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Kennebunkport Maine Bed and Breakfast Accommodations and Cottages

Archive for the ‘seasons’ Category

Yank’s Franks – The Best Dogs Around!

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Everyone at the Maine Stay Inn has been anxiously awaiting Southern Maine’s newest hit and it’s finally open!  Yank’s Franks, the latest endeavor of George and Janice Yankowski,Yank's Franks opened its doors last week in Wells, Maine.  A few short miles from Kennebunkport Maine, Yank’s sits on Route 1 – prime real estate, if you ask me!  So while you’re out and about, look for their charming sign and pop in for a simple, but phenomenal, meal or snack.  While dogs cooked to perfection on their flattop grill is George’s specialty, they offer the option of steamed as well. Chicken tenders and veggie dogs feature prominently on the menu, making Yank’s Franks perfect for the whole family.  A slew of toppings are available for your dog, but ask for their signature style (relish, onions, and mustard) – and you can’t go wrong!  I would never have guessed that raw onions would be a hit on a hot dog, but boy, was I misinformed.  And be sure to hot dogs mainefollow it up with a “Cool Dog,” a hot dog inspired ice cream sandwich.

While Yank’s franks take the cake (or bun, rather), the atmosphere is positively delightful. Pull off of Route 1 into the gravel driveway outside of a charming cottage and fill upon some great grub that you can enjoy in their spotless indoor area or outside on picnic benches. Yank’s Franks’ slogan says it all without exaggeration, “Frankly, we serve the BEST dogs!”

“Must Do” in Kennebunkport Maine

Friday, August 13th, 2010

The first thing I do after welcoming a guest to the Maine Stay is to ask, “Have you ever been to Kennebunkport before?”  Sometimes this leads to conversations about childhood visits toKennebunkport me Maine, anniversaries and special occasions, or even first airplane trips.  But most often this simple question allows me to figure out how best to help you enjoy your Maine vacation. And for those of you planning your trip to Kennebunkport Maine, here are some of my favorite things to do in Kennebunkport:

  • Eat a lobster (preferably at Nunan’s Lobster Hut).  A lobster roll is acceptable as well.  Preferably in addition to, not instead of.
  • Head to Cape Porpoise to see the lobster boat come in to the harbor.  Plus, you’ll catch a glimpse of Goat Island Light.
  • Watch the sun set from the Kennebunkport bridge.

    Maine beaches

    Kennebunkport Beaches - breathtaking year round

  • Go to the beach (this is a must, no matter the weather or the season).
  • Take a scenic sailboat ride (I’m partial to the Schooner Eleanor, but they are all lovely).
  • See Spouting Rock just before the tide is at its highest (be careful, you might get wet!)
  • Relax at your favorite (and mine) Kennebunkport bed and breakfast inn!

Kennebunkport, Maine, is the perfect vacation destination throughout the year, with limitless possibilities of things to do and places to do nothing at all.  I hope you enjoy these activities as much as I do, and we’ll see you at the Maine Stay!

Midweek Maine Vacations

Monday, August 9th, 2010

It’s hard to believe that it’s August already, and for many people the pressure’s on to sneak in that Maine Summer Vacation.  And in a time when everyone is searching for the most bang for their buck, consider taking a mid-week jaunt up to Kennebunkport Maine.  The perks extend well past lower rates at our Kennebunkport bed and breakfast.

So here are my top five reasons to visit the Maine Stay Sunday through Thursday:

  1. Other guests – because the “hurry up and relax” attitude is much less prevalent during the week, guests at the Maine Stay Inn and Cottages linger over breakfast, socialize at tea time, and generally enjoy one another’s company, which, after all is a great perk of staying in a Maine bed and breakfast.
  2. Smaller crowds – locals flock to town on the weekends, as do day trippers, meaning that the shops, streets, and beaches are comparatively cleared out during the week. Looking to frolic in the surf?  There’s no better time than a late Sunday afternoon swim on the Kennebunk beaches – parking’s a breeze and the view’s as stunning as ever!
  3. Restaurants – hate to wait?  Reservations are easy to come by, waits are shorter, and most offer mid-week dining deals.  (Check out On the Marsh’s Wednesday night prix fixe special.)  The same goes for outdoor activities like the Schooner Eleanor, kayak rentals, and horse-drawn carriage rides.
  4. Personal attention – if you’re looking for some one-on-one time to make your Maine vacation extra special, don’t think twice about booking your reservation during the week.  The laid back atmosphere that permeates Sundays through Thursdays allows us to spend more time getting to know you, the guest, and how best to customize your stay.
  5. Lodging –  not only are rates lower on weekday nights, but you’re more likely to snag that favorite room or suite!

