Old Orchard Beach, A Small Fun Town with an Amusement Park and Fine Beach
Written: Sep 09 '05
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Pros: Homey and a small amusement park that's not overwhelming. Nice Beach
Cons: All day Parking Fees for day trippers.
The Bottom Line: This town is just ten minutes off the Maine Turnpike, so it's worth a look.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Old Orchard Beach |
We have stopped and stayed at Old Orchard Beach a number of times going to or from Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park, Maine. It's a good family fun place to stop and relax after hours of driving on the road. It seems that many other people make it a vacation spot too. I can understand why.
Lodging
We have stayed for short overnight accommodations only so we shopped price. We have stayed in little, very little cottages on the road into town. There are accommodations right on the beach too. I would go for one of those places if I were staying a while. Many B&Bs and Inns are available too. Right now they are building a five story hotel that is in a prime spot near the beach and arcades. Once I see it built I will give my thoughts on it. Most other buildings nearby are just one-two and three stories high.
Beaches
I am impressed with the Old Orchard Beach area. The beach is clean and has plenty of room to the water. The sand is of a fine quality that feels good underfoot. It is also a very gentle slope into the water. One must walk out a bit to get to waist height and more. The surf on most days is gently rounded and well formed. That reminds me, they have fine looking life-gals too!
I have observed that the floor of the ocean helps generate nice even waves that I noticed a few surfers taking advantage of. Wet suites are a must for this sport in Maine. The water is pretty darn cold, though many people were in the water boogy boarding.
For anyone into skim boarding, as I was as a kid, this is one of the best beaches to catch long rides and do some tricks on.
We have been to Old Orchard a couple of times when they were having their sand castle competitions. They really do get some great artists involved. The sculptures are amazing to see and some were over ten foot high!
The Pier
From any point of the beach the biggest attraction and draw is the Old Orchard Beach Pier. It extends over 500 feet over the surf. The views of the beach and amusement park from it are outstanding. The pier is a fun and exciting place. It's quieter in the afternoon when people come onto it for lunch at one of the many places it houses. Be sure to try the huge fries with some vinegar and salt. They have some pretty good pizza up there too. The crust was crispy and had a kind of corn meal feel to it. Normally I would run from that look or description, I'm not a muffin-man type but was actually very, very good.
Alcoholic beverages can be purchased on the pier but cannot be walked around with. They must be consumed in the booth of the place purchased. Games of chance, souvenir shops, dress up photos, caricaturists and the like abound. My wife bought her marshmallow launcher on the pier. She has fun with it and our grand children at home. At night the place comes alive with crowds and live music. I believe it's a bit too tense for young children at night but perfect in the afternoon.
Palace Playland
The center of Old Orchard Beach is the Palace Playland. It's a small amusement park that has about 25 of the usual rides you might expect. It's a fun place with no lines in the afternoon and short lines at night. There is no charge to get into the playland and tickets for the rides are $1.00 and most rides demand three or four tickets. They also sell the tickets in small bulk amounts that will save you money. That's the best value. The arcade next door is a fun place that is as liberal with the tickets it gives to winners of the games, as any amusement park I have visited.
There is an area with games of chance too. I try to stay away from them if I can but I somehow always get suckered in.
All kinds of fast food is served, but not chain restaurants in the arcade part of town. I like that. I also feel they aren't killing me with high prices. Hey I'm talking pizza and dogs here, nothing special, but those foods do add to the atmosphere. Better restaurants can be found as can some very seedy dumps. We never looked for either. Food from vendors on the street works for us when in town otherwise when on the road we might have something out of town.
Other Points to Mention
There is another amusement/water park just te minutes away on RT1. It's actually in another town but Old Orchard Beach advertises it as their own. It's a nice park. Mini-golf and other such places are around too.
There is a very visible police force in town. These are all young guys, many on bikes, wearing distinctive yellow shirts. They do maintain driving and parking laws and are very available and helpful for questions etc. Some of the young gals hangin' out at night might hope these good lookin' guys are available for them too! It seems to me that good looks and fine body were needed to even apply for the job.
Rest rooms are available in town. Those close to the action have attendants. There is a quarter charge for use of the rest rooms. At first I was taken back, but I personally think its a good idea with so many kids around.
Parking in town is scarce unless you are willing to let go of five or six dollars for the day. The further the walk to the beach the cheaper the price. Some lots are very close by but do fill up early in the day.
On the north end of town is a municipal parking lot and rest rooms where my wife changed during a few hour visit to to the beach a week or so ago. No charge for the rest rooms there.
I'll mention here that I read horseback riding on the beach is available in the fall and spring. I did that once in my life and I loved the sensation of trotting through a few inches of ocean water on the beach.
Every Thursday night, weather permitting, during the Summer the Palace Playland puts on a fire works show. The town has many events throughout the year. Check out their web site for more information.
I can see people staying in this fun town and taking day trips from it. The Old Port section of Portland is a wonderful place to dine and walk the cobblestone streets and you can get there in just fifteen to twenty five minutes from Downtown Old Orchard Beach. Just a half hour to forty minutes from Old Orchard Beach is Freeport, Maine with LL Bean, 170 high quality outlet stores and the Desert of Maine, a cool, maybe I should say hot, destination.
Bringing It All Home
We do enjoy this place as the first stop after leaving home on Long Island, NY or the last stop on our way home from a two week vacation on the coast of Maine.
It has the amusement park and an atmosphere that keeps our kids happy, me too. It's not a bad ride to get to off the interstate, so I like that. My wife loves the beach here so she's happy too. Prices are not out of hand in the town either so I can afford to stay even after blowing all my money the previous couple of weeks while vacationing.
Palace Playland, Old Orchard Beach
MAINE, great coastal towns and so much more.
Portland Maine
Freeport, Maine
Boothbay Harbor
Bar Harbor What a great seaside town!!
Acadia National Park My favorite place in the world!
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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