Kaki King Performing in Ogunquit on September 5th!

Just in - and this is a big scoop! - Kaki King will be performing live in Ogunquit at Jonathan's Restaurant on Friday, September 5th. That's right - in just one week.

Why is this such breaking news? Kaki King is hailed as the "Queen of Acoustic Guitar". Two years ago, she announced she would tour with a band - a move that transitioned Kaki from a solo artist into the pop world. You may even recognize her from the movie August Rush - since she played the leads parts.

Her new album 'Dreaming of Revenge' came out this past March and she is fresh off touring with the Foo Fighters. This is a rare opportunity to see someone who is exploding in music. All we can say is - music fans, make the trip. This is a huge concert to see - Don't miss her!

Ogunquit Dory Update!

As promised - an update on the Ogunquit Dory project. The final touches are near and the launch date of September 20th is drawing closer.

Once again, Jim Kanak has an excellent article covering the progress - including more pictures. If you should miss the launch or want to check out the Dory beforehand, stop by the Ogunquit Heritage Museum on Obeds Lane.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080828/NEWS/808280414/-1/rss07

New September Print & Clip Specials for our Ogunquit hotel are here!

New September Print & Clip Specials for our Ogunquit hotel are here!

Check out the specials by clicking here

Kick off Fall Festivals & Foilage this month - And enjoy a trip to the beach!

Little Bit of Ogunquit Culture

Ogunquit has a long history and a lot of character (Some would say a lot of characters as well!). Today, we found three articles about different famous pieces of Ogunquit lore . . .

A trademark to Ogunquit summer - traffic! Why is there no light? Where is the policeman to direct traffic? We often get asked this question, but are just learning the term Ogunquit Weave. Check out this article on the history of traffic in Ogunquit. That intersection is the most studied in Maine - and the Weave is the best solution to date!

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/OPINION/808210384&sfad=1

And at the other end of the village, Perkins Cove has a different kind of traffic - boats going in and out. With lobstermen, sailing, deep fishing and lighthouse cruises, Perkins Cove is just as busy as when the area was a flat, marshy pond filled with Ogunquit dories. Check out this article on the history of Perkins Cove in Ogunquit and how the cove came to be.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/LIFE/808210355/-1/LIFE

Connecting the village center and Perkins Cove is Marginal Way. This cliffside walk is beautiful and a large part of why people visit Ogunquit each year. The path follows the ocean for a mile and a quarter and with benches dotted along the way, it's easy to sit and stare at the waves for hours. Marginal Way is the perfect spot for walking hand in hand, exploring with the family or just taking a few moments to oneself. In fact, we just had a couple elope upon the cliffs. Wish you could be there right now? Well, there's a new DVD that does just that - Takes you right to Marginal Way! Check out the article on the DVD and be sure to support this beautiful seaside stroll.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/LIFE/808210354/-1/rss52

Things to Do in Ogunquit - For Free!

We just saw an article about cool things to do for free this summer - all in the Seacoast area (Check out the link http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080813/LIFE/808130345). So we figured we would come up with our own list for our guests. A collection of attractions and activities in Ogunquit that will cost a grand total of nuthin' when you are here. Nada. Zero. Not even gas.

Yep - not a penny.

Top Summer Activities In Ogunquit - For Free!

1) The Beach! No wait you say - between traffic and parking this one has hidden fees. But for someone who knows the inside information, Ogunquit Beach is free. Walking distance from the Resort, a 15 minute walk will save you gas and parking fees. And when the drive is 45 minutes with traffic, a 15 minute walk will also give you 30 more minutes of beach time! For free!

2) Marginal Way - One of the most painted landscapes in Maine and the inspiration for many of Maine's famous artists. Take a right out of our north parking lot and at the end of the road you will find Marginal Way's entrance. Follow this mile and a quarter path to see spectacular surf, beautiful gardens and rolling waves. Bring a camera for amazing pictures and you'll have a masterpiece memory - without spending a dime!

3) Ogunquit Heritage Museum -Take a right out of our north parking lot and about 50 yards down on your left will be the Captain James Winn House, home to the Ogunquit Heritage Museum. With Free Admission, the kids can explore a replica Lobstermen's Shack and soon see the new Dory. The Museum highlights the art, marine and architectural history of Ogunquit.

4) Window Shop (yes - this one is straight from their list - but we like it!). Walk to the village center (about 5- 10 minutes) and take in the window fronts of the numerous boutique store fronts. A few favorites include the Lazy Daisy and Life is Good on Shore Road, Harbor Candy and Animal Instinct on Main Street and Spoiled Rotten on Beach Street. 

