One of my very favorite things about living in New England is all the amazing opportunities for day trips. Or fun nearby vacations. I struggled with whether to go to Ogunquit, Maine, this past weekend or Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I have close ties to both spots, as I used to travel to Ogunquit for a week every summer as a kid; and I went to college in Durham, right next to Portsmouth, NH. In the end, Ogunquit won, but a trip to Portsmouth (and Durham) will be happening very soon!
Of course, I already had my favorite spots picked out in Oqunquit, but I still asked our Twitter followers for their advice. Not surprisingly, their favorites were pretty much the same as mine! It was a beautiful day on Saturday and Chris and I decided to drive right to Perkins Cove and have lunch at Barnacle Billy's, an all-time favorite of mine.
(photo from Travel.Webshots.com/rainingviolets)
Everyone on Twitter was raving about their rum punch, so we made sure to order some right away. It was delicious! And just the thing for sitting on the deck in the sun.
I SO needed this day with how crazy my schedule has been lately (actually, I could use a whole week of it, but that will have to come another time)!
Now, we already had plans to go to my parents' house for a lobster dinner that night, but we still couldn't resist. I mean, we were in Maine, after all! Chris ordered a whole lobster.
And I ordered the lobster roll. Barnacle Billy's SERIOUSLY has the best lobster roll I've ever had. OMG I am still dreaming about it as we speak. It was FILLED with fresh lobster meat, not too much mayo, and the bun was perfectly toasted. Everything about it was just heaven.
I'm sure the view (and the smell of the ocean) helped the food taste even better. We sat on the deck for a couple hours before heading out to explore more of Perkins' Cove.
Of course, we made sure to walk the Marginal Way, one of my favorite parts of Ogunquit.
And spent a little time hanging out on the rocks. As kids, my sister and I were obsessed with climbing the Ogunquit rocks and finding all kinds of little sea creatures.
We also used to have our family Christmas photo taken on the Marginal Way every year. Ahhh memories.
We took some photos from the Perkins Cove drawbridge too.
I actually ended up putting my camera away for a while and forgetting about it. I wish I had taken more Perkins Cove photos, but in another way, it was SO nice to just enjoy the day and not be obsessed with documenting it. This place is most definitely stuck in my memory forever anyway 🙂
We HAD to stop at Perkins Cove Candies, which was my favorite place in the world as a kid. And it's still pretty much the same these days 🙂 We totally stocked up on candy!
(photo from Travel.Webshots.com/ltst1113)
On the way home, we also stopped at the Cliff House, which is where my family used to stay every year. These days it's a hotel and spa and a bit fancier than it used to be.
But some of it still looked the same.
I've heard fabulous things about the spa and some day I will be able to afford a weekend away here. I love that it's so close to Boston, but feels soo far away. A vacation that's easy to get to is the best!
We obviously stopped at the Kittery Outlets on our way home from Maine. And then made our way to my parents' house. Where we had... MORE lobster!!
Chris was on lobster overload... Actually, in my family we call it "lobster bliss" and it's amazing. I'm pretty sure my cousin Tom coined that term 🙂
I also had my first corn of the season!
We hung out at my parents' house to enjoy the sun from their deck much of the rest of the weekend and my mom made lobster salad the next day. 3 lobster meals in one weekend?!?! I was definitely in heaven!
My dad also made a non-lobster related meal, involving grilled asparagus, zucchini, and tomatoes.
Beautiful steak.
With my mom's chocolate peanut butter cupcakes for dessert. My weekend was packed full of amazing food.
One of the funniest parts of the weekend? When we were leaving Boston Saturday morning, we came across this sign on Comm Ave:
How hilarious?!
My Memorial Day weekend was JUST what I needed. But now it's Wednesday afternoon and I'm already ready for another getaway! Sigh. Anyone else feel this way? I love summer, but always feel like I'm so busy, sometimes I need to remind myself to stop and enjoy it. And not to stress out too much. I guess that's what day trips and vacations are for!
My amazing lobster roll at Barnacle Billy's has inspired me to go on a hunt for the best lobster roll in the Boston-area this summer. Do you have any favorites? It's all I want to eat this summer!!
[Sues]
Erica says
WOW! This place really takes me back. I've eatten at Barnacle Billy's (actually my friend used to work there) and my parents stayed at the cliff house!! Looks like a blast. Have you ever been to the two lobster places right on the water near Hampton...oh gosh...Browns and Markeys? We loved Brown's (http://www.brownslobsterpound.com/). There was another place in Ipswich too but I can't remember what it was called!
Sassy Molassy says
Holy moly, that rum punch looks amazing! Will you and chels be doing any summer drink posts? I'm thinking you just might have to. 😉
alicia says
Looks like a great weekend! My favorite lobster roll is a toss-up between B&G Oysters (Lobster BLT is outrageous too) and Neptune Oyster in the North End. Let me know if you go to either place - I would love an excuse for a lobster roll...nom nom nom.
Susan says
I have never been, can you believe it! I am adding it to the list. I wish I knew of some good lobster rolls. I actually only recently starting liking lobster itself and I'm taking baby steps with the rest.
joan says
Love the summer! I feel more relaxed this time of year.
Bridget says
I love Ogunquit! Haven't been in a long time but I used to go as a kid as well. I wish I could be in "lobster bliss" all the time haha. Perkins Cove Candies is the best!
