The Bustling Boardwalk of Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Just south of Portland, Maine and right alongside the coast lies Old Orchard Beach—a roughly three-hour drive from the Lincoln School. It is a sandy beach, but it’s also so much more. Think bustling main street, plus all-you-can-eat fried food, plus old-timey pier packed with restaurants and arcades. Here, you can play blacklight mini-golf and as many rounds of the claw game as you have quarters in your pocket. Followed by fried haddock, pier fries, ice cream, and if you’re brave—or asking for trouble—a thrilling turn on a spinning carnival ride. We could hear the kids scream from the sand!
Palace Playland at Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
Carnival rides, food and clothing vendors at Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
While Old Orchard Beach is quaint and cute and “different” from much (most) of the rest of Maine, and definitely worth a visit, there are a few things to know upfront that will make your stay, however long it is, more enjoyable.
Whisky the Vizsla at one of the few dog-friendly spots in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
First, parking is limited near the pier. Go on a weekday if you can, and if you have the money, pay the $20 to park all day in George’s Parking or one of the other paid lots in the area. It makes it super easy to access the beach, the amusements, and everything else on foot. Of course, if you’re staying close to the water, you may be able to walk straight from your rental. We stayed at Old Orchard Beach Campground (10/10 for cleanliness, amenities, etc.) and saw there’s a trolley stop right outside the campground that will take you to the pier if you don’t have a dog traveling with you. Alas, we had a dog. Alternatively, places to rent small electric vehicles like trikes abound—so if you don’t have a car but don’t want to take the trolley, you can explore that funky transit option as well.
Speaking of dogs: Old Orchard Beach is not particularly dog friendly. In fact, dogs aren’t allowed on the pier or even the sandy beach, period. (The beach!!) We did find a restaurant down a side street with a dog-friendly patio, great live music, and an even better happy hour, however, so not all was lost.
As for shopping, go in with the right expectations and you won’t be disappointed. It’s more discount beachwear and hermit crabs (yes, really) than made-in-Maine goods, but that’s handy when you realize you’ve forgotten your sunscreen or beach towel or you see all the other cool kids on their boogie boards and want one, too. We avoided the cheap wares and splurged on margaritas instead, but to each their own!
Whatever you spend your day doing here—shopping, sun-bathing, eating, going on the ferris wheel until you’re dizzy—it’s sure to be a fun, albeit crowded, time. Like Majorca or Myrtle Beach or Clearwater, Florida (or even Coney Island with better weather!), it’s Spring Break all summer at Old Orchard. For more solitude, try Jasper Beach in Machiasport.
