2025 Maine Beaches Visitor Guide

MAINE BEACHES

Relax. Explore. Repeat.

RELAX. EXPLORE. REPEAT.

Read on for more ideas on how to do just that in

THE MAINE BEACHES!

The Maine Beaches may be best known for lobster, lighthouses, and long sandy beaches; but there is so much more to explore for those who visit.

See The Maine Beaches from a new and different perspective. Explore the salt marsh trails and some of our nation’s earliest homes, or hike to the top of York’s Mount Agamenticus for a long-range view of things. Head out on the water for a sightseeing or sunset cruise. Watch fireworks from the beach or have some fun at the Pier at Old Orchard Beach For some quieter adventure, kayak the freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers near Sanford.

Shoppers will be delighted with Maine’s best outlet shopping in Kittery. If you are looking for some art to bring home, visit galleries and boutiques in Ogunquit , The Kennebunks , and the Biddeford-Saco area. Peruse the many shops in the charming town of Wells, known as the Antiques Capital of Maine.

Love to cook on vacation? You’ll be delighted by the dozens of specialty food stores, year-round farmers’ markets , farm stands , and local provision shops that bring the world of food right to town. Everything here is incredibly fresh, so bring your appetite and your sense of culinary adventure.

Explore museums and cultural attractions of all kinds. Take in an evening performance at the theater, or find a community event the whole family will enjoy. Family focused fun here ranges from classic arcade games on the boardwalk and waterparks to the challenge of several mini-golf courses and a Drive-In Theater.

We know you’ve come to eat. The Maine Beaches is packed with wind-weathered seafood shacks, trendy brewpubs, down-home Maine spots, and many fresh gourmet donut destinations. It’s an eclectic mix of everything from world-renowned Pier French Fries to fabulous four-star restaurants . And then there is the ubiquitous Maine lobster at almost every turn.

We know that fishing is fun, but catching is even better. Try a chartered fishing excursion, spot some sea life, or view the region’s five lighthouses as they are meant to be seen. If you prefer to stay on dry land, try surf casting from the beach or jetty. A day on and around the water will genuinely add to your trip.

All of this, in addition to Maine’s sandiest beaches that have been attracting visitors for generations.

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VISITOR INFORMATION

Resources for information to help plan a Maine Beaches vacation .

Chambers of Commerce in communities throughout the The Maine Beaches and the Maine Visitor Center at Kittery are ready to offer visitors advice on dining, lodging, shopping, activities and much more.

York Region Chamber of Commerce

One Stonewall Lane, York GatewaytoMaine.org

Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce 20 Shore Road, Ogunquit Ogunquit.org

Wells Chamber of Commerce 136 Post Road, Wells WellsChamber.org

Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce

510 Main Street, Springvale SanfordMaineChamber.org

Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce

16 Water Street, Kennebunk GoKennebunks.com

Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce+Industry 28 Water Street, Suite 1, Biddeford BiddefordSacoChamber.org

Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce 11 First Street, OOB OldOrchardBeachMaine.com

State of Maine Visitor Information Center

Maine Turnpike/I-95 and US Route 1, Kittery MaineTourism.com/visitor-centers/ or 1- 888 - 624- 6345

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This publication was paid for in part by grants from the Maine Office of Tourism. ©2025 The Maine Beaches Association. Publication design by: Thalo Blue Destination Marketing | ThaloBlue.com

OUR LIGHTHOUSES

These distinctive landmarks hold a special place in the heart of those who come to The Maine Beaches.

MAINE LOBSTER

Freshly caught lobster is about as classic as a Maine meal gets. Learn how to eat it like a pro.

MAP OF THE REGION

From Kittery to OOB and the coast to the NH border, our map will help you with where you want to be.

SHOPPING

Whether you’re looking for designer labels, a Maine t-shirt, or handmade

BE ENTERTAINED

Experience a lively cultural scene that will enlighten, entertain, and enliven your vacation.

MAKE IT EVENTFUL

No matter when you choose to visit The Maine Beaches, there is likely to be an event going on.

HEAD TO THE BEACH

Stretches of long sandy beaches intermingle with a quintessential rocky coastline spanning from Kittery to Old Orchard Beach.

The over two dozen beaches of the Southern Maine Coast are set amidst charming seaside communities, iconic lighthouses, and popular vacationland amenities. Stroll the towns and boardwalks, clustered with ice cream stands and seafood shacks. Pull up a beach chair and join in the display of brightly colored umbrellas.

RELAX AND EXPLORE

For many area visitors, our beaches are the center of activity: a morning solitary surf, a sunset gathering with friends, a full day of family fun, or time quietly beachcombing for sand dollars, seashells, or colorful bits of sea glass. So kick back and await the incoming high tide to chase you further up the beach.

Join in family activities like cornhole, bocce, and ladder toss. Bring a beach ball and play catch in the gentle waves. Everyone loves building sandcastles decorated with seaweed, shells, and other flotsam. When the tide pulls out, explore sun-warmed tidal pools for “strange” creatures like periwinkles, and scuttling crabs hiding under flat rocks or in the seaweed.

Fill your cooler with a few sandwiches, lobster rolls, and locally made soft drinks for a beachside spread. Bring your surf fishing gear and do a little casting for stripers, or plan on catching up on that summer reading and maybe a few midday winks. Stay into the evening for spectacular sunsets or rise early for yoga in tune with an unforgettable sunrise.

With a sense of adventure and a full wet suit, surfers can enjoy our waters year-round. Those only slightly less adventurous can try a stand-up paddleboard or kayak. Kids love skim boarding at the water’s edge.

In some spots, when you need a break from the sand, you’ll find classic amusement parks that have brought fun to generations of families, whether it’s a wooden roller coaster or water park fun!

The Maine Beaches offers great vacation fun for every member of the family, including the doggos. Many beaches are dog friendly at some point during the day and at certain times of the year. Be sure to check ahead for days, hours, and rules regarding dogs.

YORK REGION

Cape Neddick Beach, Anbewold Lane, York

York’s smallest beach, set at the Cape Neddick River’s mouth, is perfect for climbing the rocks and exploring the tide pools

York Harbor Beach , U.S. Route 1A

This family-oriented beach offers gentle surf, the Cliff Walk path, and neighboring Hartley Mason Park, which provides benches and shade trees.

Long Sands Beach, 189 Long Beach Avenue

This two-mile-long white sandy beach offers swimming, sunbathing, and volleyball. Surfing “mixed-use zones” delineated by orange buoys.

Short Sands Beach , U.S. Route 1A

This sandy pocket beach is located in Ellis Park, offering a playground, gazebo, grassy park area, and promenade walkway with benches.

Fort Foster Beach , Pocahontas Road, Kittery Point

With a lovely coastal trail, this year-round dog-friendly group of three sandy beaches offers great views of Portsmouth Harbor and the Isles of Shoals.

OGUNQUIT

Footbridge Beach , Ocean Street

This quiet, sandy beach, reached by a bridge over the Ogunquit River, is great for leisurely walks, looking for shells, and watching the tides.

Little Beach , 38 Ontio Way

Reached via the Marginal Way, this mostly rocky pocket beach is a great spot to relax or have a picnic.

North Beach , Ocean Avenue

This beach offers vast amounts of white sand between Moody Beach and Footbridge Beach, with ample space for bathers even during high tide.

Ogunquit Beach , Beach Street

The area’s main beach offers over three miles of white sand. Waves here vary from large- to mid-sized facing the ocean, and mild to calm on the river.

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WELLS

Drakes Island Beach, Island Beach Road

This beach offers a summer community feeling, and a rock jetty allows for fishing and exploration.

Wells Beach, Atlantic Ave., Mile Rd., and Webhannet Dr.

This seven-mile-long sandy beach is wonderful for families, surfers, sea glass hunting or listen to the waves. Shops, restaurants, and arcade nearby.

Wells Harbor Beach, Harbor Road

Set at the mouth of the Webhannet River, it is a great beach for children when there are lots of sand bars and tidal pools with crabs.

THE KENNEBUNKS

Colony Beach , Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport

Perfect for those who love to scramble on its rocks, sit and watch the surf dash the shore, or to fish from the impressive jetty.

Goose Rocks Beach , King’s Highway, Cape Porpoise

This three-mile-long beach is wide, smooth, sandy, with lovely views of Eastern Goose Rocks and Timber Island, just off the coast.

Gooch’s Beach, Beach Avenue, Kennebunk

The .6 -mile stretch of sand and surf offers a wide variety of beach activities, is dog friendly, and known for bass fishing off the jetty in the Kennebunk River.

Middle Beach , Beach Avenue, Kennebunk

Also known as Rocky Beach, this is a narrow and rocky beach, made up of mostly smooth pebbles and rock-fringed tide pools.

Mother’s Beach , Beach Avenue, Kennebunk

This small, sandy beach is bookended by large rock formations that deter larger waves, making it a good beach for children.

SANFORD-SPRINGVALE

Beach at the Foot of the Lake, Mousam Lake, Shapleigh

This small public beach area sits adjacent to the bridge that separates Lower and Upper Mousam Lake.

Holdsworth Park , 278 Main Street, Springvale

Enjoy swimming in fresh, clear water, a sandy beach, playground, picnic pavilions, and trails.

Surfing at Kinney Shores

Long Sands Beach, York ©VisitMaine.com

Goose Rocks Beach

BIDDEFORD+SACO

Bayview Beach , Seaside Avenue, Saco

A broad, sandy beach with a slow, gradual water entry and plenty of room to relax. Great for families. Near to Old Orchard Beach amusements.

Biddeford Pool, State Route 208 , Biddeford

The surf here is usually calm with easy access, and plenty of space, even during high tide, to play games or relax.

Biddeford Rotary Park , Main Street, Biddeford

This riverside park has a playground, sandy beach, picnic grove, volleyball court, skate park, and trails.

Camp Ellis Beach, North Avenue, Saco

Located at the mouth of the Saco River this small, sandy beach, rock jetty and fishing pier, is a well-kept secret.

Ferry Beach State Park , 95 Bayview Road, Saco

Much more than a beach; the state park has a sandy beach, inland hiking trails, and nature center. Space may be limited on the beach during high tide.

Fortunes Rocks Beach , Fortunes Rock Road, Biddeford

This two-mile stretch of sandy beach has room to stretch out, relax, walk, and jog. The waves here are larger than normal, great for water sports.

Hills Beach , Hills Beach Road, Biddeford

Located at the mouth of the Saco River, this lovely sand beach offers a scenic view of Basket Island and boats traveling around the rock jetty.

Kinney Shores , Seaside Avenue, Saco

This neighborhood beach has an access path between two houses. A great spot to search for sea glass and other beach treasures!

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

Old Orchard Beach , West and East Grand Avenue

Discover Maine’s Premier Beach Resort since 1863. OOB invites you to relax along seven miles of beach punctuated by The OOB Pier and amusements for the whole family.

Ocean Park , West Grand Avenue

Set in historic Chautauqua-by-the-Sea, the quiet village and beach are part of OOB and spans from the outlet of Branch Brook, bordering Saco, to Googins Rocks.

BEACHES FOR ALL

Everyone should be able to enjoy the fun of a day at the beach. Our beach communities have made beach wheelchairs available to visitors. Instead of sinking into the sand, these chairs, equipped with large, wide wheels, glide over the sand. Several beach locations also feature Mobi-Mats that are designed for greater accessibility on soft soil for pedestrians, wheelchair users, and beach wagons.

This means that even those with mobility issues can get onto the sand and into the water. Availability is limited, so be sure to plan ahead.

Local Beach Wheelchair Programs

In York , a beach wheelchair is available to the public through the lifeguards at the Long Sands and Short Sands Beach bathhouse, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm daily.

On Ogunquit Beach there is a ramp onto the sand. The lifeguards here have several beach wheelchairs available for use. Call the town office for more information at (207 ) 646 -5139.

Wells has four chairs available on a first come, first serve basis at the lifeguard shack on Wells Beach, and one at the lifeguard stand on Drakes Island Beach, 9 am to 3 pm daily from July 4 weekend to Labor Day weekend. Chairs cannot be reserved in advance.

