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Portland-Freeport ME Trip Planner
Here are some nice places to visit in the Freeport-Portland area.
The Kittery Outlets
Category: Shopping Shopping Centers Shopping Centers [Edit]
Maine Gate Outlet MallKittery, ME 03904
(207) 439-7993
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
18 reviews for The Kittery Outlets
18 reviews in English
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Review from Don W.
7/31/2011
I've reviewed a few of the Kittery Outlet stores before but it never occurred to me to lump them all together into one review until I saw someone else do it. Well yes, I have an opinion or two on the outlet stores.
The good news: It's all here... somewhere. It's a confusing mass of stores in an endless series of little strip malls. You'll get lost but I think that happens by design so you'll look around. There IS a web site so you can plan your trip, but don't. Drive around and explore. And besides, the Kittery Trading Post is stuck in the middle of it all.
The bad news: First, they built this insane place on the Maine side of the border when there's no sales tax a mile away in New Hampshire. Who built this thing, the State of Maine? Next, it's a traffic nightmare even when it's not the holiday season. Endless minivans and SUVs with drivers on cell phones play bumper cars in the parking lots. If you're a pedestrian, be careful because nobody else will be paying attention. Finally, they're not all REALLY outlet stores. You'll want to know if something's a good price or not before you come here.
So, it looks like there's more bad than good here but that's not true. It's a good place to get what you need because of the variety. As with many things, your first time is going to be awkward but you'll get the hang of it before long. -
Review from connie l.
Boston, MA
5/22/2011
First time here this weekend, so I'm a newbie to these outlets.
Tons of stores, but it's spread out allllll along Route 1. Stores are in clusters on both sides of the highway and separated by other streets along the length of Route 1. To avoid getting hit by a car or crossing the highway, you need to drive to the 10+ sections of the outlets.
Layout aside, my boyfriend and I were able to maneuver through outlet chaos relatively quickly (2.5 hours!) and pick up a few things that we had been wanting.
I think this is a general rule with outlets, but a lot of the clothing (and other non-clothing ones too) stores have lower quality clothes and products that were intended to be sold only at outlets. People go in thinking they are getting the same quality for less, but sometimes, that's not the case! Just an FYI, take it or leave it.
Regardless, I am super happy I scored 2 pairs of jcrew shorts for $18/each! -
Review from Melanie T.
Boston, MA
10/23/2011
This place is way too spread out. Having to drive between outlet chunks is annoying. The deals weren't great and several stores didn't honor coupons that were in the book or on the websites. Disappointing. On the plus side, much better dining options nearby than at most outlets. However, I'll stick with Wrentham.
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Review from Bobby A.
9/7/2010
This place is completely over-rated.
Before going to the outlets, I suggest this strategy.
1) Figure out what you're seriously on the market for (i.e Denim jacket? Gabardine wool work pants? Cashmere sweaters? Leopard print ballet flats? Navy blue wool boyfriend blazer)
2) Visit the website and note down the stores which will likely carry the items you're looking for and which buildings they are in (i.e GAP, Banana Republic, J.Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren, Jones New York, Nine West). Don't go with the idea of you just want to see what they have, because you're going to be overwhelmed very easily and then end up buying stuf you don't really need but you bought because "it's on sale"
3) Go to Kittery and grab the first parking spot you can, I find behind the buildings have more spots and less people even bother to look there. Leave your car there and walk the rest of the way, because leaving one building to go park somewhere else down the street with the amount of traffic here will seriously make you lose an extra hour or two for nothing. Beside the buildings at not spread that far apart and if walking a block or two is normal for you and if you're not buying a brand new canoe or TV set, then carrying stuff is not a big deal.
That said, I hit Kittery for the first time this weekend and found absolutely nothing that I was looking for. The outlet stores are basically stocked with stuff which the "normal" stores couldn't sell. The styles and selections were ugly. That's also the risk of discount shopping, it can be hit or miss and you need to go often in order to catch the finds. Had I been looking for jeans, then you can't miss here, between the Levi's store, GAP, Old Navy, Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, you're bound to find something.
