Don’t tell Walter, but if you look closely, you’ll see the string that holds them on.  Thank you, fun-loving guests in Romantic Cottage Suite #7!

All of my expectations were wildly exceeded this year!  On the short drive from ourKennebunkport bed and breakfast to Rockin’ Horse Stables, eager anticipation mounted. Pulling onto the fields (yes, you park on grass) revealed the enormous one-ring big top tent. It looked just right!  Once inside the tent, you sit on brightly colored padded benches, and some little ones even sit on the ground at ringside.  While we had the privilege of sitting in the first row, the farthest seats were probably a whopping 15 feet from the ring.  Yes, that means everyone in attendance had first class seats!

Once the show started, only three adults were evident – the sound crew and the host, the rest of the performers were kids.  But you quickly forget that fact, as they perform as well as any professional circus performers.  For nearly two hours (with a nice intermission), you will be entranced by troupers scaling poles like monkeys, hanging by their feet from ribbons, and tight-rope walking.  Juggling is, of course, synonymous with the circus, as are clown comedies and uni-cycling.  But even the unicycling was far from ordinary – add in trampolines, rolling logs, and human pyramids and you might begin to imagine the incredible skill of these pint sized performers (okay, many of them are older teens, but still!). I was not prepared, however, for the incredible contortionist routines and aerial stunts performed without nets or safety lines.  As two girls performed, hanging 40 feet in the air, swinging and catching one another, I realized the strength of mind and body, as well as astounding amounts of training, that is required of these youngsters as young as six.  That alone left me eagerly awaiting next year’s performances.

So next year, when planning your Maine vacations or summertime family vacations, make sure not to miss Circus Smirkus’s visit to Kennebunkport, Maine!

Maine Stay Inn and Cottages.  As a private home, curiosity about its history and interior remains just that.  But recently, it has opened to the public for tours, only the second time in over five years!

For just a $10 donation (all proceeds going to the local food banks), you can satisfy your curiosity, take in outstanding works of art and architecture, enjoy area folklore, and mingle with the eccentric owner and his compatriots for a fun afternoon.  Tours run daily through September 15 and leave every half hour between 10 and 4.

Because I don’t want to spoil all that the home has to offer, here are just a few glimpses at my favorite parts of the historic building.  The building’s incredible stairway with hand-painted murals captures everyone’s attention.  Bouffant curtains lend insight into the owner’s character and spark discussion about this potentially haunted edifice.  And if you decide to duck out of your tour early (not that I recommend this – cutting short this 90+ minute tour definitely shortchanges you!), don’t miss the carriage house apartment with scenic views of the Kennebunk River.

Add a tour of the Wedding Cake House to your “to-do” list in Kennebunkport Maine – because this fabulous experience should not be missed!

On September 11 and 12, don’t miss the 23rd Annual Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival.  This widely known festival brings over 100 juried artisans to the Wells Reserve, and is poised to be bigger and better this year with a Maine beer and wine garden sponsored by Duffy’s Tavern.  In addition to great food and music, enjoy environmental educational programs throughout the festival.  There truly isn’t a more scenic venue for a craft festival, so don’t miss this one!

All of us at the Maine Stay Inn, your Kennebunkport bed and breakfast, are looking forward to these exciting displays of local work – a perfect afternoon activity for your Maine vacations!

Off the beaten path in downtown Kennebunk, you will find the Kennebunk Inn, an unassuming building on Route 1.  At Academe, the restaurant, you will find casual decor with comfortable ambiance.  We find ourselves seated at the bar most often – with one television and bartenders chatting up regulars – in an attempt for expedited food and excellent company.  If you’re looking to get the scoop from locals, the bar is the place to be! Nevertheless, on a recent visit, I asked if they had any special soup. They did – haddock chowder (I know, still not New England clam, but still good) – and, certain I would know the answer, asked if they would find out if it was gluten-free.  It is!  I was flabbergasted.

And, boy, was it good!  It may be slightly thinner than old fashioned clam chowder, it is excellent, even by non GF standards.  The potatoes are perfectly tender and not crumbling to bits, with large pieces of haddock submerged in an opaque (and perfectly safe!), creamy broth.

After campaigning for its place on their permanent menu, I was told that they offer haddock chowder 70% of the time.  So before trekking into Kennebunk, call ahead to find out for certain that gluten free chowder is on the menu.  Or better yet, have one of us at your Kennebunkport bed and breakfast inn check for you!

So gluten-free eaters look no further for a safe and oh-so-delectable chowder that won’t disappoint – even without the clams!

