Introduction

Kennebunkport sits at the mouth of the Kennebunk River on Maine's southern coast, roughly 25-30 miles southwest of Portland. This guide covers the fundamentals: geography, its relationship to a similarly named neighbor, and its most famous private residence, with dedicated guides on best time to visit, things to do, restaurants, cafes, and where to stay filling in the rest.

Two Separate Towns, One Similar Name

Worth clarifying upfront, since it's a genuine and common point of confusion: Kennebunkport and Kennebunk are two separate incorporated towns, each with its own government, split by the Kennebunk River. Kennebunkport's population runs around 3,700, per recent Census Bureau estimates, and it tends to be more tourism-oriented than its larger, more residential neighbor. Many businesses market themselves loosely as "Kennebunkport" when they're actually located across the river in Kennebunk — worth double-checking addresses if a specific location matters to your plans.

Walker's Point

Kennebunkport's most famous residence, Walker's Point, has been owned by the Bush family since 1902 and remains a private, active family retreat today — it's not open to the public, though it's visible at a distance from Ocean Avenue and the grounds of nearby St. Ann's Episcopal Church.

Cape Porpoise

A genuine, historic fishing village that's part of Kennebunkport rather than a separate town — in fact, it was the site of the area's original 1629 settlement, before growing into what's now Kennebunkport.

Nearest Airport

Portland International Jetport (PWM), about 26 miles (roughly 30-35 minutes) away, is the realistic option most visitors should plan around — seven carriers (American, Breeze, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, and United) serve it with a genuinely solid domestic route selection, though several routes are seasonal, so confirm current schedules before booking. Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport, about 15 miles away, is closer but general aviation only, with no scheduled commercial service. Boston Logan, roughly 80-90 miles (about 1.5 hours) away, is a reasonable secondary option if you need more route choice or better fares, at the cost of a longer drive.

Practical Tips

• Don't assume every business marketed as "Kennebunkport" is actually located there — many sit across the river in Kennebunk.

• Walker's Point is private property; don't expect public access, only distant viewing.

• See our dedicated guides for best time to visit, things to do, restaurants, cafes, and where to stay.

Sources and Verification Notes

Population figures and Kennebunkport's status as a separate incorporated town from Kennebunk were checked against the U.S. Census Bureau and town government sources. Walker's Point's ownership history and current private status were checked against multiple independent historical and news sources.