In The Kennebunks , visitors can reserve a beach wheelchair free of charge from the Kennebunk Parks & Recreation Department, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm or online at KennebunkRec.com. Mobi-Mats are available at Mother’s Beach.

The Saco Parks and Recreation Department has a beach wheelchair to borrow at Bayview Beach and Mobi-Mats at the entrance. Call (207 ) 283 -3139 or email parksandrec@sacomaine.org.

Old Orchard Beach has beach wheelchairs available daily, at no charge, on a first come, first serve basis. Five are available for both daily and long term use at OOB Recreation offices, by calling (207 ) 934 - 0860. Mobi-Mats are available at several beach entrances.

ICON KEY

Lifeguards On Duty

Visitor Services

Wheelchair Accessible

Parking Nearby, Paid or Free

Dogs with Restrictions

Surfing Allowed

Boat Launch

Campfires Allowed with Permit

Old Orchard Beach

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YORK REGION

The towns of York, Kittery, Eliot, and South Berwick offer something for everyone who visits.

DON’T MISS

You may have come to spend time on our wide, sandy beaches, but any visit to the Yorks Area would only truly be complete with a trip to see the famous and picture-perfect Nubble Lighthouse. Officially called the Cape Neddick Light Station, it is one of Maine’s, if not the world’s, most photographed lighthouses.

Make the easy climb or drive up 692 ft. to the peak of Mount Agamenticus , the best vantage point to see across the region. Look east to spy the storied Boon Island Light or northwest to Mount Washington.

Picnic, hike, kayak, or just relax at Fort Foster Park

A local treasure, it is known for its lack of crowds and as home to a vital natural habitat for native and endangered flora and fauna.

HISTORY COMES ALIVE

With deep colonial roots, the villages and towns of the York area—some of the oldest in the state—stand as a testament to Maine’s rich history.

Explore the The Museums of Old York . A collection of nine buildings at last count that includes rugged barns, salty taverns, stately residences, and the Old York Gaol (jail). Wander through the gravestones still standing in York’s Old Burying Yard, including the Witch Grave.

In Kittery, explore the pre-Civil War era blockhouse and fortifications at Fort McClary State Historic Site. Enjoy views of Portsmouth Harbor, its lighthouses and various islands. A short distance up the Piscataqua River, Badger’s Island is where the sloop USS Ranger, commanded by revolutionary Capt. John Paul Jones, was built and launched in 1777.

Discover more of the country’s maritime heritage at the Kittery Historical & Naval Museum showcasing 250 + years of shipbuilding that have impacted the region’s and the nation’s development.

Fort McClary State Historic Site

BEYOND THE BEACH

Head inland to South Berwick and visit Hamilton House (c. 1785), Counting House Museum , or the home of the beloved novelist and short story writer Sarah Orne Jewett. The 250 -acre Vaughan Woods State Park is an ideal place to put in for a day of paddling on the Salmon Falls River. In the winter, head to South Berwick’s Powderhouse Hill, a charming community ski area.

Take a leisurely drive to Eliot, which was known until 1810 as Kittery’s Upper Parish when farming, shipbuilding, and brick-making were its mainstays. Today, it is a thriving residential community offering scenic views of Dover Point, NH, from the River Road near Sandy Hill Farm and walking trails like Douglass Woods in Eliot’s center.

AND MORE...

Prepare for a delightful shopping experience. Explore the many outlets and national stores along Kittery’s US Route 1. Mix it up with stops at local stores like Bell Farm Shops , Ocean Fire Pottery, and The Shops at Cape Neddick .

Looking for a place to stay? Rent a beachside cottage, camp under the stars, cozy up at a B&B or historic inn, or kick back at a motel or hotel steps from the beach. When you’re ready to eat, feast at Maine’s famous lobster and seafood establishments or pick from a wide selection of tasty restaurants, making your culinary journey is as memorable as your sightseeing adventures.

Whether you’re planning a week-long family getaway, a picturesque destination wedding, or a romantic retreat, the York area will not fail to delight.

LOCAL LORE

There is a grave in York’s Old Burying Yard that holds a witch. When Mary Nasson died in 1774, her husband carved her image on her tombstone and then laid a large granite slab over it, giving rise to the legend of the Witch Grave. Visit The Museums of Old York and the graveyard to learn more and decide for yourself. Was she a witch or not?

OUR LIGHTHOUSES

Lighthouses don’t get all wobbly when the weather gets rough; they just stand there shining.

Sea Captains have long relied on the steady guidance of a lighthouse along the many miles of Maine coastline. Even in blinding snowstorms and powerful Nor’easters, our Maine lighthouse keepers would work tirelessly to keep the light on for the safety of ships. Their stories of bravery and peril are now part of our history.

While the days of the manned lighthouse are all but gone, replaced by superior automation tools to alert boaters of the danger that lies in wait should they come too close to rocky shoreline, these distinctive landmarks still hold a special place in the heart of those who come to The Maine Beaches.

Whaleback Ledge Light

Boon Island Light

Wood Island Lighthouse

Goat Island Lighthouse

WHALEBACK LEDGE LIGHT

Piscataqua River, Kittery Point GPS: 43.0586°, -70.6966°

While all lighthouses are engineering marvels, there are a few lighthouses that you look at and wonder, “How in the world did they build that?” Whaleback, built in 1872 at the mouth of the Piscataqua River is one of those.

The light is remarkable because the ledge it sits on is fully submerged at high tide. According to the American Lighthouse Federation, “the water around Whaleback Light is seemingly always agitated, and the wind never ceases, raising the dark water into a white and foamy froth.” Prior to the establishment of the light on this spit of rock attached to Gerrish Point, the waters here were notoriously treacherous to ships.

Built from hewn and dovetailed hunks of granite, the lighthouse is still quite serviceable though currently in need of some restoration. Alongside it is a cast iron tower that serves as a fog signal house.

The light is not open to the public so the best view is from Fort Foster on Kittery Point.

BOON ISLAND LIGHT

Cape Neddick, York GPS: 43.1214°, -70.4764°

At 133 -feet, about the height of a 10 -story building, this granite giant holds court as the tallest lighthouse in Maine and along the entire New England Coastline. Its height makes it visible at a distance from many spots along Maine’s southern coast. Some great vantage points include Sohier Park in York (also home to the Cape Neddick Light), from the top of Mt. Agamenticus, and points along the shore, including Long Sands Beach. But the best way to view it is by boat.

A 25 -five-foot tall tower was erected in 1811 under President James Madison. In 1831 a new, 49-foot-tall granite tower with an octagonal wrought-iron lantern was built. This structure did not hold up well to the harsh elements six miles out to sea, so in 1855 a 133 -foot-tall granite tower was erected

This light’s particular location has a storied past that includes the stuff of movies: shipwrecks, cannibalism, and human survival. It also has a near twin in its design in the 122-foot-tall Petit Manan Light found near Milbridge, Maine several hours north along the coast.

GOAT ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE

Cape Porpoise, Kennebunkport GPS: 43.3583°, -70.4249°

Built in 1833 (then rebuilt in 1859) to protect boaters from a shoal of rocky islets and reefs at the head of Cape Porpoise Harbor, Goat Island Light was automated in 1990, making it the longest-manned light in Maine.

Later, The Kennebunk Conservation Trust restored the light, keepers’ quarters, and outbuildings in a style of a 1950s New England home and arranged for it to be manned again. The lighthouse welcomed new keepers Scott and Karen Dombrowski in 1993. It remains under their family’s care to this day.

The light appears to have a restless spirit in residence. In 2002, during a routine sunset paddle, Dick Curtis, one of the keepers, lost his life in the waters surrounding Goat Island when a rogue wave overturned his boat. Several months later, while guiding a tour of the island, Keeper Scott heard a young woman whispering to her companion, “this place is haunted...there is a guy sitting here, on this window sill, he says his name is Dick.”

In summer, it is a private residence. Visitors can view the light from Cape Porpoise or visit by boat at high tide.

WOOD ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE

Wood Island, Biddeford Pool GPS: 43 4569 °, -70 3291°

Sitting at the mouth of the Saco River near Biddeford Pool, Wood Island Lighthouse is known as the home to a famous four-legged lighthouse keeper.

When Keeper Thomas Henry Orcutt brought a Scotch Collie mix puppy named Sailor home in 1896 to the island, he had no idea that the dog would eventually become known worldwide.

In December of 1897, when Orcutt failed to respond to a passing boater’s bell, the dog sensing something wrong, first howled, then howled again, and then took hold of the rope and rang the bell in response. From that day forward, Sailor rang the bell for every passing ship for nearly a decade until his passing in 1906.

The best way to view the light is from the walking trail at East Point Audubon Sanctuary in Biddeford Pool. The Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse offers summer tours by boat, leaving from Vine’s Landing.

CAPE NEDDICK LIGHT “NUBBLE LIGHTHOUSE”

Sohier Park Road, York GPS: 43 165°, -70 5916°

In 1874 President Hayes appropriated funds to build a lighthouse on a “Nub” of land off the eastern end of Cape Neddick. On July 1, 1879, the Knubble Light (original spelling) was completed and began protecting the maritime trade up and down the Maine coast.

In 1977 NASA launched the Voyager 1 satellite on an interstellar journey that continues 45 years and 12 billion (with a B) miles later. In and among the flashing lights and transistors sits the Voyager Golden Record, a concise record of scientific and cultural life on earth. Included among more than a dozen audio tracks and over 100 images is one featuring The Nubble, called “Seashore,” taken by photographer Dick Smith, making it the first (and only) lighthouse in space.

The Nubble’s classic white-clapboard quarters, and red outbuildings perched high upon a rocky island outcropping make it an ideal subject for the perfect vacation photo or Plein Air painting. While it may be hard to prove the claim that the Nubble is Maine’s most photographed lighthouse, its long history of attracting visitors from around the world certainly supports the claim. That and more than a million social media photos in a recent unofficial count.

LIGHTING OF THE NUBBLE

The Nubble Lighthouse is lit up twice each year. For a week mid-summer as part of York Days and then each November in a Festival of Lights for the holiday season. The lighthouse can always be viewed from Sohier Park (parking here is free), or via a lighthouse cruise. There is no public access to the island.

Maine Open Lighthouse Day–September 13, 2025

Held yearly on the second Saturday of September, the state-wide event offers visitors a chance to explore and learn more about Maine’s many lighthouses. Sponsored by the USCG, American Lighthouse Foundation, and Maine Office of Tourism.

U.S. Lighthouse Society Passport

The Passport Program gives fans of all ages a wonderful way to keep a record of their lighthouse visits. The passport can be purchased online at uslhs.org. All of the Maine Beaches’ lighthouses are included.

Nearby Lighthouses

Greater Portland Area

– Cape Elizabeth Lighthouses

– Portland Head Lighthouse

– Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

Portsmouth, NH Area

– Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

– White Island Lighthouse

View of Nubble Light and Cape Neddick

EXPLORE EVERY SEASON

Summer is great here in The Maine Beaches , but the rest of the year is pretty awesome as well.

Warm days and cooler nights are a hallmark of Fall in the Maine Beaches. Combine that with fewer visitors, a visit after Labor Day is ideal or wait until the second half of October for peak foliage displays.

Winter brings the holidays, a chill in the air, and snow—but moderately. Attend one many celebrations that include lighted lobster buoy trees and shopping on charming main streets. Enjoy a local winter cocktail or warm drink by a crackling fireplace after a day walking or shoeing on the trail.

Spring. Ah, Spring. It arrives earlier here than the rest of the state. While other areas area still buried under snow, daffodils and crocus are rearing their heads and the days are warming. Things are a bit less busy, and it’s easier to get a reservation at your favorite restaurant or place to stay.

WEATHER 101

Spring Temperature

Avg. High: 54˚ Avg. Low: 33˚

Avg. Precip: 4.6” Avg. Snowfall: 1.4”

Summer Temperature

Avg. High: 76˚ Avg. Low: 60˚

Avg. Precip: 4 3”

Fall Temperatures

Avg. High: 58˚ Avg. Low: 38˚

Avg. Precip: 4.6”

Winter Temperatures

Avg. High: 37˚ Avg. Low: 24˚

Avg. Precip: 3.8” Avg. Snowfall: 8”

OGUNQUIT

Ogunquit feels like it’s in the middle of everything, making it a perfect home port for your vacation.

