Located along the southern Maine coast, the Kennebunks offer the visitor a variety of places to see, things to do and local culture to experience. Whether you enjoy fine dining, beach going, whale watching, museum hopping or great shopping Kennebunk and Kennebunkport have it all for you.

10 things to do off Exit 25

1. The Brick Store Museum

117 Main St., Kennebunk, 985-4802, or go online to www.brickstoremuseum.org. The musuem is located in a block of 19th century buildings in the heart of Kennebunk’s historic district. It features the culture, history and arts of the Kennebunks through exhibits, public programs and educational opportunities. Guided tours are available.

2. The Phyllis A. Maritime Heritage Association

43 Ocean Ave., Kennebunkport, 967-4177, go online to www.phyllisa.org. The association sponsors an historical exhibit of an Eastern-rigged, fill-netter ship built at the Warner Shipyard in 1925. Included are exhibits of boatbuilding tools, artifacts, photos and more. Visitors are welcome onboard and admission is free.

3. Mother’s and Gooch’s Beaches

Beach Avenue, Kennebunk, 967-4243. These joint, long, wide and sandy beaches are perfect for walking and playing in the surf or just enjoying the sight of the waves. There are lifeguards and public restrooms at both, which are off routes 9 and 35. A parking permit required. Get a permit at Kennebunk Town Hall.

4. Eight-mile bicycle trail

Trail head is at Dock Square in Kennebunkport. Go online to www.visitthekennebunks.com/Pages tours_bike.html for trail specifics. See classic coastal Maine homes and beautiful scenery on an eight-mile bicycle ride along Ocean Avenue and in Cape Porpoise. At Cape Porpoise you will find a working fishing village with great vistas and traditional Maine fare.

5. Goat Island Light,

Off Cape Porpoise, eight miles from Kennebunkport. Call (800) 982-4421. The lighthouse, which is best viewed from the municipal pier at Cape Porpoise, was built circa 1833. Goat Island has the distinction of being the last manned lighthouse in Maine. It is still an active navigational aid and, in 1997, under the Maine Lights Program, the lighthouse became the property of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust.

6. St. Anthony’s Monastery

Take Route 35 from Main Street Square in Kennebunk. Look for gate that says Franciscan Monastery. This monastary should be on everyone’s itinerary during a visit to Kennebunk. The breathtaking estate purchased by Lithuanian Franciscans in 1947 includes two shrines and the Chapel of the Stations of the Cross, most of which was sculptured by an artist who won the Gold Medal for art at the 1937 Paris World’s Fair.

7. Kennebunk Landing

Take Route 9A/35 toward Kennebunkport from Main Street in Kennebunk, (800) 982-4421. On this drive visitors will see the home widely known as the Wedding Cake House, which was built in 1846. The yellow house, decorated with gothic “frosting,” is on the left. There are also many other beautiful historic homes to see en route.

8. Art galleries in Kennebunkport

The town of Kennebunkport offers a great selection of art galleries to peruse. The Mast Cove Gallery on Maine Street has more than 100 artists and is Maine’s largest privately owned group gallery. Jazz and blues series almost every Wednesday night. Call 967-3453. Also check out The Gallery on Chase Hill, 10 Chase Hill Road, in the Lower Village. The Gallery features an unsurpassed collection of original paintings and limited edition prints by many of Maine and New England’s most notable artists. Call 967-0049.

9. Federal Jack’s Restaurant & Brewpub

8 Western Ave., Kennebunk, 967-4322. This brewpub is the locals’ choice when they want to eat, drink and be merry. Located on the water on the grounds of a shipyard where numerous wooden boat builders practiced their craft since the 1800’s. The brewpub has an outstanding list of craft-brewed beers, an eclectic gift shop, a game room and weekly entertainment.

10. River Tree Center for the Arts

35 Western Ave. in the Lower Village in Kennebunk, 967-9120, or go online to www.rivertreearts.org.The arts center hosts visual art exhibitions in the Irvine Gallery of Art and the Performance Hall Gallery; dance and theater performances; lectures; and films. The center is featuring a summer art show called “The Art of Golf ” through Sept. 4.