s creative heritage for decades. You’ll want to catch a show at this iconic summer theatre when you’re in town.

Ogunquit’s Beaches

You’ll definitely want to explore Ogunquit’s beautiful coastline while you’re visiting—who wouldn’t want a beach day? Not only does this charming coastal town boast stunning ocean views, but the beaches are often praised for having silky smooth sand, a gently sloping beach face that allows for easy wading, and a calmer atmosphere than some beaches. While the Atlantic’s water temperature is chillier along Ogunquit’s shoreline than it is in the Southeast, you’ll still have a blast on your beach day at Ogunquit Beach. We recommend checking the tide chart—the beach is very wide during low tide, and very skinny during high tide.

There are three public beach parking lots in town that charge a daily flat fee or by the hour. You’ll find private parking lots as well, but because of congestion, it’s smart to walk from your accommodations if you can. Main Beach is the most popular, offering a public restroom and restaurants right on the water. Just up the shoreline, Footbridge Beach is also a favorite. As the name might imply, beachgoers must cross a footbridge over the Ogunquit River to access the beach. There’s also Little Beach, a gem nestled in a small cove just south of Main Beach that can only be reached off of Marginal Way.

Outdoor Activities

The Marginal Way sits at the top of the must-do activity list for those visiting Ogunquit. A 1.25-mile-long cliff walk, this winding path hugs the shoreline at the top of granite, wave-cut cliffs. Wander down the walkway to the sound of waves crashing against the rocks at high tide, or take a beat to enjoy the beautiful surroundings on one of the many benches along the way. You’ll definitely understand how Ogunquit captured the heart of many an artist and became a muse for New England art in general. The Marginal Way will take you from Shore Road (close to Main Beach) to the idyllic Perkins Cove.

The Ogunquit River is a tidal river, flowing between the mainland and Ogunquit Beach. Other than simply enjoying its serene beauty, there are many ways to explore it! A common activity is kayaking, since the waters are gentle and it’s perfect for beginners or a relaxing paddle. Or, try paddleboarding—gentle waters are great to have when balancing on top of a SUP. Because it is a tidal river, we suggest you take a look at the tides since it can cause strong currents. If the water is rolling easily, try floating down the outgoing tide on a tube! Other activities include fishing, eco tours, and just plain and simple wildlife watching.

Aside from kayaking and paddleboarding, there are other opportunities to get out on the water in Ogunquit. Due to the town’s size, Perkins Cove is the only working harbor for fishing crafts and boat tours. For scenic tours that cruise the Ogunquit shoreline, to exploring the Island Ledges where harbor seals can be found, and even to view York’s Nubble Lighthouse, reserve your tour with Finestkind Cruises. Enjoy freshly baked muffins with a hot coffee on a Scenic Breakfast Cruise, or even a refreshing drink aboard the Cocktail Cruise. Or, hop aboard a lobster boat and experience lobstering first-hand! While Finestkind offers sailing cruises as well, the other tour operators in the harbor specialize in scenic sails alone. Choose from Sail Me, Sail the Gift, Goose Sailing Cruises, and Silverlining Sailing Cruises.

Around Town

Because of its size, Ogunquit is a very walkable town. The Village—what’s considered Downtown Ogunquit—is at the heart of it all. This is where you’ll find the Ogunquit Playhouse, the Main Beach parking and access, as well as a slew of locally owned shops, restaurants, and of course, ice cream parlors. Take your time strolling through The Village and duck into art galleries, boutiques, and more at a leisurely pace—you won’t want to miss a thing!

The second popular area is Perkins Cove, a quaint area housing the working harbor and that’s full of lobster shacks and dangerously delicious seafood restaurants. Like previously mentioned, this is where you’ll catch your boat cruise, or start or finish the Marginal Way walking path. Perkins Cove also has more local shops and studios for you to explore. This is also where you’ll find the iconic Perkins Cove Drawbridge, a wooden double-leaf footbridge.

We’ve stressed how walkable Ogunquit is, simply because it’s the best way to get around—especially during the high season when parking is a bit tricky to find! But what is walkable? From the heart of The Village to Perkins Cove, you’re looking about a 20–25-minute walk. But don’t forget about the scenic route—Marginal Way! Not that cutting through the absolutely charming town of Ogunquit isn’t scenic.

Day Trips

As one would assume about any coastal town, Ogunquit’s peak season starts in late spring and ends in early fall. Visitors love the warmer New England weather, especially when a beach day or two is on the trip’s itinerary! This is also the time when the town is fully open. If you want to fully experience Ogunquit, book your trip within this window. Now, the absolute busiest time within this season is in July and August—a classic coastal summer. Weekend crowds are big during this time, making the parking situation incredibly tight. For a less-crowded trip, try booking in June or September.

Starting in mid-October, the fall colors start to appear. Fall is considered the shoulder season on Ogunquit, and is often overlooked but can be a really special trip for couples and those looking for a low-key getaway. Some shops and stores stay open until Halloween, but some do close after the summer season ends.

It’s rare that we recommend not visiting in a specific season, as many vacation destinations have their own year-round attributes. But as far as winter in Ogunquit goes, it’s best you stick to the weekend. That’s really because many inns and restaurants only open on the weekends. New England gets pretty chilly in the winter—maybe that’s an understatement—but if you’re absolutely dead-set on enjoying snowy seaside landscapes, opt for visiting in December to enjoy the town’s Christmas by the Sea celebration.

While visitors can definitely do Ogunquit the luxurious way, many people are surprised to learn that there’s a pretty wide range of accommodation types. But of course, go ahead and pamper you and your group to ocean views and luxury and upscale resorts if you’re so inclined to do so! As any destination with loads of charm would have, Ogunquit offers enchanting bed and breakfasts as well as inns and boutique hotels, giving you a more personalized stay as you experience Ogunquit. Just don’t sleep on the family-owned and pristinely kept motels and other affordable accommodations throughout the town—seriously, no pun intended!

Palmera Vacation Club members have a unique set of tools to make travel that much easier. One of the tools members can use is the RCI Exchange. By using their Palmera Vacation Club points, members can find week-long or shorter stays at great prices throughout the world. If we specifically look at Ogunquit, here are a few options:

**Availability and point ranges subject to change.

Additionally, a second tool members have is Quest Travel Club. Find discounted stays, as well as flights, rental cars, and activities! The following are a few examples of what you could find with Quest in September 2025:

**Availability and price ranges subject to change.