Latest news with #OgunquitPlayhouse
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Travel + Leisure
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
This Tiny Town in Maine Offers a Quintessential New England Summer—With Gorgeous Beaches and a 100-year-old Lobster Restaurant
Catch a free movie or grab tickets to stand-up comedy and live music at the Leavitt Theatre. Take a stroll on Marginal Way, a 1.25-mile cliff walk that carries you along a paved path from Shore Road to Perkins Cove. Get tickets to a Broadway-caliber show at the Ogunquit Playhouse, a historic theatre that was founded nearly a century ago. Stay at a luxe retreat perched high above the captivating cliffs at Cliff House. Get out on the water with a tour from Finest Kind or Sail the Gift, or paddle the Ogunquit River by kayak with a rental from World Within. Tucked on the coast of Southern Maine, the former artist colony of Ogunquit is a long-time favorite for summer vacations. According to local lore, its name means 'beautiful place by the sea' in the Indigenous Abenaki language, and for good reason. With over three miles of rocky shoreline and sandy dunes, a picturesque downtown, and a thriving arts community, it's hard to imagine a place that's more quintessentially Maine. Guest suite at Cliff Walk Maine. Perched atop a hill in the heart of downtown, this 17-room boutique property offers easy access to all that Ogunquit has to offer. The town's oldest inn was recently renovated, opening for the 2025 season in May with interiors designed by neighborhood-favorite Goods Ogunquit. Although set away from the coast, the pet-friendly property still boasts sweeping ocean views, a saltwater pool, and onsite cocktail bar and restaurant Coastal Alchemist. Guests can also enjoy a daily complimentary breakfast at Crew, just steps from the Trident Inn. Long hailed as one of the state's most luxurious properties, the 226-room Cliff House originally opened in 1872 and sits on a 70-acre property on Bald Head Cliff, just a three-mile jaunt from downtown. 'Their dramatic sea views and pool make me feel like I have truly escaped,' says Amy Welch-Olson, owner of Capshore Photography and Mainer. With a top-notch spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and fire pits that are perfect for late-night s'mores, Cliff House blends the charm of coastal Maine with luxe accommodations—a combination that's ideal for families and couples alike. The recently reimagined Dunes on the Waterfront reopened under the ownership of Tim Harrington last year. The 12-acre property has been hosting guests in its 21 cottages for more than 90 years, with screened porches and terraces that look out to the sea. While there's no restaurant on-site, guests can borrow a house bicycle, take the hotel's chauffeured golf cart downtown, or just take a quick stroll via a direct path to the historic, 100-year-old Ogunquit Lobster Pound. Benches along The Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine. GrandviewGraphics/Getty Images It's hard to imagine visiting Ogunquit and not taking a stroll along Marginal Way. The paved cliff walk is an easy 1.25-mile stroll, starting at Shore Road near the Sparhawk Oceanfront Resort and ending at the seaside village of Perkins Cove. The walk is easy and dotted with 39 benches, perfect for taking in the sights of the Atlantic, passing sailboats, and rocky coves. 'Walking Marginal Way never gets old,' says Welch-Olson. Established in 1925 as a silent film theatre, the Leavitt offers free screenings of classic and cult-favorite movies, live music, and ticketed concerts in the heart of downtown Ogunquit. Welch-Olson says, 'The Leavitt Theater is celebrating 100 years this year, so stopping in for live music, movies, or just cocktails is a fun way to end the night.' The Ogunquit Playhouse has been putting on shows since 1933. 'Ogunquit Playhouse has Broadway-caliber performances all summer,' says Lauren Mendoza, owner of Slack Tide Sea Salt and York local. The playhouse runs several shows throughout the season, which typically runs from May through October. While it's wonderful to see Ogunquit from land, nothing beats the views from the sea. You can choose between several boat charters that leave from Perkins Cove, like Sail The Gift. According to Welch-Olson, 'It's an affordable way to see the coast, lighthouses, seals, and more. It's one of our favorite ways to kick back and enjoy the area.' Overlooking Perkin's Cove in Ogunquit, Maine. DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images There's no shortage of souvenir shops in the area, but locally run Maine Originals stands out with their fun screenprinted styles and unique designs. Pick up an embroidered Vacationland hat, some lobster-embroidered sweatpants, or a cozy Perkins Cove sweater that will be the perfect reminder of your trip. Stop by Kiki's and browse their eclectic selection of accessories, kid's clothing, home goods, and women's wear—including the perfect Alpaca sweaters adorned with lobsters. Perkins Cove Pottery Shop is stocked with original work from former store owner Chris Davis, stone vases, sea glass garden stakes, and more one-of-a-kind pieces. Restaurant patios in Ogunquit, Maine. Brianna Soukup/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images Backyard is a seasonal coffee shop that opened its doors in downtown Ogunquit in 2012. Welch-Olson raves about it: 'Our perfect morning starts at Backyard Coffee. They use Bard Coffee from Portland, and I always order an iced Smooth Criminal, a latte with maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon. Their salted chocolate chip cookies are warm from the oven if you arrive early enough, and they have great sandwich options for the beach.' Barnacle Billy's is a classic seasonal spot tucked on the shore of Perkins Cove, and it's been serving up the essentials since 1961: clam chowder, steamers, boiled lobsters, and rum punch. The counter-service restaurant isn't anything fancy, but it's part of the quintessential Maine experience. Nothing beats cracking lobsters by the harbor and topping it all off with a slab of homemade blueberry pie. Brix + Brine is an outdoor raw bar and seafood restaurant nestled in the heart of downtown Ogunquit. The seasonal spot is entering its eighth season, featuring a menu of local oysters, shareable small plates, and sandwiches. The alfresco eatery is the perfect place for a post-beach snack or before a show at the nearby Playhouse. 