The J.Crew store was also a disappointment. Even the classic pieces like a navy blue wool suit coordinates and blazers were only $10 off their original price of $200. Not a bargain in my mind.
I'm sticking to Marshall's. TJ Maxx, and the DSW shoe warehouse from now on. -
Review from Phillip Y.
Des Moines, IA
3/17/2011
I am now amazed at the stores that just opened here. We found an Orvis and Barbour store next to the Eddie Bauer. Also, there was the new Under Armour right next to the Bose store. This outlet heaven is just getting better and better. I can't believe higher-end stores are opening here. This certainly makes it worthwhile if you live in northeast Mass if you want to avoid the craziness of Wrentham Outlet Village.
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Review from Michelle B.
Albany, NY
As others mentioned, this outlet experience is not ideal in terms of parking/ driving, but I do appreciate the pamphlet they make readily available to you, which provides a full list of stores and a map so you can plan out where you want to go. I'd rather have a map than wandering aimlessly with minimal assistance, as I've experienced at some other outlets. The map is also available online at http://www.thekitteryo... .
Over 120 stores to choose from... everything from Banana Republic to Wilsons; from Movado to Adidas; from J.Jill to Gymboree. As is common in outlet shopping, some stores were more impressive than others in terms of bargains. My best find was a mid-weight Columbia jacket for spring/ fall, originally $90 but marked down to $20. Coach was offering an additional 20% savings the day I was there; they had a lot of bags that came to about $100, which wasn't exactly a steal but still a nice departure from their original $400 price tags. The Kittery Trading Post has a huge mish-mash of stuff if you're looking for souvenirs, various clothing and a large selection of camping/ hunting stuff. -
Review from Samantha E.
Alexandria, VA
7/14/2011
What a let down! This place was so hyped but I felt like it was really disorganized. It was really annoying having to drive between the different shopping plazas and we weren't really able to find any deals in the seemingly endless number of stores. Boooo.
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Review from Yui K.
San Francisco, CA
7/19/2008
UM.. this is the MOST ass backwards way to organize an outlet mall that I have ever experienced (and I've been to MAAANY outlets). Who clusters about 3-4 stores into one nook off the road about 7 times in one long strip?? Does that make ANY SENSE? You have to park, visit one or two stores of interest, then get back in the car, wait to exit into the busy traffic, drive less than half a mile, park, and do it all over again. And you really can't walk it because the trek adds up. Why didn't they just pave a whole lot and build stores in one huge, central area like every other logical outlet? DUH.
The shops aren't even all all that. They're the most basic, baseline stores seemingly required at all outlet centers. -
Review from tracy b.
San Francisco, CA
9/6/2010
I can see where the driving from store to store can be a pain, (that's actually not true, I've never had a problem with it. I'm trying to be open-minded here.) but I missed it today. I live in California now, home to many great outlet malls. Gilroy Premium Outlets, it turns out, is not one of them. You park and walk long distances through blazing sun (it was approximately 150 degrees and no shade whatsoever) to over 100 mediocre stores. I live in the city and I walk everywhere, I just don't often walk across football-field sized parking lots in sweltering heat. I don't know how many times I said, "I miss Kittery!", but it was a lot. And in Kittery, you can get a lobster roll (at Bob's, I think?) when you're done shopping. They have good onion rings, too.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder? Absolutely. -
Review from Doris K.
10/9/2007
It's a straight shot from Boston on 95N, but at the same time I feel that the Kittery outlets are not the best place to shop. It's an interesting outlet because you need to drive from shop to shop. The shops are sectioned in a nonsense fashion. For example there is CK, Anne Klein, Jones NY, and JCrew all together but then if you want other stores it's about 0.3 miles up the road across the street. I like the outlets when it's one big massive piece of land.
If you are looking to go to the outlet, head to Wrentham. Plus MA doesn't have tax on clothes up to something like $150. -
Review from S L.
Portland, ME
11/23/2010
I don't see why people are making comments about having to drive from plaza to plaza for the stores: Is it really THAT big of a deal? If parking bothers you so much- WALK.