AWARD-WINNING

Seaside charm. Creative enclave. A walkable, friendly, diverse community with superb eateries and artsy boutiques. These are just a few ways national travel publications and websites have described Ogunquit. Plan on spending at least a few days here if you want to enjoy all there is to do and see.

Appropriately translated from the Abenaki language as “beautiful place by the sea,” Ogunquit’s four-squaremile size packs in plenty. In addition to offering a long sandy beach consistently recognized as a Top 25 Beach by Tripadvisor, this charming oceanfront village is home to the beloved Marginal Way. The cliff walk hugs the water’s edge as it winds from downtown to Perkins Cove, offering views of rocky cliffs, pocket beaches, bold waves, and ever-changing tidal pools.

CULTURE AND AQUACULTURE

While you’re here, check out Ogunquit’s local history. In the 1890 s the area’s outstanding natural beauty inspired artists to establish the Ogunquit Art Colony

At that time, it was common to find fishermen and artists working side-by-side in Perkins Cove, which retains its fishing heritage to this day, with working lobstermen bringing in their fresh catch for use at local restaurants.

Perkins Cove has blossomed into a visitor’s must-see, with dozens of appealing shops and restaurants; occasionally, you’ll still see plein air artists showcasing their craft. The nearby Ogunquit Museum of American Art preserves the spirit of those legendary Ogunquit artists and embraces the current artistic expressions.

Perkins Cove

INCLUSIVE

Thanks to its welcoming and inclusive vibe, Ogunquit is a prime LGBTQ+ vacation destination . Many of its shops, restaurants, and businesses are gay-owned and operated.

ACCESSIBLE

Ogunquit is a place where all can enjoy themselves. Easily accessible beaches and lodging options ensure everyone can stay comfortably and enjoy Ogunquit.

After a full day exploring visitors can settle into one of over 75 lodging properties in the area. Choose from resorts with amenities, delightful bed & breakfasts and inns, upscale cottages, and family-friendly suite accommodations. Some even allow you to bring your furry friend.

OGUNQUIT HAS IT

If you enjoy shopping endlessly at local independently-owned shops or indulging in fine seafood and cuisine, Ogunquit has it.

If you enjoy a vibrant nightlife scene, local and nationally known musicians, dancing, and world-class performers at one of America’s foremost summer theaters, the Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit has it.

If you enjoy active time outdoors, whether it’s water sports, fishing, sailing, hiking, or simply relaxing on the sand, Ogunquit has that, too.

VISIT YEAR-ROUND

The fun doesn’t end when the days get shorter! Many places to dine, shop, and stay are open year-round.

Autumn and holiday festivals provide memorable adventures. In fact, Travel + Leisure recently awarded Ogunquit the # 2 spot in its Top 25 Christmas Towns. There’s always something exciting happening.

START PLANNING

In preparation for your vacation, contact Ogunquit’s Visitor Welcome Center for resources to help plan your perfect trip. Or, stop by and see us at 20 Shore Road when you’re in town. Visit our website for weekly and monthly event calendars, webcams, guides, and maps.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ogunquit is one of Maine’s newer towns, being incorporated in 1980 Prior to that is was part of the Town of Wells, which it borders to the north. The lively downtown area is more commonly known as The Village, while nearby Perkins Cove is more family oriented.

Marginal Way

EXPLORE LOCAL EATS

Everywhere you turn in The Maine Beaches, you are sure to find something good to eat —breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

START YOUR DAY RIGHT

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, even when you are on vacation. Congdon’s Doughnuts in Wells is a great place to indulge yourself, but be ready to wait in line. The Holy Donut in Arundel serves up amazing Maine potato donuts, regular and gluten-free. For croissants, plain or filled, try Beach Pea Baking Company in Kittery. C’est magnifique.

Whether breakfast or lunch, the classic roadside diner makes a great way to feed people who disagree on what to eat. Some of the best include The Palace Diner in Biddeford and The Maine Diner in Wells. The Goldenrod in York has been serving up classic eats since the 1890s.

BEACH FOOD

The four Maine beach vacation food favorites—lobster rolls, fried clams, French fries, and ice cream—can be found nearly everywhere you turn. Enjoy a great-tasting burger or slice of pizza at a beachside concession. A local favorite, the Maine Italian sandwich , is prepared on a long bread roll with meats, cheese and various vegetables. Stop into an Amato’s —said to have invented this variation on the sub or grinder—or any of numerous sandwich shops to enjoy an Italian.

You don’t have to scream to get an ice cream here. Dive into Maine-centric flavors like Wild Maine Blueberry at one of Big Daddy’s Ice Cream locations in Wells and Ogunquit. Rococo Ice Cream in Kennebunk offers out-of-the-box flavors like Molasses Gingersnap! Their dessert bar next door offers a sophisticated nightcap and dessert. Tucked away in the heart of Sanford, Shain’s of Maine scoops out myriad flavors daily.

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BEYOND THE BEACH

Head beyond the beach to enjoy locally sourced food and drinks at Pilot’s Cove Cafe at Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport as antique planes, helicopters, and private jets take off and land. In the historic village of Cornish, Krista’s serves hand crafted eclectic food with attentive service in a casual atmosphere. The nearby Bay Haven Lobster Pound is popular for its seafood.

AWARD-WINNING CUISINE

No matter what you are in the mood for, it’s easy to find restaurants with renowned chefs and memorable meals.

Bob’s Clam Hut in Kittery will satisfy any craving for Maine seafood. Surf Point 360 in Ogunquit has heavenly food and a view to match. Kennebunkport’s Earth at Hidden Pond is an unmatched gastronomic experience, and White Barn Inn in Kennebunk consistently serves up the best local and seasonal ingredients. For surf and turf, try Joseph’s by the Sea in OOB.

CHOICES ABOUND

Alternately, a fun dinner option is Congdon’s After Dark The first food truck park in New England, it hosts a rotating selection of food trucks, serving from 4 pm until late in the evening daily during the summer, and weekends spring and fall. Plus, with such a wide variety of offerings even the Keto, Vegetarians, Vegans, or GF folks in your group will have options.

Throughout the region hungry vacationers will find taquerias, Indian food, Italian cuisine of all regional styles, Thai, BBQ, pub food, burgers, steaks and more.

AND MORE...

Then there is the delicacy that most have come here to enjoy, Maine lobster. Turn the page for how to select and eat Maine’s State Crustacean.

Fish & Whistle, Biddeford

Congdon’s After Dark

Rococo Ice Cream, Kennebunk

LOBSTER FACTS

– Latin name: Homarus americanus

– Only a cooked lobster is bright red, when caught it is greenish brown with touches of orange and blue.

– While rare, lobster can be blue, yellow, orange, calico, cotton candy, albino, and even natural red when found in nature.

– Lobsters can grow up to four feet long and weigh as much as 40 pounds.

– It is believed that lobsters can live as long as 100 years.

– Lobsters have a crusher claw and a pincer claw; some lobsters have the crusher claw on the right side and others have it on the left.

MAINE LOBSTER

Maine’s southern coast has a robust lobstering industry—making it so darn easy for these tasty and iconic crustaceans to travel from the ocean to your plate. To the delight of many visitors there are countless opportunities to enjoy this featured menu item here. Choose from casual picnic-table eateries to fine dining restaurants with seemingly endless menu options, long-established, family-owned eateries or a new hot-spot run by an award-winning chef.

HOW TO ORDER A LOBSTER

Freshly caught lobster is about as classic a Maine summertime meal as it gets. Die-hard Maine lobster fans will buy them live, take them home, boil them up themselves, and pick out every speck of meat. Others prefer to have someone do the hard parts for them at a restaurant. If you don’t want to look like a tourist when you place your order, we have some helpful tips that will have you ordering lobster like a pro in no time.

The Shore Dinner is a classic order! This meal comes complete with a 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pound lobster, some corn on the cob, a small bag of steamer clams, some chips, drawn butter, and a jaunty plastic lobstah bib.

As its name suggests, the Lazy Man’s Lobster delivers all the salty-sweet goodness of a Shore Dinner with a fraction of the work. The restaurant staff cooks the lobster, then they do all the hard work of cracking the claws, knuckles, and tail—leaving the meat in place.

Then there is the fan-favorite Lobster Roll. A toasted top-loader bun, filled with cooked chunks of the lobster’s claw, knuckle, and tail meat. Options included drawn butter, salt and pepper, or mayonnaise, and a little seasoning.

HOW TO EAT A LOBSTER

If you are feeling a little intimidated by cracking open a whole Maine lobster and disassembling it on your own, we are here to help with a step-by-step guide in words and pictures of how to eat this most cherished crustacean.

1. Twist off the front legs and large claw by pulling down and away from the body to remove it at the base of the appendage. Separate the claw from the knuckles. Use a cracker to break the claw and knuckle open. Remove the meat with fingers or fork.

2. Pull off the little legs to simply suck the meat out. Or grab an empty beer bottle and roll it down the length of the legs applying some pressure. The meat will squeeze right out of the shell.

3. Separate the tail from the body by bending it up and away from the body. Crack the tail open and using your fork or pick, remove the meat from the tail in one piece.

4. Remove the back shell from the body. Pick out the white meat from the places where the little legs join the body. This is how a true Mainer does it.

The Lincoln Hotel, Biddeford

Sacred Profane

Batson River Brewing & Distillery

POTENT POTABLES

What are locally crafted Beer, Cocktails, Meads, Ciders, and Wines that are served throughout the Maine Beaches?

For many, being on vacation means enjoying locally produced and crafted beverages. At last count, there are dozens of breweries , distilleries , wineries , and cideries in The Maine Beaches. Add in several wine shops , wine bars , and markets to pick up all forms of potent potables.

Where ever you are in the region this list will help you find a place to enjoy a fresh local brew and a snack; enjoy a craft cocktail made with locally sourced ingredients; a wine bar to sit back and ponder the day’s activities; or a shop where you’ll find beverages and the makings of a great crudite to share with family and friends at your vacation rental.

Remember, a single drink can cause a decline in visual function, mental judgment and motor skills, resulting in driver impairment. Please have a designated driver. Don’t drink and drive, so you can enjoy your entire vacation safely.

YORK REGION

The Clown, York

This shop with a funny name offers hard-to-find vintages in addition to a great selection of affordable, quality wines.

Definitive Brewing, Kittery

The perfect stop-off for a beer, wine, cider, or seltzer and a snack while shopping along Kittery’s Route 1

Odd by Nature Brewing, Cape Neddick

This small batch brewery specializes in serving 90’s nostalgia with names like Oddtoberfest and Pineapple to Freedom.

SoMe Brewing Company, York

SoMe’s goal: create a family-run brewery and tasting room where there is something for everyone!

Tributary Brewing Co., Kittery

Visit their tasting room for an ever-changing offering of brews created by renowned master brewer Tod Mott.

The Wallingford Dram, Kittery

This bar set in Kittery’s Foreside neighborhood serves handcrafted cocktails created using only the finest ingredients.

Woodland Farms Brewery, Kittery

Maine’s first, the brewery produces a variety of non-alcohol beer styles brewed with locally grown Maine ingredients.

Wiggly Bridge Distillery, York

This craft distillery set in a timber frame barn is known for its award-winning spirits such as Bourbon, Whisky, and Agave.

York Beach Beer Company, York

Enjoy one of a variety of crafted beers created and served with an authentic beachy vibe.

OGUNQUIT

Brickyard Hollow Brewing Co.

Maine craft brews and handcrafted pizza make this the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat and a refreshing beverage.

Coastal Alchemist Corks & Cocktails

A craft bar and lounge with a focus on serving customers quality wines and bespoke cocktails.

Northern Union

A charming wine bar that offers the opportunity to relax and enjoy a unique and chic experience.

WELLS

Batson River Fish Camp

A perfect place to refuel and recharge when sightseeing, adventuring, or exploring this iconic area.

Bow Street Beverage Superstore

Shop for world class wines, craft beers from near and far, and leading spirits brands.

Tully’s Beer & Wine

Known by many as the best beer store in 3 states, with an unmatched selection, knowledge, and atmosphere.

