Chill out: How we embrace the Maine winter

You can loathe the cold, or you can embrace it for all it’s worth — and winter in Maine invites you to do exactly that. When you lean into the season, the chill becomes part of the charm: rosy cheeks after a brisk walk, the quiet beauty of the coastline in winter and the pride of conquering the cold like a Mainer! Here, winter isn’t something to rush through — it’s something to experience, savor and even fall a little in love with. Whether you’re starting new traditions or rediscovering old favorites, a winter stay at the Seaside Inn invites you to savor the season of making memories together.

Here are some of our favorite ways to embrace winter in Maine when you stay with us at the Seaside Inn:

Sandy Hill in Eliot is a magical destination for its Winter Wonders light show, even after the holiday season. Open through March, Sandy Hill lights its 14 acres through the woods with an impressive 2.5 million lights and photo stops along a mile-long walking trail. It’s a peaceful, family-friendly outing after the holiday season, perfect for crisp winter evenings — proof that even in the coldest months, Maine still sparkles with simple, memorable experiences

Sandy Hill’s Winter Wonders light show is a creative, immersive experience sure to impress all ages.

Restaurants in the Kennebunks have gotten creative when serving up meals in the “off season.” At Batson River Brewing & Distilling in Kennebunk, the outdoor patio offers heated private fish shacks where friends and couples can sip craft brews and seasonal bites in a uniquely Maine setting — all snug while the cold settles outside. Just down the river, The Boathouse Restaurant offers an atmospheric meal in outdoor heated lighthouses and cottages. These spots — plus other local favorites nearby, such as Allison’s, Ryan’s, Federal Jack’s and The Pilot House — turn blusterywintrer evenings into memorable coastal dining adventures that feel warm from the inside out.

Fish Shacks and Lighthouse Village dining is by reservation only. Click on links above to make a reservation.

Batson River offers cozy heated “fish shacks” on their patio as incentive to get you out to dine on a cold winter’s night.

When winter’s chill sets in, the Sanford Performing Arts Center becomes a great destination where to venture. A scenic drive from the Seaside Inn, the Sanford stage is a spacious 854-seat theater with a lineup of touring shows, comedy, dance, music, and community theater. Coming up at SPAC:
Jan. 17: Funny Women of a Certain Age (comedy)
Jan. 24: Forbidden Broadway: “Merrily We Stole a Song” (musical revue)
Feb. 7: MOMIX: “ALICE” (Acrobatic and poetic “Alice in Wonderland”)
Feb. 8: Ilya Yakushev (classical piano)

Sanford Performing Arts Center offers a variety of concerts, comedy, theater and dance to get us through the winter.

One of the most charming winter activities near the Seaside Inn is a spin around the ice at Waterhouse Center in downtown Kennebunk. (The ice is even treated with its own volunteer-operated Zamboni!) This covered, open-air rink provides free public skating throughout the winter months. Bring your own skates and enjoy a hot chocolate or warm treat at one of the nearby cafés afterward. Whether you’re an experienced skater or just out for fun, this spot captures the heart-warming spirit of Maine’s winter season.

The Waterhouse Center is an open-air rink in downtown Kennebunk; bring your own skates!