Maine Stay Inn ~ An Insider's Guide to Kennebunkport

Dennis Rafferty takes a photo opp break.
We saw the finished painting, it was amazing.
Back by popular demand, Paint the Port is one of the best events Kennebunkport has to offer.

Over 60 well-known New England artists will disperse throughout our picturesque community. Each artist will set up his/her easel at the location of their choice and will spend the day capturing the beauty of each scene on canvas.

The public is encouraged to stop and observe the artists at work.

Choose from your favorite paintings and gather that evening, Sunday, June 22nd at The Nonantum, where the paintings will be auctioned off. The $15 admission price not only offers you the opportunity to bid on some wonderful art but, also attend the cocktail party with delicious hors d'oeuvres.

Proceeds of this event benefit both the Kennebunkport Historical Society and The Heartwood College of Art.

The Maine Stay Inn still has availability for that weekend but, call soon as this event is very popular and brings lots of art lovers to Kennebunkport.

At The Maine Stay Inn, "We have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Things to do in Kennebunkport

This Saturday, March 8th, the streets of Kennebunkport will come alive with guests of The Maine Stay and other Historic Inns anxiously moving from inn to inn sampling each of the inn's Signature Cookies. Cookie Madness is one of our most popular events in Kennebunkport.

The Maine Stay Inn will be offering our Mocha Chip Meringue Bites. This tasty selection will undoubtedly be the favorite (well, at least my favorite). They are delicious but are also very light.

Each inn will also prepare their own special chocolate chip cookie recipe. Guests are invited to taste each and, at the conclusion will be asked to vote for the best chocolate chip cookie.

Beware, other inns may attempt to influence your decision by offering milk or other libations. Don't be fooled, just vote for The Maine Stay's cookies.

We still have availability so give us a call.

At The Maine Stay Inn, "We have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Things to do in Kennebunkport

This Saturday, February 2, is Winter Family Fun Day at Laudholm Farm.

Bring the family and dress warm as there are winter outdoor activities for everyone. Make a birdhouse, cast animal tracks, strap on a pair of snow shoes and walk this beautiful property, bring your cross country skis or, enjoy a wonderful winter scavenger hunt.

This is a memorable winter activity and this year's event has plenty of snow to put you and your family in the mood.

The fun begins at 11:00 am and continues til 3:00 pm. Call Laudholm Farm for more details at (207) 646-1555.

Labels: Things to do in Kennebunkport

Downeast magazine identified Kennebunkport as the perfect place to celebrate the romance of Valentine's Day. The article went on to proclaim, "The rooms inside the gracious Maine Stay provide a taste of the way life was back when the shipyards and sailors ruled the Kennebunks."

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, let us at The Maine Stay Inn craft the perfect romantic getaway for you and your sweetie.

The Maine Stay Inn has romantic Valentine Specials. With any two night stay, guests will enjoy:

~ Two nights luxurious lodging in your choice of rooms or suites,

~ A bottle of sparkling cider and two Maine Stay Inn signature champagne flutes in your room upon arrival,

~ Valentine "sweetheart" chocolates,

~ A horse-drawn sleighride (weather permitting),

~ Scrumptious New England breakfast for two each morning, and

~ Afternoon tea with chocolate desserts.

Surprise that special someone with a romantic getaway and see for yourself why Kennebunkport has the reputation of being "the perfect place to celebrate the romance of Valentine's Day"

Choose one of The Maine Stay's cottage suites with a fireplace and double whirlpool tub and you'll have a weekend to remember.

At The (gracious) Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

The serenity season in Kennebunkport means some irresistable weekend specials at The Maine Stay Inn.

Whether you are seeking a Romantic Getaway Package, a relaxing Spa Package or maybe a Girlfriends Getaway Package, Kennebunkport is the place to go and The Maine Stay has a special package and the perfect room or suite to fit your desires.

Make your two-night reservation and tell us you saw the specials on the BLOG, we'll include two tickets for a romantic, horse-drawn sleighride.

At The Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

A visit to Kennebunkport is the perfect romantic winter getaway. The charm of our seaside community is further enhanced by our romantic winter activities.

Whether you take your sweetheart ice skating on our outdoor rink, on a horse-drawn sleigh ride or, for a romantic dinner at one of our excellent restaurants, you should plan to follow it up with a return to The Maine Stay Inn. Each of these activities is a wonderful prelude to a warm and cozy soak in a double whirlpool tub followed by cuddling up in front of your fireplace.

