A local’s perspective on living (and working) in a Maine tourist town
This isn’t called “I Love It Here.” That feels like too much. “Love” is what you say in the moment, when the food hits the table and it’s perfect and you’re halfway through your second bite: “I LOVE this.”
But then the check comes.
And suddenly it’s: “I mean… it was good, but...lets calm down.”
Love is loud and a little unreliable. It spikes and then it fades.
“I like it here,” on the other hand, is quieter and steady.
It’s not trying to convince anyone.
And that’s how I feel about Kennebunkport and Maine. I like it here. That's the way it is.
Maine Isn’t Easy to Love Year-Round
Maine will test your loyalty.
Winter is long, cold, and occasionally isolating. You often tend to start a conversation about the weather because it’s all there is. The snow piles up. Days feel short. You spend more time indoors than you planned. (Unless you enjoy outdoor winter activities. If so, good for you!)
Summer, which is supposed to be the reward, comes with its own complications. Heat, humidity, traffic. The grocery store becomes an obstacle course. Getting across town takes longer than it should.
We complain about all of it. Every year. Like it’s new information!
But it’s not. It’s just the rhythm of living here. And it's okay. No big deal.
Kennebunkport: A Small Town That Swells
When I say Kennebunkport, I’m also including Kennebunk. They’re basically conjoined twins, separate names, but shared identity.
This area is a pretty accurate microcosm of Maine as a whole. Quiet most of the year, then suddenly wide awake for a short stretch.
July through September is peak season. That’s when people show up from everywhere, all over the world. And one of the first things they notice is how small Kennebunkport actually is.
A handful of walkable streets. Shops. Restaurants. A stretch of beach. A longer stretch of scenic coastline.
Unless you have a boat.
If you have a boat, then everything expands. Marinas in the area will fill up with some impressive setups, and the whole place starts to make more sense. It is a port town, after all. Boating isn’t just a pastime here, it’s part of the culture. Not one I’ve fully tapped into, but I’ve experienced a little taste of that lifestyle from friends, and I understand the appeal.
A Local in Tourist Season
I run a small business here, so summer isn’t exactly a vacation for me. It’s the opposite. Long days, constant movement, very little downtime.
But every once in a while, my wife and I get a day off.
And on those days, we do what visitors do. We walk around town, grab lunch, maybe sit by the water for a bit, cocktails and apps poolside at The Colony or lunch on the river at The Boathouse.
It's a staycation. And that’s usually when it hits us:
"I like it here".
Not in a dramatic way. It's just a subtle acknowledgment. I can see why people come here, why they plan trips around it, why they’re willing to spend what it costs to be here.
Because it’s not cheap. lol.
But in terms of experience, especially food, it tends to deliver. Restaurants shift a lot, owners will change, chefs move on, so it’s hard to give permanent recommendations. Right now, for food experiences, I’ve been really into Ultramar and Rosella. That could change next season. Who knows? That’s how I'm feeling at the moment.
The Charm (and What’s Changing)
Like a lot of places, Kennebunkport is always evolving.
Some of that change comes from outside investment, larger groups are buying up multiple properties. On one hand, they bring resources and clean things up. On the other, something gets lost when the place down the street isn’t owned by locals, Burt and Susy, anymore.
It’s part of why I care about keeping my own business independent. What we sell, how we run things, that's all ours. We aren't part of a chain of businesses. And the money spent here tends to stay here, circulating through the same community that gives the place its character.
The Town is Busy… But Not That Busy
For a kinda famous tourist town, Kennebunkport never feels completely overwhelming.
Even in peak summer, you can find some space. Places to walk without bumping into a crowd every few steps. The Franciscan Monastery is a good example, peaceful, open, a beautiful walk along the river.
Getting dinner is a different story though. You’ll want a reservation. Think ahead. Like when you decide to book your hotel, make some reservations for dinner.
But beyond that, it’s manageable. The kind of busy that feels alive.
The Off-Season Visitors Get It
Some of my favorite visitors show up on the slow days.
Cold, rainy days. Half the town is closed. Limited options. Not exactly the tourist town, you see advertised in the New York Times but a few of us keep the lights on.
These visitors sometimes ask about the town and why it's so quiet. They aren't judging, they're just curious. They're smiling, saying it doesn’t matter, they’re just glad to be here. Glad to be spending time with their loved ones.
That's the way to be! Remember to pack that inner happiness and enjoyment to the place you are visiting. It's not the location's job to do all the heavy lifting. It's an equal exchange. Bring your love and happiness with you!
What “I Like It Here” Really Means
The phrase ended up on apparel, but it was never just about Maine or Kennebunkport or any other specific place. It’s about arriving at a point where, wherever you are, geographically or mentally, you feel okay being there. Not ecstatic, or blissed out, just… content.
“I like it here” can apply to a coastal town in Maine. It can also apply to sitting in your own thoughts and not feeling the need to escape them.
Final Thoughts
Kennebunkport is a great place to visit and to live. It has its quirks, it's busy, it's slow.
Lots of good things, some not so good things.
But overall? I like it here.
And more importantly, I like it here. (I'm pointing at my heart)
Minka's I LIKE IT HERE clothing line was conceived and designed by owner, Christopher Larochelle and is printed locally.