Adina's Guidebook
Beaches
This is our local town beach / boat launch area. It has free parking and a small beach on the Piscataqua River. The tides are very strong here so it’s not ideal for swimming (people still do) but if you’re looking to beat the crowds in York or Wells and for the closest water access / sandy beach this is it. It’s a ten minute drive from the Tiny House. Check the tides for Eliot because there isn’t much beach at high tide.
Eliot Boat Basin
90 Hammond LaneThis is our local town beach / boat launch area. It has free parking and a small beach on the Piscataqua River. The tides are very strong here so it’s not ideal for swimming (people still do) but if you’re looking to beat the crowds in York or Wells and for the closest water access / sandy beach this is it. It’s a ten minute drive from the Tiny House. Check the tides for Eliot because there isn’t much beach at high tide.
This beach is quintessential Maine. It’s a long stretch of beautiful sand and crashing waves. It does get super busy in the summer and parking can be tricky (parallel parking along the road) but it’s a must see if you’re vacationing here. Check out it’s smaller “sister” beach Short Sands down the road as well. There’s more shopping / restaurants / things to do at Short Sands if you’re looking for more than just beach.
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Long Sands Beach
189 Long Beach AveThis beach is quintessential Maine. It’s a long stretch of beautiful sand and crashing waves. It does get super busy in the summer and parking can be tricky (parallel parking along the road) but it’s a must see if you’re vacationing here. Check out it’s smaller “sister” beach Short Sands down the road as well. There’s more shopping / restaurants / things to do at Short Sands if you’re looking for more than just beach.
This beach is smaller than it’s sister beach “Long Sands” but has more amenities and things to do directly surrounding it, like restaurants, bowling, an ol’ timey arcade and zoo. Check out the Goldenrod restaurant and their famous saltwater taffy!
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Short Sands
This beach is smaller than it’s sister beach “Long Sands” but has more amenities and things to do directly surrounding it, like restaurants, bowling, an ol’ timey arcade and zoo. Check out the Goldenrod restaurant and their famous saltwater taffy!
This is another local favorite beach. Fort Foster was used by the military in both World War 1 and 2 as a lookout point to protect the Seacoast region. Today it is one of Maines historic forts and local favorite beach (this is where our family regularly goes). It does cost $20 for a day pass, but the views are amazing. It’s never super crowded and there is a neat pier to walk out onto with a great view of the coastline, lighthouse, and boats coming and going. Popular spot for kayakers, snorkelers, and divers as well.
60 helybéli ajánlásával
Fort Foster
76 Pocahontas RdThis is another local favorite beach. Fort Foster was used by the military in both World War 1 and 2 as a lookout point to protect the Seacoast region. Today it is one of Maines historic forts and local favorite beach (this is where our family regularly goes). It does cost $20 for a day pass, but the views are amazing. It’s never super crowded and there is a neat pier to walk out onto with a great view of the coastline, lighthouse, and boats coming and going. Popular spot for kayakers, snorkelers, and divers as well.
Neighborhoods
We love this part of Kittery! If you’re visiting for the first time, Portsmouth is a must see but Kittery Foreside is where the locals hang. There are a couple small shops, but it’s mostly known for its amazing restaurants. We highly recommend Black Birch (they don’t take reservations though), Anju (noodle bar), Anneke Jan’s, and Tulsi (Indian). Lils Cafe is also a wonderful coffee shop - make sure you get one of their famous Krullers!!
10 helybéli ajánlásával
Kittery Foreside
We love this part of Kittery! If you’re visiting for the first time, Portsmouth is a must see but Kittery Foreside is where the locals hang. There are a couple small shops, but it’s mostly known for its amazing restaurants. We highly recommend Black Birch (they don’t take reservations though), Anju (noodle bar), Anneke Jan’s, and Tulsi (Indian). Lils Cafe is also a wonderful coffee shop - make sure you get one of their famous Krullers!!