Wild Bevy Distilling

Their tasting room offers a beautiful space to enjoy spirits, wildly crafted cocktails, live music, and food trucks.

ICON KEY

Store/Retail

Brewery/Craft Beer

Wine

Spirits/Cocktails

Food Served

Hard Ciders

THE KENNEBUNKS

Batson River Brewing & Distilling, Kennebunk

This location offers a seasonally updated selection of signature cocktails, craft beers, and a full menu of seasonal fare to pair!

Bradbury Brothers Market, Cape Porpoise

The shop offers a spirits department that is the best around, and curated selection of locally brewed craft beers and wines.

H B Provisions, Kennebunk

A classic General Store, they offer a selection of beers, wines, and spirits, as well as gourmet meats, cheeses, and snacks.

Kennebunkport Brewing Company, Kennebunkport

An English-Style brewery all of the ales are brewed on-site daily, and served at Federal Jack’s pub next door.

Maine & Vine, Kennebunkport

The store carries a wide variety of wines, offering expert recommendations and regular in-store tastings.

Old Vines Wine Bar, Kennebunk

Not your grandfather’s wine bar, it is a favorite local spot for fine wine, craft cocktails, local beer, and Maine cuisine.

Sebago Brewing Co., Kennebunk

A place to enjoy great beer, great food, great people.

Wine House on Main, Kennebunk

Offers wines by the glass, beer, and light fare to enjoy in the cozy bar or on the patio, as well as bottles to savor at home.

SANFORD & INLAND TOWNS

After Harvest Cider Company, Acton

Enjoy a tart and dry cider representative of the traditional methods and apples used in centuries past.

Corner Point Brewing Company, Berwick

Providing great craft beer infused with flavors inspired by the American Southwest and Northeast.

Funky Bow Brewery, Lyman

Deep in the woods, discover one of the most unique breweries in Maine developing new single-batch flavor combos.

Prospect Hill Winery, Lebanon

The winery produces unique wines made exclusively from Maine grown grapes. Tastings and tours offered seasonally.

River Junction Brewing Company, Sanford

Explore a rotating selection of craft beers on tap in a cozy and cheerful atmosphere.

Xota Brewing, Waterboro

A micro brewery that offers unique beer and hard seltzers in a laid-back atmosphere with corn hole, and live music.

BIDDEFORD+SACO

Banded Brewing Company, Biddeford

The flagship location in Pepperell Mill offers guests a selection delicious beer on tap and a full menu of elevated pub food.

Batson River Brewing & Distilling, Biddeford

Located in the The Lincoln Hotel, it offers a sumptuous food menu along with an impressive list of housemade craft beers.

Barreled Souls Brewing, Saco

The large, comfortable and professionally run tasting room serves 20 draft varieties with a concentration in barrel aging.

Blaze Brewing Company, Biddeford

Located in a former mill building, overlooking the dam on the Saco, they serve up fresh food and an ever-changing draft list.

Brickyard Hollow Brewing Co., Biddeford

Maine craft brews and handcrafted pizza make this the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat and a refreshing beverage.

Lucky Pigeon Brewing, Biddeford (GF)

A dedicated Gluten-free brewery offers craft beers that are safe for those with gluten intolerances and delicious to all.

Round Turn Distilling, Biddeford

Visit the tasting room and bar open evenings and weekends for drinks and snacks, retail shopping, and cocktails to-go.

The Run of the Mill Public House & Brewery, Saco

Located in the former York Manufacturing Mill the 14-barrel brew pub specializes in hand crafted beer and casual pub fare.

Sacred Profane, Biddeford

With a less-is-more philosophy, the brewery produces just two Czech-style beers: a pale lager and a dark lager.

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

GFB Scottish Pub

OOB’s only brew pub delivers food, drinks, fun, and live entertainment in a very casual setting.

Lone Pine Brewing Company–Beer Garden

This restaurant’s OOB location features a full selection of beer, guest taps, wine, craft cocktails, and full kitchen service.

ICON KEY

Store/Retail

Brewery/Craft Beer

Wine Spirits/Cocktails

Food Served

Hard Ciders

CAMPING YOUR WAY

Discover the experiences that have lured campers of all kinds for generations.

Relax as the campfire’s crackle mingles with the sound of nature at night. Enjoy days filled with sunny, blue skies spent on the beach, trails, lake, or exploring new favorite spots. The area’s over 40 campgrounds offer all styles of stays: full-service family RV resorts and parks , tenting , woodsy glamping , cozy cabin sites , short stays and seasonal sites . Campers will find all variety of amenities, from full hook-ups to live music and kids camp crafts. There are even a few that are styled primarily for adults. While most are open May through September, some offer spring and fall camping experiences.

THE YORKS

Camp Eaton, York Harbor

Cape Neddick Campground, Cape Neddick

Dixon’s Coastal Maine Campground, York

Libby’s Oceanside Camp, York Harbor

York Beach Camper Park , York

WELLS

Beach Acres Campground, Wells

Riverside Family Campground, Wells

Sea-Vu Campground, Wells

Sea-Vu West, Wells

Stadig Campground, Wells

Sun OutdoorsTM Wells Beach, Wells

Thousand Trails Moody Beach, Wells

SANFORD

Apache Campground, Sanford

Huttopia Southern Maine, Sanford Yellowstone Park–ME, Sanford

THE KENNEBUNKS

Hemlock Grove Campground, Kennebunkport/Arundel

Red Apple Campground, Kennebunkport

Sandy Pines Campground, Kennebunkport

Yankeeland RV Resort, Kennebunk

BIDDEFORD+SACO

Ocean Pines Campground, Biddeford

Shamrock Campground, Biddeford

Sun OutdoorsTM Saco/OOB, Saco

BEYOND THE BEACHES

Apple Valley Campground, Acton

Beaver Dam Campground, Berwick

Cole’s Mine RV Resort & Campground, Lebanon

Lazy Frog Campground, Lebanon

Lebanon KOA on Salmon Falls River, Lebanon

Little Ossipee Lake Campground, East Waterboro

Nadeau’s Nest, Lebanon

Pine Ridge Campground, Acton

Potter’s Place Adult RV Park, Lebanon

Salmon Falls River Camping Resort, Lebanon

Spacious Skies Walnut Grove, Alfred

Windsong Campground, Parsonsfield

OOB

Old Orchard Beach Campground, OOB

Paradise Park Resort, OOB

Pinehirst RV Resort, OOB

Powder Horn Family Camping Resort, OOB

Sun RetreatsTM Old Orchard Beach, OOB

Sun OutdoorsTM Old Orchard Beach Downtown, OOB

Sun RetreatsTM at Wild Acres, OOB

Experience Wells , one of Maine’s finest family vacation destinations.

With miles of continuous, long flat sandy beaches and an abundance of outdoor activities, families of all ages return to vacation in Wells year after year. The wonderfully friendly people, great food and shopping, and proximity to the rest of the region makes it a top choice for visitors.

LONG SANDY BEACHES AND MORE

Wells Main Beach features over 1 5 miles of open sand, dunes, tidal pools, and jetties set at the mouth of Wells Harbor which offers a boat launch area for motorized craft, kayaks, and canoes looking to explore the coastal waters or nearby estuaries.

The charming gazebo in Wells Harbor Community Park is home to a wide variety of live summertime performances. Nearby amenities include a playground, universally accessible observation deck, and the Wells Harbor Shellfish Lab for a unique edutainment experience that will appeal to all ages.

TRAVEL TIP

It is easy to get to Wells in various ways. By car take Exit 19 off the Maine Turnpike, to Route 1 which runs North/ South through town.

In addition the Wells Regional Transportation Center sees the Amtrak Downeaster passenger train arrive on 5 roundtrips daily from Boston North Station.

Wells Harbor Shellfish Lab

EAT, STAY, SHOP AND PLAY

Repeat visitors are familiar with the wide array of dining options and broad selection of lodging choices the town offers. Choose from beach-front rental cottages and condos to inns, guest houses, B&Bs, and an excellent collection of classic and modern hotels and motels. Numerous campgrounds offer a range of options from simple tenting to full-service RV sites.

While visitors will have no trouble filling their shopping needs, Wells also delivers a vintage advantage with an assortment of antique shops, malls, and independent dealers that make Wells the Antiques Capital of Maine.

Wells is filled with a stunning natural attractions. Explore the internationally recognized Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, whose Carson Trail offers a mile-long loop through a pine woods with tidal salt marsh views is accessible to all. Part of Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, Wells Reserve at Laudholm offers miles of trails, estuary kayak tours, nature walks, interpretive tours, creative and wellness programs, and events.

BEYOND THE BEACH

The Town of Wells Wildlife Commons is located a bit more inland, on the quiet side of town. Here visitors will observe a diverse variety of southern Maine landscapes like trout streams, tall forests, and cascading waterfalls. It is a perfect spot to enjoy the serenity of hiking and nature photography, or the simple pleasure of a woodland picnic.

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Wells Reserve at Laudholm

Wells Main Beach

PLACES TO STAY

The Maine Beaches is filled with hotels, resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts, cottages, motels, and more.

GO FOR A CLASSIC

The classic resorts, hotels, and motels that line the shoreline in The Maine Beaches played a significant role in defining the whole of Maine as Vacationland. Recently, lodging establishments have increased in number, style, and variety, assuring that visitors can find the perfect place to stay for their vacation.

Ogunquit’s Anchorage by the Sea, and Cliff House Maine on Cape Neddick, all offer unmatched resort-style service to create an unforgettable experience. Friendly staff meets your every need, from superbly presented meals and a round of golf to time relaxing in the on-site spa.

Visitors can choose from places with names that say “summer at the beach.” York’s The Cutty Sark Motel, Sea View Inn in OOB, Lafayette’s Oceanfront Resort on Wells Beach, and Kennebunkport‘s The Nonantum Resort in are all a short walk from the rolling surf, shopping, and dining options.

A TRADITIONAL STAY

For those who prefer the more traditional-style of stay try the region’s well-appointed B&Bs , inns , and cottages . The four historic properties of the Kennebunkport Captains Collection , the romantic Sea Cliff House in Old Orchard Beach, and the ViewPoint Hotel in York offer unique character, ideal locations, top-notch service, and unmatched amenities.

Sanford across Number One Pond

Cliff House Maine

The Wander Cottages

The Meadowmere Resort

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Beachside communities all along US Route 1 are lined with family-, kid-, and often, dog-friendly hotels and motels. The Dunes on the Waterfront in Ogunquit and the Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport each rank among the favorites.

Discover endless entertainment for all generations at Meadowmere Resort in Ogunquit. Hidden Pond Resort & Tree Spa in Kennebunkport offers an upscale family experience with built-in bunk beds, family play area, and babysitting services.

Ogunquit’s The Admiral’s Inn Resort has a canine concierge who will make sure you’re assigned a pet-friendly room. There is even a special area just for dogs in their back yard.

ADULT TIME

In the past several years some adult-oriented lodging options have popped up across the area. Both AWOL in Kennebunkport and Kennebunk’s The Wanderer Cottages offer guests impeccably designed cottages with a chill vibe.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Those looking for more extended stays or something more homey should check out a local vacation rental service or an online option.

Maine Seaside Rentals offers various types of properties from Kennebunk to Biddeford. Jean Knapp Rentals caters to Ogunquit, Wells, Cape Neddick, and York, offering a diverse array of accommodations.

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Sanford

SANFORD -SPRINGVALE

Sanford, and nearby towns beyond the beach , love to welcome visitors.

A PERFECT DAY-TRIP DESTINATION

A short drive from the region’s scenic ocean beaches, the inland towns around Sanford-Springvale are great for a day trip or a longer stay. The area offers a lot of outdoor recreation activities, year-round. The Mousam Way Trail or Waterboro Barren Preserve are open for those looking to walk, hike, Nordic ski, and snowshoe. Bird watchers should flock to Sanford Lagoons , one of York County Audubon’s premier birding sites, with over 225 species of birds recorded throughout the year.

The orchards and farms across the area from Lebanon to Limerick offer opportunities to pick your own fruit while enjoying the beauty of the countryside. Seasonal crops include apples, strawberries, and blueberries. Farmers’ Markets in Sanford, North Berwick , and Dayton offer fresh produce and local crafts all summer long.

