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Old Orchard Beach, Old Orchard Beach, ME

Photo: Paul VanDerWerf from Brunswick, Maine, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sport & OutdoorFamily FavoriteFreeOutdoor Adventure

Old Orchard Beach

Old Orchard St at the Pier · Old Orchard Beach, ME

Why you should go…

Old Orchard Beach is a seaside resort town on Saco Bay, and its seven-mile beach stretches into Scarborough and Saco. At its center a wooden pier holds souvenir shops and games. Beside it, Palace Playland has operated on the same site since 1902 and bills itself as New England's only beachfront amusement park, with 28 rides and an Electra Wheel Ferris wheel over the midway and beach. The downtown streets nearby are full of clam shacks and T-shirt shops.

  • #beach
  • #pier
  • #amusement park
  • #boardwalk town

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Weather calls the shots

    Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.

  • Shoes, water, sun cover

    The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.

  • Parking and launches fill early

    On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.

  • Daylight shrinks in shoulder season

    Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Old Orchard Beach, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Palace Playland

    $25–$50

    Oceanfront amusement park on Old Orchard Beach's sand, with rides, arcade games, and a boardwalk feel.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Funtown Splashtown USA

    $50+

    Maine's biggest amusement and water park combo, with two roller coasters and a dozen water rides in Saco.

    3.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Aquaboggan Waterpark

    $25–$50

    A classic Maine seaside water park with slides, pools, bumper boats, and mini-golf near Old Orchard Beach.

    3.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Free

    Marginal Way

    Free

    A paved cliff walk of about 1.25 miles along the Ogunquit shore, running between Perkins Cove and the village.

    22 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Maine Camping

    Free

    The trade association promoting camping across Maine, publishing the statewide Maine Camping Guide.

    32 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Maine's Lakes & Mountains

    Free

    Regional tourism council promoting the lakes and mountains of western Maine, including Sebago Lake, Bridgton and Rangeley.

    38 mi awayMore like this