So book your reservations today at the Maine Stay Inn, your favorite Maine bed and breakfast – see you soon!

Summer in Dock Square

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

downtown kennebunkport maineAugust nights in Kennebunkport Maine are the definition of perfection.  The air is warm and dry with a nice breeze.  The daytrippers have cleared out, taking with them cars and people – making walking downtown a real pleasure!  Shops stay open relatively late and the restaurants greet patrons with wide-open doors, allowing their delectable aromas to mingle with salt air.  Yum!

I snapped this last night on my way to the supermarket, searching for some remaining ingredients needed for breakfast at our Kennebunkport bed and breakfast.  So book your reservations today for your Maine Summer Vacation!

A Perfect Summer Evening

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Evenings are my favorite time of day in Kennebunkport Maine.  The beaches are deserted

Maine vacations sunsets

A perfect summer sunset!

and more picturesque than ever; the ocean breeze blows gently; the sky’s colors reflect stunningly off the sea.  Instead of stopping at Gooch’s Beach (it is certainly the most convenient!) for a stroll, I ventured just a few more miles to Parson’s Beach, hoping that I might snag a coveted parking spot (just as an aside, the best way to visit this stretch of sand is on bikes – you’ll never have to worry about finding a spot!).  I was in luck!

A stroll along the shore revealed others enjoying their Maine vacations.  A young couple (honeymooning in Maine, perhaps?) snoozed under their umbrella. A family searched for critters in tidal pools.  And a group of friends shared aSeagull in Kennebunkport Mainebottle of wine and a picnic supper. A late afternoon snack at our Kennebunkport bed and breakfast meant dinner wasn’t quite on my mind, so I had a date with a good book.  Absolute perfection.

So the next time you’re visiting one of the Kennebunkport hotels, indulge at afternoon teatime, postpone dinner (or pack it to-go), and hit one of our beautiful beaches for a spectacular and relaxing summer night.

The Bright Side of a Summer Shower

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Kennebunkport Beaches RainbowSometimes there’s nothing better than a rain shower on a summer afternoon.  And sometimes, the only thing better is what follows!  Yes, I mean steaming streets, spectacular sunsets, cool breezes, and gentle fog over the water in Kennebunkport’s Dock Square.  But I also mean rainbows!

I spotted this one from Parson’s Beach in Kennebunk, just over the bridge from Kennebunkport Maine and your Kennebunkport bed and breakfast – the Maine Stay Inn.

America’s Best Beach Towns

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

AOL Travel has just discovered something that we have known all along – Kennebunkport is one of America’s best beach towns!  Though they mention our incredible beaches and great shopping, their maine beach vacationshort blurb just can’t capture all that makes Kennebunkport the perfect place for your summer vacation. Yes, the beaches here are breathtaking.  Parson’s Beach is one of the most spectacular stretches of sands I have ever seen.  Gooch’s beach lingers for nearly a mile with soft, white sands, while Middle Beach is is filled with stones polished smooth by the sea.  Mother’s Beach is nestled between two rocky protrusions, creating a protected storybook-like cove – plus there’s a playground nearby for tykes. Colony beach sits less than a mile from your favorite Kennebunkport bed and breakfast and offers glimpses of the Maine Beaches and craggy rocks characteristic of the northern Maine coastline.  And secluded Goose Rocks Beach offers tranquility – and the chance to collect sand dollars and see seals!  Dock Square is home to excellent shops of all varieties, while the outlet capitols of Kittery and Freeport are just a short drive away.  And let’s not forget about antiquing!

But what they don’t mention is what makes Kennebunkport special – and the perfect summer vacationKennebunkport Maine beaches destination.  First on the “missed” list is its proximity to metropolitan areas like Boston and Portland, ME.  Forget the miserable congestion at the bridges to another New England Vacation destination and instead fly up 95 straight to Southern Maine.  And, for our car-less or environmentally conscious visitors, the Amtrak makes a trip to Maine a breeze!  Then they forgot to mention the incredible dining options.  What’s a vacation without great eats?

Kennebunkport just wouldn’t be the same without its unique focus on the arts, and as a result is home to many craft fairs, art exhibits, and phenomenal galleries.  The area’s historic homes are works of art in themselves, so a walking tour or pedestrian adventure is a definite must.  In fact, the walkability of town from your Kennebunkport Maine Inn, the Maine Stay, is one of the things that makes vacationing here a real treat.

But best of all, and hardest to articulate, is that time in Kennebunkport seems slow down, as though you stepped back in time a hundred years.  Contentment and relaxation come naturally here, aided by the soundtrack of children playing happily, surf crashing against sand and rock, and horses clip-clopping down the street.  Do you hear it?  That is Kennebunkport.

