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. 

Beaches

Wells Beach and Pope Creek have wonderful views of delightful dazzling water and the charming seaside. This section of Maine has a glorious selection of beaches. For the period of the long summer days the area highs are typically in the 80's, and throughout the night it cools down to the 50's. The wintertime brings highs down to the 30's, and after the sun is down during the winter temperatures at Wells Beach sink into the 10's. 

The summit of Coles Hill can be observed from Wells Beach, and Bucklin Rock is undeniably a great spot to visit, as well as nearby Moody Beach. There are some great whitewater spots on Great Works River and on a gorgeous days stop at Drakes Island Beach.

Attractions

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge 

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 in cooperation with the State of Maine to protect valuable salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds. Located along 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties, the refuge consists of eleven divisions between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth. It will contain approximately 14,600 acres when land acquisition is complete. The proximity of the refuge to the coast and its location between the eastern deciduous forest and the boreal forest creates a composition of plants and animals not found elsewhere in Maine. Major habitat types present on the refuge include forested upland, barrier beach/dune, coastal meadows, tidal salt marsh, and the distinctive rocky coast.

Hike on their one-mile Carson Trail and meander through pine woods and see expansive, tidal saltmarshes. The refuge also offers wildlife observations and photography, hunting and limited boating opportunities.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1907, Rachel Louise Carson was a world-renowned marine biologist, author and environmentalist. She served as an aquatic biologist and Editor-in-Chief for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. During her tenure, she composed a series of articles on Atlantic Coast wildlife refuges. 

Though the mystery of the sea and its creatures captivated her at an early age, the Maine coast particularly inspired her. Beginning in 1952, she summered on Southport Island, where she studied its beach and tide pools to research The Edge of the Sea (1955). Through tireless investigation for her greatest work, Silent Spring (1962), she linked the unrestrained use of post-World War II chemical pesticides with fearsome, biological consequences. 

Overcoming industry and government pressure to abandon her research, she persevered. Carson simply and convincingly explained the connections between humans and all creatures of the Earth. She alerted generations to use chemicals with utmost caution, warning that their improper use has dreadful effects on public health and the environment. Rachel Carson died in 1964, a victim of cancer. As fitting recognition of her tireless work, this refuge, first known as the Coastal Maine National Wildlife Refuge, was renamed in her honor on October 28, 1969 and formally dedicated June 27, 1970.

April 2002 marked the 40th anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carson's groundbreaking book, Silent Spring. By publishing it, Carson has been credited with launching the contemporary environmental movement and awakening the concern of Americans for the environment.

Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm

The Wells National Estuarine Reserve at Laudholm Farm is 1600 scenic acres of research reserve including a 19th century saltwater farm, the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge area, Laudholm Farm Visitors Center, exhibits, and seven miles of spectacular marsh walkways and trails along marshes, fields, and wetlands. 

This network of trails cover a variety of habitats and provide spectacular views and access to woodlands, fields, wetland, beach and dunes for the exploration of the coastal ecosystem. The Wells Reserve at Laudholm manages grasslands, freshwater wetlands, salt marshes, and one of the last undeveloped sand beaches in Maine. The gentle terrain is ideal for casual hikers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The varied landscape is prized by artists, photographers and nature lovers of every age. The Wells Reserve is a national treasure and its 2,250 acres of land is protected, and their restored saltwater farm called Laudholm, is a natural haven.