Wells Beach, Maine

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and saltwater marshes, and nestled between Ogunquit and Kennebunkport, Maine, is the historic and picturesque stretch of coastline known as Wells Beach, Maine.

For decades, Wells Beach has been a favorite beach resort for family vacations. Although the wide expanse of the long, white sandy beaches - Wells Beach, Crescent Beach, and Drakes Island Beach - can be very seductive, the area also offers a large variety of other activities, geared for the entire family.

Wells Beach, Maine Attractions

When it's time to take a break from the sun and sand you may want to head off to...

• sail aboard the 34 foot, The Gift, to do some Maine whale watching, or spot dolphins, seals, and cormorants as you watch the lobstermen pulling their pots
• play a few holes of golf among the blueberry and raspberry fields at the par 3 Merriland Farm Golf Course
• treat the kids to a trip to Wonder Mountain with its two 18 hole miniature golf courses and a full arcade
• see over 80 classic old cars at the Wells Auto Museum
• board the summer trolley for a relaxing sight-seeing trip around town
• hike the trails of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, scattered along 50 miles of coastline, sea plants and animals not found elsewhere in Maine
• browse the dozens of area antique stores and used book shops as you head up and down Route 1
• catch a first run movie at the Wells Five Star Cinema Complex

Or...

Head to the Wells Harbor Town Dock and board The Nor'easter, the Lethal Weapon, or the Gath III and India Marie with Captain Satch and Sons, for a coastal or deep sea fishing charter in search of striped bass, cod, bluefish, tuna, haddock, pollock, shark, or other ocean fish.

Just as short drive to the north are the charming seaside communities of The Kennebunks, Kennebunkport, Arundel and Cape Porpoise, with their stunning quintessential New England scenery.

A few miles south is Ogunquit, famous for its miles of gorgeous white sandy beaches, as well as Perkins cove, a quaint working harbor with shops, galleries and restaurants.

Being centrally located along the southern Maine coast, Wells Beach, Maine is in a great spot from which to launch other expeditions. In less than an hour's drive you can enjoy all that Freeport, Portland, Old Orchard Beach, The Yorks, Kittery, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire have to offer.

Wells Beach, Maine Vacation Rentals and Wells, Maine Lodging

In both Wells Beach, Maine and Wells, Maine, Mother Nature has provided a wonderful atmosphere for a totally laid back vacation. And, the lodging accommodations...

...hotels, motels, inns, cottages, campgrounds, and for rent by owner homes and condominiums - well reflect that environment.

Your choices will be many and varied, and include, among others...

Wells Beach, Maine lodging...

From oceanside motel rooms, such as those at Lafayette's Oceanfront Resort, and the Atlantic Motor Inn, you can be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the waves breaking over a seven mile stretch of sparkling sandy beach.

Or, a two minute walk from the ocean is Haven by the Sea, a lovingly restored seaside church turned into a bed and breakfast. Selected as a Fodor's Choice 2008 and featured on the Hallmark Channel, this immaculate B&B has also been named in the Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America.

And, not far from Wells Beach, but centrally located, are other favorite vacation rentals, many offering family accommodations.

Wells, Maine rentals...

Less than one mile from Wells Beach you can settle into The Beach Farm Inn, with its guest rooms and cottages decorated with an eclectic mix of art and antiques, or the Misty Harbor Resort, an all suite condominium.

You will also find...

The Seagull Inn and Condominiums, which offers three bedroom townhouses, one and two bedroom vintage cottages, and two bedroom contemporary cottages

And, off the beaten path, less than a mile from Drakes Island Beach is Cottages in the Lane, bordering the Rachel Carson and Laudholm Farm wildlife preserves.

For something more rustic and adventuresome there is also camping in Wells, Maine.

The Wells Beach Resort Campground and the Sea-Vu Campground are centrally located on Route 1, both with an 18 hole mini-golf course and swimming pools, along with a host of other amenities.

You may also be interested in:
Freeport, Kittery Maine, Maine Coastal Vacations, Maine Vacation Rentals, York Beach Maine

Wells Beach Maine and Wells, Maine Restaurants

Is it the smell of the salt air that makes Maine seafood taste SO good?

I don't know...

But whatever it is, you'll find it at work in Wells and Wells Beach Maine, where there is no shortage of fresh, locally caught, lobsters, fish, clams, oysters, and scallops. You won't see many menus without an abundance of dinners, sandwiches, salads, soups and chowders created from the freshest seafood available.

Billy's Chowder House is no exception. Located in the middle of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, on Mile Road (the road with water on both sides that connects Route 1 to Wells Beach) this casual seafood restaurant offers an abundance of seafood delights in a unique setting.

Lord's Harborside Restaurant, "Where Lobster is King", is no exception either. Lord's, located on Harbor Road, in Wells Harbor, serves dozens of traditional fried and broiled seafood dishes, along with meatier entrees for the non-seafood lover.

Down on the beach...

The Forbes family has been serving breakfast, lunch and dinner at Forbes Seafood Restaurant and take out for over 85 years. Ask them about their Scrambled Burger Sandwich - I hear it's the BEST!

Even at the award winning Varvano's Italian Restaurant, on Mile Road in Wells, a wide selection of "Pesce" is served, alongside traditional and house specialty Italian plates.

The upscale Joshua's restaurant also has some wonderful seafood dishes among its many gourmet offerings, as does The Steakhouse, both located on Route 1.

And, for a unique diner experience...

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Maine Diner on Route 1 in Wells, has served over 5,000,000 visitors since it opened its doors in 1983. Not only do they serve great comfort food, offered in the "Diner Food" section of their menu, but they also serve up a wonderful "secret recipe lobster pie", as well as seafood dinners and sandwiches.

What if you want your lobster fix early in the day? You're in luck - Lobster Quiche and Lobster Benedict are on the breakfast menu at the Maine Diner.

But if something more simple is what you have in mind for breakfast, be sure to stop at Congdon's Doughnuts. Congdon's serves plenty of other food too, but it's their doughnuts that has everyone talking!

Explore...

...and you are likely to find your own favorite hidden somewhere in Wells or Wells Beach, Maine.

If you have a special place in Wells Beach, Maine that you would like to share, please feel free to suggest it to me and I can include it here!