Travel
Hit the beach, stroll a scenic cliff walk, and enjoy some art.
Ogunquit, a coastal town in Southern Maine, means “beautiful place by the sea” in the Abenaki language. The laid-back New England getaway, named one of the most underrated travel destinations for 2025 by AAA earlier this year, offers a charming village, beaches, shopping, restaurants, museums, a near century-old theater, water sports, and more. It’s also a very walkable destination, as it’s only four square miles.
Visiting Ogunquit on a budget? Ahead, discover three low-cost ways of having fun in the seaside town.
For stunning coastal views, walk the Marginal Way, a 1.25-mile paved cliff walk along the Atlantic Ocean. The handicap accessible-path stretches from the Sparhawk Oceanfront Resort on Shore Road past elegant hotels and rocky beaches to the picturesque Perkins Cove. There are benches for resting and enjoying the view, a small lighthouse perfect for selfie taking, and beach roses that bloom from June to September. The path is free and open year round.
For those traveling by car, there are two parking lots near the Marginal Way, one at Perkins Cove on the south end and another at the north end on Cottage Street off Shore Road. The town lots charge by the hour. Other ways of getting around Ogunquit include the Ogunquit Trolley, Ogunquit Shuttle Cart, or Ogunquit Beach Caddie.
After walking the Marginal Way, it’s well worth exploring Perkins Cove, a historic harbor and fishing village with galleries and shops as well as restaurants and free entertainment in the form of live music in Rotary Park all summer long.
Ogunquit Beach, a 3½-mile stretch of white sand, is consistently ranked among the top beaches in the U.S. by travel publications. The area is comprised of three beaches: Main Beach, Footbridge Beach, and North Beach. The beach is spacious, family-friendly, accessible summer escape with plenty of parking.
Needham-based TripAdvisor named Ogunquit Beach among the best beaches in the U.S., writing, “Its peaceful atmosphere makes it a great choice for a relaxing beach day. Go surfing, sunbathe, or take a dip in the inviting water.”
For those traveling by car, visitors can park in public lots for a fee at the Main Beach, Footbridge Beach, and North Beach, as well as at private lots near the beaches.
The Ogunquit Museum of American Art, founded in 1953 by artist Henry Strater, houses a permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photographs from the late 1800s to the present day. Kentucky-born Strater, part of the Lost Generation of American artists, was friends with Ernest Hemingway and visitors can view his paintings of the writer at the museum. Strater first visited Ogunquit in 1919 to study art and enjoyed many summers there after that.
The museum’s 2025 exhibits are: A Sailboat in the Moonlight, open through July 20; as well as Henry Strater’s Ogunquit; Where the Reel Lies; and Gisela McDaniel, all open through Nov. 16. The museum also offers a free digital guide with artist interviews, tours for kids, and more.
Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and students; and children are free. For those traveling by car, there is a museum parking lot. The building is a 10 minute walk from the footbridge at Perkins Cove.
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