Solo in Southern Maine: A Design-Lover’s Guide to Beaches, Bites, and Boutiques
This summer, I headed to Maine on official mom duty: dropping my daughter off at camp in northern Maine. It’s basically the Olympics of parental goodbyes—smile big, try not to cry, wave like a Hallmark commercial. But before the drop-off drama, we spent two days in Portland together. Spoiler: I fell hard for that city. After she was off living her best camp life, I took myself on a little solo escape down the coast, stayed in what might be the cutest rental house in Biddeford, and made it my mission to hit every coastal town, beach, and bakery I could find.
Here’s how it all went down—by category, not by rigid itinerary, because who wants to vacation on a schedule?
Portland with My Daughter
Where to Stay:
Anywhere downtown so you can walk to food, shopping, and the waterfront without having to deal with parking (which is… an experience).
Where to Eat & Drink:
Standard Baking Co. – If I could marry a pastry, it would be from here. The smell alone will have you throwing your credit card at the counter.
Eventide Oyster Co. – Come for the oysters, stay for the brown butter lobster roll.
Central Provisions – Tiny plates, big flavors, and an “oh, we’re fancy now” vibe.
Where to Shop:
Blanche + Mimi – Basically an Instagram filter in store form.
Portland Dry Goods Co. – Coastal chic, but make it wearable.
Fore + Wharf – Elevated coastal fashion and gifts that will have you rationalizing why you need another linen shirt.
My Solo Coastal Escape
Once camp drop-off was complete (and I was done ugly crying into my coffee), I drove to Biddeford and checked into the kind of rental house that makes you question your entire interior design choices. Wraparound porch, ocean views, cozy chic everything. I could’ve happily stayed there forever, but there was exploring to do.
Kennebunkport – If “coastal New England” was a movie set, it would be this town. Cute shops, beautiful boats, and lobster rolls that make you forget all other sandwiches exist. HB Provisions is your coffee + people-watching spot, and Ultramar is where you go to eat seafood in a way that makes you feel very glamorous.
Ogunquit – Absolutely gorgeous. The Marginal Way walk will have you stopping every two minutes for a “just one more” photo, and The Front Yard blew my mind with their incredible Mediterranean salad with beef tips added. It was truly insane.
Local Beaches:
Scarborough Beach State Park – Wide, sandy, and full of waves if you’re in the mood to play.
Biddeford Pool Beach – Bring a book and pretend you’re in a Nancy Meyers movie. I did. I was channeling my best Diane Keaton.
Ogunquit Beach – Long walks, shallow water, and a chance to show off your cute beach hat.
Goose Rocks Beach (Kennebunkport) – The sunset here will ruin you for all other sunsets.
Food Along the Way:
Clam Shack (Kennebunk) – Lobster rolls that have their own fan club.
Ultramar (Kennebunkport) – Fancy, fun, and absolutely delicious.
Boulangerie, A Proper Bakery (Kennebunk) – I don’t know if they pipe Parisian air into the ovens, but the bread says yes.
If I Did It Again (and I Will)
I’d break the trip into three categories:
City Vibes – Two days in Portland: eat everything, shop until your carry-on bursts, and soak in the harbor views.
Beach Days – Mix the busy ones (Scarborough, Ogunquit) with the quiet ones (Biddeford Pool, Goose Rocks).
Coastal Wandering – Just drive and stop whenever something catches your eye. Antique shop? Yes. Random roadside lobster shack? Obviously.
Maine is best done at a slow pace. Sip the coffee, take the detour, and never, ever skip dessert.