The people who operate and visit River Tree Arts on Western Avenue in Kennebunk are not deterred by wintery weather. This community arts organization operates music, dance, and performing arts school, and also has three galleries open to the public year round. Stop in for some quiet time in Kennebunk and enjoy luscious original artwork in the heart of a community of artistry in all its forms, static and moving. Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: 207-967-9120.

Art On the Seacoast

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The Ogunquit Museum of American Art on Shore Road in Ogunquit has been called “The Most Beautiful Small Museum in the World,” and is home to an extensive collection of American art. The natural setting of the museum by itself is divine: The glass wall of the main gallery overlooks the coast and the ocean. The museum is surrounded by landscaped grounds, a reflecting pool, and sculpture gardens. Hours: Open daily, late May to October 31. Phone: 207-646-4909

Beauty Along the Margin

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The magnificent Marginal Way in Ogunquit is a paved footpath beginningin a corner of Oarweed Cove near the harbor, then running for one and a quarter miles to the marvelous expanse of Ogunquit Beach. This delightful, exhilarating walk meanders by bayberry and bittersweet bushes, gnarled shrubs of sea roses, shaded alcoves formed by wind-twisted trees jutting out onto high granite outcroppings, and views of the mighty Atlantic. Thirty memorial benches dotting the path offer places to sit and rest.

Big Flavor in Small Batches

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Two spoons, one kettle and a fresh idea were the starting equipment for Appledore Cove , a producer of handmade specialty foods on 19 Buffun Road in North Berwick. From the two owners’ first appearance at a local food festival, they’ve continued their dedication to making foods slowly and carefully by hand. Their mottois big flavor in small batches. Their products include salsas, condiments, preserves, dessert sauces, and marinades. Visitors are welcome to stop, browse and shop at the factory retail store weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. Phone: 888-849-1787.

Farm Houses Diverse Samples of Fine Art

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Set on an antique dairy farm with sweeping views of expansive open-field trails, the Haley Farm Gallery on Haley Road in Kittery is housed in a turn-of-the-century renovated barn surrounded with sweeping views of expansive open-field trails, a conservation duck pond and the Spruce Creek. The gallery exhibits works by local and national artists as well as unique handcrafted artistic gift items. You can always find an original at Haley Art Gallery Gift Shop, showing work by the artisans of Morocco, Indonesia, Armenia, South Africa, Chile, India, Vietnam, Kenya, the United States, and Canada.

Outrageous Outlets

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The Kittery Outlets on Route 1 in Kittery are also known as America’s Maine Street for Shopping, and you’ll see why when you visit this one-mile-long strip of famous outlet stores. The outlets include 120 stores – way too many to name here – but dedicated shoppers can easily guess the names of the major brands to be found there. Many stores host special events and all kinds of sales, Located at the gateway from New Hampshire into the South Coast region of Maine, Kittery is home to many wonderful attractions, from beaches to museums, to entertain family members of all ages and tastes while shoppers are doing their thing.

Peace, Beauty, Prayer

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St. Anthony’s Franciscan Monastery in Kennebunk features extensive walking paths on the 60-acre estate, through gardens, woodlands, and outdoor chapels. Thousands of people come to enjoy these peaceful and expansive grounds every year. Everybody is most welcome to visit, to rest, to meditate, and to pray. There is also a gift shop, as well as a guesthouse. Phone: 207-967-4865

Spectacular Views and Protected Wildlife

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The Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm on Laudholm Farm Road in Wellsfeatures a 7-mile trail system, exhibits, coastal resource library and an Ecology Center. Seven miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails provide access to woodlands, fields, wetlands, beach, and dunes. Spectacular views and diverse habitats make the reserve popular for nature photographers and birdwatchers. Trail maps are available at the Visitor Center. Phone: 207-646-1555 ext 116.

Spend a Lazy Afternoon in the 19th Century

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Willowbrook Village on Elm Street in Newfield is a re-creation of a 19th century village. Set aside an afternoon to explore the village’s historic houses and barns, a reproduction schoolhouse and bandstand, a millpond, and a carousel from 1894. Displays include horse-drawn sleighs and carriages, an 1849 stagecoach, and various trade shops — blacksmith, broom maker, canoe builder, cooper, cobbler, harness maker, printer, wheelwright, woodworker. Hours: Memorial Day through mid-October, daily except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Phone: 207-793-2784.

Trail to 53,000 Works of Art

Trail to 53,000 Works of Art The Maine Art Museum Trail offers more than 53,000 works of art, from ancient to contemporary, in a dazzling array of collections at seven leading art museums. Museums on the trail include Bates College Museum of Art (Lewiston), Bowdoin College Museum of Art (Brunswick), Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville), Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland), Ogunquit Museum of American Art (Ogunquit), Portland Museum of Art (Portland), and University of Maine Museum of Art (Bangor). The museums’ permanent collections include works of art by the many artists who have vacationed or worked in Maine. They also feature masterpieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Pablo Picasso, Greek and Roman sculpture, early American silver and furniture, and contemporary textiles, prints, ceramics, and sculpture. Some museums also offer free admission during selected hours.