Charleen’s guidebook
Beaches
This is the beach at the end of Old County Road when you walk eastbound. It takes about 10 min to walk and is a very unique tidal inlet. High tide brings great swimming without having to walk out far, and low tide shows you the rocks and tidal pools (which are fun to snorkel around at high tide).
The Nubble Lighthouse is in view while you swim or sunbathe. You will need to walk down, as parking is permit only. If you cannot walk far, look at other beach listings.
This is my favorite beach because it is so close and because it tends to be MUCH more quiet than the others.
7 locals recommend
Cape Neddick Beach
This is the beach at the end of Old County Road when you walk eastbound. It takes about 10 min to walk and is a very unique tidal inlet. High tide brings great swimming without having to walk out far, and low tide shows you the rocks and tidal pools (which are fun to snorkel around at high tide).
The Nubble Lighthouse is in view while you swim or sunbathe. You will need to walk down, as parking is permit only. If you cannot walk far, look at other beach listings.
This is my favorite beach because it is so close and because it tends to be MUCH more quiet than the others.
This is "the beach". There is metered parking which is meticulously monitored by York's finest. ;) There are restaurants and shops along the beach.
48 locals recommend
Long Sands Beach
189 Long Beach AveThis is "the beach". There is metered parking which is meticulously monitored by York's finest. ;) There are restaurants and shops along the beach.
This is "downtown" - you have it all: the beach, the bars, the shops, York's Wild Kingdom, the candy store, the ice cream. Metered parking available. Very nice public bathrooms.
Fireworks are shot from barge here on 4th July and during early August "York Days".
35 locals recommend
Short Sands
This is "downtown" - you have it all: the beach, the bars, the shops, York's Wild Kingdom, the candy store, the ice cream. Metered parking available. Very nice public bathrooms.
Fireworks are shot from barge here on 4th July and during early August "York Days".
Footbridge Beach
It’s just stunning :)
A little bit of a ride up north but if you’re a surfer, this is a very popular place for that. :) this is up in Kennebunk.
51 locals recommend
Gooch's Beach
Beach AvenueA little bit of a ride up north but if you’re a surfer, this is a very popular place for that. :) this is up in Kennebunk.
Bars & Breweries
Local brews and rotating food trucks. Indoor and outdoor seating - grab a flight!
12 locals recommend
York Beach Beer
33 Railroad AveLocal brews and rotating food trucks. Indoor and outdoor seating - grab a flight!
I like this place because of Piano Bar on the weekends. You can request songs to be played and if you're feeling extra brave, can request a song to sing with the pianist, Joe. TIP HIM WELL!
10 locals recommend
Sand Dollar Bar & Grille
2 Beach StI like this place because of Piano Bar on the weekends. You can request songs to be played and if you're feeling extra brave, can request a song to sing with the pianist, Joe. TIP HIM WELL!
It's lobster.
It's rough. Hehe.
Seafood and beer, live music, Monday karaoke, and all the York locals you could ever hope for.
18 locals recommend
Lobster in The Rough
1000 1It's lobster.
It's rough. Hehe.
Seafood and beer, live music, Monday karaoke, and all the York locals you could ever hope for.
Weekends here are fun! Piano bar and an absolutely fabulous crowd to sing along with!
50 locals recommend
The Front Porch Piano Bar and Restaurant
9 Shore RdWeekends here are fun! Piano bar and an absolutely fabulous crowd to sing along with!
Drag, dancing, karaoke, and loads of fabulous fun in this LGBTQ-friendly hangout.
14 locals recommend
Mainestreet
195 Main StDrag, dancing, karaoke, and loads of fabulous fun in this LGBTQ-friendly hangout.
Distilled right here, you can call and book a tour (which includes goodies 🍸), buy a drink or a whole bottle. Good good good.
14 locals recommend
Wiggly Bridge Distillery Beach
19 Railroad AveDistilled right here, you can call and book a tour (which includes goodies 🍸), buy a drink or a whole bottle. Good good good.
SoMe Brewing Company
1 York StBeer!
Tributary Brewing
10 Shapleigh RdWorth the 15 min drive - go sample utterly world-class beer.
Food scene
Stones Throw Hotel and Restaurant
123 Long Beach AveGet the Scallops.
Nom.