CULTURE AND HISTORY

Springvale is home to Nasson Little Theatre, where you can enjoy home-grown productions of Broadway musicals and original theatrical pieces, or take part in a murder mystery dinner. The Sanford Performing Arts Center is a state-of-the-art theater presenting a diverse array of performances, including musical concerts, theater productions, dance recitals, comedy shows, and more. For some good old fashion summer stock theater, head to The Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick .

Learn about the area’s history at the Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum , with exhibits on local industries and notable figures. The Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, set in a peaceful and serene part of Springvale, provides a dignified and tranquil resting place for those who have served our country.

Sanford across Number One Pond

FLIGHTS AND FLY BALLS

Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport offers visitors unique sightseeing flights, displaying the area’s scenic beauty from a different perspective. Bring your camera to capture the impressive landscape. Follow a flight with a bottomless mimosa brunch, or evening of live music with the runway in the backdrop at Pilot’s Cove Café Even those who prefer solid ground can enjoy this unique dining option.

The Sanford Mainers , part of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, take the field at historic Goodall Park where legends like Babe Ruth and Dustin Pedroia have played. After the game, grab an ice cream and enjoy a stroll around the downtown and Number One Pond, where annual Independence Day fireworks take place.

VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE

The towns in the northwestern parts of the region may be less traveled but are worth exploring. In Cornish, shops offering antique and vintage goods, historic inns, and eclectic dining options dot the Main Street. Neighboring Limington is also home to vintage merchants.

LAKESIDE TRADITIONS

The beach towns don’t have a monopoly on water-based outdoor recreation. Lake Arrowhead or Little Ossipee Lake, set between Waterboro and Limerick , are ideal for paddling a canoe or kayak or taking out a boat for fishing or a scenic cruise.

Camping options are robust on the western side of the Maine Turnpike. More than half a dozen can be found in Lebanon and Acton alone. Huttopia offers glamping in Sanford. Beaver Dam Campground in Berwick provides easy access to Vaughan Woods State Park

SIMPLE GIFTS

Maine’s Shaker roots began in Alfred around 1793 and it was here that Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett wrote what is perhaps the best-known Shaker song, “Simple Gifts,” in 1848

Today visitors can learn more about the Shaker way at Alfred Shaker Museum . With exhibits, events, a craft workshop, gift shop, and vast collection of Shaker artifacts, the museum offers something of interest to all members of the family

BEYOND THE BEACH

The Maine Beaches includes all of Maine’s York County. It spans from the Piscataqua in the south to OOB and Route 25 E/W to the north, from the coastline and all the way west to the New Hampshire border.

We encourage visitors to get beyond our beaches, whether for a day trip or a full vacation, and explore the towns, lakes, forests, and foothills on the quiet side of the region.

Sanford Mainers at Goodall Park

Alfred Shaker Museum

Mousam River

THE MAINE BEACHES MAP

LOTS TO DO

There’s nothing like unlimited access to water, land and in town activities while on vacation. The Maine Beaches gives you that.

Though the over two dozen beaches on offer from Kittery to OOB may be what initially attracts visitors to The Maine Beaches for a summertime vacation, once they discover everything else there is to fill up their days their hooked. The area welcomes exploration year-round. Every season offers something different to experience.

There area communities are filled with shopping, dining, and cultural pursuits, but they also offer a wide variety outdoor, or at least outdoor-ish, activities. Rail trails and conservation areas offer the chance to walk, hike, bike, or observe nature. There are championship golf courses and mini golf with a side of go carts. Fishing on fresh water lakes or out on the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy a baseball game or a classic Drive-In Movie.

The best part, scenic drives, freshwater paddling, forested hiking trails, and lakeside camping in the western foothills, is just a 30 -minute drive from those sandy stretches we are named for.

START ON SHORE

The region’s rockier shoreline spots provide the perfect environment for all those ocean critters that make tidepooling such an adventure. The half-hour before and after low tide are the best times to grab a bucket and head to the nearest tidal areas.

Don’t miss the chance to gather up a variety of shells, sand dollars, and mermaid’s tears (sea glass) while you are looking down. Please, remember catch and release once you have had a chance to examine your treasures.

GET ON THE WATER

Charter a six-person catamaran from the Camp Ellis Pier for a special day out. Hop aboard a sloop, sailboat, or schooner for a scenic cruise. For a bit more excitement, step into a high-speed RIB boat in Kennebunk for an eco-adventure you won’t soon forget.

Those seeking something with a more local feel can climb aboard a working lobster boat. Along the way, the

skipper will regale you with maritime tales while demonstrating lobstering skills, including pulling up traps filled with lobster and other creatures like starfish and crabs. Take a whale watch out of Kennebunk to spot huge finbacks, minkes, or humpback, plus harbor and gray seals.

While you are out to sea, take a moment to cast your gaze back to land for a new perspective on our historic seaside villages, lined with the restored sea captains’ homes, architectural masterworks, and coastal estates.

The waters of The Maine Beaches are world-renowned boating and sailing. Our ports are favored by luxury yachts, vintage sloops, and one-design racers flitting along in packs. Experienced sailors can charter a boat, or novices can hire a captain and enjoy the views.

Those into kite surfing should take a ride to Ferry Beach, with jet skiing and parasailing services available in Old Orchard Beach

CAST A LINE

If a real adventure is your thing, book a deep-sea angling charter. The offshore waters offer plenty of excitement as you seek a perfect spot for striped bass, mackerel, bluefish, or haddock. Many outfitters offer family trips, making it easy for kids to gear up.

Try surf casting from the beach, shore, or jetty. Saltwater fishing does not require a license but plan to bring your bait and tackle.

GRAB A PADDLE

Sea kayaking is a great way to poke along the coast. Venture into the many marshes and inlets in the area, many of which are protected reserves or conservation land. Explore around the mouth of the Saco River by using the Marblehead or Vines Landing boat launches.

Stand-up paddleboarding is easy to learn and a great workout (without feeling like it). Visitors can take tours and lessons or rent a board here.

BEYOND THE COAST

For paddlers looking to get inland, set out on either the Mousam River or the Kennebunk River. Each of these tidal rivers gives you a different view of the region. Keep your eyes skyward for migrating coastal birds, eagles, egrets, and other beautiful birds of prey. The area around Sanford offers the best locations for a day of waterskiing.

In the Autumn, this is a unique way to take in the blaze of lakeside colors, with the orange and crimsons of the ferns and bog plants adding their splash.

Explore the more sylvan, almost untamed side of the region where you will find an authentic beauty with abundant lakes, ponds, and pristine waterways.

Drop a line for the simple pleasure of a family bass fishing outing on our ideally situated ponds. Unlike surf casting, you will need a fishing license, except during one of Maine’s Free Fishing Weekends , held during June and February.

Once winter arrives, these same lakes, like Great East Lake in Acton and Shapleigh’s Square Pond, offer up southern Maine’s best ice fishing with trophy-size togue and lake trout. Check the local bait shop for ice conditions, the best fishing places, and info on a local derby.

HIT THE TRAILS

Getting off the beach allows you to see another spectacular side of our region and take advantage of the area’s other recreational activities.

Hike through a near-pristine tidal marsh, bog, or barren. Enjoy the dappled Autumn sun as you walk through deciduous forests.

Today, hitting the trail doesn’t require a trip to the mountains or deep into the woods. Just look around. You’ll quickly find a way to get off the beaten path and into nature—even in town. Hike or bike the neatly paved Eastern Trail (running from Kittery to Canada) or trek through a coastal marsh at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Trail riders will love it here, too. Ride the rooted and twisting trails that crisscross Biddeford’s Clifford Park or pedal alongside the scenic Mousam River. Explore the natural wonders along the six-mile multi-use Sanford-Springvale Rail Trail

Mount Agamenticus

Wells Estuary Sanford Falls

MOUNT AGAMENTICUS

The drive to the summit of Mount Agamenticus in York is quick. The top offers views of the coast and ocean and inland to the Presidential Range and Mount Washington .

While Mount A rises just a modest 692 feet, its thrill comes on the ride, or hike, down as it spreads out over an impressive 30,000 acres. It is a nearly perfect venue for outdoor recreation with miles of trails for hiking, biking, ATV, equestrian, and seasonal activities, and a universally accessible trail called “The Big A.”

ENJOY THE RIDE

Load your trail bike or rent from one of the numerous outfitters offering everything from bikes to racks and gear. The trails of the region’s many land trust and conservation areas— soecifically the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust and Arundel Conservation Trust—offer lots of options for riders of all skill and endurance levels.

Experienced riders can take on Parsonfield’s single-track rides. The area offers rolling foothills carpeted in tall trees and more than 25 miles of memorable (and challenging) rides.

RECONNECT WITH NATURE

When the time feels right, slow your pace and take every shaft of light through the forest canopy. Listen to birds sharing news of your presence with their flighty friends. Inhale the life all around you. Touch the leaves and mossy rocks. Enjoy the simple act of slowing down and connecting with nature.

Birding is one of the most popular activities in Wells’ Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, a 50 -mile swath of coastal habitat that contains flora and fauna found nowhere else. Have a camera handy to capture nature; birders should also bring binoculars. A mix of lowland forests and coastal estuaries along the Atlantic Flyway make The Maine Beaches an ideal spot for migrating coastal species and waterfowl.

Those looking for the perfect place to picnic or for a bit of downtime will discover cheery town greens, secluded forests, or storied coastal walks to stop and enjoy the sights and sounds of the world all around.

Soft adventure seekers will enjoy time at Fort McClary State Historic Site, Fort Foster Park , and Sohier Park in York. All deliver a short walk, picnic area, and stunning views.

TREAD LIGHTLY

Visitors to The Maine Beaches can enjoy recreating on various kinds of public and private lands: parks, preserves, trails, walks, land trusts, and conservation areas. Please respect these lands.

— Check ahead to be aware if you will be on public or private land.

— Always stay on a designated trail.

— Plan around peak hours of the day to avoid crowds.

— Avoid introducing invasive species: don’t transport firewood and rinse and dry your boat before and after use.

— Please don’t damage the trees; we need them.

— Only build fires in approved sites, do not leave them unattended and extinguish them thoroughly.

If you pack it in, you need to pack it out. Including biodegradables like apple cores and banana peels.

Mount Agamenticus

Golf Courses

THE YORKS

Cape Neddick Country Club

Shore Road, York

The Ledges Golf Club

Ledges Drive, York

York Golf & Tennis Club

Organug Road, York

WELLS

Merriland Farm Par 3

Coles Hill Road, Wells

Old Marsh Country Club

Clubhouse Road, Wells

SANFORD AND INLAND

Lebanon Pines Golf Course

Center Road, Lebanon

Links at Outlook Golf Course

Portland Street, Berwick

Pine Hollow Little Par 3 Golf

Main Street, Sanford

Province Lake Golf Course

Mountain Road, Parsonsfield

Sanford Country Club

Country Club Road, Sanford

THE KENNEBUNKS

Dutch Elm Golf Course

Brimstone Road, Arundel

Cape Arundel Golf Club

River Road, Kennebunkport

Hillcrest Golf Driving Range and Par 3 Pitch and Putt Kennebunk

Webhannet Golf Club

Golf Club Drive, Kennebunk

BIDDEFORD-SACO

Abenakee Club

Stonecliff Road, Biddeford

Biddeford-Saco Country Club

Old Orchard Road, Saco

Deep Brook Golf Course

New County Road, Saco

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

Dunegrass Golf Club

Wild Dunes Way, OOB

Movie Theaters

OGUNQUIT

The Leavitt Theatre, Main Street

WELLS

Flagship Premium Cinemas

Wells Plaza

SANFORD

Smitty’s Cinema, Main Street

SACO

Apple Cinemas Saco IMAX

US Route 1

The Saco Drive-In , US Route 1

Amusements

THE YORKS

Fun-O-Rama

Beach Street, York

Sandy Hill Farm, Eliot

Take Flight Aerial Adventure

US Route 1, Kittery

York Wild Kingdom

1 Animal Park Road, York

WELLS

Wonder Mountain Fun Park

US Route 1

THE KENNEBUNKS

Raptor Falls Mini Golf & Ice Cream

Portland Road, Arundel

SACO

Aquaboggan Water Park

US Route 1

Funtown Splashtown USA

US Route 1

Martel’s Mini Golf, US Route 1

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

Jungle Adventure 3 D Mini Golf

Old Orchard Street, OOB

Palace Playland

Old Orchard Street

Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf

1st Street

Raptor Falls

Cape Neddick Country Club

Palace Playland, OOB

FUN & GAMES

The whole family will enjoy plenty of excitement at our amusement and water parks with rides and arcades. Funtown Splashtown USA will bring squeals of delight, both wet and dry, while animal lovers will enjoy York’s Wild Kingdom , an amusement park and zoo in one.

