Discovering Maine's Rocky Coast With Kids: Kennebunkport

Discovering Maine's Rocky Coast With Kids
By Maine Author Jennifer Ellen Parker

The three girls waiting to be seated at Federal Jacks.

Photo credit – Jennifer Clark

005- We sat perched high above Kennebunkport waiting for our table to be ready.  The outside deck was delicious and looked out onto the river and charming stores and buildings that screamed of quintessential New England on the coast.  The girls chose seats away from my friend and I, proudly sipping on their Shirley Temples and enjoying being out and about later than usual.  The last time we had ventured down to the Port was for the Christmas Prelude in December.  The storm had passed from earlier in the day and in its path it left a cool freshness that set the stage for the perfect mid summer’s night outing.  Jen and I were able to discuss adult things as the girls giggled and played with each other’s hair, while creating their own conversations.  They squealed with delight when the buzzer vibrated in their hands alerting them that our table was ready sooner than expected.  It was a big night out at Federal Jacks and they were soaking up every minute of it.

 Libby ordered her usual clam chowder, and Anna and Regy feasted on a hamburger and chicken burger and fries.  The dining room was buzzing for a Tuesday night, filled with locals and tourists.  Conversations floated by our table in both English and French and the girls silliness was lost in a room occupied by families out for a night of celebrating their stay in Maine.  We filled our bellies and warmed our hearts over dinner at Federal Jacks, two single moms and their daughters just enjoying life.  In lieu of dessert we opted to walk to the heart of the shops and stop in at The Candyman for some scrumptious fudge.  It took the girls a few minutes to decide what flavor they would like to top of their dinners with but once we all had our fudge in hand we toasted the incredible girl’s night out by taking our first bite together.

Kennebunkport is perhaps one of the most interesting centers among Maine’s rocky coast. It is filled with beauty, life, and a vibrancy unique upon its own. We strolled along the shops doing some of our most favorite window shopping and enjoyed the crisp cool air.  The girls skipped ahead of us singing songs and playing pranks on one another and we held back watching them have the time of their lives in Kennebunkport way after their bedtimes.

The Candyman – photo credit Jennifer Clark