June 15‑18, 2025 | Travel & Lifestyle

A gentle ocean breeze, the scent of pine, and long, lingering dinners—our mid‑June escape to coastal Maine was exactly the slow‑travel reset we’d been craving. My husband Pramod and I traded North Carolina’s humidity for crisp seaside air and three unhurried days of simple pleasures. Below is a peek inside our stay—part travel diary, part design journal—so you can tuck a little Kennebunk calm into your own life.

Where We Stayed — White Barn Inn

Tucked just off Beach Avenue, the White Barn Inn feels like a friend’s summer cottage that grew up and went to finishing school—charming on the outside, with rustic beams and thoughtfully collected interiors within. Our junior suite came with a fireplace (yes, in June!), a soaking tub made for long novels and lazy cocktails, and a calming color palette drawn from ocean blues and sandy neutrals. We took one of the inn’s complimentary Mercedes for a spin around town, but most days, we stayed put: a therapeutic massage in the intimate spa, smoothies by the pool, and cozy evenings reading by the fire when the temperature dipped.

Onyx + Anchor Takeaway: Layer natural textures—weathered wood, stone, linen—to bring that relaxed New England warmth into your own rooms.

Savoring Southern Maine — Three Memorable Meals

Chez Rosa: A cozy, French-inspired bistro tucked into Dock Square. The interiors are charming and intimate—think quaint cottage meets Parisian flair. I ordered the flat iron steak with a side salad in place of fries, and it was absolute perfection.

*Seafood Bisque at White Barn Inn Restaurant*

Earth at Hidden Pond: A tucked-away dining room framed by birch trunks and twinkle lights, where farm-driven dishes arrive on hand-thrown pottery. Each course was beautifully prepared, and the setting—rustic, intimate, and immersed in nature—made the experience feel magical.

The White Barn Restaurant (on property): A candlelit, multi‑course experience under soaring 150‑year‑old barn rafters. The star of the evening was a palate‑cleansing cucumber sorbet so refreshing I’m determined to recreate it for summer dinners at home—recipe testing soon!

Host & Gather Note: A single, surprising bite (hello, cucumber sorbet) between courses keeps long dinners lively. Try serving miniature granitas in tiny vintage glasses at your next gathering.

Antique Adventures

Fueled by coffee, the inn’s loaner car, and their thoughtfully curated antiques guide, we set off in search of hidden gems—following winding roads to roadside barns and tucked-away shops. Americana Workshop quickly became a favorite: a curated-yet-quirky trove of maritime art, brass candlesticks, and vintage wool throws. Our find? A set of petite opera glasses, now perched atop a stack of art books in our movie room—a perfect nod to the retro cinema vibe we adore.

Styling Tip: Souvenir objects tell a richer story when you give them “context” at home—place finds on or beside items that echo their original purpose (opera glasses + film books = chef’s kiss).

Biking Along the Coast

The inn keeps vintage cruiser bikes ready by the front steps, so one sunny morning we set off on a half-mile coastal ride to Gooch’s Beach. The route meanders past shingled cottages draped in climbing roses—the kind of homes that make you slow down just to admire the doorknobs. After soaking in the beach and watching surfers ride early-summer swells, we hopped back on our bikes to explore local shops and even pedaled along Walker’s Point, soaking up a bit of history along the way.

Slow Moments Worth Savoring

Mornings unhurried, sipping fresh coffee by the fireplace in our room—delivered daily to our door by the inn.
Strolling through Dock Square’s charming shops, picking up Home by the Sea for design inspiration, artisanal olive oil for the kitchen, and delicate seashells to bring the coast inside.
Lunch beside the inn’s intimate pool, a perfect pause—relaxing, serene, and lovely.

Those in‑between moments are where the magic of slow travel really lives.

If You Go — Quick Notes

Best Time: Late spring / early summer (mid‑June) brings long daylight and smaller crowds before peak season.
Getting Around: Portland International Jetport (PWM) is 30 min away; most inns offer bikes and local car service.
What to Pack: Layers for cool nights and crisp, rainy days, a roomy beach tote, and plenty of space in your suitcase for treasures you’ll find along the way.
Design Shopping: Explore Dock Square for unique local treasures, antiques, and inspiring art.

I’m already infusing our Wilmington kitchen and home with a hint of Kennebunk: cucumber‑mint sorbet testers in the freezer, a birch‑bark candle burning on the counter, and those opera glasses stealing the scene in the movie room. Travel becomes lasting when it inspires little shifts back home—precisely what Onyx + Anchor is all about.

Until the next adventure—stay cozy and curious.

Postcard from Maine: Slow Days in Kennebunk & Kennebunkport