The Wells Harbor Shellfish Lab, located right on the harbor dock, aims to educate and inspire visitors. Interactive exhibits feature clams, mussels, crabs, and sea stars, including a touch tank with a rotating selection of residents.

More adventurous types will find excitement as well. Get your feet off the ground with the zip lines and ropes course at Take Flight in Kittery. Get your feet off the ground on a scenic flight via helicopter or airplane from Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport .

INDOORS

Bowling is a great way to get in the swing of things, so take your chance to roll for glory with 10 frames at Garden Street Bowl in Kennebunk or try candlepin bowling at Bowl-a-Rama in Sanford . How about a movie?

Go all in with an IMAX and 3 D feature on the marquee at Apple Cinemas in Saco. Smitty’s Cinema in Sanford hosts a bowling alley, Game Lab arcade, and 11 theaters where you can enjoy dinner, drinks, and a show

IT’S A CLASSIC

Summer in Maine should include the classic summer experience of a night at the Drive-In. Luckily for those spending time here, one of the two remaining such theaters in Maine and the second-oldest in the country, the Saco Drive-In Movie Theater at Aquaboggan , welcomes patrons from June through September with first run and classic movies, and of course, snacks.

PLAY A ROUND

A little less heart-pounding but no less entertaining is a competitive round of mini-golf. Give the course at Pirate’s Cove in Old Orchard Beach a whirl, enjoy a side of go-cart action at Wonder Mountain in Wells , or play a rousing mini-round among the animatronic dinosaurs at Raptor Falls in Arundel

Regular visitors know to bring their clubs to play a round or two at one of a dozen golf courses in the area. Presidents, professional athletes, and movie stars— like local resident Patrick Dempsey—have participated in locally run benefit tournaments at the historic Cape Arundel Golf Course. The PGA includes Saco, Wells, and York as its top Maine golfing destinations, specifically calling out the Championship course at The Ledges in York .

Don’t overlook the possibility of one of your best rounds in Maine at the Biddeford-Saco Country Club’s Donald Ross-designed (front 9) or a quiet morning round at Sanford Country Club —an 18 -hole, semi-private club.

OUR NATIONAL PASTIME

There are several ways to get out to the ballgame here in The Maine Beaches. The Sanford Mainers call historic Goodall Park in Sanford home. The park has hosted baseball legends from Babe Ruth to Dustin Pedroia.  Before or after a game, take a swing at a few pitches at the nearby Sky View Golf Range batting cages.

Baseball returned to The Ballpark in Old Orchard in June 2024, with the Old Orchard Beach Bugs , a Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League team.

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Take Flight

Bowl-a-Rama, Sanford

YORK REGION

Fisherman’s Walk and Cliff Walk

York Harbor

Fort McClary State Historic Site

Kittery

Fort Foster Park , Kittery

Vaughan Woods State Park

South Berwick

Mount Agamenticus, York

Great Works Regional Land Trust

Douglas Memorial Woods, Eliot

Goodwin Forest, Eliot

Desrochers Memorial Forest, South Berwick

Kenyon Hill Preserve, South Berwick

Kimball North Preserve, South Berwick

York Land Trust

Highland Farm Preserve

Hilton-Winn Preserve

Mcfeely Preserve

Mcintire Highlands Preserve

York Land Trust Headquarters

Smelt Brook Preserve

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OGUNQUIT

Great Works Regional Land Trust

Beach Plum Farm Preserve

Old Boston Preserve

Payeur Preserve

Kirkpatrick Woods

Ogunquit Town Forest

The Ogunquit River Trail Network

Orris Falls Conservation Area

Rocky Hills Preserve

Savage Wildlife Preserve

Marginal Way Scenic Walk

WELLS

Wildlife Commons

Fenderson

Great Haith

Perkinstown

Tatnic Woods

Tilton Homestead

Town of Wells

Wells Harbor Community Park

Rachel Carson National

Wildlife Refuge

Wells Reserve at Laudholm

SANFORD-SPRINGVALE

Mousam Way Recreation Trails , Sanford Springvale

BERWICK

Great Works Regional Land Trust

Grants Meadow at Beaver

Dam Heath

Keay Brook Preserve

Newichawannock Woods

Tuckahoe Preserve

NORTH BERWICK

Preserves and Conservation Areas

Bauneg Beg Mountain

Conservation Area

Grover-Herrick Preserve

Negutaquet Conservation Area,

KENNEBUNK

Kennebunk Land Trust

Alewive Woods Preserve

Clark Preserve

Sea Road Preserve

Wonder Brook/Murphy Preserve

The Secret Garden

Butler Preserve

Madelyn Marx Preserve

Oxbow Preserve

For All Forever Preserve

Hope Woods

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge

NATURAL RESOURCES

Decades of effort and care for our land and habitats has created a place where visitors can reconnect with nature and themselves.

Maine has always been on the forefront of what became the modern conservation movement. In 1970, the Coastal Maine National Wildlife Refuge was renamed in honor of the scientist and author Rachel Carson , who spent much of her life along the Maine coast.

The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge stretches 50 miles along the coast, covering more than 5,000 acres in Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Biddeford, Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, Wells, Ogunquit, York, and Kittery.

KENNEBUNKPORT

Kennebunkport Conservation Trust

Emmons Preserve

Smith Preserve

Tyler Brook Preserve Grist Mill

Goose Rocks Beach

Goat Island Lighthouse

Ganny’s Garden

James Wood

Various Harbor Islands

ARUNDEL

Arundel Conservation Trust

Arundel Community Trails

Welch Woods

BIDDEFORD+SACO

Ferry Beach State Park , Saco East Point Audubon Sanctuary

Biddeford Pool

Saco Heath Preserve, Saco

Saco Bay Trails , Saco/Camp Ellis

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

Trails and Parks

Milliken Mills Trails Park

Blueberry Plains

Guild Park

The Manor Street Trail

THE EASTERN TRAIL

Kittery to Portland

EasternTrail.org

This multi-use trail is a part of the East Coast Greenway— a continuous, traffic-free trail from Florida to Maine that links 25 major cities along the eastern seaboard offering a multitude of historic and scenic experiences.

The Eastern Trail starts at the Piscataqua River in Kittery and runs 65 miles to South Portland. The trail system has been built along the old Eastern Railroad Corridor that connected Boston to Portland from 1842 until 1945

The Eastern Trail Alliance’s website offers maps that are marked and geo-tagged with various points of interest to help in the planning of bicycle rides and cycling trips.

In addition, the trail is a part of the U.S. Bike Route One.

East Point Audubon Sanctuary

The Eastern Trail

GETTING HERE

It is easy to get to and around The Maine Beaches .

Here is a little info to make it even easier, whether you drive, fly, or ride the train.

Fly

Portland International Jetport PortlandJetport.org

Boston Logan International Airport MassPort.com

Biddeford Municipal Airport BiddefordMaine.org

Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport (207 ) 324-3172

Ride

The Amtrak Downeaster AmtrakDowneaster.com

With five daily round-trips from Boston North Station to Maine stations in Wells, Saco, OOB (seasonal), and north to Portland, Freeport, and Brunswick, the train is a hassle free way to get to The Maine Beaches. Bikes are allowed, but space is limited and require reservations. Enjoy Free Wi-Fi and snacks and drinks in The Downeaster Café. Drive

E-ZPASS/Tolls: The Maine Turnpike is part of the E-ZPass system that allows reciprocal use with many other toll systems primarily in the East. For more info on tolls and services visit MaineTurnpike.com .

The Maine Beaches Turnpike Exits: The area is easily accessed via exits for Kittery, York, Berwick, Ogunquit, Wells, Sanford, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach.

Drive

*Mileage and time to Biddeford.

ME State Police (800) 452- 4664, Emergency 911

Road and Traffic Info 511 from any phone, 511Maine.gov

ME Hands-Free Driving Law prohibits talking, texting or using a hand-held device while driving, even while stopped at a light or in traffic. Fines up to $250

EV Charging Stations

Currently there are over 70 places to charge your electric vehicle throughout The Maine Beaches area. Below is a short list of some of those. We recommend the Charge Hub App or ChargeHub.com for details and locations.

YORK REGION

York Harbor Inn* 480 York St, York

Hannaford Supermarket York

Stage Neck Inn* 8 Stage Neck Road, York Harbor

Simon Kittery Premium Outlets US Route 1, Kittery

OGUNQUIT

Meadowmere Resort 74 Main Street

The Dunes on the Waterfront* 518 Main Street

Cliff House Resort and Spa* 591 Shore Road

The Beachmere* 62 Beachmere Place

WELLS

Haven By The Sea* 59 Church Street

Wells Reserve At Laudholm 55 Skinner Mill Road

Wells Public Library 1434 Post Road

Wells Plaza* 1517 Post Road

SANFORD & INLAND AREAS

Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport Sanford

The Lady Mary Inn* 2 Elm Street, North Berwick

THE KENNEBUNKS

KKA Chamber of Commerce 16 Water Street, Kennebunk

Kennebunk Light and Power 4 Factory Pasture Lane

Kennebunk Service Plazas* 25 5 Mile Maine Turnpike

Kennebunkport Fire Department 32 North Street, KPT

BIDDEFORD+SAC0

Biddeford City Hall 28 Adams Street

Market Basket 220 Mariner Way, Biddeford

Pearl Street Public Parking 15 Pearl Street, Biddeford

Hannaford Plaza* 532 Main Street, Saco

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

Ocean Walk Hotel 194 E Grand Avenue

* Indicates a Tesla or Tesla Supercharger location. Electric vehicles (EVs) with proper connectors can use Tesla’s network with access to the

RELAX AND REJUVENATE

Whether a resort, spa, or yoga on the beach, The Maine Beaches has a way for you to find your best you.

Booking a stay at a wellness retreat is the prefect way to reconnect with your partner, your bestie, or even yourself. Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport offers myriad ways to slow down and recenter. Try forest bathing, art classes, yoga and meditation, flower arranging or even a mixology session with the in house bartender.

Many of the hotels and resorts up and down the area include an onsite spa or gym. Cliff House Maine on Cape Neddick features a full-service spa, indoor and outdoor seasonal pools, 24-hour fitness center, and yoga classes. In Ogunquit , Meadowmere boast a full-service spa, health club with sauna and steam room, indoor pool, and a library for a quiet cerebral moment. River’s Edge Spa in Kennebunkport offers spa and salon services with a river view. Perfect for a full-day experience or a quick pedicure after days of toes in the sand.

Connect to Wilderness is led by a Registered Maine Guide and a Certified Forest Therapy Guide and offers all sorts of nature based experiences. Book a Mindfulness Hike, Forest Therapy Guided Walk, or a Star Gazing Night Walk.

Whether on a guide walk, organized class, or just on your own, an afternoon spent photographing the nature all around can be uplifting. There are so many places that are ideal to do just that. Wells Reserve at Laudholm has a variety of trails that wind through various habitats. East Point Audubon Sanctuary’s seabird spectacle is even more impressive in winter, but a amazing spot in all seasons.

It doesn’t have to break the bank to find peace and rejuvenation. Watch the sunrise from any of our beaches as the waves lap the sand and breathe deep.

Hidden Pond, Tree Spa

The Jetty at sunset

Christmas Prelude, Dock Square, Kennebunkport

On the Kennebunk River

Walkers Point

THE KENNEBUNKS

Discover the authentic charms of the Kennebunk , Kennebunkport , and Arundel community.

Whatever the reason or the season, your trip to the Kennebunks is sure to capture your heart and make you want to return over and over again.

