10 Ways to Celebrate Spring at The Dunes
Finally, The temperature is rising. The snow has melted. The flowers are blooming. And the sun’s shining down. Yes. Spring has sprung at The Dunes. And in Ogunquit. Keeping all of that in mind, we thought we’d give you a few ideas on how to make the most of a spring visit to The Dunes.
The Dunes Lawn.The easiest way to really experience spring at The Dunes? Simple. Just step outside your door. The Dunes sits on 12 acres of beautifully manicured grounds filled with a remarkable collection of perennials, annual herb gardens, wildflowers and veggies. It’s an eye-popping celebration of color that provides a bright, aromatic kick-off to the new season. In fact, most of our visitors say it ranks right up there with the fabulous ocean vistas and whitewashed cottages.
Splash into Spring. Help us kick off the 2022 season with Splash into Spring. This ode to everything springy runs from April 23rd through May 7th in Ogunquit. The festival offers a wide range of activities including artisan craft fairs, sand drawings, scavenger hunts, concerts, children’s games, local food and wine tasting and beach yoga. And don’t forget the Southern Maine 5K Walk and guided walks along Marginal Way.
Spring Strolls. Ogunquit has been referred to as the most walkable community in Maine. Which makes it the perfect wake-up call after months of frigid, gray days. That first walk down The Marginal Way is a true reminder of what spring is all about. The 1.25-mile path hugs the coastline while featuring postcard-perfect views of the beaches, ocean and harbor seascape below. In addition, there’s also Mt. Agamenticus and its 40 miles of hiking trails. With an elevation of 691 feet, Mt. A. towers above the surrounding area, offering some of Maine’s most breathtaking views.
Beach Plum Farm. Beach Plum Farm is the last remaining saltwater farm in Ogunquit. On its 22-acre site you can see the remnants of an old New England salt-water farm, lots of spectacular natural landscapes and a wildlife habitat. A walking loop circles the fields and gardens, allowing for views of beach plums, bayberry and a wide variety of field grasses and flowers.
Wells Reserve at Laudholm. This national treasure protects 2,250 acres of coastal habitats, salt marsh, freshwater wetland, beach, dune, forest, and field on Maine’s southwest coast. In addition to walks, guided tours, historic sites and educational opportunities, The Wells Reserve has a long tradition of events and performances as well. This year’s events kick off with a special Earth Jams Outdoor Family Concert on April 21.
Ogunquit Playhouse. The curtain’s rising on another showstopping season at the historic Ogunquit Playhouse. The iconic theater will again feature some of the best and brightest talent from Broadway, film, and television. This year kicks off with a spectacular 90th birthday party on April 30. The 2022 schedule includes The Cher Show, The Nutty Professor, Mr. Holland’s Opus and Clue.
Jonathan’s. One of the best seafood restaurants along the Southern Maine coast, Jonathan’s is also the go-to spot for live entertainment, ranging from national recording artists such as Judy Collins and Arlo Guthrie, to comedy acts like Paula Poundstone and even a bit of magic as well. Jonathan’s 2022 schedule kicks off in April.
Mainestreet, One of northern New England’s foremost LGBTQ+ nightclubs, Mainstreet is the place to party and catch the best shows in Ogunquit. Besides being one of the top dance clubs in New England, Mainestreet showcases a variety of shows from plays to drag to comedy. And there’s nothing quite like a spring evening spent on the club’s outdoor decks overlooking the village center.
The Front Porch. What could be better than belting out a few songs with people you’ve never met before? That’s why The Front Porch is a mainstay of Ogunquit nightlife. Grab a few eats, then head upstairs to the Piano Bar, gather around the baby grand and try your hand, and voice (no matter how off-key) with a few of the standards in the Porch’s legendary singalongs.
The Ogunquit Museum of American Art, Opening its 69th season on May 1st, The Ogunquit Museum of American Art, introduces visitors to Ogunquit’s immensely rich artistic heritage as well as artwork from beyond the region. OMAA is the only Maine museum that focuses solely on American art. The museum houses over 2,000 works. Check out the galleries, sculpture garden and a wide range of unique exhibits that run from May through October.
Great food. Shopping. Art. And of course, the beach. Ogunquit is opening up like a spring flower in bloom. All of this with the same iconic sites, sounds, and activities you’d expect from any Maine getaway. Here at The Dunes, we see this annual spring reopening as a fresh start and a new adventure. Why not join us and find out for yourself?