For our annual summer travel guide, ONE Sotheby’s International Realty is touring Maine’s breathtaking coastline: Portland, the Kennebunks, and more spots await. Summer holds many traditions—lobster rolls, shore excursions, and festivals celebrating everything from food to famous entertainers, as well as new destinations to stay, dine, and shop. Wishing you a wonderful summer vacation.
Hotel Happenings
Atlantic Hospitality’s luxury portfolio grows with the Asticou. Hugging Mount Desert Island’s Northeast Harbor, the historic property’s $28 million refurbishment added waterfront cottages and spa suites. Relax in its spa, heated pool, and Moss Bar. The 17-room Trident Inn, with ocean views, tapped Goods Ogunquit home décor purveyor for its glow-up. Enjoy stargazing and rooftop yoga while staying aboard White Barn Inn’s new Kennebunk River-docked Cora houseboat.
Asticou Inn | The Trident Inn | White Barn Inn
Dining Around
Favorite French bistro Chez Rosa moved to a new space in Kennebunk, complete with a patio and parking. Fresh on the wine bar scene, Portland’s Franciska specializes in Argentina’s small producers and Bodegón cuisine, while a Food & Wine Best Sommelier of the Year is behind Belfast’s Pulling Corks. Sample the state’s 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists, including Bar Harbor’s Havana, Portland’s Leeward, and Biddeford’s Fish & Whistle.
Chez Rosa | Franciska | Pulling Corks | James Beard Foundation
Art Adventures
“Painting Energy: The Alex Katz Foundation Collection at the Portland Museum of Art” highlights gifts from the artist and avid collector, including works by Edward Hopper, Lois Dodd, Anselm Kiefer, Marlene Dumas, and many more. Maine-based artist Ann Craven is honored with “Spotlight,” a statewide exhibition at PMA, Farnsworth Art Museum, and other institutions. The Farnsworth also premieres “In Focus: The Figure Today” on August 2.
Portland Museum of Art | Farnsworth Art Museum
Concert Calendar
Trombone Shorty and Lake Street Dive are among the acts in the State Theatre Concert Series at picturesque Thompson’s Point through September 1. André 3000 and Jack White headline the inaugural Portland’s Back Cove Music & Art Festival (Payson Park, August 2–3). Kennebunk hosts concerts in Lafayette Park on Wednesdays through August 20. Exceptional musicians perform during the Bowdoin International Music Festival through August 8.
Thompson’s Point | Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival | Back Cove Festival | Kennebunk
Festival Season
More than just gorging on the celebrated crustacean, the Maine Lobster Festival hosts live music, competitions of all kinds, and the Big Parade (Rockland’s Harbor Park, July 30–August 3). A beloved fruit also gets the royal treatment during the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival (August 15–17). For culture cravings, attend Portland Theater Festival’s three shows (various venues through September 14) and Bates Dance Festival’s stellar lineup (Bates College, July 11–August 1).
Maine Lobster Festival | Machias Wild Blueberry Festival | Portland Theater Festival | Bates Dance Festival
Summer Shopping
Daher Interior Design’s mother-and-son duo opened Mélange, a hybrid showroom and studio in Kennebunk, perfect for designing dream interiors. The couple behind Bliss and Little fashion boutiques introduced a home collection and retail concept, Baske, which is carried alongside other brands like Flamingo Estate and Saardé at their namesake stores in Kennebunk and Portland. General store H.B. Provisions have been reinvented and upgraded (baristas!) as KPort Provisions.
Mélange | Bliss Boutiques | @baskehome | KPort Provisions
Socials