Wells

Wells is a beautiful and historic town on the southern Maine coast between Kennebunk and Ogunquit, with a year-round population of about 10,000. It is blessed with over seven miles of oceanfront, much of it sandy beaches, and a nationally recognized estuarine reserve. The beaches are wide and flat, making them great for walking or jogging as well as playing in the sand or building sand castles. Wells is also known for its antique shops, used and collectible bookstores, and antique auto museum. Harbor Park at the end of Harbor Road, situated in a natural sand vale surrounded by beach grass and wild sea roses, is a great place for a picnic or family outing. There's a large gazebo, pavilion, and observation deck that overlooks Wells Harbor. During the summer, this is the location for festivals and other community events, including live entertainment at the gazebo every Saturday night (free). To reach the park, turn right onto Harbor Road at the Wells Fire Station, just north of the intersection of Routes 1 and 109. Follow to the end. Parking is on the left, and the park is on the right. Fishing is also popular in Wells, from any of the beaches, the Wells breakwater, town dock (at high tide) and on town jetties. Pollock, mackerel, stripers, flounder, and crabs are plucked from the sea here by kids, and striped bass, bluefish, and sea run brown trout are landed from shore by surf casters and saltwater fly fishermen.

Serious fishermen may want to take one of several fishing charters offered from Wells Harbor. A seasonal trolley system connects lodging places with beaches, restaurants, and attractions, and meets the Ogunquit trolley system at the Ogunquit Plaza on Route 1. This makes it easy to get from Wells to the nearby town of Ogunquit, Marginal Way, and Ogunquit beaches. The trolleys operate daily from the third Saturday in June through Labor Day weekend, from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. Because of traffic congestion along Route 1 in coastal Maine in the summer, you can save yourself a lot of time and frustration by opting for the trolley instead of driving your car. Fares are $1 per person. A schedule of trolley stops is available at the Wells Welcome and Information Center and at many establishments in the area.