Sophie @ yumventures says
Coolidge Corner Clubhouse "claims" it has Boston's Best Lobster Roll! I would love to see what you think 🙂 Maybe a blogger meet up so everyone can try the winner at the end of the summer! Glad you had such a wonderful weekend.
megabrooke says
yay! i LOVED this post! i have some strong roots up in maine (i was born there, for one!). my grandparents have a cottage in york, and my OTHER grandparents/side of the family and i used to go to the cliff house a lot too! and i love barnacle billy's!!!
those veggies that your dad made are making my mouth water!
Julie Q says
Thanks for reminding me there are so many great day trips an hour away from us!! I hope to piggy back on this trip on the next free sunny saturday we have 🙂 and ps you & Chris are too cute for words
Wicked Domestic says
I don't know about lobster rolls in Boston, but I can tell you the best lobster roll down the Cape is at the Chart Room in Cataumet! Simply the best!
A Boston Food Diary says
I love the lobster rolls at Neptune Oyster (the hot version with butter-oh my!), The James Hook (simple and delicious-great for a walk along the water too), and Atlantic Fish Co had a great one as well-served with some tasty salads. Lobster Rolls really are fantastic!
Funny- I used to head up to Ogunquit every year as a kid too-I hear you on the memory lane piece 🙂
Elle says
LOVE LOVE LOVE all of your photos. We haven't been to Perkin's Cove in a few years, but we're due for another visit. You totally lobstered out this weekend! (Like "pigged out," get it? haha!) We also made lobster rolls at home. Glad you had such a great time!
mandylifeboats says
ahh ogunquit, your photographs captured all the sites and sounds of a gorgeous place on a perfect day. ogunquit is our yearly jaunt that i dream about all winter long.
Julie says
B&G Oysters has the best lobster roll ever. Please go? You won't be disappointed.
Peter says
i love that we both went to barnacle billy's and had a lobster roll, walked along marginal way and stopped by perkin's cove candies this weekend. twinsies! 🙂
Ashley says
We buzzed up to Ogunquit this weekend too! Took the family up on Monday and at the last minute we decided to stay overnight at the Beachmere so we didn't have to fight the traffic back into Boston. Don't know about the lobster rolls (I'm a butter lobster roll fan, not mayo) but next time you are up there go to the Lobster Pound!!! We drive up at least half a dozen times every summer just to go to dinner there. My husband is obsessed!
Katie says
lobster and chocolate peanut butter cupcakes would totally make my weekend!!!
Lauren says
If you find the best lobster roll in Boston, I definitely want to know about it!
I need to do a better job of taking advantage of our location. More day trips must be planned!
Meaghan says
I love the Lobster Roll at LTK in the Fort Point area...extra points for handmade potato chips!
Elina says
I hear Nepture's Oyster has the best lobster rolls. You can choose between cold and warm. I really want to try the warm one 🙂
Elina says
PS - what a fabulous day trip. I'm really into Maine lately 😀
Kerstin says
Yay for all that yummy lobster! Looks like the perfect day trip 🙂
Kim K says
mmmmm lobster! my vote is Neptune Oysters. oy, i want one right now!
Daisy says
UNH Alum? me too! 🙂
Beth says
So I can't believe no one has commented on the zombies! My friend KC from work actually saw the zombies that day and no one would believe her! Also, you have to take Chris down to Newport,RI on a day trip... Adam and I just went there and Chris will love it! Thanks for the memories 🙂
Elizabeth says
Agree with my sister @ Wicked Domestic - best Cape lobster roll is Chart Room in Cataumet. Best Boston lobster roll (by far!) is Neptune. Warm, buttery, on brioche... it's ridiculous.
Sues says
@Daisy- I had no idea! When did you graduate?? I miss it there this time of the year!
Sues says
@Ashley- Oh man, the Lobster Pound was one of my all-time favorite places!! Even though, as a kid, I didn't eat lobster (I wasn't a smart kid)... You're right, I definitely need to go back there on my next trip!
Sues says
@Sophie- I always see that on the sign outside Coolidge Corner Clubhouse and I always think "yeah, right!!" But maybe I should try it, just to make sure.... I wonder who gave them that award! And good call on the blogger meetup 🙂
Sues says
@Sassy Molassy- Good idea!! I just bought a pretty new pitcher and drinks are high on my list this summer!
Sues says
@Erica- Yes! I've been to Brown's and Markey's. There are SO many amazing lobster spots in New England. I love it!
bunkycooks says
I am homesick after seeing these photos! 🙁 I used to live in Boston and miss all the great road trips and lobsta! I have stayed at the Cliff House and eaten at Barnacle Billy's. Thanks for sharing.
Jessica says
Belle Isle Seafood - http://www.belleisleseafood.com/ - its a little hole in the wall in East Boston, and it has THE BEST lobster rolls in Boston. Enjoy!
[email protected] says
Such a cute town! We went to Kennebunkport over Memorial Day weekend and drove through Ogunquit.
Gorio says
Nice blog! the CLIFF HOUSE is not in Ogunquit, its in York, couple miles outside of Ogunquit. Love Barnacle Billy's!
http://ogunquitbeachinn.blogspot.com/
Sarah says
I definitely second Markey's near Hampton Beach for one of the best, most overflowing lobster rolls in the area! Brown's across the street has the benefit of BYOB, but Markey's is a little classier and seriously... their lobster rolls are amaaaazing. I live in Cali now and Markey's is always one of my first stops when I come home to visit. Plus you can get "beach pizza" at Christy's or Tripoli's right next door and it's like no other!