Old Orchard Beach, ME Road Trips

Visit in June, Late August or Early September. Avoid the holiday weekends, You will not regret missing the crowds. The water is also warmer in the late season. Old Orchard Beach has an incredible past, dating back to 1653. Its first settler, Thomas Rogers established "Garden by the Sea" in 1657. The "old" apple orchard from which the town got its name Old Orchard Beach, was a landmark to sailors for many years, it was on high land above the long sand beach. The owner of the orchard saw the potential for a summer resort and built the first Old Orchard Beach boarding house. That was just the beginning. As more people found leisure time, and wanted to escape the rat race pace of big city life, they looked to Maine, and specifically to Old Orchard Beach. Accommodations and attractions of all sorts were built to bring in the tourists. Stores, amusement parks, a racetrack and various other attractions were built to attract the masses, which came to include entertainers like Duke Ellington, Guy Lombardo and public figures like Charles Lindbergh and wealthy families like the Fitzgerald's and the Kennedy's. The town has preserved some of the town's history, a conscious effort to revitalize the downtown area and its immediate surrounding Historic District buildings such as the Thomas L. Cleaves Home (now the Atlantic Birches Inn Bed and Breakfast) was built in 1902 by renowned architect John Calvin Stevens.

The Arcade, Main street. The Ferris Wheel.

Go to the beach. If it's crowded, head north. Early morning beach fishing is great. Between Old Orchard and Ocean Park there is a dog friendly beach. Pick up all of your trash, especially cigarette butts. Protect the beach! Do not go into the Dunes. They have a tough enough time with the construction. They are a last stand at a habitat for the local wildlife. Go Surfing! Winter storms? Zero degree weather? Hit the surf, or go for the Lobster Dip for charity Jan 1. Bring your bike and take a ride up Portland Ave, Ross Road, Rte 9. or head up Cascade Ave and check out the woods and the waterfall. If you do bring a car take a through Cape Elizabeth. Check out the lighthouses and stop to pick strawberries on your way back. 1 Palace Playland, 1 Old Orchard St, ☏ +1 207-934-2001. (updated Jun 2021) Fireworks. The giant fireworks show at night on Thursday nights at 9:45PM starting after the Fourth of July. Also, there is a giant fireworks show at 9:45PM on the Fourth. Scarborough Marsh. Take a canoe ride or go clamming. 2 Ferry Beach State Park.

The Old Orchard Pier is famous for its awesome beach but not so much for its cuisine. If you want a great sit down dinner head to Portland for the night. There are a few decent restaurants near the beach but they're generally overpriced and overrated. The Fruit Stand across from Coastal Convenience offers lobster and clams at super reasonable prices (and they will steam them for you). They have the best produce in town and the friendliest help. So if you're looking for a lobster dinner, pick up a few, boil up some potatoes and corn cobs and head to the beach. Cooking up your own clams is also a great way to have a reasonably priced dinner. Stop by town hall and ask about clamming in the area. Rocco's Pizza. Rocco's isn't the oldest pizza joint but definitely the best. Freshest Dough on the Beach, New Yorkish Style. Stop by and say ciao to Rocco and be sure to pick up a cannoli. Bayley's Seafood (Scarborough). Best seafood in the area, if you ask sometimes the trolley will take you there or you can hop the Portland Bus. It's easy enough to get to on bikes, take a drive by the marsh and stop by Dairy Corner on your way back into town. Ken's is also ok, better for families, reasonable and spacious. Dairy Corner (Scarborough). Best soft serve in Maine, possibly all of New England. The mint chip is also amazing! Bua Thai. Great Thai place; portions are on the small side but super fresh Lisa's Pizza. For when Rocco isn't around, they're in town and open most of the time. David's Sub Shop.

You will find no shortage of bars located out on the pier. Remember that you can't drink on the beach. The seasonal officers patrol the beach looking for open containers.

Do not wait to book a room until you get here, unless it is the off season. Atlantic Birches Inn, 20 Portland Ave, ☏ +1 207 934-5295, toll-free: +1-888-934-5295. Bed and Breakfast. The Victorian Main House built in 1902 by John Calvin Stevens during the beaches heyday, and the 1920s bungalow called The Cottage. Open year round. Shaded front porches. Edgewater Inn, 57 West Grand Ave, ☏ +1 207 934-2221, toll-free: +1-800-203-2034, fax: +1 207 934-3731. Great rates, open year round and has a fantastic furnished deck for daytime sun and evening relaxing. Friendship Oceanfront Suites, 167 E Grand Ave, toll-free: +1 800-969-7100. Ocean Walk Hotel, 197 East Grand Ave, ☏ +1 207 934-1716. Royal Anchor Resort, 203 E Grand Ave, ☏ +1 207 934-4521.

1 Old Orchard Beach station, 11 First Street. Service to this station is seasonal. (updated Sep 2019) Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. (updated Mar 2022) Route stopping at Old Orchard Beach: Downeaster operating five or six trains in each direction daily between Brunswick and Boston with stops Freeport, Portland, Old Orchard Beach (seasonal), Saco, Wells, Dover, Durham, Exeter, Haverhill, and Woburn. Fare is $6 from Portland

Summer Trolley is $1. Buses to Saco and Biddeford all year $1.25. Motorcycles are popular, but walking is best in and around town. Leave your car at home as the train stops right in OOB. It's a little bit pricier than the cost of a gas ride up from lower New England but the money you save getting around on foot and on the bus will make up for it. not to mention you'll be doing the beach a favor by not adding to the pollution.