City: Coastal Maine, ME

Category: Parks & Recreation

Description: All told, the sands of Kennebunk Beach are among the longest in Maine, and they’re divided into three sections. Parking is by permit only—again $15 per day, $25 per week—so taking the trolley is a good idea. Mother’s Beach: A short section of Kennebunk Beach on the west end of Beach Avenue, off Routes 9 and 35 near Lords Point, Mother’s is within walking distance of the Lower Village if you feel like stretching the gams a bit. (Might be a half mile.) Parking is limited, so it might be easiest to take the trolley. Though it’s only 750 feet or so, Mother’s Beach has many of the amenities of the super strands, including a playground, public restrooms, and lifeguards. Middle Beach: The central section of Kennebunk Beach, between Mother’s and Gooch’s, Middle Beach is a 1,200-foot rocky strand with black stones. (Some locals call it Rocks Beach.) This is where you want to go if your idea of going to the beach includes Rollerblades—a sidewalk runs along the top. No lifeguards here. Gooch’s Beach: The largest stretch of greater Kennebunk Beach at 3,346 feet, Gooch’s Beach is well within view of many of the condos and hotels of Kennebunk, which makes it not as pretty as some of Maine’s beaches. The fine, fine sand almost makes up for it, though, and attracts big crowds. This is the most popular stretch of Kennebunk Beach, and it can be swarming with sunbathers, surfers, picnickers, and castle builders on a hot summer day. You can watch the pleasure boats cruise down on the Kennebunk River, which empties into the Atlantic nearby. Lifeguards are on duty in high summer.