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!”

Often guests think that bed and breakfasts are old fashioned and lacking in amenities. The truth of the matter is that bed and breakfast inns, particularly the Kennebunkport bed and breakfasts, offer most, if not all, of the same amenities – and at no charge, for that matter! Certainly, there may be some where this is not the case, but bed and breakfasts, like the Maine Stay Inn, have to keep up with the times!  Wireless internet is complimentary, as is the use of our business center.  A fax machine is available upon request, and telephone service is available in the main house at no charge.  Not only that, but most rooms or suites have flat panel televisions and DVD players.  For those whose rooms have not converted yet, we have spare DVD players that can be hooked up in a flash.  And, unlikeKennebunkport hotels, we offer complimentary DVD rentals.

And while room decor at a bed and breakfast is unlikely to be ultra-modern, guestaccommodations and especially bathrooms, are carefully chosen, unique, and up-to-date, if not lavish and luxurious.  But for folks with trendy tastes, check out Cottage Suite #8, our most recently renovated and contemporary suite!

Bed and breakfasts also offer hidden value that traditional hotels do not.  Think complimentary water bottles, chocolates or other sweets upon arrival, and unlimited tea and coffee.  Afternoon teatime, with freshly baked cookies and refreshing beverages, is included as well.  Let’s not forget breakfast!  These days, bed and breakfasts tend to serve full breakfasts, freshly made and piping hot!  As a Kennebunkport bed and breakfast, the Maine Stay serves (or delivers – yes, that’s room service at no charge!) a full, multi-course, gourmet breakfast and takes into account dietary restrictions, where as Kennebunkport hotels offer a limited continental or nothing at all.  And don’t worry about forced chit-chat over breakfast if you aren’t so inclined – most modern bed and breakfasts offer varied seating options (the Maine Stay Inn, for example, can deliver morning meals to private breakfast rooms in our cottage suites, or serves tables of two on the wraparound porch and larger tables in our dining room).

Although most bed and breakfasts do not have on site restaurants (that’s something you’ll find at larger inns), they are usually situated near excellent dining options.  That means the others you encounter are fellow guests, not restaurant patrons.  This is a huge perk, because people are more likely to be friendly and respectful if they know they will see you over morning coffee!

But the most often overlooked, and undervalued, aspect of staying in a bed and breakfast is the hospitality.  It is our goal to make you feel as pampered and take care of as possible. We’ll know you by name and help figure out how to make your stay perfect for you.  We essentially become your personal travel agent, helping plan your itinerary each day – if you want it, of course!  You aren’t staying in Aunt Sue’s spare bedroom, you are a valued guest, but we take our cues from you – if you want to build a personal relationship with innkeepers and staff, make that known, but if not, we won’t press you.  But pick our minds when it comes to dining, because we know the restaurants extremely well and will often know what will be the best match for you!

One notable difference, however is that a bed and breakfast keeps office hours, and usually does not have staff available 24 hours, like a traditional hotel.  So if you’re looking for a spare pillow or an extra bottle of water during the night, know that calling the front desk will likely mean waking up your innkeeper – and that’s usually the person making your breakfast!

So the next time you are planning a weekend getaway or Maine vacation, choose The Maine Stay Inn and Cottages, Kennebunkport Maine, instead of your average hotel.

• 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.
  

  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!

Kennebunk River at Sunset

We’re always looking for unique ways visitors can experience all that Kennebunkport, Maine has to offer, and we just found a new one!  Take a short stroll from your Kennebunkport bed and breakfast to Dock Square’s Marina and hop aboard a Sunset Cocktail Cruise.  Seacoast Sailing, a Kennebunkport newbie, offers two-hour cruises from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.  Explore the Kennebunk River and  Maine coastline from the water while sipping your choice of wine, beer, or soft drinks and nibbling on appetizers.  Keep your eyes peeled for porpoises, seals, and even the occasional whale!

Their 60 foot motorized sailboat, New Horizons, was built to sail around the world.  It’s big

A New View of St. Ann's

and sturdy – that means a smooth, comfortable ride!  Enjoy the view beneath the sails on deck (with backless and backed seating – and plenty of cushions, don’t worry!), or head down below to several comfortable sitting areas.  And if you’re nosey, peek into the sleeping berths.

While at sea, experience their daily tradition of firing a cannon at sunset or try your hand at the helm – as long as the captain says it’s safe!  You might want to try before you have had your two cocktails (they’re included in the price, as are appetizers).

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!