Welcome to The Dunes on the Waterfront
We appreciate you choosing us for your vacation getaway. We’ve put together a few ideas to help you make the most of your stay.
The Dunes Office
Join us in the morning starting at 7 am for a hot cup of Dunes Blend coffee or a cup of Harney tea. Grab a book before heading to the beach or pool or while sitting in front of your fireplace on a crisp fall day. The Dunes team members are available to help you make your stay comfortable until 11 pm daily.
Rowboats
A must-do while at The Dunes is to row yourself over to the beach using one of our complimentary rowboats. The Tidal River fills and empties based on the tide. During high tide, there is a 5-hour window to cross with a row boat to a quieter section of Ogunquit Beach. The row boats are limited and first come, first serve! For availability, visit the front desk and a team member will assist you.
Swimming
Need a break from the beach? Head over to our outdoor heated pool. You will find plenty of open areas with comfortable lounge chairs and umbrellas to sunbathe or take a dip in our 80° pool. The pool is open daily from 9 am to dusk (Late May to September).
Grills
After a hot summer day, step outside and grill up some steaks and burgers. You will find our gas grills centrally located on the property near the pool. And enjoy a beautiful view of The Dunes at the same time.
Lawn Games
Enjoy an afternoon game of Shuffleboard or challenge your family to a game of cornhole. Visit the office for a variety of lawn games including croquet, and bocce ball. Want to play a game of HORSE at the basketball hoop or toss a football; we have you covered. Don’t forget to let the little ones in your family enjoy the recently added playground.
Kayaking
Our dock is the perfect spot to launch a kayak and enjoy a peaceful paddle up the Tidal River into the estuaries of the marshlands. Please see one of our team members at the front desk to rent a tandem or single kayak.
Board Games
Challenge your family members to a game of chess or checkers – in our office – or take a game back to your room.
Paddle Boarding
One of the most popular water sports activities can be found right here at The Dunes. Renting a paddle board is just another way to relax and de-stress here at The Dunes.
Inquire with one of our team members at the Front Desk to rent a board.
Things to do in the Area
Ogunquit Beach
Ogunquit Beach is naturally covered in fine, sugary, white sand, unlike many in New England. That sand also descends gradually into the water, creating a safe platform for swimming and other activities. You can row one of our boats across the river when the tide is in or take a short, easy walk over when the tide is out. Guests have direct access to a quieter, less crowded section of Ogunquit Beach, away from the main public access points.
Main Beach | Footbridge Beach
Main Beach is the most popular area in Ogunquit and usually the busiest. It is located near the center of town (just 3/4 of a mile south of The Dunes) and offers a large paid parking lot, public restrooms with outdoor showers, food service (takeout and seated) along with small shops.
The Footbridge Beach area is typically a quieter alternative to the Main Beach. It is so named because you reach it by crossing a charming plank bridge over the Ogunquit River (seen from The Dunes). There is public parking at Footbridge Beach just about a mile north of The Dunes and is an easy walk from your unit.
Looking for that must-have gear for a day at the beach? Ogunquit Beach “n” Sports is located right at Main Beach and rents chairs, umbrellas, and just about any other basic beach necessities (they will also deliver to The Dunes).
Local Restaurants
Looking for a taste of something more local – like a succulent Maine lobster right out of the Atlantic? Or a plate of garden-fresh greens or a vegan dish created with ingredients from one of our nearby local farms?
Click here for some of our tried and true favorites. If you are looking for something else please stop by the front desk and one of our team members will offer additional suggestions. Ogunquit has many options for every member of your family.
Cruises in Ogunquit
Tours
Sunset Cruises. Boat Tours. Fishing. Even whale watching. There are lots of boat tours, cruises, and charters that traverse the Ogunquit shoreline and venture into the Atlantic Ocean.
Please visit the front desk and one of our team members will provide you with the most updated tours in our area.
Walking & Hiking
The Marginal Way
One of Ogunquit’s definite must-do’s. This famed, paved 1.1 mile cliff walk winds along the ocean’s edge between Ogunquit and Perkins Cove. Benches are available in many spots to take a rest, a photo, or just breathe in the salt air and enjoy the crashing surf.
Click here for more information.
Mount Agamenticus
Mt. Agamenticus, or Mount A as the locals call it, offers 40 miles of easy to difficult hiking trails and an elevation of 691 feet. Mt. A. towers above the surrounding area, offering some of Maine’s most breathtaking views … some of which actually stretch over three states. Some additional and a bit more relaxing walks are the local nature preserves, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, and Wells Reserve at Laudholm.
Theater & Entertainment
The Ogunquit Playhouse
Located off Route 1 in Ogunquit, and known as “America’s foremost summer theater”, the Ogunquit Playhouse has been a summer staple since 1933. The iconic playhouse produces and showcases a mix of old and new Broadway-caliber musicals that have featured everyone from Bette Davis (who also just so happens to have been the first female lifeguard in Ogunquit) to Steve McQueen, Walter Matthau, William Shatner, and Cybil Shepherd. Even today, scores of well-known actors, such as Playhouse regular and All in the Family star Sally Struthers, make their escape from hot city summers to the cool ocean breezes of Ogunquit.
Click here for the 2023 summer schedule.
The Leavitt Theater
Established in 1925, The Leavitt Theater is one of the last of the great art deco cinemas dating back to the silent film era. Today, it offers a series of interesting first-run movies, classic, independent, and local films. It is also home to live events, craft cocktails, a light food menu, and nightly live entertainment. The theater is open from spring through fall.
