top of page
The Nest — Local Guidebook
Everything we love about York, Ogunquit, Portsmouth, and the surrounding Seacoast - the spots we send guests to, in every season.
Where to Eat - York & Kittery
01
Nick's Steakhouse
the special-occasion pick. High-end steaks and seafood, a covered patio, and owner Nick is usually there himself making sure the night goes well. Reservations recommended, especially in summer.
02
Ship's Cellar Pub
a York Harbor classic, built into the historic York Harbor Inn with a fun, nautical feel. Great lobster and seafood, a strong gluten-free menu, and window seats looking right out over the water.
03
State Line Lobster
unassuming from the outside, exceptional inside. A hidden gem for a classic lobster roll and fresh seafood, with genuinely great gluten-free options if that matters for your group.
04
The Bar Next Door
a bit more modern and lively, small plates alongside a full dinner menu, known for creative dishes and a great drink list. Popular on weekends, so expect a wait if you go without a reservation. Their sister restaurant - The Central - is right next door.
05
Frisbee's Wharf at Pepperell Cove
Casual dockside seafood with some of the best water views around — sit on the dock at sunset if you can. Simple menu, but the setting makes it worth the trip.
01 / 05
Nick's Steakhouse
the special-occasion pick. High-end steaks and seafood, a covered patio, and owner Nick is usually there himself making sure the night goes well. Reservations recommended, especially in summer.
01
Nick's Steakhouse
the special-occasion pick. High-end steaks and seafood, a covered patio, and owner Nick is usually there himself making sure the night goes well. Reservations recommended, especially in summer.
02
Ship's Cellar Pub
a York Harbor classic, built into the historic York Harbor Inn with a fun, nautical feel. Great lobster and seafood, a strong gluten-free menu, and window seats looking right out over the water.
03
State Line Lobster
unassuming from the outside, exceptional inside. A hidden gem for a classic lobster roll and fresh seafood, with genuinely great gluten-free options if that matters for your group.
04
The Bar Next Door
a bit more modern and lively, small plates alongside a full dinner menu, known for creative dishes and a great drink list. Popular on weekends, so expect a wait if you go without a reservation. Their sister restaurant - The Central - is right next door.
05
Frisbee's Wharf at Pepperell Cove
Casual dockside seafood with some of the best water views around — sit on the dock at sunset if you can. Simple menu, but the setting makes it worth the trip.
Where to Eat - Ogunquit - 15 Min
01
Treehouse Taqueria
Elevated Mexican with a fun, laid-back vibe and a view over Main Street from its perch above the strip. The birria tacos are the standout, and there's a genuinely great vegan/vegetarian menu if that matters for your group.
02
The Front Porch Piano Bar
part restaurant, part live music venue, with piano sets most nights. A great pick if you want dinner and entertainment in one stop — go upstairs for the piano bar energy, downstairs if you want it quieter.
03
Brix & Brine
A cute, all-outdoor patio spot with a laid-back, social atmosphere. Great for oysters and a lobster roll with a good drink in hand, especially their Friday oyster and champagne special.
04
Crew Ogunquit
right in the heart of downtown, lively and popular, known for their $1 oyster happy hour (Monday–Thursday, 1-4pm) and a big, crowd-pleasing menu that covers everyone from brunch to late-night.
05
BeachFire Bar & Grille
The pick when someone in your group wants a break from seafood. BBQ-forward with huge portions — ribs, brisket, pulled pork — plus a big propane fire pit out front that makes the wait (it gets busy) part of the experience.
01 / 05
Treehouse Taqueria
Elevated Mexican with a fun, laid-back vibe and a view over Main Street from its perch above the strip. The birria tacos are the standout, and there's a genuinely great vegan/vegetarian menu if that matters for your group.
01
Treehouse Taqueria
Elevated Mexican with a fun, laid-back vibe and a view over Main Street from its perch above the strip. The birria tacos are the standout, and there's a genuinely great vegan/vegetarian menu if that matters for your group.
02
The Front Porch Piano Bar
part restaurant, part live music venue, with piano sets most nights. A great pick if you want dinner and entertainment in one stop — go upstairs for the piano bar energy, downstairs if you want it quieter.
03
Brix & Brine
A cute, all-outdoor patio spot with a laid-back, social atmosphere. Great for oysters and a lobster roll with a good drink in hand, especially their Friday oyster and champagne special.
04
Crew Ogunquit
right in the heart of downtown, lively and popular, known for their $1 oyster happy hour (Monday–Thursday, 1-4pm) and a big, crowd-pleasing menu that covers everyone from brunch to late-night.
