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Posts Tagged ‘winter getaways’

A Romantic Evening in Kennebunkport Maine

February 27th, 2013 by mainestayinn

On a blustery evening like tonight, there is nothing better than a cozy, romantic dinner before settling in for the night, and fortunately for everyone, Kennebunkport Maine has some great destinations that fit the bill perfectly! Now, I have to admit that sometimes on wintry nights like this one, visitors choose to bring their dinners in, to enjoy before the living room fire (yep, I’ve certainly been known to do this myself!), because it is just oh-so-tempting to hop into bed or slide into a hot bath without having to brave the elements.  But when you’re hankering for a romantic dinner out, consider checking out one of these great nearby restaurants that score a perfect 10 for setting the mood.

  • Just a moment’s drive from the Maine Stay Inn, you’ll find Grissini, an Italian restaurant with an upscale main floor and a more casual lower level, known as the Grotto.  And on a snowy winter evening, there is
    Enjoy a romantic dinner on a snowy winter night

    Enjoy a romantic dinner on a snowy winter night!

    nothing more romantic than sipping a glass of your favorite wines in front of their roaring fireplace.  

  • Want a spot that sets the mood that’s close enough to walk to  - even in the snow?  The fireside lounge style dining and cozy bar area at One Dock is a great choice.  Plus, with great gluten free options, it’s a personal fave.
  • Just a few minutes down the road on the Wells border, you’ll find Joshua’s Restaurant.  Set in a colonial farmhouse, you’ll find an intimate dining atmosphere (and yes, it has fireplaces – plural!) with positively incredible concoctions.
  • But if you are looking for fine dining a little closer to home, On the Marsh Bistro is always a hit.  There you’ll enjoy a stellar meal by candlelight with attentive, never oppressive service.  And since it’s located about two minutes from your Kennebunkport Maine bed and breakfast, you’ll hardly have time to feel the winter chill before snuggling into bed!

So even though Valentine’s Day has passed, there are plenty of great ways to celebrate the ones you love, and enjoying a romantic dinner on a classic winter evening in Kennebunkport Maine seems tops the list.

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Winter Wonderland Activities in Kennebunkport Maine

January 17th, 2013 by mainestayinn

A light dusting of snow fell today in Kennebunkport Maine, which really got me thinking about all of the great winter activities to enjoy in the area.  And while some people aren’t crazy about the white stuff, today’s coating was just right – the kind that makes the landscape look like a perfect winter wonderland, without causing any trouble on the roads or even much shoveling!  All those big, fluffy snowflakes just made all of us anxious to head outside and enjoy the scenery, but with so many great options, what should you choose?!  Here are some of our favorite winter activities in and around Kennebunkport:

Enjoy fun winter activities in Kennebunkport Maine!

Enjoy fun winter activities in Kennebunkport Maine!

  • Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at Harris Farm in nearby Dayton.  Outdoor enthusiasts should feel free to bring their own equipment and take advantage of the miles and miles of groomed tracks and trails.  But they’ve even got oodles of rentals for those who are casual skiers or are just looking to test the waters.  Plus, their warming hut (with snacks available) is a welcome treat after a day of fun in the snow!
  • Skating in downtown Kennebunk at their outdoor rink or on nearby Roger’s Pond!  What could be better than some old-fashioned outdoor skating time?  Plus, with lots of great restaurants offering fantastic lunch menus nearby, you’ve got excellent options for refueling before or after.  Just remember to bring your own skates, because neither of these public arenas offer rentals, but never fear, if you’ve got the itch to go for a loop around the rink, you can head inside for rentals and refreshments at  Biddeford Ice Arena.
  • Outdoor activities of all kinds about at nearby Laudholm Farm – visitors bring their own snowshoes, XC skis or even just some boots or warm sneakers to enjoy the 7 miles of trails and paths (plus beachfront, of course!) on the property.  Aren’t up for a real wintertime trek?  Head over to Kennebunk beach for a stroll along the paved (and plowed) paths for some scenery without any fuss!
  • Want to enjoy the great outdoors without breaking a sweat?  Consider heading over to Rockin’ Horse Stables for a horse-drawn sleigh ride.  And with cocoa and blankets to keep you warm, you can enjoy every second of a sleigh ride through the woods and fields just a moment’s drive from our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast.

Winter is an incredible time in Kennebunkport and we can’t wait to share more great pictures of the area with you on Facebook, Pinterest and here on the blog, but that usually just isn’t enough, so we hope to share this beautiful time of year with you soon!

