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Kennebunkport Travel Guide: 128 reviews and 312 photos
Maine has 3,478 miles of Coastline. In addition, the coast contains more than 3,000 islands and thousands of intertidal ledges and many of these islands are off the coast of Kennebunkport.
Though the exact date of the earliest settlement in the area now known as Kennebunkport is uncertain, historical evidence indicates that it could not have been much later than that of the founding of the Plymouth Colony. Before that, it is recorded that the islands along the Cape Porpoise shore were used by fisherman who used the banks for fish drying.
In 1653, the town was first incorporated as Cape "Porpus" and became subject to the government of Massachusetts. By 1689 it was entirely depopulated by Indians. it was resettled early in the 1700's and renamed Arundel, it wasn’t until 1821 that it was named Kennebunkport.
In the nineteenth century the shipbuilding industry thrived on the Kennebunk River. In a single year one hundred vessels were built in Kennebunk River yards. The community became the second richest in the state, and the rich ship captain built their mansions, some you can still see in the area. After 1861, with the increase in steel ship construction and the embargoes of the war years, there took place a permanent and rapid decline in shipbuilding.
Summer homes and resorts became popular in the 1870's along the scenic coastal areas of town. By the 1880's, its natural beauties and convenient beaches made Kennebunkport one of the more popular and prominent resorts of the Maine coast, a distinction which it still holds.
This is the Dock Area where we spent a good part of the day, browsing the shops and checking out the lobsters tanks.
The picturesque Dock Square, is colorful in autumn, but the locals say it's spectacular during the Christmas Prelude when thousands of lights are hung in the square.
Local and national artists and photographers are drawn here to capture the beauty of the river, beaches, historical buildings and the rocky coast.
The red circle on the map is called Bickford Island, actually it's a pennisula when the tide is out. I was interested in seeing the island as it bears the name of my ancestors. It was a great disapointment to find the road closed due to blasting.
If you enlarge the map, you will see the location of Bush Island.
- Pros:A Touristy but Charming Maine Coast Town
- In a nutshell:A Fun Place to Visit Even for a Day
Reviews (6)
Houses Made for High Tides
Things to Do
(4)
Along the port you will see these little houses on stilts. Some of them have been turned into shop and other eating... more travel advice
Bush's Summer Home
Things to Do
(4)
Kennebunkport, with it's lobster boats, wild sea roses and summer homes dotting the rocky coastline, was a fixture of... more travel advice
Town Square
Things to Do
(4)
The town has decorated with lovely flowers, very colorful. The "Dock Square" area is filled with little stores of local... more travel advice
New England Church
Things to Do
(4)
The photo is of the Southern Congregational Church of Kennbunkport, a typical New England steepled church. The churches... more travel advice
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Kennebunkport Travel Guide
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- "Kennebunkport, snuggly harbor in coastal Maine"
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- "Quaint Town in the Old Days"
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- 9 Comments
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Museum VisitsLatest Kennebunkport hotel reviews
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Latest: May 21, 2013 - The Beach House Inn
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Latest: Apr 15, 2013 - Village Cove Inn
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Latest: Nov 11, 2012 - Hidden Pond
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Latest: May 21, 2013 - The Breakwater Inn And Hotel
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Latest: Dec 8, 2012 - Nonantum Resort
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Latest: May 21, 2013 - The Colony Hotel Kennebunk
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Latest: May 7, 2013 - English Meadows Inn Bed and Breakfast
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Latest: May 21, 2013 - Kennebunkport Inn
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Latest: May 17, 2013 - The Yachtsman Lodge And Marina
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Latest: Apr 1, 2013 - Maine Stay Inn and Cottages at the Melville Walker House
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Latest: May 13, 2013 - 1802 House Bed and Breakfast Inn
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Latest: May 9, 2013 - White Barn Inn
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Latest: May 7, 2013 - Captain Jefferds Inn
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Latest: May 19, 2013 - Cape Arundel Inn
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Latest: May 20, 2013
Comments (9)
When I was young I lived in Vermont, and my family usually spent our summer vacation in the Kennebunkport area. BTW, thanks for checking out my AL page a while back.
Good tips. Bush's Summer Home? Wow, I have to add it to my a must see. You know, I was in Crawford, Texas last year! Hmm... in Clinton's Arkansas as well.
I enjoyed your page on Kennebunkport. My wife and I are visiting there in October, and your information is very helpful and interesting.
Nice pages....don't know about the boat ride to Bushes Place ;-)
good photos of a lovely town
I had never heard of this place until one of my neighbours mothers told me she had visited there, I thought the name was great and looked it up on a map. Since then I want to go one day!
Small town USA....looks great. Like your harbor shot too.
Kennebunkport is a great place to stop for an Ice Cream cone. Nice page.
Hope to see a lot of the coast in spring