The commercial heart of Kennebunkport: a compact cluster of shops, galleries, restaurants, and ice cream parlours gathered around the mouth of the Kennebunk River where it meets the tidal cove. The architecture is classic Maine coastal — mostly 19th-century wooden buildings, well-maintained and largely un-chain-store'd, which is a minor miracle given the summer tourist traffic.
In summer, Dock Square fills with visitors; the bridges across the river carry a constant stream of foot traffic between the square and the nearby beaches. In the shoulder season — early June or October — the place takes on a more genuine character, with local shops open, the restaurants uncrowded, and the harbour reflections undisturbed by tour boats. It's easy to spend an hour walking the area, peering at the boats, browsing the galleries, and watching the river.
story: "The Kennebunk River Tidal Mill, built nearby in the 18th century, used the tidal flow to power its grinding wheels — one of the last tide mills in New England. The site is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the archaeology is still visible at low tide."