Travel + Discover Old Orchard Beach: Maine Vacation Guide

Perhaps no other place in Maine embraces a summer beach day better than Old Orchard Beach. Set on 7 miles of a rare but stunning sandy stretch, OOB is the place to be at peak season.

The salty breeze swirls with nostalgia, and the occasional whiff of Pier fries and fried dough lingers in the air. Echoes of kids shouting with glee on carnival rides draw a smile while soft waves touch the tidal line.

While this cherished seaside town is known as much for summer sun as Canadian visitors, there’s more to explore in every season. Plus, it’s the only beachside amusement park in New England.

How Old Orchard Beach Became the Fun-Loving Spot It Is Today

Old Orchard Beach has been drawing visitors for centuries, starting with early European settlers in the 1600s. The name comes from an old apple orchard that once stood here.

By the 1800s, it had turned into a full-blown seaside escape, with grand hotels and a lively boardwalk. The pier, first built in 1898, has seen its fair share of storms and rebuilds. In the early 1900s, amusement parks and train access made it a summer hotspot.

While Bar Harbor attracted the prestigious families of the Gilded Age and Kennebunkport attracted wealthy sea captains and elite summer residents, Old Orchard Beach drew a different crowd.

This is where families, daytrippers, and Canadians came for a laid-back beach experience – a tradition that continues today.

Where Is Old Orchard Beach?

Old Orchard Beach sits at the northern end of the Southern Maine Coast region, within driving distance for a day trip from many nearby cities.

Distance to Old Orchard Beach from…

• Boston: 98 miles north | 1:40 drive time
• Portland: 20 miles south | 25 minutes drive time
• Bangor: 149 miles south | 2:15 drive time
• Acadia National Park: 189 miles | 3:10 drive time

Old Orchard Beach is located between the Saco/Biddeford area and Scarborough. It’s an easy drive on I-95 (Maine Turnpike) or a Route 1 road trip.

Wait! There Are Sandy Beaches in Maine!?

In a state known for its rugged, cliff-sprinkled coastline, places like OOB stand out for their long stretch of sandy beaches. You can thank the Ice Age glacier movement for dropping sand and sediment here.

Old Orchard Beach sits in a more sheltered spot on Saco Bay, allowing the sand to stay put rather than washing away. It’s one of the few true sandy beach destinations in the state.

Lucky for visitors, town planners seized the moment to create the amusement park vibe mixed with expansive views of the beach. In fact, the few changes that occurred in OOB over the decades were due to other natural forces, such as storms and fire.

Geting the Lay of Old Orchard Beach

You can’t really compare Old Orchard Beach to places like the Jersey Shore or South Carolina’s Family Kingdom. Let’s look at the footprint to get your bearings straight.

While the beach is 7 miles long, don’t expect amenities and attractions to line the entire span. The bulk of activity is in the three blocks north, south, and west of the pier. Beyond that, hotels and rentals line the shoreline and sidewalk.

The full expanse of the beach is open to the public, but as you approach the street, stay off private property.

As you move inland through the city limits to the west, most of that space is wooded campgrounds, other types of rentals, residential neighborhoods, and a couple of golf courses until you reach the Eastern Trail.

Spend a Laid-Back or Action-Packed Day at Old Orchard Beach

As we take a look at places to visit and activities in OOB, assume the activity is seasonal unless otherwise noted. When in doubt, check ahead before you go – hours and availability can shift with the tide!

Old Orchard Beach Pier

The iconic Old Orchard Beach Pier stretches out 500 feet over the water. That’s a lot shorter than the original that opened in 1898, but given how many times it has been rebuilt due to fire or storms, it’s amazing it’s still there at all!

Enjoy the shops, arcade, and food shacks along the walk. Several restaurants and a nightclub take over the end of the pier. The pier is open seasonally from mid-May through mid-October.

Palace Playland

Five acres of beachfront fun are waiting for families at Palace Playland. Carnival games, Maine’s largest arcade, and nearly 30 rides of all thrill levels make this one of the best places for kids of all ages.

They’ve even made access to all the attractions easier with a streamlined card system, whether you want to do games, rides, or the arcade. New for 2025, check out the rides Nitro Speed and Wind Surfer.

The arcade and rides open on different timelines, so check the website before planning a trip.

Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf

Two, 18-hole mini-golf courses await at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, just a few blocks south of Palace Playland. Try first thing in the morning or during dinner time to avoid the crowds. You’ll love the unique layout, with water features and caves among pirate-themed photo ops.

Dunegrass Golf Club

Drop the “mini” and meet at one of the most popular golf spots in Southern Maine. Dunegrass Golf Club offers 18 holes (par 72) on 300 acres of wooded grounds, plus a visitor center with golf simulation games open year-round.

Harmon Museum

You might not even realize how much history there is in Old Orchard Beach, which is why the historical society’s Harmon Museum is worth a pit stop. See pictures from the pier’s heyday when stars such as a young Frank Sinatra took the stage at the 5,000+ person casino and showroom.

While we don’t want to spoil all the fun, you’ll also learn about the unique aviation history that includes stops at the beach.

Funtown Splashtown

Just across the OOB town line is Saco’s Funtown Splashtown USA, essentially offering two parks in one. Funtown is an amusement park with rides for kids and adults, including the popular new Whispering Pines Haunted Hotel Dark Ride.

Splashtown is a waterpark with 10 water features – from steep slides to tube-riding twisting routes that land in a big pool. The smallest kids will love the lagoon, which has a watery playground.

Aquaboggan Water Park

Just a short distance on Route 1 is yet another waterpark. Slide or tube down the chutes, but don’t miss the wave pool action when the buzzer sounds at Aquaboggan Water Park. Then, dry off while playing a round of mini-golf.

Saco Drive-In

The recently relocated (from across the street) Saco Drive-In is one of the few remaining old-school outdoor movie spots in Maine. Movies start around 7:15 p.m., with plenty of time to grab a snack or drink. Dogs are also welcome!

Come for the Beach, Stay for the Food

Most of the places to eat in OOB are near the intersection of Grand Avenue and Old Orchard Street. It’s a great spot to wander when you’re hungry because everything’s just a short stroll away!

Big Daddy’s

A local favorite, Big Daddy’s breaks away from carnival food to feature traditional Maine dishes for dinner. The tight quarters inside are ideal for smaller groups. It’s also a great place for parents to escape while kids are playing in the arcade.

Pier French Fries

If you don’t get anything from Pier French Fries, did you even go to Old Orchard Beach? This restaurant has window service right on the street with a simple menu – Pier fries, hot dogs, and drinks. Order fries by the cup, pint, or box. Just don’t let the seagulls get a good look at your stash.

How will you take your Pier fries? Salt and vinegar? With nacho cheese? Poutine style with cheddar curds and gravy? You could try them all!

Bull & Brew Wing House

If y’all want to bring your friends in low places out for a night of country, then Bull & Brew Wing House is the two-steppin’ stop of OOB.

Touted as the “Only Country Bar in Old Orchard Beach,” (which, tbh, isn’t that much of a stretch), you can get nacho platters, Texas-sized burgers, flatbreads, or wings mixed with some creative cocktails, and a list of beers. How’s your cornhole game?

Hooligan’s Steak and Ale

Head to the pier for a night of steaks and cold drinks at Hooligan’s Steak and Ale before heading over to the nightclub. If you’ve ever wondered what a mix of Irish and New England seaside looks like, you’ll find it here.

Joseph’s by the Sea

When you’ve had enough food shacks, snacks, and fried Twinkies, book a spot at Joseph’s by the Sea.

With ocean views and an outdoor deck during the warmer months, enjoy lunch or dinner with the finest dining you’ll find in OOB. Plus, there’s a kid’s menu, but if you want to take a romantic date night, we won’t tell them if you don’t.

The Big Kahuna

In a state known for epic food from roadside shacks, The Big Kahuna is ready to up the ante as one of the newest restaurants in OOB.

While fan favorites like lobster rolls and chowder are on the menu, so are interesting portions like potstickers, smashburgers, and steak tips. If you’ve really worked up an appetite, check out the seafood platters.

A Few Friendly Tips to Make Your OOB Trip Even Better

If you’re heading to OOB and want to make the most of your time, a few simple tips can go a long way. Here are five things to know when visiting Old Orchard Beach…

1. Know When to “Go”

Public restrooms aren’t widely available along the 7-mile stretch of beach. If you’re grabbing a meal or purchasing something at a store, use the restroom every chance you get.

