Seaside Perfection: Kennebunkport Named Best Small Town in Maine

When it comes to determining Maine's best small town, well, there's a lot of competition.

You could easily make a case for more than 50 different municipalities as the top pick. There are wonderful towns scattered across Maine, each with its own unique charm and character—making any "best of" list incredibly tough to finalize.

However, that's exactly what the folks over at HGTV set out to do. The popular television network published an article on its website highlighting the best small towns in America. In fact, they selected just one from each state, including right here in Maine.

What is the Best Small Town in Maine?

So which small town took the top spot for Maine? That would be the beautiful coastal hamlet of Kennebunkport.

Kennebunkport is a fantastic choice. This charming seaside town in Southern Maine is brimming with local artisans, delicious restaurants, tasty craft beer, gorgeous accommodations, and historic architecture. And let’s be honest—who doesn’t love a peaceful walk by the ocean on a warm, sunny day? Those views are simply unbeatable.

Here’s a bit of what HGTV had to say about why it chose Kennebunkport as Maine’s best small town.

(Kennebunkport)...became a summer retreat by the late 1800s; affluent vacationers flocked to the grand hotels and mansions along its coastline. Visitors still come each summer to relax on the beaches and stroll around the town. Don't miss Dock Square, a popular shopping area in a village setting, and a drive along Ocean Avenue for spectacular coastal views.

This is a perfect summary of what a visitor can expect—everything one might look for in an ideal coastal New England village.

Kennebunkport is Perfect to Visit Year-Round

And it really doesn’t matter what time of year you visit; Kennebunkport is a great destination year-round. This is especially true during the holiday season, thanks to Christmas Prelude. Kennebunkport’s signature event has been going strong since it began back in 1983. The annual festival offers a wealth of activities, including tree lightings, holiday events, village-wide decorations, markets, and outstanding food and drinks.

What’s not to love about this amazing town? Well, maybe a few more parking spaces, but now I’m just nitpicking.

READ MORE: Maine's Little Gem: The Smallest Suspension Bridge on Earth

Kudos to HGTV for the wonderful selection of Kennebunkport as Maine’s best small town. That said, it’s worth noting that many other small towns across this great state could have easily made the cut as well.