It might be our long, sandy beaches. Or it could be the many award-winning restaurants offering everything from lobster rolls at a picnic table to five-star dining with white glove service. It could be the sense of history, with sea captains’ homes, museums and the Bush compound at Walker’s Point.

THREE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES

The long, wide, sandy Gooch’s , Middle, and Mother’s beaches in Kennebunk are the perfect place to walk, sun yourself, play in the surf. Search for sand dollars, or enjoy the sight of the waves rolling into shore.

In Kennebunkport, the three miles of Goose Rocks Beach are a favorite with walkers and the sand pail set. Colony Beach is much appreciated by those who love to scramble on its rocks and watch the surf dash the shore.

EAT, STAY, SHOP AND PLAY

Visitors will never run out of things to do. Shop in our unique, independently owned stores. Go surfing or take a boat, E-bike or kayak tour. Head out to sea on a whale watch. Afterward, relax in a range of accommodations, from 5 -star hotels and elegant B&Bs to active campgrounds.

BEYOND THE BEACH

Enjoy more of the outdoors while walking or mountain biking through the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust’s Emmons Preserve or along the many trails of the Kennebunk Land Trust . The Arundel Conservation Trusts Flow Trail offers thrills on two wheels, while Kennebunk’s Hope Woods Trail offers accessibility to all. Both Kennebunk and Arundel have entrances to the Eastern Trail —a section of the East Coast Greenway—popular with those seeking to stretch their legs, no matter the season.

MAKE IT AN EVENT

The fun doesn’t stop when summer ends! There are thrills and chills aplenty during Halloween , Pajama Shopping Day right after Thanksgiving, 10 days of magic during Christmas Prelude in December, and Paint the Town Red all February long.

For generations, people have made The Kennebunks their favorite Maine vacation destination. Isn’t it time to make it yours?

WHAT ABOUT ARUNDEL?

People know about Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, summer home of presidents, but what about their little sister, Arundel.

First settled in the mid-1600 s, Arundel’s residents kept to the coast for its resources. During the Indian Wars from 1680 to 1720 the settlement was abandoned.

After the hostilities ended, a new settlement, named Arundel, grew along the Kennebunk River. Thirty years later, people began to settle west of what is now Route 1 and started farming the rich land. Post revolution, small churches and meeting houses served to draw the local people together. Those small churches are now gone, but several early farms and farmhouses remain today.

After Arundel officially split from Kennebunkport in 1916, it was no longer directly connected to the ocean. It remains a place imbued with a rural charm for visitors to enjoy spending time while in The Kennebunks.

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Downtown Biddeford ©CapShore Photography

SHOPPING

Whether

you’re looking for

designer labels, a Maine t-shirt, or hand-made goods, you can find it here.

In The Maine Beaches if you want to go shopping you can easily find a place no matter where you are. Here are some details of where and when to shop when you take a break from the beach.

HIT THE OUTLETS

You’ll find the heart of the outlet phenomenon just a couple of miles north of the state line in Kittery These world-class outlets are a shopper’s Mecca. This is the place to find deals on the national brands. Clothes. Home goods. Books. Gifts. Jewelry. Anything and everything

SHOP MAIN STREETS

In York , stop in at Bell Farm Shops , a shopping destination for home and garden gifts and decor. The Shops at Cape Neddick is a one-stop shopping experience with many shops under one roof.

Spend some time in our downtowns with their quaint shop-lined streets. Ogunquit’s Main Street is a great place to start, then follow Shore Road down to iconic Perkins Cove for even more shopping.

Downtown Kennebunk and Lower Village offer a variety of goods for discerning shoppers. Dock Square in Kennebunkport is a splendid place to shop for souvenirs, gifts, home goods, clothing, and more. Art collectors should spend time in their broad collection of fine art galleries.

In Biddeford and Saco, Main Street is lined with locally run stores offering unique finds and more. Just off the

highway, The Shops at Biddeford Crossing is a three-level plaza filled with an array of national shops.

East and West Grand Ave in Old Orchard Beach and nearby Ocean Park offer various locally owned shops each with a unique assortment of Maine-made gifts, and beach-inspired wares.

ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE

On Route 1, the towns of Wells and Arundel are the place to shop for antiques and vintage items. Whether you’re looking for early American ironwork, nautical brass, primitive, farm pieces, or restyled items, dealers have prowled the coastal byways and back roads of New England, collecting it for their shops. Shop at malls, galleries, and stores representing Maine dealers.

Make plans to be around in June for the Wells Outdoor Antiques Show and Sale or Kennebunk Antiques Show and Sale in August.

BEYOND THE BEACH

The charming village of Cornish , in northwestern York County, is known for its vintage and antique stores, children’s toy store, and herbal apothecary. Recently featured in Down East Magazine, it is rising in popularity with visitors.

Sanford’s Main Street offers a selection of general and bargain shopping, including a Marden’s. Smaller towns across the area are home to local family run shops selling quilting and craft supplies, flowers, gemstones, and pottery.

Dock Square ©VisitMaine.com

Bell Farm Shops

Downtown Biddeford ©CapShore Photography

Spring at Spiritwind Farm

Frinklepond Farm

McDougals Orchard

Kennebunk, ©CapShore Photography

Maine Maple Sunday, ©CapShore Photography

Sanford Farmers’ Market, ©CapShore Photography

FARM -TO-BASKET

Farms, Farm

Stands,

and Farmers’ Markets give visitors the opportunity to eat, shop, and play uber-local.

SEASONAL GOODS

The Maine Beaches is home to a vibrant farm-to-table culture served by local farms and farm stands that have been run by the same family for generations. Whether you are just looking to try some locally grown produce and baked goods, want to spend some time up close with farm animals, or to enjoy a traditional New England Fall experience complete with hay rides and PYO apples and pumpkins, you can find it here.

Frinklepod Farm in Arundel offers an abundance of super fresh organic produce, plants, seedlings, and vegan products. Their Pick-Your-Own rows of flowers allow guests to fill a pitcher with seasonal blooms and greenery to arrange yourself. They also offer a unique Farm Stay experience that can be booked via Airbnb.

In Fall, the kids will love a visit to Zach’s Farm in York Their annual Corn Maze has made top lists in both Maine and New England for years. On certain nights you can even play flashlight tag in the maze. No matter the season visitors will find all kinds of freshly grown produce and flowers to fill their bag.

BEYOND THE BEACH

Three Charm Farm creamery located in Alfred produces small-batch artisanal yogurt and cheeses, which include chèvre and fresh feta, from combining goat and sheep milk. Visitors will find their products at their farm, local markets, and in many restaurant dishes. In Lebanon , Spiritwind Farm is a historic 100-plus-acre working farm with a variety of animals that visitors can interact with and learn about.

In Springvale, McDougal Orchards is a seventh-generation family farm specializing in tree fruit, fall raspberries, and pumpkins available for u-pick and in the farm store, early August through October. Plus, a corn maze, a fairy village and miles of walking trails.

On Maine Maple Sunday, in March, head to the towns around Limerick , Cornish , and Buxton to visit local sugarhouse for samples, demonstrations, and tours.

VISIT THE MARKET

Year-round farmers’ markets are a big part of local food scene. Located in a community’s downtown area, shoppers will find produce, meats, dairy products, baked goods, flowers, and handmade items.

Berwick Winter Farmers’ Market

Berwick Town Hall, Sullivan Street

2nd Sundays, November – April, 10 am – 1 pm

Kennebunk Farmers’ Market

Garden Street Lot, 3 Wells Court Saturdays, May – November, 8 am – 12:30 pm

Kittery Community Market

Post Office Parking Lot, 10 Shapleigh Road Sundays, June – November, 10 am – 2 pm

North Berwick Farmers’ Market Mill Field, Thursdays, June – September, 3 pm – 6 pm

Saco Farmers’ Market

Saco Valley Shopping Center Saturdays, May – October, 8 am – Noon

Sanford Farmers’ Market

Central Park, Saturdays, May – October, 8 am – Noon

South Berwick Farmers’ Market

Central Elementary School, 197 Main Street Mondays, June – September, 3 pm – 6 pm

Wells Farmers’ Market

Wells Library Wednesdays, June – September, 1:30 – 5 pm

York Gateway Farmers’ Market

York Region Chamber Visitor Center, 1 Stonewall Lane

Every Saturday, Memorial Day –Indigenous Peoples’ Day, 9 am – 1 pm

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Downtown Biddeford, ©VisitMaine.com

BIDDEFORD+SACO

Explore bustling and historic downtowns, cultural experiences, abundant outdoor activities, and amusement parks.

TWIN CITIES

The Saco River runs between Biddeford and Saco joining their thriving downtowns filled with locally-owned eateries, craft breweries, shopping, festivals, and a vibrant arts and theater community.

These former mill towns have recently garnered national attention for their amazing burst of entrepreneurial activity and economic development.

ON MAIN STREET

Start your in town experience along the cities’ Nationally Accredited Main Streets to appreciate the historic significance of the community. Take in the revitalized architecture of the brick mill buildings that line the river and are now home to local residences, makers spaces, and businesses.

A hot foodie destination, these two cities are dotted with a variety of restaurants, breweries, and bars. Visitors will find a variety of affordable accommodations or can enjoy a chance to treat themselves at The Lincoln Hotel, an upscale boutique experience located in a former mill.

Stroll along the Riverwalk from Biddeford Downtown to Saco Island . Continue to Saco’s Riverfront Park to take in breathtaking views of the Saco River. View the waterfalls, visit the Biddeford Mills Museum and historical societies. In the evening experience a performance at City Theater in Biddeford— considered one of the most acoustically perfect venues in all of Maine.

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SHOPPING AND AMUSEMENTS

Just outside the city centers, families will discover some of the very best amusement and water parks in the Northeast. Funtown Splashtown USA is Maine’s largest amusement park while Aquaboggan Water Park was the state’s first waterpark and is home to the newly re-opened Saco Drive-In Movie Theater. The area also boasts Maine’s only IMAX movie theater.

Nearby, The Shops at Biddeford Crossing is home to larger retail chains and grocers, and Saco Valley Shopping Center features a local favorite, Renys— a Maine Adventure. Nature lovers will discover many places to hike and bike. During the summer visitors can take a boat out to Wood Island Lighthouse for a tour (and climb too!).

HIT THE BEACHES

Biddeford beaches include Biddeford Pool, a large tidal pool and a two-mile stretch of sandy beach nearby. Fortunes Rocks is the best option for surfing and finding sand dollars, while Hills Beach is a quieter neighborhood beach perfect for privacy seekers.

In Saco, Kinney Shores and Bay View are welcoming and family-friendly, while Camp Ellis and Ferry Beach State Park mark the southern tip of the 7-mile stretch of sandy beaches. Walk out on the Camp Ellis Jetty, paddle a kayak or take a cruise on the Saco River, or sail around Saco Bay

FUN FACT

What is now a park with 50 rides, water slides, pools, and games, Funtown Splashtown USA began in 1960 as a food stand called Marvel Drive-In on US Route 1 in Saco.

WEDDINGS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Inspiring ocean views and welcoming communities combine to create the perfect destination for a perfect event .

Locations throughout The Maine Beaches have made their way onto various top wedding destination lists. Recognized by the likes of the Wedding Wire, US News & World Report, and Forbes, the area is home to scores of unique venues and lots talented professionals who will exceed your expectations so you can relax and enjoy your special day.

Once you select The Maine Beaches for your special event you can choose from a diverse collection of waterfront venues, converted country barns, and charming inns, all dedicated to making your day a success and your guests happy.

The area has also consistently been a favored spot for family gatherings, reunions, and group events. Easy to reach, just an hour from Boston, yet with a laid-back, away-from-it-all feeling, it’s a ready-made locale for everything you could want.

Use your event planning time to imagine what your perfect wedding will be. If the grand ballroom at a historic hotel is not you, maybe go with the manicured lawn at a seaside estate. An outside event allows everyone to enjoy our beautiful coastal vistas and often sublime weather.

You’ll easily find the perfect caterer, beautiful blooms, fairytale cake, and the right music to make it an affair to remember. Before the event, there are lots of ways to keep guests entertained. Venture out in smaller groups, schedule a relaxing beach yoga class, or charter a scenic boat cruise.

