The hot, toasty days and nights of summer might be behind us but the arrival of fall brings some of our favorite weather in Ogunquit. Sunny, golden afternoons followed by cool & crisp autumn evenings.
The changing of the leaves into brilliant hues of red, orange and gold and the arrival of apple picking season also provide plenty more beautiful and fun activities around town.
The weather in October is perfect for walks along the beach, hikes to see the foliage, biking through town, boat rides, lobster rolls and much more. Here are a few of our favorite fall activities in southern Maine to make the most of these warm days and cozy nights in Ogunquit.
Follow the foliage
While areas in the north will see the leaves begin to change before us – starting in late September – the foliage in Ogunquit is certainly worth waiting for. There is something so magical about seeing the burning, blazing colors against the sparkling blue of the ocean.
Peak colors will likely hit here in early to mid-October, so don’t wait to make your reservations at The Colonial Inn to ensure you see our local woods in full flight.
During your stay you can take a quick 10 minute drive from the hotel over to the Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region, which encompasses the most extensive coastal forest block between Acadia National Park and the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Walk the trails throughout the mountain or head straight for the summit and enjoy the easy 1 mile Big A loop for plenty of gorgeous views.
From the hotel you can also drive straight down Shore Road to the town of York and enjoy the canopy of colors along the way. Don’t forget to stop at Nubble Lighthouse on Cape Neddick, one of the most beautiful sights nearby.
All about the apples
A great easy-going activity – apple picking is another of our favorite things about fall. Head west from the hotel and visit McDougal Orchards where you can pick your own apples, plums, pears and fall raspberries (reservations needed on the weekends) and Kelly Orchards where you can pick your own peaches and apples. Both orchards have procedures in place to keep everyone safe so be sure to visit their website before heading out.
Enjoy those warm, cozy fall vibes with freshly baked cookies
Every day at our Southern Maine inn, we bake and place out our famous chocolate chip cookies in the lobby – and we tend to think they taste even better when there’s a slight chill in the air. Enjoy these treats with a warm cup of coffee or hot apple cider on the wrap-around porch and get lost in a great book or grab a game from the bookshelf to play with your partner while sitting outside.
Get out on the ocean
Hop on a cruise out of Perkins Cove to see lobsters, seals, lighthouses and more. Finestkind Cruises is a family-owned company providing a range of scenic and educational boat trips along the Ogunquit and York coastline with tours going out on the weekends. In the fall we love hopping on their lighthouse cruise and keeping our eyes peeled for frolicking seals.
Celebrate OgunquitFest 2022
The annual celebration will once again include activities throughout the whole month of October. Pick from events like pumpkin scavenger hunts, fall decoration bingo, sidewalk sales, special seasonal items at local restaurants, horse-drawn carriage rides, pumpkin decorating, live music, sand sculpture demonstrations and more. The full line-up will be posted here when available.
Listen to live music
The Front Porch in town has entertainment in their Piano Bar, Clay Hill Farm is hosting live music events Thursday – Sunday and Jonathan’s has an upstairs listening room where you can see a range of performances from live comedy with Maine’s own Bob Marley to national headliners like Sawyer Fredericks, Paula Poundstone, Judy Collins, and more.
Spend a day surrounded by beautiful art
The Ogunquit Museum of Art has reopened this year with a number of gorgeous exhibitions. They’re open daily until October 31. The museum showcases modern and contemporary art with a permanent collection of more than 3,000 pieces and a three-acre seaside sculpture garden to wander throughout for an afternoon.
Walk along the water
Marginal Way and Ogunquit Beach are open and while the water may be getting a little too cold to swim as we get closer to the end of the year, both are still a beautiful place to walk and listen to the waves. Marginal Way is a mile long coastal walk connecting the village to Perkins Cove and the entrance is just a few minutes from our front door. The walk to Ogunquit Beach is just a few minutes longer – a leisurely 11 minute walk from The Colonial Inn, and once you get there you’ll find 3 miles of beautiful beaches to walk along.
Enjoy the last of lobster season
Just kidding! It’s very easy to get lobster year-round in Maine, one of the many things we love about this state. But many lobstermen and lobsterwomen only set traps from June to October when the lobsters are nearer to shore and more plentiful so it’s worth making the most of the abundance of crustaceans now. As the weather cools down it’s also a great time to enjoy lobster bisque, lobster mac & cheese and lobster pie.
Fewer crowds, warm days & cool nights, gorgeous fall foliage and more make Ogunquit a beautiful place to be in October. At The Colonial Inn you’ll be perfectly positioned to take advantage of all that surrounds us, don’t miss out on your ideal dates and make your reservation today!