05
BeachFire Bar & Grille
The pick when someone in your group wants a break from seafood. BBQ-forward with huge portions — ribs, brisket, pulled pork — plus a big propane fire pit out front that makes the wait (it gets busy) part of the experience.
Where to Eat - Portsmouth (15 Min)
01
Moxy
Small plates, big flavor, meant for sharing. A lively, warm atmosphere and a menu that rewards ordering a little of everything — the fried cauliflower and the steak are standouts. Great for a fun night with a group.
02
Ristorante Massimo
The special-occasion pick, no contest. Tucked into a cozy, romantic space downtown, with genuinely excellent Italian food — the carbonara gets called out again and again. Reservations essential, especially on weekends.
03
Surf
Right on the Piscataqua River with some of the best water views in town. Seafood-forward with a broad menu (sushi, baked seafood platters, pasta), and the lobster fries are worth ordering on their own. Ask for a window seat if you can.
04
Buckley's on the Water
Another beautiful riverfront spot, a few doors down from Surf. Known for their bang bang steak tips and a gorgeous view of the Piscataqua — great for a relaxed dinner with a view.
05
Popovers on the Square
The casual daytime pick. Breakfast, lunch, coffee, and pastries right on Congress Street, a great stop before a day of wandering downtown.
01 / 05
Moxy
Small plates, big flavor, meant for sharing. A lively, warm atmosphere and a menu that rewards ordering a little of everything — the fried cauliflower and the steak are standouts. Great for a fun night with a group.
01
Moxy
Small plates, big flavor, meant for sharing. A lively, warm atmosphere and a menu that rewards ordering a little of everything — the fried cauliflower and the steak are standouts. Great for a fun night with a group.
02
Ristorante Massimo
The special-occasion pick, no contest. Tucked into a cozy, romantic space downtown, with genuinely excellent Italian food — the carbonara gets called out again and again. Reservations essential, especially on weekends.
03
Surf
Right on the Piscataqua River with some of the best water views in town. Seafood-forward with a broad menu (sushi, baked seafood platters, pasta), and the lobster fries are worth ordering on their own. Ask for a window seat if you can.
04
Buckley's on the Water
Another beautiful riverfront spot, a few doors down from Surf. Known for their bang bang steak tips and a gorgeous view of the Piscataqua — great for a relaxed dinner with a view.
05
Popovers on the Square
The casual daytime pick. Breakfast, lunch, coffee, and pastries right on Congress Street, a great stop before a day of wandering downtown.
On the Water
01
Wiggly Bridge
A fun, easy stop right in York Village. Said to be one of the smallest suspension bridges in the world, it crosses a little tidal inlet with a short walking loop around it — a nice quick stretch of the legs, especially with kids.
02
Short Sands Beach
Smaller and a bit more tucked-in, right next to York Beach village, so it's an easy pairing with ice cream and restaurants or a walk through the shops afterward.
03
Long Sands Surf School
Right on Long Sands Beach, offering lessons and board rentals for all levels. A great way to spend a morning if anyone in your group has been wanting to try surfing.
04
Long Sands Beach
Just 10 minutes away, our go-to for a classic Maine beach day. Long, wide, and sandy, with the Nubble Lighthouse visible from one end and plenty of street parking (though it fills up fast in summer).
05
Ogunquit Beach
A bit further down the coast (about 15 minutes), and worth the drive — three miles of soft sand backed by dunes, with the Ogunquit River on one side. A little more spread out and quieter in spots than Long Sands.
06
Nubble Lighthouse
One of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine. Perched on a small island just off Cape Neddick, it's stunning any time of day but especially at sunset.
01 / 06
Wiggly Bridge
A fun, easy stop right in York Village. Said to be one of the smallest suspension bridges in the world, it crosses a little tidal inlet with a short walking loop around it — a nice quick stretch of the legs, especially with kids.
01
Wiggly Bridge
A fun, easy stop right in York Village. Said to be one of the smallest suspension bridges in the world, it crosses a little tidal inlet with a short walking loop around it — a nice quick stretch of the legs, especially with kids.
02
Short Sands Beach
Smaller and a bit more tucked-in, right next to York Beach village, so it's an easy pairing with ice cream and restaurants or a walk through the shops afterward.
03
Long Sands Surf School
Right on Long Sands Beach, offering lessons and board rentals for all levels. A great way to spend a morning if anyone in your group has been wanting to try surfing.
04
Long Sands Beach
Just 10 minutes away, our go-to for a classic Maine beach day. Long, wide, and sandy, with the Nubble Lighthouse visible from one end and plenty of street parking (though it fills up fast in summer).
