Old Orchard Beach, Maine

[suzannews]

Anyone ever been or live near? Anything in the area that is a must see? Anything or place to stay far away from?

TIA

 

[mudman]

Anyone ever been or live near? Anything in the area that is a must see? Anything or place to stay far away from?

TIA

Old orchard is fun. It's kind of like an old boardwalk with games, junk food, carnival rides, cheesy souvanier stores.
I don't think I'd make it a destination vacation, but if your in the area and have kids and they like that kind of thing it's worth a visit.

I prefer the other beaches of Maine though. Oquinqut and York are more quaint with artsy shops and lighthouses. It's just prettier in my opinion.

 

[PatsMom]

Old Orchard is a great beach. If your kids love the beach, it is definitely worth a few days. There is the boardwalk, an amusement park, and a great stretch of sand. I've never stayed overnight so I have no idea of hotels, etc. but the beach itself is great. Ogunquit and York are nice as well. Ogunquit has lots of "artsy" shops - not as great for kids I don't think. York has several beaches and is very commercial. Lots of touristy gift shops. At Short Sands beach in York there is also a small zoo and amusement park - the amusement park at Old Orchard is much nicer in my opinion.

 

[veraletta]

Old Orchard is a nice beach, I love the boardwalk, and or course kids love the amusement park. The beach is way to chilly for me to swim in or even put my feet in. I never went in the water and we lived right on the coast line.
I did enjoy just sitting by the ocean and looking out watching the tide come in or go out.
I enjoy watching the guys digging for clams.
Maine is one of the nicest places to visit.
If you like to look at lighthouses, small town and enjoy walking on the shore line then you will enjoy Maine.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Last summer we visited Wells Maine & Kennebunkport....We enjoyed both but going into the water was not an option for us, so cold.

We just returned from Cape Cod (Chatham) & Newport and that was a wonderful trip. We went whale watching, lighthouses, wonderful towns and food. We also did day trips to Martha's Vineyard via ferry. The beaches we much prettier as well in our opinion.

 

[SadieDog]

Last summer we visited Wells Maine & Kennebunkport....We enjoyed both but going into the water was not an option for us, so cold.

We just returned from Cape Cod (Chatham) & Newport and that was a wonderful trip. We went whale watching, lighthouses, wonderful towns and food. We also did day trips to Martha's Vineyard via ferry. The beaches we much prettier as well in our opinion.

I agree, there are much prettier coastal Maine beaches. Kids have lots of fun at OOB though. Teens love it.

 

[Pikester]

I am from NH and my family went to Old Orchard Beach for a week a couple of years ago. We stayed at the Alouette Beach Resort. The room was a 2 bedroom w/ kitchenette (we still got cleaning service with it). This hotel was right on the beach. We could walk down to the pier and saw the fireworks from the beach in front of the hotel. Some of the rooms are only a few steps from the beach and others (like ours) we had to walk through the parking area. Here is a link to the resort. http://alouettebeachresort.com/# I do have to say that this is not a 5 star kind of place. It is very bare. The reasons why I chose this place were: price, indoor pool and location to the beach. Even though I call it a hotel it's only two stories high. The kids had a blast visiting the pier with it's arcades and shops. We didn't do the rides because we went to Funtown/Splashtown in Saco, ME. There is also one of those Pirate Cove mini golf places nearby.

 

[JESW]

We went here when we were staying in Ogunquit and the kids LOVED it!!

http://www.aquabogganwaterpark.com/

We stayed at Gorge's Grant in Ogunquit 2x so far and enjoyed it both times.

The day we went to Old Orchard Beach was rainy and foggy so we didn't see or do much. We used to go quite often when I was a kid but I don't remember it. But the water is COLD!

Jill

 

[KatheeME]

Hey, dh and I were down there on our motorcycles just today! We live about 20 miles up the coast, near Portland Like others have said, I would not make it my sole vacation desination, but the beach itself is one of the best. There are lots of things to do from York, up the coast to Portland and beyond. If you would like any other info, please pm me and I will be happy to do what I can.

Kathee

 

[pumba]

and try the french fries........they are the best for some reason.......they are on the street part but they call them the original pier fries.......SOOOOOOO GOOD

Fried clams and other seafood places near by are Clambake and Village Inn..both good food in my opinion

 

[tw1nsmom]

We love going to that area in Maine! We camp when we go and we prefer the beach at Pine Point (the campground we like is just up the road from there). I think the beach may have a different name, but it's adjacent to Pine Point. Actually, it's really the northern end of the beach that connects to Old Orchard Beach. It's just a lot quieter. We usually go to Old Orchard Beach one day and spend the rest of our time at Pine Point.

 

[acadia1960]

If you visit Maine, you must go in the water, it's the law!!!!!! There is nothing like that instant numbness. I have to say after about 15 minutes, you will adjust, then the wave jumping, & body surfing are great fun. Give it a try.

