Town of York, Maine

A quintessential example of Maine’s “Vacationland” moniker, York is just a short drive up I95 once you cross over the imposing arc of the Piscataqua River Bridge. When discussing this seaside resort gem, it’s hard to decide which appealing features to address first—being Maine’s second-largest town, York has more than enough attractions, as well as dining and lodging options, to satisfy every preference and palette.

Exploring York Maine

Let’s start with attractions—because as soon as you reach the end of the off-ramp at Route 1, you’ll be facing the world-famous Stonewall Kitchen corporate headquarters. Plan to spend at least an hour here—the company store alone is a tourist attraction, and after all that shopping, their café awaits to treat your taste buds to an array of garden-fresh and just-out-of-the-oven offerings. Check out their award-winning cooking classes, too—a great idea for a group outing, or pick up a gift certificate for the foodie in your life.

Route 1 is also where you’ll find any mainstream retail/health needs while you’re in town; groceries, pharmacies, gas, hardware, and the York Walk-in Center are all located along this road. Continuing north along Rt. 1 from Stonewall, you’ll come to the main entrance to York’s Wild Kingdom. A local institution since 1945, this seasonal hotspot features both an old-school amusement park and a surprisingly expansive zoo, home to all manner of well-cared-for animals from all over the world. There is a back entrance to the park, as well—more suited to pedestrian traffic from both the Long and Short Sands recreation areas (parking there is limited).

Waterfront

Long Sands Beach is a 1.5-mile swath of mostly-sandy beach—although, be warned: Like many Maine beaches, much of this is swallowed by the high tide. Keep your eye on the waterline, as you may have to retreat to higher ground. There are public restrooms, lifeguards, and paid parking (all seasonal) available, as well as a few restaurants, take-out options, and lodging. Long Sands is located on Route 1A between the hamlets of York Harbor and York Beach (this entire area is also known as Cape Neddick, a census-designated place), two villages within York that feature their own impressive list of attractions; the latter is home to Short Sands Beach.

While Long Sands is better suited for more of a stay-put-and-finish-that-book type of day at the beach, Short Sands is the perfect spot for active families—when the kids get bored doing the beach thing, parents have an arsenal of whine-stopping options. The sandy-bottomed playground is within sight of the beach (as are the well-tended public bathrooms), just across the broad, concrete boardwalk. The historic Fun-O-Rama arcade’s siren song of beeps, bells, happy shrieks, and iconic video game theme music is a constant background melody of cheerful chaos, a familiar sound to the faithful beachgoers that return to this spot, year after year. And just a block away is the iconic Goldenrod café and candy shop, where children and adults alike have been pressing their noses to the glass to watch the antique saltwater taffy machine at work since 1896.

If you stand facing the ocean on the short (hence, its name) stretch of beach here, you can’t help but notice the two promontories of land that swing out to the sea on both sides. On your left, just beyond the Fun-O-Rama, you will see the Union Bluff Hotel, where you can wake up to the sounds of the crashing waves, and enjoy a spectacular meal at either of their restaurants. To the right, you’ll notice large, beautiful homes promenading up the rocky slope that extends eastward and around the corner; take a drive through these narrow streets, and keep heading east—you’ll wind up at Sohier Park, home to the world-famous Nubble Light, perched atop a diminutive island just offshore. While the lighthouse is not open to visitors, fear not—the view is spectacular enough from any of the 60 parking spots or scattered benches in the park. And if all that sea air gets you hankerin’ for some local grub, Fox’s Lobster House will scratch that itch with their delicious seafood—a favorite to tourists and locals alike since 1966.

While not an oceanfront attraction, Mount Agamenticus—less than 20 minutes inland from Nubble—still has panoramic views of the sea…as well as of Mount Washington and Boston, on a clear day. Drive or make the ~1.5-mile hike up this former ski area—now a protected conservation area—and bring a picnic lunch to enjoy while soaking in the breathtaking vista.

Accomodations

One of southern Maine’s most popular vacation towns, York has all manner of hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, and resorts on offer. One of the two higher-end options is the Cliff House—and its name aptly describes its location. This sprawling, clifftop, stunningly beautiful property includes various lodging options, a world-class spa, several restaurants, a theater, and an outdoor infinity pool and jacuzzi, all overlooking the Atlantic Ocean; the experience of sitting on your private balcony, watching the sun peek over the horizon while sipping your morning coffee, is beyond compare. And whether for a large-scale special event or a milestone birthday or anniversary, the Viewpoint Hotel, overlooking Sohier Park, Nubble Light, and the open ocean, will take any experience to the next level.

There are also less exclusive—but no less clean, comfortable, and welcoming—lodging options in the area, such as The Anchorage, right on Long Sands Beach, or The Stage Neck Inn and The York Harbor Inn, both snuggled away in York Harbor—where you’ll be surrounded by New England seaside charm at its best.

While some dining options have already been touched on here—and there are too many to mention in one writeup—there are a few more that bear mentioning. Mimmo’s, a tiny, BYOB, oceanfront Italian eatery overlooking the southern end of Long Sands, has been a seasonal favorite for almost 40 years. Walkers Maine, a ten-minute drive inland at the intersection of 1A and Route 1, offers a spectacular menu featuring local ingredients and flavors with a creative flair.

With a stockpile of attractions, lodging, and dining for visitors and residents of all ages and interests, York is easy to get to…and hard to leave.

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