Last Updated on December 24, 2021
The last week of May we flew to Boston to visit my parents and celebrate Isabella’s first birthday. Even though the borders are still closed between Europe and the US, Americans, such as myself and my daughter, are able to enter the US without problem. JC was also able to come because he is my husband and the father of an American underage child. You can read the exceptions to the US travel ban here. Since this trip represented a rare opportunity for us to leave Isabella with grandparents, we took full advantage and took a mini road trip to Ogunquit, Maine for three days and two nights. Why Ogunquit? Well, we knew we wanted to be near the ocean (we live in Berlin, after all). Plus, I wanted JC to eat delicious seafood (and lobster) and enjoy a picturesque New England coastal town in all its charm. Ogunquit has all these things and more. It’s also an easy drive from the North Shore of Massachusetts, where my parents live. Read below for how you too can enjoy three days in Ogunquit, Maine without kids 🙂
How to Get to Ogunquit, Maine
Take the Scenic Route by the Coast
We flew from Berlin to Boston Logan Airport and stayed with my parents in Beverly, Massachusetts, which is about 40 minutes driving outside of Boston. From Beverly to Ogunquit is about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours driving if you take the highway. However, we preferred to take the scenic route along the coast, which is why we recommend driving on route 127 (in the direction of Manchester-by-the-Sea) and continuing onto Gloucester before heading up to Ogunquit. We stopped in Gloucester for breakfast on the way at Mom’s Kitchen, which we’d highly recommend.
How to Spend Three Days in Ogunquit, Maine: Where to Stay
Stay Near Marginal Way for Easy Access to the Beach and Restaurants
We stayed at The Colonial Inn in Ogunquit for 2 nights. The Inn is located only a few minutes walking from the start of Marginal Way, which is a beautiful walking path alongside the ocean. Marginal Way leads to Perkin’s Cove (about 15 minutes walk), where there are numerous delicious seafood restaurants. We chose the hotel for the location and also because of its value. At ~$100/night it was the best priced hotel with such an ideal location. However, while it is located only minutes walking from Marginal Way and the beach, it is not beachfront. There is a hotel right next to The Colonial Inn called Anchorage by the Sea that is beachfront, and looked very nice, although it is more expensive. I would highly recommend to do as we did and choose a hotel or holiday home within walking distance to Marginal Way and the public beach.
How to Spend Three Days in Ogunquit, Maine: Where to Eat
Dining in Maine Means Feasting on Lobster
Maine is synonymous with lobster. Why is the state so well known for this red crustacean? Well, apparently the cold- waters like those in Maine (freezing!!) are home to lobsters very different in size than their warm-water counterparts, also called ‘spiny lobsters’. Warm-water or ‘spiny’ lobsters only have edible meat in their tails, whereas Maine lobsters have meat in both their claws and tails. Maine lobsters also have more tender and sweeter meat.
For the Best Lobster Rolls in Ogunquit
Head to Barnacle Billy’s on Perkin’s Cove
For the best lobster rolls, head to Barnacle Billy’s on Perkin’s Cove, an easy walk from your hotel via Marginal Way. Leave your car at your hotel, as to drive to Perkin’s Cove you’ll need to pay for parking. Billy’s has outdoor seating overlooking a small inlet of ocean where you can view fishing boats unloading their fresh catch. It’s a great spot to grab a beer and soak up the sun, or do as we did and order a few lobster rolls.
JC loved Billy’s lobster roll the most of all the lobster or ‘lobstah’ (as Bostonians say) rolls we tried because it had more garnish and sauce ontop than the others. Big chunks of lobster wrapped in a toasted and buttered hot dog bun – yum! If you haven’t tried a lobster roll before and you love seafood, you are in for a treat! FYI make sure you go inside to order your food as the waitresses who wait the tables only take your drink order.