Anyway, I love outlet shopping. And this outlet is so close to a city with great restaurants and down town area (Portsmouth) what is there to dislike? All there is in Kittery besides the outlets... is really nothing. So, I like how I can walk from most stores I like to the others. Is there some extra driving if there is ONE store I like in a completely different plaze a few seconds down the road? Yes there is. Is it a big pain in the ass that would make me NOT want to shop here? No. But if others have issues with such a small task, don't shop here, leave me the parking space and the shopping space for these lovely plazas. -
Review from J C.
Burlington, MA
4/1/2011
I'll break down my review into 7 things you ought to know about the Kittery Outlets that they don't tell you in the brochure:
1) Don't use your GPS to get here. I ended up at the Kittery Tourism Center (which was actually really cute and convenient--a picnic area, loads of pamphlets, clean bathrooms, and vending machines all in a cool little modern log cabin, but I digress...) where a man there told me this was extremely common. Simply follow the signs for the outlets off the highway, or, even more simply, follow Route 1, which is the stretch of road the outlets are on.
2) Not all of the stores listed on the pamphlet are outlets. I didn't go to every single store, but I can tell you that PacSun and Old Navy have the same exact prices as their so-called full price counterparts. If you're after deals, stick to the stores that explicitly say, "Outlet" or "Factory Store" in their name.
3) If you're looking for awe-inspiring deals, forget it. While there are some good deals to be had (my boyfriend got a really nice drill set from the Black & Decker store for only $20 and I got some "vintage" GAP scents: Grass at the Gap Outlet), for the most part, you could do a lot better at stores like TJ Maxx or Marshall's. The cosmetics store, the socks store, and Bali/Hanes store in particular were discounted, but underwhelmingly so.
4) Lots of the stores close early. Like, 6PM early. On weekdays. You've been warned.
5) A lot of the stores have connected parking lots in the back--you can save some time by cutting through these rather than getting back onto Route 1.
6) This particular stretch of highway is right on the water, which means lower temps/windier conditions. Dress accordingly.
7) The Weathervane restaurant has what are probably the best fried clams I've ever eaten. If you do decide to check out this rather mediocre group of outlet stores, at the very least have a meal there. Definitely the highlight of my visit.
Bottom line? If you're within 15 mins or so of these stores, they may be worth the drive. But I won't be making the hour long trek again anytime soon. -
Review from Dorothy C.
Cambridge, MA
6/17/2007
Only about 90 minutes drive from Cambridge/Boston - it's less than 70 miles away. The only Hanna Andersson outlet in New England, and well worth the drive. I like the Eddie Bauer outlet, Carter's Children's Wear, Child's Place Outlet, & the Crate & Barrel Outlet.
From Boston & Points South:
Take Route 95 North to Exit 3 in Maine, marked Kittery/Coastal Route 1 North. The Kittery Outlets are a half mile beyond, on Route 1 North.Listed in: Day Trips
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Review from Cathy G.
Albany, NY
7/31/2011
Lots of stores to choose from, but nothing out of the ordinary. We are sort of jaded, since we have access to the Lake George Outlets and the Lee Outlets. We were looking for some stores we had never seen before.
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Review from John O.
Waltham, MA
8/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
Standard outlet shopping experience, but you have to drive between several different locations to see everything. This can get frustrating when you are trying to find parking for the third time that day...
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Review from A B.
Astoria, NY
4/10/2011
You have to be in a certain mood to go outlet shopping. And if you aren't in that mood, you shouldnt be there!! Overall I like the kittery outlets! I miss the puma outlet, which seems to be gone!
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Review from Toni D.
8/21/2009
I drove up here from Mass just to go to the Coach store. Which is only 30-45 mins from the MA/ME border. I really didn't check out any other stores. There are a lot of nice stores that I'll probably check out the next time i'm up there. I did stop at the office for a coupon book and since I had AAA I was able to get one for free. The mall is kinda spread out meaning you'll have to drive to the different stores.
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Review from MTL L.
Tustin, CA
6/2/2008
Pretty good set of outlets. They are spread out in multiple strip malls.
If you are looking for top of the line items, go to Natick outlet instead.
