Kittery

When many folks think of Kittery, they think of the Golden Mile. Or is it miles?

That’s the stretch of outlet stores, including the Kittery Outlets, that hug Route 1. Savvy travelers already know that a short hop across Maine’s southern border to Kittery means hours – and hours and hours and hours – of shopping at popular outlets like Coach, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, and Sperry. Added to that abundance are favorites like Kittery Trading Post, a sporting-goods giant that’s been family owned and run for 80+ years.

But after you’ve filled up your shopping basket, what’s next? Well, there’s the very new. And there’s the very, very old.

Things to Do in Kittery

The new can be found in or around Kittery Foreside, the compact downtown, which is a quick drive away from the Route 1 outlets. Today, the downtown and areas nearby are abuzz with new cafés, restaurants and stores, including Anju Noodle Bar, an Asian noodle house, Tulsi Indian, featuring North Indian cuisine, Tributary Brewing, an adventurous brewery, and Maine Meat (or MEat, if you’d rather) an artisanal butchery and café. Other spots to consider are Anneke Jans, The Wallingford Dram and The Black Birch. Or grab a freshly baked loaf of bread from the When Pigs Fly Bread Store. For the adventurous, enjoy new heights at Take Flight’s aerial adventure course and zip line tour.

As for the old…well, that’s everywhere. Kittery has the distinction of being the oldest town in Maine. Native people lived there for thousands of years. English settlers came to stay in 1623. Some of the earliest houses in the state can be found in a leisurely drive through the seaside neighborhood of Kittery Point. During your visit, check out the First Congregational Church, which was built in 1730 and is the oldest church building in continuous use in Maine.

Coastal Kittery hosts two historic seaside forts, both built to protect the Piscataqua River and the towns just upstream. Fort Foster was established in 1873; it’s now a town park with great trails and ocean views. Fort McClary stood watch from the Revolution through World War I. It’s now a shorefront museum and state historic site, featuring a blockhouse built in the 1840s. The vast Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge that extends from Wells to Kittery has excellent hiking and birding opportunities – check out the Cutts Island Trail for an easy hike through forests and wetlands. Enjoy a stroll along Sea Point and Crescent Beaches – both quiet and cozy beaches – or head north to the numerous beaches in the region.

Restaurants in Kittery

Want to check out some other places to eat? Consider Warren’s Lobster House, which has been serving up classic seafood on the edge of the water since 1940, or Robert’s Maine Grill, another popular spot for lobster rolls and other seafood dishes. Other favorites include the Bob’s Clam Hut and Lil’s Café. You can also scroll through our list of local area businesses below or check here.

Where to Stay in Kittery

The Kittery area has a variety of hotels and other accommodations including the Kittery Inn and Suites, the Ramada by Wyndham Kittery, The Water Street Inn and the Enchanted Nights Bed and Bath. For more suggestions, check here and scroll down the list of area businesses below.