Nightlife
Front Porch Piano Bar
Grab the trolley to the center of town and pay a visit to The Front Porch and Piano Bar for drinks and/or dinner. An Ogunquit food and entertainment scene staple, you can sit by the establishment’s piano and join in a sing-along of classic pop tunes. What’s more, It pairs live music shows with delicious eats like seasonal flatbreads, gourmet burgers, and comfort food classics.
Click here for entertainment schedule.
Jonathan’s Ogunquit
Jonathan’s upstairs concert venue features live comedy like Maine’s own Bob Marley, national headliners like Sawyer Fredericks, Paula Poundstone and popular recording artists like Judy Collins and Steve Earle. With over 50 comedy shows and concerts annually. Jonathan’s Ogunquit offers premiere entertainment in a truly intimate setting.
Click here for entertainment schedule.
Mainestreet
Mainestreet is northern New England’s largest gay nightclub featuring 2 dance rooms, 2 outdoor decks, and 3 bars. Dance to the latest Top 40 and take in the spectacular light show. Live performances as well.
Click here for more information.
Art Museums & Galleries
The Ogunquit Museum of American Art
Featuring paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and other works, the museum contains pieces from the late 19th century to today. Notably, it is the only museum in all of Maine dedicated to American art history. Visitors can also enjoy the landscaped oceanfront gardens, which span three acres outside the museum.
Click here for more information.
The Barn Gallery
The Barn Gallery shows what talented local artists of the Ogunquit Art Association can accomplish. The Gallery has a number of exhibitions each year that include painting, sculpture, and other contemporary art works. There is also an art auction that gives fans and connoisseurs the chance to walk away with some unique and beautiful pieces.
Historic Homes & Museums
Ogunquit Heritage Museum
Stroll through Ogunquit’s heritage, from the days of fishing, farming, ship building, and sea captains to the town’s world-renowned art colony and summer theater. The museum’s grounds include an open, grassy park and an 18th-century Cape-style home that holds its exhibits and artifacts. Look for a replication of an Ogunquit dory in Perkins Cove or in front of the museum. Located at the historic Captain James Winn House.
Click here for more information.
Historical Society of Wells & Ogunquit
The Historical Society of Wells & Ogunquit maintains the town’s historic Meetinghouse and church, which dates back to 1862. Today, the Meetinghouse Museum’s exhibits show the tales of Maine’s first settlers, the history of the area’s schools, shipbuilding, locals and visitors and the building itself.
Click here for historic homes and museums.
The Ogunquit Memorial Library
Architecture and Books. Built in 1897, this historic structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Come for the architecture alone – its stunning Romanesque and Romanesque Revival architecture are extremely rare in New England; The book collection contains over 12,923 volumes.
Click here for more information.
Transportation
Getting around Ogunquit and Perkins Cove is easy and convenient. There are three ways:
Here’s an informational video on getting around Ogunquit:
By Foot
Ogunquit is an extremely walkable town. It’s four square miles and less than a 15 minute walk to downtown from The Dunes.
Click here for maps.
By Trolley
Our open-air trolleys are a great way to get from one point to another. These bright red trolleys made right here in Ogunquit are comfortable and fun. Hopping on a trolley is easy with a North bound and South bound stop at our entrance. The trolley allows you to access most of Ogunquit from the downtown area to the beaches and Perkins Cove to explore our local attractions. Trolleys are in service from July 1st to Mid-October weather permitting.
Click here for schedules and fares.
By Car
When driving around Ogunquit, parking is a key consideration. There are a number of municipal lots run by the Town of Ogunquit. Parking is also available at or near the beaches for a daily flat fee or by the hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you find?
Groceries
- Village Food Market – 230 Main Street, Ogunquit (corner of Beach Street and Main Street). Village Food Market has basic and gourmet items, a great selection of wine and local beers, sandwiches for the beach, and can even deliver groceries to your Cottage or Guestroom.
- Hannaford Supermarket – 107 Wells Plaza, Wells – Here you will find your traditional grocery store with a full selection of liquor.
Banks & ATMs
- Kennebunk Savings Bank – 142 Main Street, Ogunquit – Full Service Bank and 24/7 ATM
- Bangor Savings Bank – 196 Main Street, Ogunquit – Full Service Bank and 24/7 ATM
- Bank of America ATM – 173 Main Street, Ogunquit – 24/7 ATM (Located beside Nikano’s)
Laundromats
- Wishy-Washy Laundromat OGT – 731 Main Street, Ogunquit
- Washing Wells Laundromat – 329 Post Road, Wells
Places of Worship
Roman Catholic
- St. Mary’s Church – 236 Eldridge Road, Wells – 207-646-5605 – Services year-round
- All Saints Church – 45 School Street, Ogunquit – 207-646-5605 – Summer services only
Episcopal
- St. Peter’s by the Sea – 535 Shore Road, Cape Neddick – 207-361-2030 – Summer services only
- St. Georges Episcopal – 407 York Street, York – 207-363-7376 – Services year-round
Baptist
- Ogunquit Baptist Church – 157 Shore Rd, Ogunquit – 207-646-2160
Methodist
- York-Ogunquit United Methodist Church – 1026 US-1, York – 207-363-2749
Jewish
- Temple Israel – 200 State Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire – 603-436-5301 – Services year-round