Experience Maine's true charm when you to visit the beautiful coastal villages and pristine seaside communities of Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Cape Porpoise, and Arundel, known as the "Kennebunks." Many returning visitors recapture childhood memories of sun-drenched days spent at the beach. 

Whether your interest lie in the arts, architecture, antiques, sports, shopping, golfing, museums or water activities, the Kennebunks have it all and is a year-round vaction destination. Explore the beautiful sandy beaches, award-winning restaurants, stay in gracious accommodations, or shop in many fine stores. 

Wells offers an abundance of all-season outdoor activities, shopping, fine dining and leisure pastimes. Seven miles of oceanfront includes four sandy beaches: Wells Beach, Crescent Beach, Drake’s Island Beach, all open to the public and Moody Beach is a private beach. 

Wells Harbor is operated by the Town of Wells and contains a private marina and the Wells Harbor Community Park. 

Easy access to Wells is by the Downeaster Passenger Train, operated by Amtrak, which runs from Boston’s North Station to Portland, Maine. This Wells Transportation Center is served by taxis, limousine, in-season trolley service and an airport shuttle. 

The popularity of the town as a summer resort is epitomized by its motto, "Beautiful Place by the Sea" and attracts visitors from around the globe. As one of Maine’s most-visited resort towns, Ogunquit is both sophisticated and family-friendly. A world-class 3 1/2 mile sandy beach and magnificent coastline includes the historical trail known as Marginal Way which stretches one and one-half miles along the craggy coastline from Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Beach.

Artists discovered Ogunquit's inspirational scenery over a century ago. Ogunquit is a great spot to gallery-hop, especially at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, "the most beautiful small museum in the world". There are performing arts theaters including the famous Ogunquit Playhouse, a grand old summer-stock theater that features top-name entertainment.

From the carousel and arcades in York Beach to the peace and quiet of the one of the largest wilderness areas on the East Coast, York truly is an ideal vacation spot -- for all reasons. York has miles of beaches: the popular Long Sands and Short Sands, and, off the beaten track, Passaconaway and Harbor Beach. York is a well-known summer resort and is home to three 18-hole golf clubs, three sandy beaches, and Mount Agamenticus. It includes the villages of York Village,York Harbor, York Beach and Cape Neddick. 

Many spots throughout The Yorks have picturesque views of the famous Cape Neddick Light at Nubble Rock, which has figured in both artists' work and souvenirs of the Maine coast. Visible in clear weather is the 133 foot tall Boon Island Light on Boon Island, located 6.2 miles off York. Old-fashioned restaurants, like the Goldenrod, maintain the historic character of the York Beach area.

Kittey and Kittery Point are home to great outlet shopping as well as historical landmarks. Incorporated in 1652, Kittery is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Piscataqua River just north of the New Hampshire border. Named after Kittery Court in England,Kittery was settled in 1632 by the British, and is Maine’s oldest settlement. Many of the state’s oldest homes are located here, and diverse examples of fine architecture abound. Shipbuilding began in Kittery in the 17th century, and the first ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy was launched from here in 1777. 

The coastal town of Kittery has long been a gathering place for summer tourists, and in the 1800s it was the getaway of choice for a number of famous artists and writers. Kittery’s sandy beaches and stunning ocean views still draw visitors by the thousands. Juxtaposed with the cobblestone streets, quaint pubs, and antique shops of old Kittery are the more than 120 stores of the Kittery Outlets, located on coastal Route 1. Shoppers can find everything—from outdoor gear to fine china—on this mile-long strip of brand name shops. 

Portsmouth, New Hampshire sits near the mouth of the Piscataqua River, a short, wide river that divides New Hampshire and Maine.

The geographic location, historic past and cultural strength of Portsmouth regularly lands it on various "best places to live" lists. Prevention Magazine named Portsmouth one of the top 100 walking cities in the America for 2008. Also in 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Portsmouth to its list of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations, calling the city "one of the most culturally rich destinations in the country" with a stimulating mix of historic buildings, sidewalk cafes, great restaurants, art galleries, jazz clubs and distinctive artisans' boutiques." 

In 2009, Forbes Traveler listed Portsmouth as one of "America's Prettiest Towns". One judge said Portsmouth is "both a functioning modern community and a museum piece. Brick buildings, many of them original to the era of the tall ships, line small streets and alleys. Yet many of those same buildings house high-tech businesses and start-ups."

Boon Island Lighthouse

Boon Island Light, Maine's tallest lighthouse, is six miles offshore and visible in clear weather from Harbor Beach in York Harbor, Maine. As one of the most isolated stations off the Maine coast, it is also one of the most dangerous. 