Portsmouth is a tourist must see. It’s a beautiful old town, with a ton of shopping, restaurants, and sight seeing. We suggest strolling your way down Market Street going in and out of little shops, having a famous Moes Italian sandwich, and meandering through the gardens at Prescott Park. If you like history, buy a day pass to Strawbery Banke and visit the historical houses there learning all about the four hundred year history of the town. For restaurants, if you like oysters check out the Franklin Oyster House. They have oyster “Happy Hour” each night between 4-6pm with $1.25 oysters (most varieties are local). Another amazing seafood restaurant is Jumpin Jays Fish cafe. It’s not pretentious but the seafood is amazing.
221 helybéli ajánlásával
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a tourist must see. It’s a beautiful old town, with a ton of shopping, restaurants, and sight seeing. We suggest strolling your way down Market Street going in and out of little shops, having a famous Moes Italian sandwich, and meandering through the gardens at Prescott Park. If you like history, buy a day pass to Strawbery Banke and visit the historical houses there learning all about the four hundred year history of the town. For restaurants, if you like oysters check out the Franklin Oyster House. They have oyster “Happy Hour” each night between 4-6pm with $1.25 oysters (most varieties are local). Another amazing seafood restaurant is Jumpin Jays Fish cafe. It’s not pretentious but the seafood is amazing.
Eliot is a quaint little town, mostly a bedroom community for Portsmouth and the Seacoast. There are a few local places I recommend. The closest coffee shop is White Heron on route 236. They make all their own tea blends there and also have breakfast and lunch. Way better than Dunkin’ Donuts! If you’re looking for the closest local restaurant check out the Shipyard Brew Pub in the Eliot Commons. They have local beers and pretty good food. If you need toiletries, or household items there is a Dollar General on Rt. 236. If you need beverages or gas, there is a Cumberland Farms gas station on Rt. 236 as well.
Eliot
Eliot is a quaint little town, mostly a bedroom community for Portsmouth and the Seacoast. There are a few local places I recommend. The closest coffee shop is White Heron on route 236. They make all their own tea blends there and also have breakfast and lunch. Way better than Dunkin’ Donuts! If you’re looking for the closest local restaurant check out the Shipyard Brew Pub in the Eliot Commons. They have local beers and pretty good food. If you need toiletries, or household items there is a Dollar General on Rt. 236. If you need beverages or gas, there is a Cumberland Farms gas station on Rt. 236 as well.
Restaurants
This is a great little place for grabbing breakfast or lunch on the go. They also sell snacks, coffee, and drinks.
Maine Market
This is a great little place for grabbing breakfast or lunch on the go. They also sell snacks, coffee, and drinks.
If you really want to experience the local culture, head down to the 207 Tavern for a drink and pub food. They have tasty comfort food and huge portions.
The 207 Tavern eliot me
811 Dow HwyIf you really want to experience the local culture, head down to the 207 Tavern for a drink and pub food. They have tasty comfort food and huge portions.
This is a cute locally owned / operated tea shop. Their sandwiches and wraps are really tasty as well.
White Heron Maine
43 ME-236This is a cute locally owned / operated tea shop. Their sandwiches and wraps are really tasty as well.
If you want a local sit-down restaurant with Maine made beer this is the place. They have a good menu, good beer selection, and have pool / arcade games.
Shipyard Brew Pub Eliot
28 Levesque DrIf you want a local sit-down restaurant with Maine made beer this is the place. They have a good menu, good beer selection, and have pool / arcade games.
Amenities
Good for amenities, toiletries, and snacks. They do have a limited assortment of groceries as well.
Dollar General
Good for amenities, toiletries, and snacks. They do have a limited assortment of groceries as well.
We like this convenience store the best as it's super clean, has a great assortment of alcoholic beverages, coffee, and some fast food.
Cumberland Farms
We like this convenience store the best as it's super clean, has a great assortment of alcoholic beverages, coffee, and some fast food.
This is the closest big grocery store to us. It has everything you need.
54 helybéli ajánlásával
Market Basket
1465 Woodbury AveThis is the closest big grocery store to us. It has everything you need.