'I like to go to Brix + Brine for oysters before a matinee,' says Mendoza. Footbridge Lobster is a no-frills walk-up window serving all the hits—fried seafood, lobster rolls, and cold beers. According to Jake Stevens, creator of Maine food and travel Instagram, Eating Through The Seacoast, they're 'best enjoyed at the picnic tables overlooking picturesque Perkins Cove. Just watch out for the seagulls!' The perfect place to fuel up for a day on the beach, Loveshack Juicery serves up healthy breakfast and lunch options, like smoothies, juices, and bowls. Per Welch-Olson, 'After stopping at Backyard Coffee, we order smoothie bowls and fresh juice from Loveshack just around the corner and then head to Footbridge Beach for a few hours." That sounds like the perfect day to us. White chairs overlooking the coast of Ogunquit, Maine. PhotoThe best time to visit Ogunquit is from June to September because of the destination's seasonality. While some stores and restaurants are open year-round, many are only open through peak summer months. Come July, temperatures start to warm up enough to enjoy an afternoon on the beach, and the season is in full swing. You'll want to make reservations for lodging early, as July and August are among the busiest times to visit. If you're looking for a more relaxed (and less crowded) visit, plan your trip for the beginning of shoulder season, which kicks off in September. While it may be too chilly for lounging shoreside, the weather is still mild, and most seasonal businesses are still operating. Bridge leading into Ogunquit, Maine. DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images Ogunquit is a 45-minute drive south of the Portland International Jetport and a 1.5-hour drive north of Boston Logan International Airport. While both airports have their advantages—Portland's is small and easy but Boston's offers more flight options—they're both solid options for travelers. It's best to rent a car and travel along Route One to arrive in Ogunquit, which will take you past other charming Maine seaside towns, seafood shacks, and antique shops. Coming from Portland, be sure to stop in Biddeford for a quick bite at Palace Diner. If you're approaching from Boston, take a detour into Portsmouth, Kittery, and York before continuing north. If you'd rather arrive by train, you can take the Amtrak Downeaster into Wells, a 15-minute drive from Ogunquit. Once you've arrived, many of the town's destinations are within walking distance, but a car can be helpful in case of inclement weather or to do some additional exploring. If you're looking to use public transportation, you can hop on the Ogunquit Trolley for $5 per adult, per ride. The trolley travels between popular hotels, restaurants, and beaches and runs from July through October. Otherwise, rideshare services are available, though limited during off-peak days and times.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Maine Legislature approves bill to curb price gouging for concert tickets
Jun. 13—The Maine Legislature has passed a bill that performing arts venues say could help fans avoid scams, surprise fees and overpriced tickets. LD 913 requires ticket sellers to clearly disclose all fees upfront. It also bans the use of bots to bypass ticket limits and fake websites that mimic real venues. It prohibits vendors from selling speculative tickets — tickets they don't already own or that haven't gone on sale yet — and requires resellers to issue refunds for counterfeit tickets. The bill will now go to Gov. Janet Mills for consideration. She has 10 days to either sign the bill, veto it or allow it to become law without her signature. A spokesperson for her office on Friday did not say how she would act on this legislation. "It just is really about keeping our creative economy dollars circulating locally," said Mollie Cashwell, director of the Cultural Alliance of Maine, which supported the bill. Performing arts organizations of all kinds told lawmakers that their patrons are struggling to keep up with the secondary market. Maggie LaMee, director of finance and administration at the Ogunquit Playhouse, said the theater regularly gets calls from patrons who are upset because they spent hundreds of dollars on a seat. The staff has to tell those callers that they were tricked into paying an inflated price through a reseller — the Ogunquit Playhouse didn't sell any tickets for the recent show of "Come From Away" for more than $160. And the extra money those patrons spent doesn't go to the local arts organizations or nearby businesses. "This legislation addresses the deceptive practices that are harming the consumer and then also harming the venue," LaMee said. Lauren Wayne, president of the State Theatre Presents in Portland, said bad actors use bots to scoop up hundreds of tickets at a time and then resell them for much more than their face value on websites that are made to look like the venue's. Even worse, the box office sometimes sees tickets that are just plain fake. At last year's sold-out Gracie Abrams concert, for example, Wayne said young women were crying outside the show when they realized their tickets were counterfeit. The