Our New England Travel Diary // Part 2: Ogunquit, Maine
Our New England Travel Diary
As you probably figured out by our last blog post, Rob and I took a spontaneous trip to Boston the weekend before last. With so much that we wanted to see and do with only a short weekend to fit it into, we packed our time full with as much as we could. I’ve had so much fun re-living our action-packed weekend with you by blogging about where we stayed, what we did, what we ate, and even what we wish we would’ve done. If you haven’t had the chance to read last week’s blog post on Part 1 of our New England travel diary, go check it out! (Thankfully, I spared you Rob’s awful Boston accent.)
READ ALSO: Our New England Travel Diary // Part 1: Boston, Massachusetts
Part 2: Ogunquit, Maine
Today on the blog, I can’t wait to share with you Part 2 of our New England travel diary. As you may saw by following along on our Instagram stories, the second day of our ‘Boston’ trip really wasn’t in Boston at all. As huge foodies who like to make the most of every trip, we definitely try to plan where we should eat ahead of time. We began to think of where we could find the best Lobster to eat when planning our trip. We soon realized that with under a two hour drive, we could drive up to Maine and get Lobster on the coast.
What better place to eat Maine lobster than in Maine? The answer is nowhere.
So, that’s exactly what we did! On Sunday, we took advantage of the relatively short drive and made our way up to Ogunquit, Maine to explore the tiny tourist town and eat our weight in Maine lobster. Originally, we had only plans to go to the restaurant and back. But when I made Rob pull over at the visitor center to get a quick photo with a ‘Welcome to Maine’ sign, we went inside to look at all the tourist pamphlets to see what else we could do while we were there. We met the sweetest local behind the counter that informed us we were extremely lucky. Apparently, coastal towns like Ogunquit typically shut down (almost completely) for the off-season, but that was the first weekend that some of the local places were re-opening!
So, while a lot of the places were still closed as we wandered around town, we at least got to hit up some of the popular local spots. Rob and I could only imagine how beautiful the town must be in the summer as it gets warmer. (Planning our trip during warmer weather is definitely something we wish we would’ve done!) We hope that we’ll get to plan a trip back soon!
Where We Ate
Barnacle Billy’s
Thanks to the Ogunquit local who worked at the Maine visitor center, we took the scenic route along the coast into town. (More on that in a minute!) However, our first mission and order of business when we came into town was finding Barnacle Billy’s in Perkins Cove to try their famous Lobster Rolls for lunch. Like with my Boston Clam Chowder experience, until that day I had never tried a Lobster Roll. Needless to say, I don’t think I want to try them anywhere else. It was so amazingly delicious that I’m afraid anywhere else would be a complete let-down! It was the perfect lunch fuel for walking around the local shops at Perkins Cove.
The Lobster Shack
Before we took the scenic route back out of town, I told Rob that I couldn’t leave without having just plain Lobster. (There’s a special place in my heart for Crab/Lobster and clarified butter!) Before heading back to the car, we stopped in The Lobster Shack right around the corner from Barnacle Billy’s in Perkins Cove. The staff was so nice, and they even put my lobster on the counter for me to pick out the size. I couldn’t help but giggle at his claws spread out wide like he was giving me an air hug. Not only was he cute, he tasted amazing. Hands down the best lobster I’ve ever had. (I’m starting to see a pattern about the food up here – HA!)
What We Did
The Scenic Route
Like I mentioned above, we were able to take the scenic route through town along the coast thanks to the Ogunquit local at the visitor center. It was absolutely beautiful and unlike anything I’ve ever seen with going to the coast while living in the South. We drove slow and pulled over a lot to take in the breathtaking view. Again, I wish we would have known to plan our trip during the warmer weather. I would have loved to walk more along the beaches and the cliffside.
Visited Local Shops
While driving along the scenic route, we also stopped along the way to visit some of the local shops that just opened up for the season. We especially loved visiting the local candy shops to pick up some goodies made locally in Maine for our families – because who doesn’t love local-made candy as a souvenir? We stopped at Perkins Cove Candies for salt water taffy, and then we stopped at Harbor Candy Shop for more chocolate goodies and fudge they were making fresh in-house! My parents are huge salt water taffy fans and couldn’t stop eating it when we gave it to them. Meanwhile, Rob couldn’t help but eat the dark chocolate with Maine sea salt in the car on the drive back to Boston! It’s safe to say that we picked the right presents to bring back to everyone!
Nubble Lighthouse
During our drive on the scenic route on our way back out of town, we decided to take a detour to visit the Nubble Lighthouse in York. The view was breathtaking from as soon as we drove up. We got to drive right up to the cliff to park in the lot and get out. I was super surprised to see so many people there walking/sitting along the rocks to take photos or even sitting in the car to just take in the view. Unfortunately, with the high winds and cold weather, it was bone chilling cold. We didn’t last too long outside of the car before retreating. (Another reason why I wish we could make the trip back with warmer weather!)
Well, friends, that quick overview of our day in Ogunquit, Maine concludes Part 2 of our New England travel diary. If you ever find yourself traveling up to this tiny Maine town for a quick weekend away (or all the lobster!) like we did, I hope our travel guide helps you plan your trip with intention. We already can’t to go back and explore more of Maine’s beautiful coast – and of course eat more lobster!
Have you been to Maine before? Tell me about your experience in a comment below! Are there any other things we must do the next time we return?
Travel out East has always been one place I want to visit. My husband and I would love seeing the lighthouses and eating some wonderful lobster and crab.
I highly recommend the trip, Candy! You and your husband will love it! 🙂
What gorgeous vistas ! What yummy lobster. I’m having travel envy right about now. lol .. Maybe some day soon.
It was absolutely delicious!!
Wow what a fun trip! Love the lobster meal and the sights you saw.
It was such a lovely trip! 🙂
This trip looks amazing. New england is one of my favorite places, but I’ve never made it up to maine. I will have to go this summer. I love the coastal hustle and bustle!
IT was such an amazing trip for sure! I highly recommend it 🙂 I can’t wait to make it back during the summer months!
All the views are absolutely stunning! And butter + crab/lobster has a special place in my heart, too.
Amen, sister friend! 🙂
We are heading up to maine in a few weeks – further north where my MIL lives. I do love that maine welcome center, they have great resources there is alot to do in maine. sadly, no one in my family likes lobster!
What!! How crazy!! It is so good – especially up there!!
saving this post for later. My boyfriend and I would love to travel to New England!
I hope this post will help y’all plan your trip! 🙂
Beautiful views! You look like you had an amazing time. I have been wanting to visit New England for a while. This just kicks my desires into over drive,
It definitely was an amazing time! I highly recommend it. 🙂
Main is on my bucket list. I want to visit all 50 states at some point. i’ve been to every state new york to florida on the east coast. I just need to get to new england!
You go, girl! Sounds like you need to plan your next trip now. 🙂
I have always wanted to go to Maine! Your photos are beautiful! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you, Katie! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂
Oh wow new england is gorgeous! I really want to visit Boston and Maine. I LOVE lobster and the scenery looked amazing.
I highly recommend it, Courtney! 🙂 It was wonderful!
This looks like such a fun and beautiful trip! I love seeing all of the food you got to try!