Old Orchard Beach, Maine

[kpgclark]

We're going on our first trip up to Maine and we're staying near the Pier on the oceanfront in Old Orchard Beach. If anyone has restaurant recommendations I'd be very interested or if you have suggestions on what to do I'd welcome them much.

 

[pumba]

if I could only sit there and eat pier fries I would be happy.....not to far from the entrance to the road that leads into OOB.....there is a restaurant called Village Inn......great seafood and their prime rib is to die for....melts in your mouth......Hope that you enjoy your stay there....it is one of my favorite places to sit and just veg looking out into the ocean......

 

[pumba]

is the clambake .....good clams there......YUMMY.......I like my clams with the belly still there.....but some people only like a clam strip.......and their scallops are out of site......

 

[HollyJoy]

Dont' have any restaurant suggestions but you must get one of the chocolate dipped icecreams! We went to visit family in Maine last summer and my FIL's uncle took us to Old Orchard BEach and bought us that icecream. Yum!!!


While you are there, you MUST take a ride up to REID STATE PARK . This place is BEAUTIFUL! We were totally blown away. There is a nice big beach there (although the water was way too cold for us! LOL), big rocks to climb on and take awesome pictures, a picnic area, and a natural lagoon for swimming.

Have a great time!

 

[jinxed]

I moved to Maine about 5 years ago, but haven't been to Old Orchard since I lived here. Isn't it always the way? The last time I was there was about 7 years ago when I lived in Mass., so I have no idea what is there now. I used to go as a teen alot in the summers with my boyfriend (who later became my husband, then my ex-husband) and always had a blast.

 

[luvflorida]

Hi! I live about 20 miles from OOB. The beach is beautiful, but can get quite crowded in the summer, especially around the pier area. Stake out your spot early!

If you're looking for junky type food, there is a ton of it on the main street and in Palace Playland. You have to eat some Pier Fries- they are the best!

The Clambake Restauant is down the road in Pine Point. It is a big, informal place and the food is very good. The Captain's Galley is a mile or so from the main street, and also has very good food. Both places have gift shops that carry Maine type items that are nicer than the things you might find in downtown OOB shops. The Captain Galley's gift shop is small, but the one in the Clambake and especially the one right next to the Clambake, are quite large.

Also, in Saco, the next town over, you'll find Funtown/Splashtown USA, a big amusement/water park. If you have kids, you could probably spend a good portion of a day there. They have lots of rides, food, and live entertainment.

Any other questions, just ask! Hope you have a good vacation! So far we've had pretty good weather this summer, not much humidity or high heat.

 

[bellacam]

Hey there! Another Mainer here...I would also recomend Huot's for great seafood. It's in Camp Eliis (about 5 mins away) and is very very good!

 

[jjskribs]

This Cape Cod girl LOVES Old Orchard Beach. We visit several times a year. One thing we love to do is visit Cape Elizabeth. There is a seafood restaurant (very informal) on the water. It's at Twin Lights........ any local can give you directions. There are picnic tables outside and the view is spectacular. I could sit for hours watching the surf pound the rocks. I guarantee it is worth the trip.

We also like the Clambake but the only thing we have ever had there are the steamers........ they are fabulous.

If you have a chance check out the OceanWalk Motel... about a mile down from town. The beach is uncrowded and you can still walk into town from there. The rooms are great.......... we have stayed at just about every motel on OOB and this one is by far, the best. They have a great website where you can see the rooms. Have Fun.......

 

[kpgclark]

Maybe you can tell me something about the Alouette Beach Resort. That is where we will be staying for our visit. Have you stayed there before?

 

[winniedapooh]

Have not stayed there but know where it is. We visit OOB several times a year and will be there again for a week the last week of August. Have to have Pier Fries-make sure you go to the right place though. They upped the rent on the Original Pier Fries maker and he had to move just next to the railroad tracks. Go to him! Alos I second the ClamBake. Kind of expensive and food is OK but the eating over the marshes and having the kids feed the seagulls is way worth it! Fireworks on the pier-you can see them from the beach in front of your hotel-every Thursday night. Go to the pier earlier with the kids and ride the rides before it gets too crowded. If you think you will go twice get their 2 for 1 price ticket to save money. Another great place we love is Dunstan's Schoolhouse. Actually used to be an old schoolhouse. I think it is owned by the people who own the ClamBake. Great buffet-breakfast or lunch up to 4, we don't think it is worth it after that. The Maine Mall is about 20 minutes from where you are staying and there is a plethora of restaurants, cinemas, etc. around there. Hope this helps and if you need further information pm me. Have fun!

 

[jjskribs]

kpgclark........... the Alouette is one of the only places that I haven't stayed so I really can't help you there. Sorry...... If you wind up liking OOB and ever plan on returning I would encourage you to check out the Ocean Walk. The Friendship is another nice choice.... it has a great outside pool.

Have a great time......... I'm sure you will have fun. The beach is really fabulous. As I said my husband and I go in the Spring and in the Fall every year. (nice and quiet then). Even though I live on Cape Cod I love the Maine "ocean" best!

P.S. Please have a steamer for me!

 

[kpgclark]

Thanks for all of the info! Are there good restaurants within easy walking distance from the Alouette? We'll have my parents with me so I don't want to walk too, too far. Have any of you been to the restaurant that is in the Alouette? If so, how is it?

Regarding the fireworks, can we see them right from the beach where the Alouette is? Do we need to get out there early or just stroll on the sand right before they begin?

We plan on spending some time just playing in the ocean. What else can we do within an hour or less of OOB? Again, we'll be with my parents so anything that would be appropriate for all age levels would be great. Can you go on any boating excursions?

 

[nealymouse]

I had no idea so may of you lived in Maine.

I also live he'a... ayah.

 

[kpgclark]

Have any of you gone on whale watching excursions near OOB? If so how were they and what vender did you select?

 

[kpgclark]

Also, are there grocery stores nearby so I can pick up milk?

 

[kpgclark]

 

[luvflorida]

Yes, you should be able to find a little market on East Grand Avenue near your hotel. I'm not that familiar with the hotel you are staying at, but I agree with the poster who recommended the Friendship Motel.

Another way to get around the OOB area is by trolley. I believe it runs daily and goes down East Grand Avenue.

Two other restaurants I thought of, but aren't within walking distance of your motel, are Joseph's By The Sea and Wormwood's.

Joseph's By The Sea is on West Grand Avenue, maybe a mile or so from your motel, and is right on the ocean. The food is excellent, though on the pricier side. Wormwood's is one of my favorite restaurants. It's just around the corner from Hout's, (a place someone else mentioned, also good), and is in a very scenic part of Camp Ellis, (a small town next to Ocean Park which is next to OOB). The food is very good and outside there are rocks you can walk on that stretch out over the ocean, although if you venture too far out, the rocks become quite jagged and not easy to navigate.

 

[luvflorida]

Oh, and I know I mentioned this before, but Funtown Splashtown USA is just up the road from OOB, maybe 4 or five miles. It's a nice theme park with quite a few rides, and they have live entertainment. I have to promote the live entertainment because my daughter is part of the group that entertains at Funtown.

They are a group of professional entertainers, (five girls and three guys), and they do five shows daily, except Mondays. They do a country show, kids show, and a musical montage, (20's to the 80's). They are VERY good!

 

[kpgclark]

Thanks! Has anyone done any of those whale watching excursions?

 

[kpgclark]