Parents and grandparents often feel a pleasant wave of nostalgia as they stroll down the main street toward the archway entrance to The Pier at Maine’s Old Orchard Beach. Some shops are a bit more polished than they used to be, and there are fewer gaudy T-shirts and novelty lobster toys, but the atmosphere remains full of excitement and the air carries the irresistible scent of Pier French Fries. This is a classic beach town: an old-fashioned boardwalk, plenty of ice cream and saltwater taffy, and a merry-go-round that gently squeaks out familiar calliope tunes.
That merry-go-round stands inside Palace Playland, the only remaining beachfront amusement park in New England. Palace Playland blends old favorites — bumper cars, spinning teacups and bright pink dragons circling with delighted children — with adrenaline-pumping attractions like Power Surge and Riptide. The fun house plays with perception, featuring uneven floors and swirling lights, while the Ferris wheel rises dramatically at the water’s edge. From the top, if you dare open your eyes, you can take in the full seven-mile stretch of Maine’s longest beach.
Remarkably, every inch of this seven-mile beach is free and open to the public, with easy access for visitors. The shoreline stays exceptionally clean thanks to volunteers who patrol each night, collecting cans and wrappers so the sand remains welcoming. The gentle slope provides ample towel space even at high tide, and the waves are playful and safe enough for children to enjoy.
Behind a narrow band of dune grass, a row of cottages and hotels lines the shore and the stretch up to Grand Avenue, where family-friendly and budget lodging is abundant. The Edgewater sits right on the beach, offering porches and sundecks that connect to bright, attractive rooms furnished with wicker. It’s a short walk to The Pier and Palace Playland, and Pirates Cove miniature golf is just up the street.
Another family-oriented option on the sand is Ocean Walk Hotel. For visitors who prefer camping, Wild Acres is a lively full-service campground with shady sites and a shuttle that brings families to the beach. Near Wild Acres you’ll find Funtown Splashtown USA, a combined amusement and water park, and Jumpin Jake’s, a relaxed spot for casual seafood meals.
Dining in Old Orchard Beach is relaxed and family friendly. Most restaurants embrace a come-as-you-are attitude, so you can go from the surf to dinner in shorts and a T-shirt without a second thought. For straightforward seafood without the fuss, The Clambake offers counter ordering with large dining rooms overlooking the salt marsh. To avoid wait times after a long day on the sand, you can order online and pick up your meal when you arrive. Kids’ menu items are very affordable, with none priced over $7.95.
Southern Maine’s beach season runs well into September, and Palace Playland stays open on weekends into early October. The Amtrak Downeaster brings travelers right into the heart of Old Orchard Beach, stopping at a station directly opposite The Pier, making it easy to reach the boardwalk without driving.
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