The Perfect Picnic

Monday, June 28th, 2010

One of my favorite things to do in Kennebunkport is to picnic.  With the family or that special someone, a picnic can replace lunch in one of the many Kennebunkport restaurants or can be an afternoon or evening activity in itself.  Here are some of the best locations for picnicking in the area:

  • The park at the end of the Cape Porpoise Pier (with views of the Goat Island Lighthouse and Cape Porpoise Harbor with its picturesque fishing boats and benches nestled among the beach roses, it is ideal for an intimate moment – plus, Cape Pier Chowder House is right there for  great eats)
  • Parson’s Way Walk (overlooking the Bush Family Compound and parking, there are lots of rocky cliffs and benches that are perfect for watching the sun set over the Atlantic)Parson's Beach
  • Parson’s Beach – There’s limited parking, so during the summertime we only recommend that guests visit on bike or in the evenings (prime picnic time!).  A sunset picnic on one of the most breathtaking beaches imaginable – what could be more romantic?
  • The Franciscan Monastery – Situated along the western shore of the Kennebunkkennebunk monastery River, this Friary is open to the public and offers 66 acres, including much river frontage, walking trails, and lush lawns.  The grassy knolls would be great for a picnicking family, while the protected shore overlooking Dock Square could provide a quiet escape for two.
  • Narragansett Point – This rocky protrusion separating Gooch’s Beach from MiddleKennebunkport Beaches Beach is a great spot for outdoor noshing.  During the daytime, you’ll catch a nice breeze and a quieter spot, as this sand-less patch doesn’t attract usual beach goers, but complimentary passes provided to guests at our Kennebunkport bed and breakfast inn make parking a breeze.  Kids can frolic in the nearby sand and surf, while couples can choose a more secluded spot.  Best of all there’s even a portable restroom downwind.
  • The Maine Stay Inn!  Offering a variety of ideal picnic venues, it is perfect inbed and breakfast wraparound porch any season or weather scenario.  How does lobster on the wraparound porch sound? Even on a rainy day, there’s nothing more relaxing. What about an afternoon with sandwiches on the lawn and games of volleyball, bocce, or horseshoes?

So enjoy a lazy afternoon or evening during your Maine Vacation and enjoy the most scenic views around.  Looking forward to your visit to the Maine Stay Inn!

Upcoming Festivals

Monday, June 21st, 2010

The Kennebunk/Kennebunkport area is a perfect destination for your Maine Summer Vacation.  The beaches of Southern Maine are always an incredible place for relaxing, but some of the festivals in nearby towns make excellent excuses for a trip to Maine!

June 22 and 23 brings the Windjammer Festival to Boothbay Harbor, a scenic seaside town in lower Midcoast Maine, about 90 minutes from Kennebunkport.  This annual festival draws historic boats into the harbor and fills the town with fireworks, parades, and concerts.

Portland’s Annual Greek Heritage Festival falls on June 24-26, tempting thousands of visitors with incredible Greek cuisine, music, and dancing.  Great activity for families!

Closer still to your Kennebunkport bed and breakfast inn, the Maine Stay, is the famous La Kermesse Festival in Biddeford, Maine.  This annual Franco-American fest runs Friday through Sunday and offers parades, dining, and live entertainment.

Just southwest of Kennebunkport lies South Berwick, home to the Strawberry Festival for the last 30+ years.  This year, enjoy bake-offs, an enormous juried craft fair, and entertainment on June 26.

July 1-5 brings Ogunquit Days to the town of Ogunquit.  An easy drive from your Kennebunkport bed and breakfast, don’t miss five days of great events and celebrations.  A great way to celebrate July 4th!

The Maine Stay Inn is looking forward to making sure your summer vacation or quick getaway is absolutely A+!

Summer Vacation Fun

Monday, June 14th, 2010

The Maine Stay Inn and Cottages, your Kennebunkport bed and breakfast inn, is the perfect destination for your summer vacation.  With June well underway, it’s time to get maine beach vacationcrackin’ on those getaway plans.  As you well know, Kennebunkport is famous for its incredible beaches, views, and great outdoor activities, in addition to its year ’round fine shopping, restaurants, and galleries.  But the Maine Stay Inn has made some recent additions to make your Maine Summer vacation extra special.  Just a few weeks ago, a shipment of incredible backyard loungers arrived.  They’re the most comfortable recliners we’ve ever experienced, and guests seem to concur!

But if you’re up for some extra activity, our collection of backyard games has grown immensely.  Now guests can enjoy soccer on our expansive lawns, a friendly (or competitive) game of bocce ball, a fun round of volleyball, or can even try their hands at horseshoes!

The Maine Stay is gearing up for summer and so should you!