Photo spots nearby
What to see near Inn by the Sea
Portland Head Light is worth every minute of the short drive from here. The lighthouse has stood on this rocky Cape Elizabeth headland since 1791, commissioned by George Washington himself, and it carries that age in its bones. Stand at the fence line and look back toward the tower: the white shaft rises 80 feet against open sky, Fort Williams Park spreading around it in every direction, the Atlantic breaking loud and cold against the ledge below. The scale surprises people. So does the quiet, once the parking lot thins out. Walk the perimeter path along the cliff edge and let the horizon do its work. There is nothing between you and Portugal, and on a clear day you feel exactly that.
Within 25 miles · ranked by scenic score
8 Places Worth Seeing
Portland, ME
Portland Head Light
Commissioned by George Washington in 1791, Portland Head Light is the oldest lighthouse in Maine. It stands 80 feet tall on a rocky promontory at the entrance to Portland Harbor in Fort Williams Park. The lighthouse and keeper's house together form one of the most recognized lighthouse compositions in America.
Portland, ME
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
This caisson-style lighthouse built in 1897 is connected to shore by a 900-foot granite breakwater. It marks a dangerous ledge at the entrance to Portland's main shipping channel. The walkable breakwater offers unusual vantage points of the lighthouse with Fort Gorges and the harbor behind.
Portland, ME
Bug Light (Portland Breakwater Lighthouse)
This small Greek Revival-style lighthouse built in 1875 stands at the end of a granite breakwater in South Portland. Its ornate classical design is unique among New England lighthouses. Bug Light Park provides views across Portland Harbor with the city skyline as a backdrop.
Portland, ME
Old Port District
Portland's Old Port is a historic waterfront neighborhood with cobblestone streets and 19th-century brick commercial buildings. The district includes working wharves, fishing boats, and a mix of restaurants and galleries. The area retains its character as a working maritime commercial center.
Portland, ME
Portland Observatory
Built in 1807 on Munjoy Hill, this is the last remaining maritime signal tower in the United States. The octagonal shingled tower stands 86 feet tall and was used to signal approaching merchant ships. The surrounding hill provides panoramic views of Casco Bay, the Portland skyline, and the White Mountains.
Kennebunkport, ME
Goose Rocks Beach
A two-mile crescent of sandy beach in a quiet residential area of Kennebunkport. At low tide, the beach expands dramatically, revealing tidal pools and sandbars that create reflective surfaces. The Batson River salt marsh borders the northern end of the beach.
Kennebunkport, ME
Walker's Point
A rocky peninsula known as the Bush family compound, Walker's Point is visible from Ocean Avenue and Parsons Way. The dramatic coastline includes wave-carved granite, tidal pools, and views across Cape Arundel. The adjacent Spouting Rock produces geyser-like effects during high surf.
Kennebunkport, ME
Dock Square
The historic center of Kennebunkport where the Kennebunk River meets the tidal basin. The square features 18th and 19th-century buildings, the arched bridge over the river, and views of the working waterfront. Lobster boats and pleasure craft moor along the river banks.
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