We are offering our Valentine's Weekend Package all month long. This romantic Package includes:

Two nights luxurious lodging in your choice of rooms or suites.

A bottle of sparkling cider and two Maine Stay Inn signature champagne flutes in your room upon arrival.

Valentine "Sweetheart" chocolates.

Horse drawn sleigh ride (weather permitting).

Scrumptious New England breakfast for two each morning.

Call early as the suites with the whirpool tubs and fireplaces are in demand during this romantic season in Kennebunkport.

As an added attraction, The Maine Stay Inn is holding its 3rd annual Chocolate Tasting event on Saturday, February 2nd. Last year's winner, The Grenada Chocolate Company Organic Dark, was an overwhelmingly popular selection beating out offerings from Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, France and the United States. It's fun, educational and very tasty.

Another February option is The Maine Stay Inn's 4th annual Cheese Tasting which will be held this year on February 23rd. Always a popular activity the cheese tasting will highlight a variety of cheeses paired with selections that will enhance their flavors. This relaxing way to begin your Saturday evening will be topped off with a tasting of the award winning chocolate from the annual chocolate tasting.

Call The Maine Stay and reserve your two-night stay and tell us you read it on the BLOG. We'll include tickets for two horse-drawn sleigh rides.


At The Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Welcome in 2008 in a most romantic way. New Year's Eve in Kennebunkport will assure 2008
is a year to be remembered.

Take your sweetheart to Kennebunkport's romantic Maine Stay Inn, select a room with a fireplace and you have the fixin's for a wonderful romantic getaway.

Some of the activities that will fill your getaway to Kennebunkport are its wonderful restaurants, the romantic horse-drawn sleighrides, cross-country skiing and beautiful beaches.

Give us a call at The Maine Stay. We have two-night and three-night package rates. Each package includes:

• your choice of luxurious rooms,
• a "Welcome the New Year" afternoon tea on Saturday and Sunday,
• a traditional New England breakfast on Sunday and Monday,
• a New Year's Eve gathering with your innkeepers and fellow guests, and
• a festive New Year's Day holiday brunch and a late check-out.

At The Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport, Maine has been successfully ushering in the holiday season for 26 years.

One of the more popular activities is a relatively new addition to the festivities. The Annual Hat Parade was a natural. Prelude faithfuls have been arriving year after year sporting increasingly creative head gear. The desire to show off this creativity and the opportunity to be recognized gave rise to The Hat Parade.

This photo was supplied by one of The Maine Stay Inn's guests. But, the real news is, our guests Barbara B., her daughter and two granddaughters were the 2007 winners of the Kennebunkport Hat Parade. Congratulations to Barbara and her family. If I know them, next year's hats will be even more creative than the award winning Dock Square Christmas Trees that they proudly displayed on their heads.

This weekend begins the finale of the Prelude celebration for 2007 and is filled with caroling, a tour of the Historic Inns of Kennebunkport, craft shows, Christmas shopping, and much more.

At The Maine Stay Inn, we have the most creative guests and, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Christmas Prelude, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Horse-drawn wagon and sleigh rides continue through the winter months here in Kennebunkport.

These wonderful rides are considered by many as a romantic activity as you and your best girl meander through Kennebunkport's Historic District or, ride through the woods imagining what life was like back in a simpler time.

A horse-drawn wagon ride is a fantastic family activity as well. The novelty of the ride, the history shared by Vince, the owner of Rockin' Horse Stables and especially the opportunity to meet the stable of horses will make memories that will span generations.

After your ride, gather around the fireplace in the barn (it's a pretty nice barn) and enjoy a huge mug of Rockin' Horse Stables hot chocolate. The fireplace will warm you on the outside and the hot chocolate and wonderful memories will take care of the rest.

Let us know when you make your reservation at The Maine Stay Inn that you would like to arrange a ride. We'll take care of the rest.

And one other thing, if we get some snow, the sleigh rides are awesome.

At The Maine Stay Inn (as you can see in these photos), "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Photo courtesy of Robert Dennis
After our first snow of the season today, it seemed appropriate to write about one of Kennebunk's first events of the Christmas season.

This Sunday, November 25th, the annual Christmas in Kennebunk is an event not to be missed.

Downtown merchants will offer shoppers extended hours to provide the opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping.