For the Best Lunch Special
Try Lobster Shack’s Lobster Roll & Chowder Lunch Combo
Another great option for a ‘lobstah’ roll is at the Lobster Shack, also on Perkin’s Cove. The only downside is that seating is only available indoors, so if you want to enjoy a beautiful day outside, it’s not an ideal setting. We ordered the lunch special, which came with a lobster roll (you can make it a double as well) and a cup of chowder. The clam chowder is different than others we tried, not as thick and with fish in addition to clams and potatoes.
For the Best Value Lobster in Ogunquit
Get Footbridge Lobster’s Two for One Whole Lobster Special
If you want to eat Lobster deliciously and economically, a great option is Footbridge Lobster on Perkin’s Cove. If you buy one 1 lb lobster you get a second one for free (really!) and it comes with one side of corn on the cob, all for $29.95. It is just a stand, so you cannot eat there, but you can take your lobster to a nearby picnic bench and eat there while watching the boats go in and out of Perkin’s Cove. Definitely the best value lobster you will find in Ogunquit.
For the Best Mussels in Ogunquit
Head to the Maine Catch on Shore Road
For a restaurant option a little less ‘in the rough’ (i.e. less casual) and not on Perkin’s Cove, we recommend giving The Maine Catch a try. We came without a reservation; however, the place was probably the most popular and packed restaurant in all Ogunquit, so we would recommend to make a reservation. We got lucky and only had to wait 15 minutes for a table outside. There is an inside bar and inside seating as well. We ordered steamers (i.e. steamed clams), steamed mussels in garlic and white wine sauce, plus fried clams. The highlight here was definitely the steamed mussels – AMAZING! Definitely the best mussels we had our entire trip in Maine and Boston.
How to Spend Three Days in Ogunquit, Maine: What to Do
Walk Marginal Way for a Beautiful View of the Ocean
The entrance to Marginal Way was a two minute walk from our hotel. It essentially starts in front of Anchorage by the Sea hotel. From there, you walk along the ocean, but high above on the overlooking cliffs. It is not a difficult trek, we did it with sandals on (although closed-toed shoes would have been better). The entire walk lasts about 15-20 minutes and ends in Perkin’s Cove. You can also take the stairs down off the path at numerous points to walk into the ocean or sunbathe on some rocks below.
Head to the Ogunquit Beach and Jump in the Ocean (if you dare!)
The start of the public beach of Ogunquit was only minutes walking from our hotel. We actually walked the entire length of beach, which took us well over an hour in one direction! It is a sand beach and very well maintained. I was happy to see no litter as we were walking. There are some spots of private beach in front of vacation homes, but otherwise, it is a public beach. We eventually settled down with our towel to enjoy the sunshine. However, be warned that if you get too hot sun bathing and are tempted to go into the sea, it is freezing! On average, in Maine, the water temperature in May is around 55 degrees farenheit or 12 degrees celsius. It doesn’t get warm enough to ‘comfortably’ swim until August. Nevertheless, we still braved it and jumped in the water!
Get a Couple’s Massage at Your Body Works Massage and Day Spa in Ogunquit
Since this trip was a rare opportunity for us to be without the baby, we took full advantage and booked a couple’s deep tissue massage at Your Body Works Massage and Day Spa, which was 10 minutes walking from the Colonial Inn. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so we booked for Wednesday, our last day in Ogunquit before driving back to Beverly. A couple’s deep tissue massage for 50 minutes costs $240. You can view prices for services on their website here. We had our massages simultaneously in the same room. A man worked on JC and a woman attended to me. They asked us questions as to where we had the most pain and the room was incredibly relaxing with soft music and aromatic scents. We did have to wear masks when we were on our backs due to COVID, although the staff is fully vaccinated. It was definitely a rare treat for us two full-time parents!
And that’s how we recommend to spend three days in Ogunquit, Maine. There are definitely other great restaurants we didn’t get a chance to try, plus also some shopping in the center of town as well as on Perkin’s Cove where you can buy a ‘Maine’ or ‘Ogunquit’ souvenir sweatshirt, t-shirt, etc. I got Isabella a striped onesie that says ‘Maine’ with a lobster on it. What are your favorite spots in Ogunquit? Or do have other favorite coastal towns in Maine? Let us know in the comments below!
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