Ogunquit

America is full of fabulous gay resort towns. Palm Springs, Key West, and Provincetown are probably the best known. The Russian River, Fire Island, and Rehoboth Beach are lesser known, but still popular in their regions and with “in the know” travelers from further afield. Perhaps even a little less known is Ogunquit, Maine. While deservedly popular with locals, it doesn’t get a lot of tourists from outside of New England. Which is surprising since it’s less than 80 miles north of Boston’s Logan airport.

The original inhabitants of this area where the Abenaki. They came up with the name Ogunquit which means “beautiful place by the sea”. And it certainly lives up to its name. Many gay resort areas focus on nightlife, shopping, and dining. Then they happen to have a beach, mountains, or some other natural attraction. In Ogunquit this is reversed, and the beach is the main attraction. Coastal Maine is gorgeous. But its beaches tend to be rocky and not great for laying out or swimming. Ogunquit has a long and wide sandy beach. The perfect place to relax and let the stresses of life melt away. It hearkens back to simpler times and the type of beach vacation you may remember as a child.

Ogunquit

Next to the beach, Ogunquit is probably best known for the Ogunquit Playhouse. It has been putting on shows since 1933. Its big musical productions often feature performers with Broadway and television experience. It is a great place to see high quality entertainment in a relaxed setting. (Although the theater isn’t small, with nearly 700 seats).

The point of Ogunquit is to escape the hustle and bustle. But, when you’re done with the beach there are gay and gay-friendly places to get a drink, have a bite, or even dance. The Front Porch Piano Bar is one option. They have a dining room, bar & lounge area, and the popular sing-along piano bar. It’s been around for over 30-years but has become more upscale over the last few. If you want a more casual and typical gay bar experience, try Maine Street. It has two dance areas, multiple bar areas and outdoor deck areas.

Since you will be in Maine you have to get some lobster. One popular spot is Jackie’s Too. It is known for its full seafood menu and amazing ocean views. But there are other places in town to try if you want something other than seafood. The town’s main street also offers an array of shops, ice cream parlors, and small-town charm to keep you busy for a while.

While Ogunquit doesn’t offer the multitude of entertainment and dining options as its rival Provincetown. It offers more than enough for a quick getaway, and at more reasonable prices. It also offers the opportunity to try someplace new, in a LGBTQ+ friendly environment. If you would like to find out more about Ogunquit, or any other amazing destination, contact Purple Light Vacations. We would love to help you plan your next adventure.

Purple Light Vacations provides you with the knowledge, insight and personalized service to make your vacation all you want it to be at no additional cost. We help you travel in the know wherever you go. To get started, fill out this quick form or call 619.324.1444 (ext. 3).