This is especially important to remember if you plan to pitch your beach towel far away from the Pier, where more public restrooms are located.

2. Grab a Beach Spot Early

Visiting during peak season? Get to the beach by 9 a.m., and grab the spot in the sand where you’ll spend the day. Picking a place close to the Pier means larger crowds as the day goes on.

But look for the high water mark, and don’t put your stuff below it unless you want to be waterlogged when the tide comes in.

3.  Know the Dog Rules

Whether you’re bringing a dog or would rather avoid them, dogs can be on the beach – leashed or under voice control – before 9 a.m. After 5 p.m., dogs are allowed on a leash until dusk. Those are the rules from mid-May through Labor Day.

Otherwise, the law requires dogs to be under voice or leash control at all times. Leashes can’t be longer than 12 feet. Pick up after your pet immediately, and don’t bury waste in the sand.

4. Don’t Feed the Birds

That means willingly or unwillingly. Seabirds are smart suckers, and they’ll quickly snatch a Pier fry or two while you’re snapping a selfie or steal a sandwich from a distracted kid.

For that same reason, don’t sit right next to a trash can unless you want a captive audience of begging or scavenging birds.

5. Check the Fireworks Schedule

During peak season, fireworks light up the night sky once a week. Check the schedule on the Palace Playland website. The display is usually on Thursday nights, starting at 9:45 p.m. and lasting about 15 minutes, with a bigger show on the 4th of July.

OOB Isn’t Just for Summer, Each Season Brings Something New

If there’s one town that is “mostly” seasonal in Maine, it would be Old Orchard Beach. However, the quiet escape of the beach in the off-season brings a lot of opportunities.

It’s worth mentioning that, in winter of 2025, several downtown OOB businesses stayed open to see if visitors would make it worthwhile. Let’s hope that becomes a staple!

Those who come to visit Palace Playland will have to wait until late May through August to visit. The arcade opens in late April and stays open on weekends through September.

July and August are peak months, so the most activities are available during that period but also the highest prices. Some families have vacationed here for generations, so it’s important to book a place to stay as far in advance as possible.

That said, don’t let the off-season dissuade you from visiting. With Portland, Saco, and Biddeford so close by, an OOB stay in any season still gives you access to the beach while having more activities nearby.

Summer in Old Orchard Beach

Beach traffic here picks up in mid-June, July, and August. That’s also when most of the attractions are open seven days a week. Summer temperatures get up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit on average, with lows dipping into the 50s.

Fall in Old Orchard Beach

Labor Day signals the end of the summer season in Old Orchard Beach, with activities and attractions winding down or closing like a clock striking midnight at Mardi Gras.

However, the beach is always open, making early September a great time to walk the beach and enjoy the remnants of the warm season without beach towel-to-towel crowds.

Early fall can still reach the low 70s, but by November, highs are below 50, and nights will get near freezing.

Winter in Old Orchard Beach

You can almost hear Don Henley’s voice trailing off in “Boys of Summer” once winter sets in over Old Orchard Beach. While some restaurants and hotels are open year-round, you’ll likely have the 7 miles of sand to yourself.

High temperatures reach the mid-to-upper 30s, while lows can get into the teens. The sea breeze will make it feel a little colder. This is also the peak of the Nor’easter season, making OOB a great place to watch the incoming waves from a safe distance.

With an average of 62 inches of snow, OOB is an exquisite winter getaway.

Spring in OOB

While the rest of Maine is dealing with “Mud Season,” OOB’s sandy surfaces and paved boardwalks allow for long walks without muddy shoes.

Temperatures can touch the 50s during April, May gets into the 60s, and June finally breaks the 70-degree mark. Lows drop to the 30s, 40s, and 50s from April to May to June.

Still Debating the Trip? Old Orchard Beach Might Surprise You

The best part about Old Orchard Beach is how unique it is for Maine visitors. It’s close enough to the idyllic Maine coastal locations while still giving good old-fashioned fun vibes.

Stay for a few hours, the weekend, or a week, and you’ll have great memories to pack home with you. It’s as welcoming for couples seeking romance as it is for the family van loaded with kids.

And … save some Pier fries for us, okay?