Summer's here! If you've never been to Ogunquit, now is the time to make that trip. Ogunquit is the Abenaki name for "beautiful place by the sea" and its name fits.

Three miles of sand beaches and natural dunes are a great draw. Ogunquit beach is a long, beautiful stretch of soft sand, with three access points for you to choose from. Footbridge beach is in the middle and has a large parking lot available for a small fee. You can walk the beach, play, lie around, do some fishing ... and when you've had enough sun and need to quench your thirst, stop off at the Beachfire Bar and Grille right up the road from the beach. They have live music on the weekends.

Take a walk on Marginal Way, one-and-a-quarter miles of scenic views on a wide paved trail. Start at trail head "A" in town, across the street from the Seacastles Resort on Shore Road and end up in Perkins Cove behind the Oarweed Restaurant and Lobster Pound. Too tired to walk back? Then hop onto the Ogunquit Trolley for a buck and a half, and ride back to the center of town. (But not before you discover all that Perkins Cove has to offer.)

At the end of Ocean Street off Route 1

Plenty of easy-access parking, and long stretches of beautiful sandy beach. It has a footbridge crossing the Ogunquit River to reach the beach. This is a great destination all by itself.

658 Main St., 646-8998, www.beachfiremaine.com

A great place within walking distance from the beach, serves dinner and drinks, with live music on weekends. Relax after a day on the beach or shopping.

65 Perkins Cove Road, 646-4022, www.oarweed.com

Sit and enjoy your seafood dinner here while enjoying the expansive views of the bay. You can't go wrong with the food either. A great place to relax after you've walked Marginal Way.

Perkins Cove, 361-9501, deborahannwhalewatch.com

While you're in Perkins Cove, catch the Deborah Ann and go out whale watching. Take this four-and-a-half to five-hour trip for a great daylong outing. Operates daily out of Perkins Cove, ocean (weather) permitting.

228 Main St., 646-2122, www.villagefoodmarket.com/fancythat.htm

Fancy That is more than just a sandwich shop, it is also the Village Food Market and the Latest Scoop, a homemade ice cream shop, too. So you can do your shopping, have lunch and top it off with an ice cream, while sitting on their patio watching the people go by. You can get anything from champagne to ice cream. Fancy That!

53 Shore Road, 646-5411

This was one of the more fascinating galleries I visited. Not only does it carry great works of art, including sculpture and stained glass, but the house itself is of interest. It's reputed to be the oldest house in Ogunquit. They carry the work of many local as well as world-renowned artists.

48 Bittersweet Lane, 646-1411, www.ogunquittrolley.com

This is a great trolley that will take you from downtown Ogunquit to Perkins Cove. Enjoy this trolley ride for a small fee. Or you can rent it for parties and weddings. Get creative.

Runs along the coast from Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Beach.

I took this walk and it was exhilarating, and enjoyable, even in foggy and damp conditions. You'll find tangled shrubs and trees, sea roses, many places for you to sit and just enjoy the scenery, large granite outcroppings and beautiful views of the ocean.

Main Street, Perkins Cove, 646-1928 and 646-8242

Great specialty clothing shops. You'll want to take a break from what you're doing and spend some time here.