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Budget Friendly Getaway to A Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast

November 9th, 2012 by mainestayinn

November marks the start of a very special time of year at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, and we don’t mean the holiday season!  I mean, now that the Halloween decorations have been packed away and the grocery stores’ piles of clearance candy are finally dwindling, I suppose it isthe start of the holidays, but what it means for us is that it’s Third Night Free time!  Yes, it’s true!

Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast winter getaways

A snow-covered scene in Kennebunkport!

From now through April 1, you can enjoy an especially budget friendly getaway to the Maine Stay Inn (certain holiday periods excluded, of course).  Now, whether you are looking for a foodie-filled retreat from daily life, or are spicing things up with a romantic escape with that special someone, our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast has just the thing you need!  So curl up by the fire, warm up with a freshly baked cookie and some cocoa, or indulge in a long, leisurely soak in your whirlpool tub during your three night escape, because two just isn’t enough!

We’re happy to suggest just some great indoor and outdoor activities, so no matter the weather your days can be as full as you want them.  Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking might be top on your agenda, but if something more leisurely is up your alley, consider a horse-drawn sleigh or carriage ride, visit to one of the area’s art galleries or museums, or even just a snuggle by the fire.  No matter what you choose, anyone at our Kennebunkport bed and breakfast is more than happy to suggest the perfect spot for dinner out… or dinner in if you’re just that relaxed!  There are a few restaurants in the area that offer a delivery option and, especially at this time of year, the ability to grab ‘n go.  And since every couple deserves a chance for a rejuvenating getaway that’s also friendly on your wallet, so visit us this winter for two nights and get your third night free!

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Spring Skiing From Our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast

March 11th, 2012 by mainestayinn

Despite the unseasonably warm weather we’ve had lately, there’s still plentiful skiing to be had not far from our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast.  Luckily for vistors to Kennebunkport Maine,  there are many wonderful mountain options located close enough for a day (or even half day) ski trip.  Although it may seem like spring is upon us, the New England ski season is far from over, with some of the best conditions yet to be seen during the spring months.

Enjoy spring skiing not far from Kennebunkport!

You're not too far to enjoy some great spring skiing!

With a variety of amenities for families, Cranmore Mountian Resort in nearby North Conway, NH is just an easy drdive away.  After enjoying a hearty breakfast at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, you’ll be on the slopes of Cranmore in under two hours (assuming you don’t stop for some outlet shopping, of course!).  Boasting 39 trails of varied terrain, multiple terrain parks, glades, and three lifts designed for beginners, it’s perfect for the whole family! 

But if you’re up for great skiing, but not putting the miles on your car, consider Shawnee Peak, just an hour and 15 minutes away.  It’s the hidden gem of Maine skiing and offers something for everyone, even the sightseer with the wonderful views Maine’s Lake Region.  Offering the most extensive night skiing in Maine (with  great prices!), you can spend the day relaxing at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, and the night cruising down the slopes!  Plus you can come back to snuggle by the fire with hot chocolate or warm cookies at the Maine Stay.

Any plug for New England skiing would be incomplete without a mention of Sugarloaf, which has arguably the best skiing in the East.  It can be a daunting trek, located  4.5 hours from Boston and 8.5 from New York City, but you’re part-way there once you’ve reached Kennebunkport Maine!  In under three hours you can enjoy 153 trails and glades, plus the only above treeline line lift-serviced skiing in the East at their Brackett Basin.  Even the most daring and skilled skier is sure to be challenged there!

But if you’re schedule’s packed until April, don’t stress! There’s plenty of skiing still to be had – it is Maine after all!  Plus, Sugarloaf is typically open until early May.  Even with spring knocking, it’s not too late to grab a ski trip during your visit to a Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, because even if there’s no snow on the ground at home, there’ll be plenty on the slopes!

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Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast Digs Out From Wintry Blast

March 2nd, 2012 by mainestayinn

A mild February lured us into believing that springtime was just around the corner (and it may indeed be!), but a surprise winter storm has left this Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast digging out from under nearly a foot of snow!  It started slowly, with a few lonely flakes falling throughout the day on Wednesday, and even by dinnertime, the accumulation was hardly noticeable.  But by

Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast Digs Out From Wintry Blast

That's one mountain of snow!

the time breakfast rolled around, shovels were definitely needed, so Walter spent the morning dusting off cars and making sure that our visitors could get to their vehicles with ease.  Instead of tapering off in the afternoon as we typically see in Kennebunkport Maine, the snowfall grew steadier and the wind picked up steam.  It was one blustery day, which made afternoon teatime around the living room fire at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast especially welcome.  Even at nightfall, the snow had yet to let up.

