Nearby Activities

Old Orchard Beach, also known as OOB, is a classic Maine getaway. Combining the best of the old and new, Old Orchard Beach is one of the last remaining oceanfront amusement parks in the country. It is complete with a pier, old-fashioned carousel rides, and fair food.

Consistently voted Maine’s Best Beach by the readers of Maine’s largest newspaper, Old Orchard Beach’s 7-mile long stretch of beautiful sandy shores offers something for every beachgoer. Old Orchard Beach is also the best Maine beach for families. Kids will enjoy building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, or swimming in the gentle surf.

For livelier beach activity, we suggest settling near the Pier. With easy access to great food, drinks, and games, most beachgoers congregate near The Pier. Others head to either end of the beach for a quieter, more peaceful day during the summer.

Suppose you decided to pack light, not to worry. There are plenty of local places to rent beach gear. Many of which even deliver!

The Pier

The famous Old Orchard Beach Pier is in the center of the beach. There are lots of exciting activities for all ages. Extending 500 feet into the Atlantic, The Pier features many restaurants with delicious food and drinks and great ocean views.

At night, the Pier becomes a hotspot for nightlife and live entertainment. Venues offer comedy, karaoke, and live DJs playing the best music for your dancing pleasure. Young adult visitors will enjoy one of the best bar scenes on the Southern Maine Coast, with live music, dance parties, and drink specials.

The Pier also hosts fireworks every Thursday night during the summer. The shopping in Old Orchard Beach ranges from t-shirt shops, surf boutiques, henna tattoo parlors, and Maine craft shops near The Pier. You’re sure to find just what you need.

The best restaurants in Old Orchard Beach line Main Street and the beachfront. This resort town is famous for its fresh pizza, Pier Fries, lobster rolls, and fried clams. You can also find fine dining in sit down restaurants with freshly prepared seafood, steak, Chinese, Greek, and Italian cuisine.

Outdoor Activities

A great way to explore Old Orchard Beach is by boat. There are several boat companies that charter rafting tours, lobster tours, fishing tours, and more! Beginner and expert anglers can enjoy a chartered fishing trip from Pine Point or Camp Ellis with experienced captains, who ensure you’ll have a successful fishing trip.

Don’t be surprised if you end up catching striped bass, bluefish, or mackerel since they all inhabit the Saco River, a prime fishing spot. Some charters even offer kid-friendly tours that include viewing sea creatures like crabs and starfish. Lobster boat tours are a fun way to experience the daily life of a lobsterman by watching them pull traps and learning about Maine lobsters.

If you are feeling adventurous, there are many canoe and kayak tours and rentals. Explore the Saco River and nearby Scarborough salt marsh, where visitors may encounter unexpected wildlife sightings. Bird watchers will love the extensive Scarborough Marsh habitat for a vast array of aquatic and Maine bird species.

Palace Playland

Kids will love visiting Palace Playland, New England’s only beachfront amusement park with over 25 rides and attractions. Palace Playland offers a giant arcade room, a beautiful classic carousel, and Kiddie-land rides for smaller visitors. The famous Ferris Wheel, the Sun Wheel, brings you high above the strip for spectacular views of the beach, Pier, and town.

The Galaxi Coaster has been named one of the top five roller coasters in the country. Aside from thrilling rides, Palace Playland offers favorite park food like fried dough, pizza, and famous Pier Fries. There are classic midway games, gift shops, and more.

There is free admission to Palace Playland. You only pay for the rides and games. You choose a great deal for families!

Water Parks & More Fun

Old Orchard Beach is also located very close to Funtown-Splashtown USA, Aquaboggan and Pirate’s Cove Mini Golf which is within walking distance. Find even more kid-friendly activities HERE.

Golfing

Golfers should not miss the chance to stay at Old Orchard Beach when traveling to Maine. There are over ten 18-hole courses within a half-hour of White Cap Village, making it an ideal place to play a few rounds and still have time to relax on the beach. There are several driving ranges and miniature golf courses for the kids.

Events

Find all kinds of local events throughout the spring and summer HERE.