5) Visit the Ogunquit Memorial Library. Home to spooky ghost tales in the fall festivals and book drives throughout the year. The library is on Shore Road and about a 10 minute walk from the Resort.

6) Play Tennis or Get a Game of Baseball Going - Just a 15 minutes walk from the Resort is the Mt. Agamenticus park. With public tennis courts and a baseball diamond, you can throw the rackets and gloves in the car and get a game going. All for free.

7) Sing A Long - Show off your best American Idol performances with show tunes upstairs at the Front Porch or karaoke at Maxwell's. Both are located in the village center, about a 5-10 minute walk from the Resort (we can practically hear the crooning from here!)

8) Stroll the Artist Shacks - Take a left out our south driveway onto Bourne Lane, then a right onto Shore Road until you reach Perkins Cove (about 15-20 minutes walking). Once in Perkins Cove, stroll in and out of artist shacks and galleries to admire the thriving art community of Ogunquit. Quick picks include Beth Ellis Gallery, Swamp Johns (jewelry counts!) and Perkins Pottery Shop.   

Congratulations to Ogunquit Beach Rescue Squad!

For the third straight year, our Ogunquit Beach Rescue squad has won the Northern New England Lifesaving Championship (also known as the Battle of the Beach) held every August (best chance that the water is warm!!).

Many of you are familiar with the Rescue Squad who can be found in life guard towers along the beach and delivering updates on weather, proper beach behavior and the occasional joke on the loud speaker. The group does a wonderful job making sure everyone has a fun and safe summer vacation at the beach. We're thankful for the great job they do!

Check out the article on the Championship at this link - http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080813/SPORTS/808130339&sfad=1

There's a great photo gallery included as well. Congratulations to all!

Matt Costa at Jonathan's Restaurant

Many of you must have been keeping up on Jonathan's Concert Series - because when Matt Costa came to town, the Upstairs was packed. With two great opening acts (really amazing talent in Satisfaction and Sera Cahoone) and then an outstanding performance by Matt Costa, this show was a best of summer nominee.

Matt Costa recently toured with Jack Johnson and some how made his way to our little village to play Upstairs at Jonathan's.

Check out Jonathan's blog for more on the show and to see the concert schedule.

Ogunquit's Dory is Almost Complete

On the way to the beach, when you walk by the Ogunquit Heritage Museum at the Winn House on Obeds Lane, be sure to keep an eye out for Ogunquit's newest addition - the Dory.

Dories were used by fishermen and lobstermen departing from Perkins Cove and the lofting is a unique design. There is a certain kind of lore about a little fishing boat and the romantic idea of setting sail each day to bring home the day's catch. Marine life is a big part of Ogunquit's history (while you're at the Winn House, go inside and check out the Lobster Shack - a life size replica of the old shanties that lobstermen use to have down by Perkins Cove).

Currently, the Dory is scheduled to set sail in late September and once again, an Ogunquit Dory will take to the sea.

Check out the Ogunquit Heritage Museum's website for more on the history and updates on the Dory. Plus for regular updates on the history of Ogunquit, there's an area to become a Friend.

Taste Magazine's August Top Ten Restaurants

Taste's Top Ten is just in time for one more vacation to the Seacoast.

The votes are in for this month! Congratulations to the Black Trumpet Bistro in Portsmouth, NH - #1 for August 2008! Black Trumpet Bistro  Green Monkey Ristorante Massimo Pesce Blue White Barn Inn The Library Michael's Harborside Brazo  The Rosa Flatbread

Two names jumped out at us - Massimo and The Rosa. For a romantic outing with Italian cusine, Massimo is a winner. Great service and excellent dishes can be found at this old Anthony Alberto's haunt. It's the fastest way to feel like you're in Italy. And The Rosa is great for a more casual setting. Ample portions, warm feel and friendly atmosphere - also a hit with the little ones. Plus The Rosa has its own parking - always a plus in Portsmouth! - and is just off Strawberry Banke.

Presidential-ly Good Spa Treatments

Our friends at Your Body Works are pretty well known around these parts. Their spa treatments have won best of the best in Southern Maine for over 10 years. The speciality is theraputic massage and our guests have raved about the spa services for years at our hotel. It's also nice that they offer express facials and half hour treatments for those that just need a quick pick me up when vacationing in Ogunquit. And if you're here and really need to unwind, try the Mainely Stones treatment - 90 minutes of massage combined with LaStone therapy. You'll be a puddle. A happy puddle.

And how good are the treatments? Well a little bird shared video of our Your Body Works friends with a familiar face who happens to have a rather stressful job these days. Now that's a good spa treatment.