But this morning, skies were clearing (though not yet blue – something achieved this afternoon) and we all woke up to nearly 12 inches of fresh powder!  It was such a treat! We really haven’t seen too much of the white stuff this winter, and as happy as that makes some people, it really hasn’t seemed like winter yet.  All the shoveling and clearing and sweeping today certainly made it really feel like a Maine winter, though.  It took most of the day, but this Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast is finally cleaned up – shuffling the cars, waiting for the plow, cleaning off the cars, snow-blowing the walkways, and shoveling the steps of the main house and the cottages.  Any amount of snow can be a challenge to get under control so that staff and visitors can safely and easily come and go, but a foot – that takes diligence!  Finally, though, we can sit back and enjoy the beauty of the fresh snow.

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A Moonlit Walk in Kennebunkport

February 25th, 2012 by mainestayinn

For many, winter in Kennebunkport means a season to enjoy an afternoon of snow shoeing or hiking along snow packed beaches.  Not this year!  Unfortunately for our snow-dependent hobbies, there has essentially been no snow since a major storm on Halloween.  Instead of packed trails for cross country skis and snowshoes, we have just grass trails, and even that is beginning to turn green!  But that does mean that the walking and hiking opportunities are far better than ever given

Moose crossing in Kennebunkport

Catch a glimpse of moose under the moonlight in Kennebunkport!

this time of year.  Snow or not, you can get a dose of winter at Laudholm Farm/Wells Reserve on March 6 from 6-8 PM.  A mere 5 miles from our Kennebunkport Inn, this preserve provides visitors with 7 miles of pristine, picturesque and unspoiled lands.  Just over the border from Kennebunkport, its hiking trails cover a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, beaches, and salt marshes.  Fortunately, Laudholm Farm has been preserved to provide educational and learning programs to residents of Kennebunkport and visitors alike.  On March 6, the professional staff will guide your exploration through the preserve under the last full moon light of winter 2012, to teach about our wintertime plant and animal life.  It will be a great chance to cherish the Maine winter.   If the area should be blessed with a fresh covering of snow, they suggest snowshoes for traversing the grounds, but if you don’t have any, they’re happy to provide equipment for a small rental fee.  Imagine seeing native Maine animals like peacocks, gray foxes, moose, coyotes, and deer!  And since moose actually prefer winter weather, the chance of seeing one is more likely now.  Maybe this is my chance!  Believe it or not, I haven’t seen a single moose since moving to Kennebunkport in 2008.  For a reservation to join this full moon event call (207)646-1555.

 

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A Kennebunkport Maine Vacation in the Winter

January 28th, 2012 by mainestayinn

Upon my return to Kennebunkport, ME, after an innkeeping conference, I began to ponder why so many people have the wrong idea about a wintertime Maine vacation.  I can’t tell you how many times I was asked what I do in the winter, as though Kennebunkport is some kind of arctic tundra where all forms of life hibernate with the cold temperatures.  Granted, the conference was held in the South, where the definition of “cold” hovers around the mid 50s.  But honestly, there are just far too many

Kennebunkport Maine Vacation in the winter

See, it's just as pretty in the snow!

misconceptions about Maine in the winter (namely that we actually require chains on our tires – definitely NOT true – and that life comes to a grinding halt once the mercury drops below freezing – umm… even less true), so I have decided to share with you a list of my five favorite things to do in the winter.

  • Play with the horses!  Okay, maybe not actually play with them, but certainly enjoy their presence.  Rockin’ Horse Stables conducts regular horse-drawn sleigh rides in the winter, complete with warm blankets and cocoa.  If there’s not quite enough of the white stuff, though, you’ll likely see the carriage being pulled through the historic district surrounding our Kennebunkport Me Bed and Breakfast.  Don’t you worry, though, if it was actually dangerously cold, they wouldn’t risk the horses’ health.  (Or yours.  But I won’t venture to guess who they’re more worried about!)
  • Eat.  One of the best things about a Maine Vacation (or, in my case, living here) is there there is always amazing food.  Whether you indulge in a five-star, five-diamond feast or just a delicious bowl of chowder, this town’s got you covered, no matter the season!
  • Retail therapy – many people choose a wintertime getaway to Kennebunkport Maine because they’re in need of some serious relaxation.  And what better way is there to de-stress than with some shopping?  Although the shops do tend to keep less predictable (but not necessarily shorter) hours, they are ready and waiting for you and your plastic (or paper, they won’t discriminate!)
  • Explore!  Kennebunkport is home to miles of trails and paths just begging for some love.  But I know there are plenty of folks who aren’t as apt to brave the chilly air, so area museums and art centers are a great substitution.
  • Hit the beach!  Now, I don’t necessarily recommend donning your bikini or swim trunks, but the ocean is certainly no less beautiful now than it is during your Maine vacation in the summer.  The surf is even more striking, so grab your camera (and your mittens!) and head to the beach.