Enjoy lunch at one of the downtown restaurants then, later that evening, make your way down Main Street to Rotary Park.

The 24th annual lighting of the Becker Memorial Tree will feature new lighting courtesy of KLPD. The new LED lights are the latest in an effort by the Town to continue to take care of our environment.

Don't miss this warm holiday tradition.

Labels: Things to do in Kennebunkport

A girlfriends getaway to The Maine Stay Inn, located in the quaint seaside village of Kennebunkport, makes a great bachelorette or bride-to-be gift.

We will design a package just for you and your girlfriends which will include a spa treatment for everyone. Each of you have your choice of a 50 minute relax massage, a 50 minute classic facial, a classic manicure and signature pedicure or, exclusively for guests of the Maine Stay Inn, a custom Maine Stay lavender and lemongrass salt scrub.

Select one of The Maine Stay's English Country Cottage Suites (Cottage Suites 4, 5 and 6, or 8 through 11), each of which can accommodate up to 3 or 4 adults. Select two adjoining Cottage Suites and there's room for up to eight of you. Now you have enough for a great party.

You and your girlfriends can sleep late and arise to a scrumptious hot New England breakfast, which we can deliver right to your door in a delightful wicker basket. Revitalize with a relaxing spa treatment. Return to The Maine Stay in time to enjoy afternoon tea and sweets. For dinner select one of our wonderful area restaurants, we will be happy to make your reservations..

Don't forget to leave time for shopping as the Maine Stay is located nearly equidistant from the outlets of Kittery to the south and Freeport to the north. However, before you travel in either direction, be sure to visit the wonderful shops and galleries of Dock Square, a brief stroll from The Maine Stay.

You and your girlfriends will enjoy a weekend to remember and you will want to make it an annual event.

Remember, at The Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Things to do in Kennebunkport

This very popular event, the All Soul's Walk, is this Saturday afternoon and evening. You will begin this eerie walk at the Brick Store Museum at either 2:00 pm or again at 4:00 pm. Stroll along with period costumed docents to Hope Cemetery. You will visit the graves of several of the more colorful departed area residents. The fascinating and sometimes tragic stories promise to mesmerize, frighten and get you in the spirit of Halloween.

You will return to the museum for light refreshments and to view portraits of many of the departed "characters" whose resting places you just visited.

At just $5 per person, this is great family entertainment.

Labels: Things to do in Kennebunkport

Play Ball! The Brick Store Museum has an exhibit on display until December 29th, titled Kennebunk's Big Leaguers: The Baseball Legacies of Colby Jack and Bobby Coombs.

Baseball fans take note, enjoy this fun trip through the lives and the careers of two major league ballplayers that began their notable sports journeys at Kennebunk High School. "Colby Jack" Coombs (1882-1957) and his nephew Bobby Coombs (1908-1991) both remarkable local athletes went on to play in the big leagues.

An outstanding pitcher, Colby Jack's accomplishments include three World Series wins playing for Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics during the 1910 Series.

Bobby Coombs also pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics and later for the New York Giants. In his major league debut, Bobby pitched to the New York Yankees "Murderer's Row" with the likes of Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. The "Babe" hit home run #664 courtesy of Bobby. Even back then we had a good reason to hate the Yankees.

Both major leaguers went on to coach and both have university baseball stadiums named in their honor.

Learn more as you "round the bases" and enjoy the history of baseball and these two Kennebunkers.

Make a two-night reservation at The Maine Stay Inn and tell us you are visiting this outstanding exhibit and we will give you two free passes.

At The Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Things to do in Kennebunkport

What could be more romantic?

Take a horse-drawn carriage through the historic district of Kennebunkport or better yet, have the carriage take you for your romantic dinner at one of Kennebunkport's many fine restaurants.

If it's more than the two of you for the weekend, invite your entire group for a horse-drawn wagon ride. These wagon rides can accomodate up to 20 adults.

And lest we forget, we are only a short time from having another romantic option. Before you know it, Rockin' Horse Stables will be offering horse-drawn sleigh rides. Brrrrr!

Yes, Tiny (pictured above) has his work cut out for him.

Give us a call at The Maine Stay Inn, we'll not only provide you with a warm and cozy room (with a fireplace and double whirlpool tub if you wish), but we'll also arrange for your romantic ride from Rockin' Horse Stables.