State Theatre planned for scams and reserved seats for those fans, but the business and the artist had to eat the cost. Should the bill become law, the Maine Office of the Attorney General could enforce violations as unfair trade practices. Anyone in violation could be subject to a civil penalty of no more than $5,000. A federal law is supposed to prevent automated bots from buying tickets, but concert promoters say it's rarely enforced. Wayne said she won't hesitate to turn to state officials instead. "We'll be reporting all the violations that we know about, which we can easily find through our ticketing site and because we've been doing this for so long," Wayne said. "We have no qualms about having the attorney general's information handy and readily available to hand out at shows." "Buying a ticket to see your favorite band or team shouldn't feel like navigating a trap," Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, sponsor of the bill, said in a news release. "This legislation puts power back in the hands of consumers by ensuring transparency, banning deceptive practices, and protecting Mainers from scams. Maine people love live music and supporting our local Maine venues, which are the heart of so many of our communities. Everyone deserves to know what they're paying for — no surprises, no hidden fees, just fun." The Housing and Economic Development Committee worked with arts organizations on the amended version that passed both chambers of the Legislature this week. "LD 913 will be a meaningful step toward preserving Maine's rich, independent live events culture and protecting the venues, artists, and fans that make it special," said Rep. Cassie Julia, D-Waterville, who sponsored the committee amendment. Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Here are the free concerts, opera and musicals you can see in Maine this summer
May 14—Seeing a great live concert can lift your spirits and boost your energy, but it can also empty your wallet. Thankfully, there are lots of free concerts and other performances around Maine this summer. Many shows are part of a free concert series in a town park or public space. Portland also has free Shakespeare in the Park, and there are free shows for younger folks at Opera Maine and Ogunquit Playhouse. Here then is a list of some free shows to see around Maine this summer, plus info on several free concert series, too. June 8: Resurgam Music and Arts Festival, Ocean Gateway Pier, Portland Organized by the Maine Academy of Modern Music, this free festival is in its fourth year. It was created to fill a void left by the ending of the Old Port Festival in 2019, after 46 years. Some of the performers scheduled include the Fogcutters, with guests Kenya Hall and Gina Alibrio, Genevieve Stokes, Random Ideas and Louisa Stancioff. June 19: Guys and Dolls, Ogunquit Playhouse Ogunquit Playhouse is offering one free ticket to one of its shows this season for people 25 or younger. To get the single ticket, you have to be a Maine or New Hampshire resident and show a valid ID. Tickets can be reserved at the box office by calling (207) 646-5511. Besides the classic musical "Guys and Dolls" June 19-July 19, other shows at the playhouse this summer include "Come From Away" through June 14; "High Society" July 24-Aug. 23 and "When Elvis Met the Beatles" Aug. 28-Sept. 27. June 26: Motor Booty Affair at Scarborough Memorial Park Maine's masters of 70s funk and disco will be opening Scarborough's free Concerts in the Park series for the summer. Other shows include the 195th Army Band on July 3 and popular singer and songwriter Don Campbell on July 10. July 10: As You Like It at Deering Oaks Park, Portland The Fenix Theatre Company is putting on its 17th annual free Shakespeare play, in the park. This year's production is the romantic comedy "As You Like It," revved up with pop songs from the 1960s through the 2010s. Performances are July 10 through Aug. 2, but not everyday, so check the website. July 17: King Kyote at Vallee Square, Westbrook Maine singer songwriter King Kyote competed on the NBC music competition show "American Song Contest" in 2022. He'll be playing in downtown Westbrook as part of the Vallee Square Concert Series, with shows July 10 through Aug. 21. July 18: Slane: U2 Tribute at Friendship Park in Waterboro This free Friday night series is all about tribute bands playing the songs of some legendary rockers. The schedule this year also includes Crystal Vision: Fleetwood Mac Tribute on July 25, Runnin' Down a Dream: Tom Petty Tribute on Aug. 1 and Vyntyge Skynyrd: Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute on Aug. 8. July 24: Sweeney Todd presented by Opera Maine at Merrill Auditorium, Portland Opera Maine offers free tickets for folks 21 and young, in select sections. This year's summer show is "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," a darkly comedic musical tale and Tony Award winner. It will be performed July 24 and July 27. The free tickets can be reserved by calling PortTIX at (207) 842-0800. Aug. 2: Toby McAllister & The Sierra Sounds at L.L. Bean, Freeport This year's free concert series at L.L. Bean, held in Discovery Park, focuses on local musicians. Besides Toby McAllister & The Sierra Sounds, a rock band based in Poland, other shows scheduled include singer songwriter Pete Kilpatrick on Aug. 9 and Spencer Albee on Aug. 23. There are nine shows in July and August. Aug. 8: Mallett Brothers Band at Head of Falls, Waterville The show by Maine country rockers The Mallett Brothers Band is part of Waterville Rocks, a free outdoor concert series which goes indoors at the Waterville Opera House in case of rain. Other shows this summer include Adam Ezra Group on July 11, End of the Line on July 25 and Atlanta Rhythm Section on Aug. 1. Copy the Story Link