Hmmm… sounds strangely familiar, doesn’t it?  Last time I checked, those were some of my favorite things to do during the summer too!  So sneak away for a few days (or just a night) and see for yourself why Kennebunkport is a great place to visit in the winter!

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Planning a Worry Free Getaway to Kennebunkport Maine

January 11th, 2012 by avadmin

Tonight’s weather forecast for Kennebunkport Maine shows that winter may actually be on its way, as we are expecting a dusting of snow tonight.  And here that means 3-6 inches of the white stuff.  That is enough to make lots of people run for cover or out to the grocery

Snow and Ice won't keep you away from Kennebunkport Maine

Snow and ice is no match for us in Kennebunkport Maine!

store for ample supplies of milk and bread (french toast, anyone?), but not here.  It truly is remarkable – in Kennebunkport Maine a half of a foot of snow is just old hat.  But when we moved here to become innkeepers at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast I was skeptical.  I mean, when I was growing up, if six inches of snow fell at just the right time, school might be cancelled.  And that was still New England!  Honestly, though, traveling in Maine when it is snowy outside is no trouble at all.  No, you really don’t need chains on your tires or a truck with four wheel drive.  You don’t really even need snow tires! The plow drivers and road salters have got you covered.

But once you’re here at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, there’s no need to test the roads unless you want to.  You can walk to countless shops and restaurants, and even a few will deliver.  So when the mood strikes to hunker down and curl up in front of a glowing fire, just go with it!  Don’t stress, however, when the need for fine dining in a luxe atmosphere wins out – you won’t have any trouble.  If you are still worried about the weather in Kennebunkport Maine or at home or find yourself worrying about your babysitter or aging pets (or parents) left behind, we’ve got a solution for you!  Several years ago, we started investigating reasonable trip insurance companies and stumbled upon iTravelInsured, which offers a wide range of policies, from comprehensive we’re-headed-to-a-remote-nation plans to simple cancellation insurance.  We encourage all guests to protect themselves with their trip cancellation plan, because, with options starting at just over $13, you can protect against the unexpected.  Plus, your peace of mind is certainly worth more than that!  So this winter when planning your winter getaway to Kennebunkport Maine, you can rest easy – we’ve got you covered!

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A Winter Getaway to Kennebunkport Maine

January 7th, 2012 by avadmin

When most people think of a winter getaway to Kennebunkport Maine, they envision snowy scenes, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and outdoor skating.  And that is usually very typical of this New England Village starting around the holidays.  But this year, things

Winter getaway in Kennebunkport Maine

A scene from last January in Kennebunkport Maine

have been unseasonably warm!  In fact, the first few flakes of the winter (not counting this fall’s freak Halloween storm) fell just yesterday, but today’s temps soaring into the fifties wiped away nearly all traces of white.  Normally at this time of year, we encourage guests to try their hand a snowshoeing or cross country skiing.  Or to take a spin on skates – at the Westbrook or downtown Kennebunk rinks.  For some old fashioned fun, sleigh rides followed by steaming mugs of cocoa have beckoned visitors looking for a taste of days gone by.  So while old man winter will certainly arrive in Kennebunkport Maine, he is taking his sweet time (honestly, no complaints here – I don’t mind not shoveling!), residents and guests of our Kennebunkport bed and breakfast alike are taking to activities not usually enjoyed at this time of year.  Frolicking on the beaches have been a favorite past time, and instead of trekking through snow drifts, people have relished the idea of a stroll along the cliffs of the Marginal Way – with no risk of slipping now!  Since the streets have been so inviting, more shops than ever have kept their doors open (both literally and figuratively), welcoming shoppers for their post-holiday bargains.  But some guests find themselves itching for stronger tastes of winter, heading to Biddeford or Portland for indoor skating sessions.  Occasionally, though, guests find themselves on a hunt for the white stuff and venture out for some downhill skiing or scenic drives to the mountains to get their “fix.”  But no matter the weather, Kennebunkport Maine makes the ideal location for a relaxing winter getaway!

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