At The Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Shopping in Kennebunkport, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Another great opportunity to acquire some local art is coming Sunday, October 14th. Artists will disperse throughout Kennebunkport to capture the beauty of the Trust's wetlands, woods, fields, islands, and beaches on canvas and paper.

The results will be auctioned off at Atlantic Hall in Cape Porpoise that same evening beginning at 5:30 pm following a cocktail reception with hors d'oeuvres catered by The Wayfarer Restaurant.

"Trust in Art" will benefit both the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust and Heartwood College of Art.

Tickets to "Trust in Art" are $15.00 and are available at the Heartwood College of Art and the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust.

This wonderful event is sponsored by Kennebunk Savings Bank and Hunter Editions, with additional support from Congdon's Doughnut Shop.

Save the date, this is a great opportunity.

Labels: Things to do in Kennebunkport

This Sunday, October 7, 2007 the Second Annual Historic Road Rally of the Kennebunks will give participants the opportunity to enjoy much of the history of the Kennebunks while experiencing some spirited competition.

Whether you are breaking out your vintage automobile, your sports car or the family wagon, you can expect an afternoon packed with fun and interesting facts about the area. If you are visiting from afar or you are a local resident, you are certain to learn some fascinating tidbits that will be fun to share with others.

Teams (drivers and navigators) will be given clues designed to take you to many historical sites throughout the Kennebunks. The challenge is to decipher the clues, slove some problems and drive from destination to destination within the allotted time periods.

The event begins at Leyland English Auto which located at 114 River Road, Arundel. You are welcome to arrive as early as 8:00 am. Those arriving early can enjoy coffee, donuts and bagels, as well as the opportunity to view some terrific vintage autos and make some new friends. Even if you aren't planning to participate in the rally, you are welcome to come see the cars.

Plan for a day of challenges and fun and this year's Rally should be as popular as the Road Rally of 2006.

If you are staying at The Maine Stay Inn, ask at the front desk for directions to Leyland English Auto.

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Mix together a fall harvest festival and an entertaining celebration of the environment (more specifically our estuaries) and, you have Punkinfiddle.

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Janice and I took "The Foliage Tour" yesterday. Clearly, we were one week early but we wanted to test our directions.

If you are coming to The Maine Stay next weekend, plan to spend your entire Sunday afternoon on a leisurely drive through the hills of western Maine. Our Tour will take you to some of the best viewing sites coupled with great diversions along the way.

For instance, when you arrive in Cornish, you should definately take a quick side trip to Apple Acres. When you get there, you will find fantastic views of the color laden hills for as far as you can see. You will also be able to get some super fresh apples, delicious apple cider (also, hot mulled apple cider), homemade fudge and apple pies but, best of all, (Say it with me) fresh and hot, homemade apple doughnuts. Yummee! We had some yesterday.


Continue "The Tour" and about 45 minutes later you need to "keep your eyes peeled" for a home and barn that is the worldwide headquarters of Naturally Wood. Naturally Wood makes awesome Birdhouses. The Master birdhouse craftsman, Sol, makes both custom and spec birdhouses. The birdhouse pictured to the right is one of my favorites. All that's needed is an "old woman" bird to live in this shoe. Naturally Wood is another "don't miss" stop along the Tour. Bring some cash, Naturally Wood doesn't take credit cards

Stop at the front desk of The Maine Stay for our direction and enjoy a wonderful fall afternoon. You may decide to make this an annual event.

At The Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Things to do in Kennebunkport

During this year's 4th of July weekend, Kennebunkport rolled out the red carpet for President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In early August, once again the carpet came out when President Bush welcomed French President, Nicolas Sarkozy to our beautiful community.

This weekend the King was in Kennebunkport. The Monarch butterfly, the King of the insect world, has begun its migration and many have reached their favorite seaside stop along their migratory route.

Each Autumn, thousands of Monarch butterflies typically gather in Southern Canada and start their long journey to places like Michoacan, Mexico. When the Monarchs are in the north they are usually spread out over a large geographic area however, when they migrate south they typically are concentrated into the same area. Trees in this area of Mexico that have been home to the Monarchs for many years are gradually being cut down. The survival of the Monarch may soon be in jeopardy and as a result organizations are beginning to form to protect the fragile Monarchs.

Why not come and see for yourself what so many that visit Kennebunkport come back to see time and time again.

Labels: Things to do in Kennebunkport