Town of Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Gone are the days when tourists could pay $1.50 to stay at a local farm for an oceanside retreat. Even so, not much has changed to alter Old Orchard Beach’s appeal. The seven-mile stretch of bucolic white sand between Saco and Scarborough in southern Maine has drawn travelers for centuries. Old Orchard Beach, or OOB as it is affectionately known, retains all the elements for classic summer fun – sand, sun, an amusement park, and a welcoming family atmosphere. The fries are great too. Come for the excitement, stay for a rest in this hospitable town.

Classic Family Fun

The ferris wheel says it all. Reminiscent of Coney Island’s seaside carnival scene, the focal point of this New England town beckons thrill-seekers from afar to join the fun all summer. Palace Playland, the only seaside amusement park remaining in the U.S., offers brightly lit coasters, midway games, and the largest arcade in Maine. They host a fireworks show every Thursday night. Adjacent is The Pier, a colorful commercial boardwalk extending approximately 500 feet into the Atlantic. Once over a third of a mile long, the historical structure slowly succumbed to storms, fires, and harsh elements before being rebuilt in 1980. Now it hums with life amidst snack shops, souvenir outlets, and live entertainment halls. Rent the Landing, the endpoint of the jetty, for a matchless (pierless?) summer event venue.

Eventually the sugar and adrenaline rush of the bustling retail strip will wear off. Then it’s time to claim a patch of sand next to the undemanding ocean. Dogs are allowed on the beach before 10 a.m. all season, and it’s best to find a spot early in the day if you want prime real estate. The family-centered beach prohibits alcohol and smoking and encourages simply basking in the sun. Ocean Park, also a dry community on the southern end of the beach, welcomes vacationers seeking a little respite from the crowds. The historic retreat and game preserve is studded with cottages and walking trails throughout the cathedral pines as well as the Free Baptist Tabernacle known as “The Temple” – the only octagonal church in Maine.

Do you want fries with that?

There’s something about the beach that whets your appetite. It could be the salt air — or perhaps it’s the tempting aroma of fried dough wafting down from The Pier. From pizza and ice cream to fresh lobster and locally grown produce, there are a plethora of choices within walking distance of the white sand. Beach Bagels offers a great selection of fresh breakfast and lunch items. Visit Big Daddy’s for a lobster roll or the whole crustacean. It’s hard to beat their local and seasonally fresh menu. Joseph’s by the Sea offers the finest dining and unrivaled ambiance from their rooftop overlooking the beach. Iconic among them all is Pier Fries, serving Maine spuds crisped to perfection. You can also get poutine as an affectionate tribute to the significant French Canadian tourist sector. (“Squeaky cheese” is surprisingly difficult to get anywhere south of the Quebec border, so it’s worth a taste on novelty alone.)

Grab the requisite souvenir from any of the dozens of mom and pop shops, or go for an upscale boutique keepsake. Craftology is a great choice to find a hidden gem of a memento, well-made pottery, or cheeky wooden sign. Based on the number of OOB sweatshirts that seem to exist in the world, these might be required purchases as well! You’ll have plenty to choose from.

Sleeping options are abundant between Memorial and Labor Days. Multitudes of hotels, rentals, and B&Bs clamor for a spot along the shore, but space and solitude are easily found not far away. At the Grand Victorian, you can rent a condominium situated directly across from The Pier. A stay includes parking (a commodity near the beach), access to their heated indoor pool, and soundproof doors to keep the hum of The Pier at bay. You can go all out and rent an entire luxurious five-bedroom beachside home with its own elevator, where you can watch the carnival activity from your own quiet porch! Or leave the crowds on the boardwalk entirely. Wild Acres provides a place to park your RV or pitch a tent in the pristine forest a few miles away from the hustle and bustle. Shuttle service to The Pier is available in season, but they also have zip lines, a BMX track, pools and hot tubs, and lots of trails for adventuring in the rugged landscape that makes New England naturally enticing.

What the seasoned visitor knows

Most tourists come for the excitement along the boardwalk. But those who want more than the necessary toe in the chilly Atlantic – and their fill of fair food – can find a wealth of activities beyond the lights of the main strip. Dunegrass is a premier golf club with stunning visual appeal. Even off-season you can step into their golf simulators to practice your game. Bike or walk the Eastern Trail – 22 off-road miles from Bug Light in South Portland to Kennebunk. It’s a dreamy shore path to wander at dusk under the full summer moon.
To avoid the crush of humanity, visit in May or September. You’ll have the whole vista to yourself if you’re willing to brave the brisk sea breeze. But then, the annual sand sculpture contest is a treat to those who linger after the well-attended light shows on the 4th of July – at least until the tide comes in. For those who return, it always does. At Old Orchard Beach, old-fashioned fun never goes out of style.

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