Ogunquit, the Indian translation for a “beautiful place by the sea,” has always been an arts-lovers destination. During the fall, the town offers tranquil ocean views, a picturesque downtown full of local charm, festivals, and long drives of gorgeous fall foliage. The Footbridge Motel is the perfect location to take in the beauty of white sandy beaches and the dramatic fall colors along the Southern Maine coast. Ogunquit is truly a beautiful place by the sea!
The colors reach their peak in mid- to late October. Head west of town to Mount Agamenticus, North to Kennebunkport, or south to York. Any direction you turn, you’ll find beautiful autumn scenery. The artist inside of you will be inspired by the beauty you see. Bring your paints, pencils, and canvases along.
Here are a few great ways to explore Maine’s fall foliage:
- Mount Agamenticus offers beautiful wooded trails to explore. Discover fragile habitats for many of Maine’s rare plants and animals. You won’t find another place like it. From late September to mid-October, the summit of Mount Agamenticus is the perfect place to view the annual hawk migration. Here is a list of the trees you will find along the Mount Agamenticus’ trails.
- Coastal Highway US 1 offers beautiful scenery from Boston through Maine. Ogunquit makes the perfect base to explore and re-explore the route. The route takes you past multiple lighthouses and small coastal towns.
- Wells Reserve is a short six miles north of Ogunquit and only half a mile off of US Route 1 in Wells, Maine. It is a National Estuarine Research Reserve and is on the National Register of Historic Places. There are a number of trails. One leads through grasslands and an abandoned apple field out onto a hidden beach complete with tide pools for exploring. Another trail provides mature conifers and hardwoods, a path past a rustic Forest Learning Shelter to discover more about forest ecology and on through deeper woods to an overlook.
- Rachel Carson’s National Wildlife Refuge functions to protect salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds. The refuge includes a forested upland, a barrier beach/dune, coastal meadows, a tidal salt marsh, and rocky coastlines. There are five trails but the one-mile Carson trail takes you through a variety of the habitats, ending on the rocky shore of the Atlantic. Self-guided tours can be taken by canoe and kayak. Discover fall foliage from the water.
Enjoy a leisurely drive, experience the autumn colors close up on a hike, spread out a picnic blanket to let your inspiration run wild, and capture all you see with your medium of choice. With seaside cliffs and tree-covered mountains, every direction you turn looks like a postcard. For a change of pace, explore how the beauty of Maine has inspired artists over the years at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art (OMAA).
If you are taking the Coastal Highway US 1, from Massachusetts through Maine, for your annual fall foliage tour make sure to stop and take in our small-town charm. We are certain the beauty of our Marginal Way, the hospitality of Ogunquit, and the inspiration that thousands of artists have tapped into will win you over in the blink of an eye.
Come stay with us at Footbridge Motel, and let us show you the beauty of the season in Ogunquit. Choose from one of our many suites or bring a group and make our Beach House your fall foliage tour headquarters.
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