4 Best Places to Shop in The Southern Coast, Maine

The impossibly hip and well-selected array of goods at this modern-design shop makes it an excellent place for both window-shopping and finding gifts for just about anyone on your list (including yourself). A refreshing departure from the rest of the somewhat stodgy gift shops in the village, this boutique is chock-full of eye candy, most of which is also functional. There are many locally sourced and contemporary products, from hats and jewelry to novelty books, home decor, and outdoor adventure essentials. Check out Daytrip Jr., its equally hip children's store around the corner.

This delightful shop is housed in a bright-red Maine barn filled with household items both useful and pleasing to the eye. Browse the collection of ceramics, linens, kitchen essentials, and more by small-batch makers, and pick up a few artisan treats, too.

Rabelais Books, whose slogan is "Fine Books on Food & Drink," is an ode to the art of cooking, drinking, and eating (and writing about it). Get lost in one of the many recipe reference tomes, many of which are very rare (they span six centuries). Browse the collection of vintage and hard-to-find menus, or pick up a book or two for your favorite foodie. Hours vary, so make sure to check the website before you go.

Don’t let the name fool you: although there are ducks, chickens, and even peacocks wandering around the quaint grounds of this Kennebunk spot, it's far more charming than rustic. Wander through the gardens, or stop into the shop, housed in a 19th-century farmhouse, for one-of-a-kind terra-cotta pots and elevated gifts for the garden, home, and bath.