Ogunquit, Maine, is a thriving fishing village with plenty of a fun for families. Sandy beaches, lakes, scenic walks, incredible food, boat rides, and an old candy store and movie theater make this quaint spot a great family vacation destination. This writer has visited for years with her kids, and now as an empty nester.

Mazda loaned the writer a car for this trip.

Truth be told, the very first time we discovered the town of Ogunquit Maine, our kids were little and we instantly fell in love. From the sandy beaches, lakes where we took the kids tubing under a bridge and scenic walks, to the incredible food, boat rides, candy store, old fashioned movie theater and the dog park where we took our puppy Santana, we truly looked forward to visiting Ogunquit every year with our kids. It is our favorite Maine town.

And then they grew up and didn’t want to go with us anymore. And that’s where our story begins.

Visiting Ogunquit at Empty Nesters

This summer, as we got set to celebrate our 24th anniversary in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, my husband and I decided we’d still like to take a road trip to one of our favorite places in the Northeast. Ogunquit, about an hour south of Portland, became our go-to destination hands down.

At that point, Maine was one of the few states in the United States without a quarantine requirement, so we figured the coast was clear — literally! We threw caution to the wind and set out on a four hour jaunt to Ogunquit from our home near New York City.

With both of our kids getting ready for college and not wanting to be away from their friends, we decided to have a romantic getaway without them.

Embracing our empty nest status in true form, we got the chance to hit the road in a hardtop two seater convertible and enjoyed the ride with the wind whipping through our hair and people bestowing praise upon our wheels wherever we went.

If you’re an empty nester or a couple who wants to experience the magic of the village of Ogunquit in southern Maine, here are 10 ways to make the most of your romantic getaway.

A Walk on Ogunquit Maine Beaches

When we were in Ogunquit this summer, the beaches were packed and, in light of social distancing rules, we felt a bit uncomfortable spending too much time soaking in the sun.

Fall, however, is the perfect time to stroll the beaches of Ogunquit – especially during low tide since you can pretty much walk along the Atlantic Ocean beaches and rocks for miles. Our personal favorite is Footbridge Beach, and we found it super romantic to walk there at night.

Make sure your phone has a flashlight since the beautiful place gets pretty dark, but walking on the beach while stargazing is the perfect combination.

Lobsters, Brunch and Bars, Oh My

Obviously, you can’t go to Maine without having lobster and our trip certainly was filled with that New England staple. Steamed lobsters from Footbridge Lobster in Perkins Cove, which sells them straight from the window. Lobster rolls from the legendary Lobster Shack. A romantic dining experience at Jonathan’s. If you love lobster, look no further than this thriving fishing village.

Since we arrived right after the Lobster Shack closed for the evening, we opted for Footbridge Lobster. We grabbed a picnic table where we inhaled an incredibly flavorful and affordable 1.5 pound lobster and a stick of corn.

But the food fest doesn’t stop at dinner. There are tons of great brunch options, including the Wild Blueberry and Bessie’s.

There are also live music performances, including a performer singing and playing the piano, which we listened to from a socially distanced park bench. Nothing like a great speaker system to keep everyone entertained and safe!

Gorgeous Homes and Spectacular Views along Marginal Way

One of my favorite things to do in Ogunquit Maine is daydream while walking along Marginal Way. That’s the picturesque winding trail that features incredible ocean views, rocks to climb and magnificent homes.

I like to imagine myself living in one of those oceanfront home with floor to ceiling windows and a front porch that looks out at the sea. Dare to dream!

Hike to the top of Mount Agamenticus

A wonderful thing about this coastal town is that it truly offers the best of both worlds: you can relax on those sandy beaches or, if you want to truly take in the beauty of fall foliage, hike to Mount Agamenticus.

Both should definitely be on your itinerary. The views are amazing and Jonathan’s lobster restaurant is steps away. If you are too tired to hike, why not take a breather and enjoy food, wine and great conversation!

Shopping in Perkins Cove

My favorite pastime whenever I visit a quaint New England town is to visit the local shops. I looks for jewelry and knick knacks I can’t get anywhere else. And lucky for me, downtown Ogunquit doesn’t disappoint! There are dozens of shops to choose from but my personal favorites are located in the heart of Perkins Cove.

There, you can find great earrings, cozy sweaters, souvenirs galore and maybe even a throw for your couch so you can remember your Ogunquit getaway long after you’re gone. Plus, there are plenty of great restaurants with water views. And boat rides where you can do everything from fishing to sailing and sightseeing.

Desserts on Main Street

If you have a sweet tooth like me, then look no further than Main Street. You’ll find candy and fudge stores as well as ice cream shops lining the streets. Dessert lovers are in heaven when they visit Ogunquit from the moment they start walking down Main Street, which sends taste buds on sugar overload.

While I’ve been watching what I’ve been eating this year, sometimes the calories are just worth it.

Art Galleries and More

If you’re trying to avoid sweets or you’ve just polished off your ice cream cone, you can skip the dessert and spend the evening strolling through downtown Ogunquit wandering in and out of art galleries.such as the Abacus Gallery and the Ogunquit Museum of American Art.

There are beautiful pieces available by local New England artists and a piece of art is always a great way to remember your Ogunquit visit for years to come.

The Ogunquit Dog Park

While we didn’t take our dog with us this year, we have brought Santana to Ogunquit a few times. Part of the reason is that restaurant owners are super nice to people dining with dogs, and there’s even a dog park nearby where they can go off leash and explore the great outdoors. The dog park is also pretty small so it’s easy to catch up with them if they attempt to make a break for it.

See a Show at the Ogunquit Playhouse

Unfortunately, in light of the pandemic, we weren’t able to take in any of the fantastic Broadway style musicals and performances in Ogunquit. It’s a favorite nightlife venue for us. Here’s hoping that by next summer, the Ogunquit Playhouse will be back and better than ever!

Tour the Cemetery

Now I know at first glance, you’re probably thinking “What is romantic about touring a cemetery?” But stick with me here. One of the things I love most about Ogunquit is the rich history of this seaside village.

When you walk through town towards Perkins Cove, you are instantly transported back in time. The Ogunquit and Wells Historical Society gives tours of the cemeteries that are situated in the middle of the town. Some of the headstones are more than 275 years old!

Making the experience more interesting are the tour guides —  members of the legendary Perkins family themselves!

Getting to Ogunquit Maine

This charming town is about an hour’s drive from Boston, Massachusetts; Manchester, New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine. That means it’s an easy day trip from any of those cities. Or, if you’re flying there, you have several airport options to research for the best price.

Exploring Ogunquit in a Mazda CX-5

One of the best parts of our visit to Ogunquit was the drive from New York in a brand new Mazda CX-5 hardtop convertible. While we were given the chance to test drive the car during our romantic getaway, it was so much fun seeing the look on the faces of car lovers when we’d slowly drive by.

In one parking lot, a man gave us advice on the perfect luggage to purchase for the tiny roadster, and another couple complimented us on our gorgeous set of wheels. Of course, my husband did share that the car wasn’t exactly ours and we had to give it back after the weekend. But at least for a fleeting moment we felt like we were living the dream in one of our favorite places by the sea.