 

[aprilvaca04]

and try the french fries........they are the best for some reason.......they are on the street part but they call them the original pier fries.......SOOOOOOO GOOD
They used to be on the Pier also...so good they had to have two locations Think I'm heading there tonight for some, they are my husbands fav!!!
Fried clams and other seafood places near by are Clambake and Village Inn..both good food in my opinion

My daughter works at the Clambake...good quick seafood, easy going atmosphere...great customer service No more Village Inn it's been changed to Jimmy the Greek...mostly Pizza and beer from what we've heard not so good but haven't been there ourselves

We love going to that area in Maine! We camp when we go and we prefer the beach at Pine Point (the campground we like is just up the road from there). I think the beach may have a different name, but it's adjacent to Pine Point. Actually, it's really the northern end of the beach that connects to Old Orchard Beach. It's just a lot quieter. We usually go to Old Orchard Beach one day and spend the rest of our time at Pine Point.

The beach you are refering to is Scarborough Beach, much quieter but very nice as well. Good recommendation...close to The Clambake so the kids go there on their breaks.

If you visit Maine, you must go in the water, it's the law!!!!!! There is nothing like that instant numbness. I have to say after about 15 minutes, you will adjust, then the wave jumping, & body surfing are great fun. Give it a try.

Oh you must get into the water...atleast once...there's nothing quite like it Come visit...it's a great place ...esp in the summer.

 

[aprilvaca04]

tw1nsmom- Just keep swimming swimming was my DD's motto when she started college last year...we'd say it every time she'd hit a bump... we love Nemo!!!!

 

[Pikester]

Hey suzannews! So did you go? Are you still planning to go? Need update!

 

[brittsmum1998]

I was just coming to post this same question. Me, dd10 and a friend and her two kids 10 & 7 are going next Saturday. We got a great price on a 3 bdrm cottage 4 houses from the beach. We are looking forward to it.

We also looked into the Allouette. The people there are really nice but then we feel into this cottage (it was a last minute cheap thing) . I'll be anxious to see more replys.

 

[suzannews]

Hi, yes we did make it to Old Orchard Beach the third week of July. We stayed about 1/2 mile from the pier at the Normandie hotel. Pretty basic but our room was right on the beach and the owner was very nice. Had a great meal at Pier 6 (I think that was the name) and drove to Cape Elizabeth to the Lobster Shack as recommended by someone I work with. Of course, we also had pizza and ice cream by the pier and watched the fireworks from our hotel. It was nice but I am used to Disney fireworks everynight. We only put our toes in the water and it was chilly but we wanted to say that we did it. Overall, between New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, we had a fantastic time.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Hi, yes we did make it to Old Orchard Beach the third week of July. We stayed about 1/2 mile from the pier at the Normandie hotel. Pretty basic but our room was right on the beach and the owner was very nice. Had a great meal at Pier 6 (I think that was the name) and drove to Cape Elizabeth to the Lobster Shack as recommended by someone I work with. Of course, we also had pizza and ice cream by the pier and watched the fireworks from our hotel. It was nice but I am used to Disney fireworks everynight. We only put our toes in the water and it was chilly but we wanted to say that we did it. Overall, between New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, we had a fantastic time.

I noticed in your sig that you are from Clermont Fla. Having just returned to day from Orlando (19 days) to Mass all the way home I would say why the heck would anyone want to leave Fla. I had to be pulled kicking and screaming! I have gone to Maine for vacation for years and while it is pretty IMHO it does not compare to the beaches in Fla especially when it comes to being clean. So I just have to ask...why would you ever want to leave Fla for vacation? People always tell me that they hate living in Fla but whats not to like...no snow, clean, warm, and Florida resident passes. They just do not compare to a Hampton or Old Orchid IMHO.

 

[SadieDog]

I noticed in your sig that you are from Clermont Fla. Having just returned to day from Orlando (19 days) to Mass all the way home I would say why the heck would anyone want to leave Fla. I had to be pulled kicking and screaming! I have gone to Maine for vacation for years and while it is pretty IMHO it does not compare to the beaches in Fla especially when it comes to being clean. So I just have to ask...why would you ever want to leave Fla for vacation? People always tell me that they hate living in Fla but whats not to like...no snow, clean, warm, and Florida resident passes. They just do not compare to a Hampton or Old Orchid IMHO.

I don't think Old Orchard Beach compares to other coastal beaches in Maine as far as beauty. It's a touristy area that I pretty much stay away from. I don't feel you can see the beauty of the rocky coast at Old Orchard. I enjoy walking the rocky coast and looking in the tidal pools for creatures. At Popham when the tide is low, you can walk to a rocky island and explore. Acadia National Park is beatiful with it's mountains and rocky coastline. More traveling than just going to Southern Maine though.

I enjoyed a Ft. Lauderdale Beach I went to years ago. I think it was a park. The water was so warm and I was able to find many interesting shells that I don't see around here. It was nice b/c the beach was not right next to a road.