Summer in
New England, especially Maine, means traffic jams in tiny coastal towns, but it is easy to see why. Ogunquit, which offers one of the most joyous beaches in Maine, is a nice break from the rugged, rocky, and jagged shoreline. Of course, getting into town can be a chore.
For New England visitors like me who only had a few hours at the most, the trick to enjoying Ogunquit is to park as far as possible away from the beach. The first reason is that parking can run up to $25 at the beach. But the other reason is that this verdant resort town is perfect for
walking.
I left my rental car on a street with no parking restrictions, and yet was still only a 10 minute walk from the beach. While the beach and refreshing sea water at Ogunquit made me understand why folks travel there, for me the highlight was Marginal Way.
This path, a gift from a resident from nearby York in 1925, provides a beautiful walk along Ogunquit’s shores. Massive rock outcroppings, flowers, jade colored water, resorts that belong on the set of
Dirty Dancing, amorous couples, and frolicking kids together leaves this walking path delightful. Bayberry bushes, sea roses, and bittersweet bushes compete with granite outcroppings to catch your eye.
Marginal Way was badly damaged during the 1991 New England Hurricane, but its local stakeholders banded together and restored this path. If you had to rush through Maine like me, make sure you take the time out enjoy Marginal Way, one of the most beautiful walks anywhere. And frankly, the sight of all those umbrellas on the beach, which looked like M&M’s from afar, provided a glimpse of Americana that I am glad I did not miss.
A view of the Atlantic from Ogunquit
Ogunquit Beach
Hard to peel yourself away from Ogunquit
Lighthouse (depending on your definition), Ogunquit
Marginal Way, Ogunquit
[...] towns are well worth a tour, too. Deciding to hop on the interstate after traipsing through Ogunquit and Kennebunkport, I passed through Biddeford and spent some time wandering around the town’s [...]