Erected in 1811, authorized by President James Madison, the lighthouse is built on a barren rock island and a very flat piece of land. Well surrounded by ledges, the tower appears at times to spring up from the sea from a submerged ledge, especially when low clouds are flying. Continually submerged by storms, the light has been rebuilt several times. 

Fort Constitution

Fort Constitution State Historic Site is located on a peninsula on the northeast corner of New Castle Island. It overlooks both the Piscataqua River and the Atlantic Ocean. The grounds provide a casual gathering spot for picnics. In 1791, the State of New Hampshire gave the United States the neck of land on which Fort William and Mary and a lighthouse were situated. The fort was repaired, renamed Fort Constitution and garrisoned with a company of United States artillery. Renovations, which included a wall twice as high as that of the colonial fort and new brick buildings, were completed in 1808. It is the ruins of this fort that are seen today. 

Kennebunkport is known for its championship golf. You can play a round where President Bush tees off at Cape Arundel Golf Course, or play a century old course near the beach at Webhannet Golf Club.

There are plenty of 18-hole courses nearby, Dunegrass and The Ledges are award winning courses to challenge the serious golfer.

Right in town, you will find a family friendly driving range with an executive par 3 course. For the kids, and the kid at heart, our Southern Maine Coast region is home to plenty of miniature golf courses to keep you amused.

Abenakee Club, Biddeford Pool 

Abenakee is a private golf course located in Biddeford Pool, Maine at 2 Stone Cliff Road in Biddeford Pool, Maine

Cape Arundel Golf Course, Kennebunk

Founded in 1896 as the Kennebunkport Golf Club, Cape Arundel Golf Club was created by summer residents and golf enthusiasts who wanted to bring their love of the game home. At its founding, Cape Arundel was one of just 74 golf clubs in the United States.

By the early twenties it was apparent that the original course had "outlived its usefulness." In an effort to create a course that provided not only enjoyment for the regulars, but also a bit of a challenge to golfers with any skill, it was decided that a new course was in order. The architectural skills of US and British Amateur Champion, Walter J. Travis, were secured to produce the new links style layout. Every hole was planned carefully by Travis and promised to provide first class golf, beauty, and difficulty. From the natural hazards and beautifully contoured greens to the perfectly placed bunkers and strategic layout, the new course  demanded the finest kind of golf.

The Walker Cup is contested biennially in odd numbered years between teams comprising the leading amateur golfers of the United States and Great Britain and Ireland. The event, officially called the Walker Cup Match, is co-organized by the R&A and the United States Golf Association and is named in honor of George Herbert Walker (grandfather and namesake of the former President of the United States and Cape Arundel member, George H. W. Bush).  Walker was president of the USGA in 1920 when the series was initiated.

Presidents Nixon, G.H.W.Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush have all teed it up, as well legends: Francis Ouimet, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Fred Couples, Davis Love, Justin Leonard, Phil Mickelson, David Toms, Greg Norman, Doug Sanders, Brad Faxon, Jose Olazabal, Tim Finchem, Babe Ruth, Louis Tiant, Roger Clemens, UK's Prince Andrew, Jim Nantz, and Rush Limbaugh. Former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman is a member and plays regularly throughout the summer.

On October 2nd, 2006, Phil Mickelson captured the course record, shooting a 9 under 60 against a par of 69. It is interesting to note that Prescott Bush, father of President Bush (41), once held that honor.

Webhannet Golf Club, Kennebunkport

Refreshed by salty Atlantic breezes and located one city block from the shores of Kennebunk Beach, Maine, Webhannet Golf Club boasts 6049 yards of three-season golf. No trip to southern Maine is complete without a round of golf at this century-old course near the sea.

Tidal-fed water hazards, 31 bunkers and serpentine Kentucky blue fairways leading to spacious bent grass greens pinpoint the fun challenge of playing Webhannet. Lone Tree, the #1 handicap fourth hole, stretches 531 yards. The #3 hole, Needle’s Eye, requires a ruler-straight 238-yard drive!
 
At the Snack Shack adjacent to the 8th tee you can lunch on hot dogs and sandwiches (“the best ham salad in the state of Maine!”, one member swears,) along with sodas, water and fresh fruit on a cash basis.
 
In addition to giving lessons and supervising numerous tournaments during the summer months, head professional Kirk Kimball oversees a Pro Shop stocked with Nike, Tehama and Fairway & Greene merchandise and the shop also stocks the latest golf equipment.