Summer Travel Guide to Ogunquit, Maine

Just 90 minutes from downtown Boston, but a world away on a summer weekend, Ogunquit, Maine is the perfect summer getaway for city-dwellers seeking an alternative to a traditional Cape Cod escape.

Ogunquit combines the charm of a quaint New England fishing village and the seclusion of 3.5 miles of white sand beaches with sophisticated dining, shopping and art.

The sea

More than 70 years ago, concerned with protecting and preserving access, town resident s acquired their magnificent sandy beaches from the state and turned them into a municipal park - one of just two in the state. Today, the vast expanses of powdery white sand can be reached from just three points, preventing overdevelopment and ensuring visitors room to enjoy this seaside treasure.

For those who also want to experience Maine's "rocky coast," there's the Marginal Way - a mile-and-a-quarter paved path that winds from the harbor to the beach. Here you can leisurely enjoy an incredible view of the Atlantic as it crashes against craggy granite rocks and cliffs, or sit and smell the sea roses from one of the 80 benches along the path - each dedicated to the memory of person who once enjoyed this scenic walk themselves.

The harbor

Perkins Cove lays at the south end of the beaches, at the outlet of the Josias River, and it's a small fishing cove right off a picture postcard. The main attraction is the unique draw-footbridge. It offers a means to stroll across the cove - except when tall-masted boats need to move through and the bridge is raised to clear a way for them. While raising the bridge is officially the job of the harbormaster, it's also a popular attraction for kids, who can't help but pitch in and help.

The arts

Ogunquit has long been a haven for artists. Drawn here by the scenic vistas and the proximity to major cities, the town was a thriving art colony for almost a century. Galleries, studios, antique and jewelry shops are abundant.

Since the 1930s, the town has also been home to a successful summer theater. The Ogunquit Playhouse has brought Broadway shows to the seacoast for over 75 years, which made the area a summer getaway for the likes of Montgomery Clift and Bette Davis - who discovered it while performing here.

The food

Some of the finest dining north of Boston is available in Ogunquit. The highlight is undoubtedly Arrows - once named one of the top 15 restaurants in America by Gourmet magazine and among the ten "most romantic" restaurants in the country by Bon Appetit. The chef/owners make their own cheese and grow their own vegetables, serving top-notch food in a French country style.

In the summer, 98 Provence opens the doors to its converted farmhouse and serves delicious French food as well. Those lucky enough to get a reservation enjoy great food in a rustic setting which includes a large stone fireplace and hearth in the dining room.

The lodging

Ogunquit has a wide variety of rooms available, including a couple dozen inns and bed-and-breakfasts. Or, you can opt for the resort setting of The Cliff House, a hotel and spa that has perched above a rocky outcropping into the sea for nearly 140 years.

The town is also widely known as one of the most gay-friendly destinations in the country, as well as among the most pet-friendly places to spend a summer vacation.