York Beach, Maine - Lodging, Beaches, Dining

Between Kittery and Ogunquit, on the southeast Maine coast, pristine, sandy beaches await you in Maine's oldest town. Founded as a fishing village, York Beach, Maine became an important mercantile port in the 18th century, and in the 19th century, a summer retreat for many of Boston's wealthiest.

Today, in this quintessential beach town, home of one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, Nubble Light - as the locals refer to it - much of the charm from yesteryear still remains.

And you will find that charm almost every where go!

Although a vacation in York Beach won't be complete without spending time on one of its sparkling beaches, there is plenty more than salt air and sand to keep you busy...

• browse the quaint artist galleries, unique craft, antique, and gift shops
• just a few miles to the south, shop the Kittery Trading Post and the nearly 200 Kittery Outlets stores
• entertain the little kids, AND the big kids, at local amusement parks and zoo
• visit York's historical museums, with over 300 years of stories to tell
• dine at casual eateries and award winning restaurants, OR
• travel to nearby historic towns and cities for an adventuresome day trip

With all that makes York Beach, Maine special, it's no wonder that in 2002, Money Magazine chose it as one of the "10 perfect places in North America to spend your summer holiday"...

And,

...according to the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, Family Fun Magazine rated York Beach Maine the "best family vacation destination" for three years in a row!

Of course they did!

Besides the great Maine beaches and the fun things to do, the residents and business owners of York Beach, Maine go out of their way to make their special place feel like home to you!

York Beach, Maine Beaches

Although a swim off the coast of Maine, in the oft chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean, may not be for everyone, the York beaches can certainly be a great place to hang-out.

And, you'll have your choice as to where to plant yourself in the sand...

Long Sands Beach: Vacationing families often love this beach on Coastal Route 1A. As the name implies, Long Sands is very long - running approximately two miles in length - leaving plenty of room to spread out for beach games!

Short Sands Beach: Located on Coastal Route 1A, Short Sands Beach is a mile north of Long Sands Beach. It is centrally located to many of the shops, restaurants, amusement parks and other family activities.

Cape Neddick Beach: On Shore Road, headed toward Ogunquit, Maine, is the secluded Cape Neddick Beach - a great location for tide pooling.

York Harbor Beach: Referred to as a "local's beach", York Harbor Beach has a secluded waterfront located directly across the Street from the historic York Harbor Inn.

To obtain information on parking, facilities, and hours during which the beaches are open, contact York Parks & Recreation at 207-363-1040.

York Beach, Maine Attractions

Because of its central location to dozens of vacation activities, York Beach, Maine is a perfect place to call home during a Maine holiday.

How about a day trip to Portsmouth, New Hampshire's oldest waterfront neighborhood, located on the Maine and New Hampshire border and less than a half hour drive away.

In Portsmouth's historic waterfront you can stroll along the streets and alleys, some with their original cobblestones, and browse through dozens of clothing boutiques, unique gift shops, art galleries, and museums, including the beautiful Strawberry Banke Museum.

Eat waterside overlooking the tugboats of Portsmouth Harbor, or dine in one of the many restaurants located in the historic brick buildings.

Travel a few minutes south from York Beach and you will find the Kittery Outlet Mall, along with many restaurants and the always popular Kittery Trading post.

Travel north from York Beach and in a few minutes you will be in picturesque Ogunquit, with Perkins Cove, shop-lined streets, oceanside dining, trolley rides and over three miles of white beach sand.

If you feel like driving a bit further, Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts are an easy drive from York Beach, Maine.. One is just an hour to the north, the other a little over an hour south. If you have never visited the New England area before, both of these are great adventures for day trips.

And, there is plenty to see in between the two...

Both the Maine shore and the New Hampshire seacoast offer stunning views as you travel up and down Route 1A.

Plenty of nearby opportunities also exist for golf, whale-watching, kayaking, and if you enjoy the arts, local playhouses and theaters offer many special shows during the tourist season.

But, don't feel you need to leave. There are plenty of activities in York Beach Maine.

To keep you entertained, there are lobster boat tours and deep sea fishing, the museums of the Old York Historical Society, and York's Wild Kingdom, a zoo and amusement park, along with a sightseeing trip that includes Cape Neddick's Nubble Lighthouse in Sohier Park, a favorite to hundreds of photographers and artists. While there, hope for good weather and a chance to see the Boon Island Light!

Or, just laze for endless hours, while getting rejuvenated on one of York's sparkling beaches!

You may also be interested in:
Maine Coastal Vacations, Nubble Light, York Maine Vacation Rentals, or from Amazon, Frommer's Maine Coast (Frommer's Complete)

York Beach, Maine Lodging

Can you stay the night? When searching for lodging, you will find a wonderful selection of York Beach hotels, motels, inns and B&B's, as well as...

...privately owned, for rent-by-owner rental homes and cottages.

Roll into town in your camper and you may find a wooded lot at the York Beach Camper Park, just a five minute walk from the quaint downtown area of York Beach.

Or, reserve an elegant room at the historic York Harbor Inn, which Country Living Magazine recently selected as "Inn of the Month". Or, at the gorgeous, AAA Four Diamond, Stage Neck Inn, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in York Harbor.

Off the beaten track you might enjoy the Chapman Cottage Inn, winner of the Fodor's Choice Award 2005, 2006 & 2007.

And, there are plenty of other options to choose from. For starters there is...

The Union Bluff Hotel that has been watching over Short Sands Beach since 1868, the Cutty Sark Motel, where the "lawn meets the Atlantic", or the Sea Latch, with a choice of motel rooms, efficiencies, cottage and apartments, located across from Long Sand Beach.

Or, for something away from the beach, nestled in the rustic Maine woods and conveniently located to US Route 1, is the Faircrest Motel.

Choose from dozens of other places to stay in York Beach, Maine, many of which are family owned and stay open for either an extended season or year round, to allow visitors to enjoy the enchantment of York Beach, without the crowds.

Dining in York Beach, Maine

Fun and casual family dining is around every corner in York Beach, Maine, as are many great choices for award winning, fine dining.

The kids, both big and little, yes that means Mom and Dad too, would probably love a visit to The Goldenrod, established in 1896.

Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner in the Goldenrod's rustic dining room or at the old-fashioned marble soda fountain. While there, watch the world famous saltwater taffy, Golden Rod Kisses, being made using the original recipe created over 100 years ago.

For something a bit more formal you may find yourself heading to the York Harbor Inn, to dine at the ocean view, "1637", "where the menu has received recognition from Gourmet, Taste, and Food & Wine. Or, the fabulous Blue Sky on York Beach, occupying the second floor of the Atlantic House Hotel and Resort Residences.

And...

With its three stone fireplaces, the nearby Cape Neddick Inn Restaurant and Tavern, located at the corner of Coastal Route 1 and Route 1A, has been a landmark since 1926. Open year-round their American Grill Cuisine is available in both the dining room and the Tavern.

Wherever your taste buds take you, be sure to treat yourself to at least one sampling of some of Maine's best - its seafood!

And, Maine seafood won't be hard to find. - not with the Lobster Cove, the Dockside, the Sun n' Surf and the Lobster Barn restaurants, right down the road!

Have you found your own great places in York Beach, Maine? Please feel free to suggest them to me and I'll be happy to include them!