05
Ogunquit Beach
A bit further down the coast (about 15 minutes), and worth the drive — three miles of soft sand backed by dunes, with the Ogunquit River on one side. A little more spread out and quieter in spots than Long Sands.
06
Nubble Lighthouse
One of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine. Perched on a small island just off Cape Neddick, it's stunning any time of day but especially at sunset.
- Wiggly Bridge, one of the things to do near York Maine.
- Crowded beach near York Maine with umbrellas and hotel.
- Beach food truck, things to do near York Maine
- Long Sands Beach, a top thing to do near York Maine.
- Crowded beach near York Maine on a sunny day
- The Nubble Lighthouse -attraction in York Maine.
On Land
01
Shopping
For an afternoon of browsing, Portsmouth's walkable downtown is our favorite spot — small boutiques, gift shops, and galleries all within a few blocks. Ogunquit's Main Street and Perkins Cove offer a smaller, beachier mix of shops worth a wander too, especially paired with a walk on the Marginal Way.
02
Take Flight Aerial Adeventure
A zipline and aerial obstacle course for anyone looking for something more adventurous — multiple course levels, plus axe throwing on-site. Popular with families and groups. Located in Kittery.
.jpg)
03
Wonder Mountain (Wells)
A fun stop for families — two mini golf courses, go-karts, an arcade, and a few surprise challenges built into the holes along the way. Plan for a few hours if you do more than one activity.
04
Mount Agamenticus
A local favorite for an easy-to-moderate hike with a big payoff — from the summit you can see the ocean on one side and the White Mountains on the other. Pet-friendly, well-marked trails, and a great option if you want a hike that doesn't take all day.
05
Kittery Outlets
Kittery is lined with outlet shopping — dozens of brand-name stores spread across a few plazas along Route 1. Right in the same area is Kittery Trading Post, a Maine institution and a destination in its own right — part outdoor outfitter, part experience.
01 / 05
Shopping
For an afternoon of browsing, Portsmouth's walkable downtown is our favorite spot — small boutiques, gift shops, and galleries all within a few blocks. Ogunquit's Main Street and Perkins Cove offer a smaller, beachier mix of shops worth a wander too, especially paired with a walk on the Marginal Way.
01
Shopping
For an afternoon of browsing, Portsmouth's walkable downtown is our favorite spot — small boutiques, gift shops, and galleries all within a few blocks. Ogunquit's Main Street and Perkins Cove offer a smaller, beachier mix of shops worth a wander too, especially paired with a walk on the Marginal Way.
02
Take Flight Aerial Adeventure
A zipline and aerial obstacle course for anyone looking for something more adventurous — multiple course levels, plus axe throwing on-site. Popular with families and groups. Located in Kittery.
03
Wonder Mountain (Wells)
A fun stop for families — two mini golf courses, go-karts, an arcade, and a few surprise challenges built into the holes along the way. Plan for a few hours if you do more than one activity.
04
Mount Agamenticus
A local favorite for an easy-to-moderate hike with a big payoff — from the summit you can see the ocean on one side and the White Mountains on the other. Pet-friendly, well-marked trails, and a great option if you want a hike that doesn't take all day.
05
Kittery Outlets
Kittery is lined with outlet shopping — dozens of brand-name stores spread across a few plazas along Route 1. Right in the same area is Kittery Trading Post, a Maine institution and a destination in its own right — part outdoor outfitter, part experience.
Winter on the Seacoast
Winter here is a completely different kind of beautiful — quieter, colder, and honestly one of our favorite times to be at The Nest. Long Sands and Short Sands empty out almost entirely, so a walk on the sand with waves rolling in under a gray winter sky is just yours.
- Nubble Lighthouse: The Nubble Lighthouse is stunning any time of year, but there's something about seeing it dusted in snow or lit up against a winter sunset that hits differently than a summer visit.
- Mount Agamenticus: Stays open and hiking year-round, and a clear winter day up top can mean some of the best visibility of the year for those ocean-to-mountains views.
- Marginal Way: The Marginal Way in Ogunquit is just as dramatic in the off-season — you'll likely have long stretches of the cliffside path to yourself and a lot of the restaurants in downtown stay open.
- Portsmouth: Portsmouth comes alive for the holidays, with festive lights and holiday markets downtown (late November through December).
- Kennebunkport: Only 25 minutes away is beautiful in the Winter and stays open through the season. Winter Prelude is big multi-weekend event that's worth the visit.
bottom of page