The Kennebunks are the gateway to Maine.
We always enjoy the fact that when vacationers visit our area, they are either starting off (or finishing up) a beautiful tour of our great state. There is so much to see and do (and lobster to eat!) here in Maine that makes it a unique and fulfilling destination for travel
The weather outside is still a bit gray and damp; the garden is getting ready to be tilled and cleaned for springtime planting. The longer days fill us with hope and we have been busy talking about all the things we can’t wait to enjoy again once the weather warms up!
As we begin the month of March, we are thinking about our upcoming summer travelers, and the needs that our guests have while planning for a vacation.
We enjoy sharing our love of things to do and places to dine. We know that you like to plan ahead too, and we thought we would take the time to outline some of our local favorite haunts to help you get excited for the months ahead.
Lobster Rolls
Our local lobster fishery is at an all-time high for production. The time is right to enjoy the crown jewel of Maine seafood and there is NO better place in Maine than the Kennebunks to enjoy this classic and lauded dish.
Here are several of our local favorites:
Pearl & Spat Oyster Cellar: A split-top lobster roll,, served with loads of fresh meat and herbed mayonnaise.This roll is elegant and upscale. Pair it with a glass of prosecco while you enjoy it on the open patio.
Port Lobster: A local favorite for price and flavor, this no-frills lobster roll is packed with meat that is lightly dressed with heavy mayonnaise. The roll can be dry toasted or plain. These rolls are perfect as a on-the-go treat.
The Clam Shack: A heavy-hitting, nationwide favorite, this lobster sandwich is served on a round roll and showcases large chunks of meat and a lobster tail. Order it like the locals as “Competition Style” and it will be served with mayonnaise, melted butter, and a wedge of lemon.
The Ocean Roll: This food truck packs wallop of flavor in a tiny mobile kitchen. This variety is a classic butter-toasted split top roll, mounded with briny, succulent lobster meat. It is just “kissed” with a hint of mayo. Enjoy it al fresco on Route 1 in Kennebunk with other traveling diners. You can taste the sweetness of the sea in every bite.
Sailing Daytrips
The Kennebunk River and its harbor are part of Maine’s working waterfront. Commercial and recreational fisherman run the waterways. Classic lobster boats along with reproduction schooners and ketch style boats welcome guests for scenic tours of the coastline. You can enjoy the history of the area’s most bountiful industry, and take a sail down memory lane as you enjoy our shipbuilding past and our maritime influence on early American trade.
Our favorite trips:
Schooner Eleanor: Join Captain Rich “Woody” Woodman and his crew for a two hour sail downtown the Kennebunk river and along the southern Maine coastline. Woody handcrafted the gaff-rigged schooner and launched her in 1999. It’s a beautiful vessel — perfect for day cruises and sunset trips.
The Pineapple Ketch: Captain John Martin and his crew sail out of the Nonantum Resort. This historic ship is distinctly marked by its red sails and compact hull. In full sail, the Pineapple Ketch is gorgeous to behold both on deck, or viewed shoreside from the beach and walking paths around Parson’s Way.
The Rugosa: This lobster fishing cruise is perfect for the entire family. Learn first-hand how to fish for lobster. Captain Bob and his crew take you on a 1 hour cruise down the Kennebunk River. See how fisherman bait-and-set traps and try your hand and banding a lobster claw.
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Do you have any Lobster Rolls that need to be added to our list? How about Sailing trips? We would love to hear from you. Stay tuned next month for some of our favorite local restaurants. As you well know, Maine is a food lover\’s paradise!
Warmest Regards!
March Specials at the Inn at English Meadows:
- All season long, we will be serving up a “Lobster Roll Picnic” for our guests: Order a “Lobster Roll Box” for two, to enjoy on the beach or along one of many walking and biking trails in the Kennebunks. The box includes 2 fresh lobster rolls, coleslaw and chips, accompanied by local beer, water or soft drinks. The Lobster Roll Box is packed in our English Meadows insulated bags. The bags are a special souvenir and are yours to keep. Bicycles available for your use at an added fee. Contact us upon check-in or pre-order for your stay at 207-967-5766.
- March Supper Club 3/24/2018 Featuring Krupp Brothers Wine, Curate Maine, and Chef Hagai Bernstein of EVO in Portland, Maine. Our clubs have been selling out and our guests are telling us, “It such a lovely evening with fabulous food and great friends.” Tickets include a welcome cocktail, four courses, 4 full wine pairings, tax and gratuity. Find out more about these special evenings and book your ticket at http://bit.ly/2I0jEag. There is a 20% discount if your book a room with your Supper Club reservation. Please call us to book at 207-967-5766.
- See all of our great blog posts on our updated website. Our newly redesigned layout is built to help you plan for a wonderful vacation and getaway with us here in Kennebunk, Maine.
Photo credits above: Kristin Fuhrman-Simmons, Alex Parisi, The Martins & The Pineapple Ketch Website.