When it comes to company retreats or conferences , our area’s impressive setting and easy access to skilled professional services make a meeting planner’s job easy. You will find that the area is filled with modern, well-kept venues and a distinctive collection of lodging and dining options.

After your event is complete, your group can relax and explore the more playful side of The Maine Beaches. Stroll endless miles of sandy beaches or take in a round of golf. Head out onto the water for stand-up paddling, a kayaking adventure, a lighthouse tour or charter deep-sea fishing excursion.

In Maine, a marriage license can be obtained by filing one's intentions at the town municipal office for a $ 40 fee. There is no waiting period so the license may be used immediately or within 90 days from the date the intentions were filed.

BE ENTERTAINED

ARTISTS NOTE

Beginning around 1898,every summer Ogunquit saw the arrival of “artist types” seeking a sense of camaraderie and the creative spirit. Among them were Edward Hopper, Marsden Hartley, George Bellows, Robert Henri, John Joseph Enneking, and Emil Carlsen. Today their art inspired by the area is on view at the Oqunquit Museum of American Art

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A lively cultural scene that will enlighten, entertain, and enliven your vacation.

LIVE PERFORMANCE

Take a seat at America’s Foremost Summer Theatre, the Ogunquit Playhouse, which started its life as a renovated garage in the town’s square in 1933. The historic Leavitt Theatre in Ogunquit is home to first-run movies, silent films accompanied by a piano player, comedy shows, and live music. Enjoy the cool ocean breezes in the casual setting of Old Orchard Beach’s Seaside Pavilion , or the Wells Summer Concert Series at Hope Hobbs Gazebo

Vinegar Hill Music Theatre in Arundel , is a charming venue in a historic barn bringing local and national talent for performances throughout the year. In Sanford , visitors can enjoy a community theater performance at Nasson Little Theater and Sanford Performing Arts Center. Embrace the Maine tradition of summer stock theater at Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick

GALLERIES BIG AND SMALL

Visitors are welcome, May through October, at the only museum in Maine devoted exclusively to the exhibition, preservation, and interpretation of American Art, the Ogunquit Museum of Art . Make a visit to the bright red Barn Gallery on the edge of Perkins Cove, showcasing local painters, photographers, sculptors, and others.

Numerous galleries and arts organizations present art walks, exhibitions, and workshops by local artists and craftspeople. Local craft and art shows feature handmade wares in traditional, contemporary, and country styles and original artwork in various media and formats.

WE’RE HISTORIC

Discover the roots of the nation’s naval heritage at the Kittery Historical & Naval Museum or step into the past at the Brick Store Museum focusing on the local history, art and cultures of the Kennebunks . Catch up on more recent American history as you tour The George H.W. Bush Hometown Collection at White Columns in Kennebunkport

Reminders of Maine’s hard-working industrial past are seen in the buildings of the Biddeford Saco Mills Historic District and rural villages such as the Alfred Historic District . Each shows the way our communities are connected to the successive generations of the story of Maine.

Everyone can get on board during a visit to Kennebunkport’s Seashore Trolley Museum , whose collection speaks to the nation’s epic technological leaps forward in public transportation. Marvel at over fifty classic cars ranging from 1913 to 1990s, exhibits of rare automotive curiosities and automobilia at the Maine Classic Car Museum on US Route 1 in Arundel.

Ogunquit Playhouse, My Best Friend’s Wedding, ©Nile Scott Studios

Ogunquit Museum of American Art

Maine Car Museum

Mills on Saco River

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

Get ready to discover why we are known by generations of vacationers as Maine’s Premier Beach Resort .

CENTURIES OF FUN

For nearly 200 years, tourists and summer folk have headed to Old Orchard Beach for all it offers. Many of the same attractions that drew visitors decades ago continue to attract eager new travelers to this vibrant and lively beachside town with its seven-mile stretch of sandy beach and the iconic Old Orchard Beach Pier at the center of it all.

Old Orchard Beach’s Palace Playland, which first opened in the early 1900s continues to delight visitors of all ages. The only one of its kind in all of New England park-goers can enjoy rides ranging from a classic hand-painted carousel and Ferris Wheel to thrill rides with names like Sea Viper and Kraken.

Visitors will enjoy spending time on the pier, dining at restaurants boasting “the best” Maine seafood meals or stands offering classic summer foods including the famous Pier French Fries .

Just steps from the pier and beach are a variety of local shops offering beach decor, souvenirs, surf gear, taffy, fudge, sundries, and unique local crafts.

24-7 EXCITEMENT

Crank up the volume with a weekly— sometimes twice weekly—fireworks display, Enjoy concerts at the OOB Baseball Park and the Seaside Pavilion , one of New England’s largest car shows, or the Beach Olympics benefiting Special Olympics Maine.

OOB Pier at Sunset

AND MORE...

There are a plethora of fantastic reasons to pack your bags, make lodging or camping reservations, and set our lively seacoast town as your vacation destination.

Bike along the Eastern Trail, part of a trail system that runs from Key West, Florida to Fort Kent, Maine. Surf our long flat beaches, play a round of golf—regular or mini, or charter a deep-sea fishing trip. OOB’s virtually endless list of annual and seasonal events should all be on your vacation to-do list.

BEACH TO THE BEACH

For many who make the trip here, it is all about our seven glorious miles of glistening beach and tumbling ocean surf, dotted with brightly colored umbrellas and sandcastles. Sit back and watch tide roll in and out while embracing the opportunity to take in the sunrise and sunset.

Head to the Camp Ellis Jetty a great place to fish or capture photos of the entire Saco Bay area. Take the kids to Dickinson’s Candy Factory where they can choose from what seems an endless selection of pure candy indulgence.

What more could visitors ask for in a beachfront vacation?

MAKE A PLAN

If an Old Orchard Beach vacation has been a part of your family’s annual tradition, we are pleased to welcome you back and hope that you once again enjoy your stay!

If you are considering exploring our area for the first time, we invite you to relax and immerse yourself in the classic summertime experience that the Old Orchard Beach area has on offer.

Scan to start planning your next vacation!

No visit to Old Orchard Beach would be complete without a stop at this longtime outdoor counter-serve eatery featuring French fried potatoes, hot dogs, fried dough, and Poutine. Ask anyone who knows, these are the best fries you’ll ever have on vacation!

Long Sands Beach, York

PIER FRENCH FRIES

Marginal Way

Annual Lobster Dip

New Years Day

Old Orchard Beach

Biddeford WinterFest

January 31 – February 2

Downtown Biddeford

Paint the Town Red

All February long

The Kennebunks

Biddeford Saco Restaurant Week

March 16 – 23, Biddeford Saco

Maine Maple Sunday

4th Weekend in March Region-wide

Mary’s Walk

April 13, Downtown Saco

May Day

May 3, Kennebunk

Memorial Day Parades

May 26, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport

Ogunquit Pride

June 6 – 8, Ogunquit

Lobster Rock in OOB

June 9, Old Orchard Beach

BonAire!

A Celebration of Ogunquit

June 14, Ogunquit

Pride in the Bunks

June 14, The Kennebunks

La Kermesse, Franco-American Festival

June 21 – 24, Biddeford

Maine Made Crafts Show

June 21 – 22, Wells

Saco Main Street Arts Festival

June 21, Saco

4th of July Parade and Fireworks

July 3, Sanford

Fireworks Display

July 4, Ogunquit

Fireworks Display

July 4, The Kennebunks

July 4th Parade, Concert & Fireworks

July 4, Old Orchard Beach

Fireworks Display

July 6, York

Waterboro Old Home Days

July 12 – 13, Waterboro

Summer Solstice Craft Show

July 12 – 13, Wells

Native American Pow Wow

July 19 – 20, Wells

York Days

July 24 – August 2

York

Christmas in July Nubble Lighting

July 26, Cape Neddick

Classic Car Show on Main

July 19, Saco

Harbor-Fest

July 26, Wells

EVENT -FILLED

We roll out the red carpet for visitors with a wide array of year-round events to tantalize the senses and delight.

No matter when you choose to visit The Maine Beaches , there is likely to be an event going on. Some visitors plan their annual vacations to coincide with their favorite Maine Beaches event. Those presented here are just a portion of what’s happening in the region from community days and fundraisers for great causes to events that celebrate the cultural heritage of residents and those that are simply fun ways to celebrate.

Annual Illumination Night

August 4, Ocean Park

Ogunquit Art Association

Art Auction

August 1, Barn Gallery, Ogunquit

Maine Made Crafts Show

August 9 – 10, Wells

Camp Ellis Harborfest

August 9 – 10, Camp Ellis

Heart of Biddeford Fringefest and Riverjam

August 15 – 16, Biddeford

Annual Beach Olympics to benefit Special Olympics

August 14 – 16, Old Orchard Beach

Annual Breakaway 5K Race

August 18, Old Orchard Beach

Chili-Fest

August 23, Wells

Summer Solstice Craft Show

September 6 – 7, Wells

Capriccio Music Festival

September 7, Ogunquit

Annual OOB Jeepfest

September 8, Old Orchard Beach

Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival

September 8 – 9, Wells

Capriccio Kite Festival

September 13, Ogunquit

Annual Car Show

September 12 – 13

Old Orchard Beach

Heart of Biddeford Oktoberfest

September 27, Biddeford

League of Maine Craft Show

October 11 – 12, Wells

Harvest Chill Fall Festival at Vinegar Hill

October 13, Arundel

Pumpkin Harvest Festival

October 18, Saco

York Harvestfest & Kidsfest

October 18, York

OgunquitFest

October 24 – 26, Ogunquit

Turn the page for Holiday Events.

Scan to start planning your next vacation!

HOLIDAY FUN

In the towns of The Maine Beaches

Veterans Day 5 K

November 8, Wells

League of Maine Craft Show

November 8 – 9, Wells

Saco Main Street Market

November 23, Saco

Lighting of the Nubble

November 28, Cape Neddick

Pajama Shopping Day—

Small Business Saturday November 29, The Kennebunks

Heart of Biddeford Holiday Stroll

November 29, Biddeford

Saco Bucks Saturday: Shop local, Shop Saco, November 29, Saco

SEASONAL EVENTS

Sanford Mainers Baseball

June through July, Sanford

Kennebunk Summer Concert Series

Wednesdays: June through August

Wells Summer Concert Series

Saturdays: June through August

Christmas Prelude

December 4 – 14, The Kennebunks

Saco Main Street Tree lighting December 5, Saco

Heart of Biddeford

Merry & Bright

December 6, Biddeford

Festival of Lights Parade

December 7, York

Celebration by the Sea

December 6, Old Orchard Beach

Christmas by the Sea

December 12 – 14, Ogunquit

Holiday Festival and Parade of Lights

December 13, Saco

Wells Christmas Parade

December 14, Wells

Ellis Park Concert Series

July through September, York

Maine Attraction Waterski Show

July through September, Sanford

Scan to start planning your next vacation!

Chambers of Commerce throughout the The Maine Beaches and the Maine Visitor Center at Kittery are other great resources for information on events.

York Region Chamber of Commerce

One Stonewall Lane, York GatewaytoMaine.org

Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce

20 Shore Road, Ogunquit Ogunquit.org

Wells Chamber of Commerce

136 Post Road, Wells WellsChamber.org

Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce

510 Main Street, Springvale SanfordMaineChamber.org

Kennebunk-KennebunkportArundel Chamber of Commerce

16 Water Street, Kennebunk GoKennebunks.com

Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce+Industry

28 Water Street, Suite 1, Biddeford BiddefordSacoChamber.org

Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce

11 First Street, OOB OldOrchardBeachMaine.com

State of Maine Visitor Information Center

Maine Turnpike/I-95 and US Route 1, Kittery Call: 1- 888 - 624- 6345

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Old Orchard Beach

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West Grand Market (207) 934-4949

Sea View Inn (207) 934-4180

Ocean House Inn (207) 934-2847

Kebek 3 Motel (207) 934-5253

Gull Inn (207) 934-4321

The Edgewater (207) 934-2221

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Kennebunkport

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Seacastles Resort (207) 646-6055

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Splash Bar & Grill (207) 646-2525

Wells

Lafayette’s Oceanfront Resort (207) 646-2831

Forbes Seafood Restaurant (207) 646-7620