Ogunquit in September: The Perfect Girls’ Getaway
Ogunquit in September: The Perfect Girls’ Getaway
A Little Maine Magic - Off-season, On Point | 9.30.26
There’s something about a girls’ trip to Maine in September that just feels right.
The summer crowds have disappeared, the air is starting to get that crisp little fall feeling, and everything moves at a slower, sweeter pace. We drove up from Boston to Ogunquit for a few days, and somehow every detail felt like it had been curated for us.
Our first stop was Kennebunk for breakfast, which immediately put us in vacation mode. From there, we wandered into Fish Haus, a tiny, charming shop filled with coastal treasures and handmade ceramics. We then settled into our hotel, perfectly tucked within walking distance of the beach. Each evening, we found a delicious spot for dinner and lingered over great drinks. Honestly, we didn’t have a single bad meal the entire trip - just good food, pretty places, and plenty of time to enjoy it all,
Every morning, we had a coffee ritual at the cutest little French café. The coffee was so good, and sitting with the girls in a cute little table in a garden by the hotel was the best. There was nowhere we needed to be. No rushing. Just coffee and a slow morning.
Then we'd walk into Ogunquit and spend the day getting lost in the best possible way.
And somehow, we had the best luck.
There happened to be a painting contest happening around town, with artists set up capturing the scenery. It was so charming and quintessentially Maine that it almost felt staged. We wandered around watching everyone paint, stopping whenever something caught our eye.
Lunch was exactly what you'd want in Maine: lobster rolls and sandwiches, eaten casually on adirondack chairs overlooking the cove filled with painters.
We spent the afternoon popping in and out of little shops, browsing, laughing, and inevitably buying things we absolutely did not need. My favorite find? The cutest little ceramic trolls. Completely random and completely adorable. I did not get one but I am still thinking about them so obviously I will have to get one when I go back.
Eventually, we made our way back along Marginal Way, the gorgeous coastal path that follows the ocean. The whole walk felt cinematic. The ocean on one side, the rocky coastline, the September light, and all of us chatting as we wandered along. It was one of those moments where you look around and think, Okay, this is exactly why we came.
Then we landed at the beach for some very necessary lazy time. And, because Ogunquit apparently wanted to keep surprising us, there was a kite contest happening on the beach. Colorful, huge kites were floating through the sky while we sat by the water. We genuinely felt like we were in a movie.
That night, we went to a fun drag show, followed by a lovely dinner. It was the perfect combination of fun, a little glam, and just enough chaos to make the night memorable.
The next morning, we went back for our coffee - obviously - and then had one last leisurely brunch before heading home.
And that was Ogunquit in September.
Good coffee. Lobster rolls. Tiny shops. Ceramic trolls. Ocean walks. Painting contests. Kites in the sky. Drag shows. Long dinners. And lots and lots of laughing with the girls.
There was something about visiting in the off-season that made everything feel even more special. Ogunquit wasn't trying to impress us. It was just quietly being charming, and we got to experience it without the summer rush. Sometimes the best girls’ trips aren't the ones packed with plans. They're the ones where you wander, stumble upon something unexpected, drink too much coffee, buy a ridiculous little souvenir, sit by the ocean, and realize you're having one of those weekends you'll remember forever.
September in Ogunquit was magical.
With Love,
LC