Don't forget to go get Congdon's! Best fluffiest donuts. In Wells.
They have a food truck park at night Thursday-Monday, with rotating local food trucks.
64 locals recommend
Congdon's Doughnuts
1090 Post RdDon't forget to go get Congdon's! Best fluffiest donuts. In Wells.
They have a food truck park at night Thursday-Monday, with rotating local food trucks.
Amazing Artisan ice cream - unique flavors sure to make you feel *very fancy*.
23 locals recommend
Rococo Ice Cream
8 Spring StAmazing Artisan ice cream - unique flavors sure to make you feel *very fancy*.
Just at the end of River Road, you can even walk the 0.7 mi to this place, in order to reduce ice-cream-guilt. 1/2 or 1 scoop will do ya, the servings are huge. Butter Crunch is my fave but there are many and also sundaes and coffee/ice cream drinks. :)
This is a once a week stop for me.
The Ice Cream House
1300 US-1Just at the end of River Road, you can even walk the 0.7 mi to this place, in order to reduce ice-cream-guilt. 1/2 or 1 scoop will do ya, the servings are huge. Butter Crunch is my fave but there are many and also sundaes and coffee/ice cream drinks. :)
This is a once a week stop for me.
This is the special occasion place. The ambiance is divine, the food and drink exquisite and the staff is super helpful and friendly.
16 locals recommend
Walkers Maine
1273 US-1This is the special occasion place. The ambiance is divine, the food and drink exquisite and the staff is super helpful and friendly.
Pancakes!
Monte Cristo!
Muffins!
All the coffee!
GREAT breakfast/brunch joint.
18 locals recommend
The Greenery Cafe
369 Main StPancakes!
Monte Cristo!
Muffins!
All the coffee!
GREAT breakfast/brunch joint.
Cozy, very warm setting with really wonderful food; great for the Francophile.
6 locals recommend
Roost Cafe & Bistro
262 Shore RdCozy, very warm setting with really wonderful food; great for the Francophile.
Well... it was "a secret" for about a year but the food is great and everyone knows about it now.
DEFINITELY worth a visit.... if you can find it. ;)
First Hill, York
369 US-1Well... it was "a secret" for about a year but the food is great and everyone knows about it now.
DEFINITELY worth a visit.... if you can find it. ;)
Bread & Roses Bakery, Inc.
614 Post RdGreat pastries.
Great wood-fired pizza and an excellent beer selection.
24 locals recommend
Cornerstone Artisanal Pizza & Craft Beer
228 Main StGreat wood-fired pizza and an excellent beer selection.
Come for the bread (and take some home with you-- you can sample all of their breads in the shop), stay for an amazing pizza and a flight of beer.
39 locals recommend
When Pigs Fly Restaurant & Pizzeria
460 US-1Come for the bread (and take some home with you-- you can sample all of their breads in the shop), stay for an amazing pizza and a flight of beer.
Rick's Restaurant
1151 York StI love this little place. Tasty brunch, nice staff :)
I’ve only been once and they were working out the kinks at the time... it’s small but offers many delicious guilty pleasures. A promising new place - very limited parking!
8 locals recommend
Food for Thought
414 Main StI’ve only been once and they were working out the kinks at the time... it’s small but offers many delicious guilty pleasures. A promising new place - very limited parking!
YORK54 Pizza
449 US-1Get the curry chicken sandwich, you won’t regret it.
Venture down to Kittery and order a variety of dishes — you will regret nothing. I’ve never had a bad bite of food here. MY FAVORITE.
66 locals recommend
The Black Birch
2 Government StVenture down to Kittery and order a variety of dishes — you will regret nothing. I’ve never had a bad bite of food here. MY FAVORITE.
Lil's Cafe
7 Wallingford SquareCrullers and croissants to die for. Period.
Gourmet coffee, pastries, pizza... great wine and beer selection... all disguised as a gas station!!!!! Genius!
18 locals recommend
Anthony's Food Shop
679 US-1Gourmet coffee, pastries, pizza... great wine and beer selection... all disguised as a gas station!!!!! Genius!
Shops
Go meet Cesar and you'll either get a great deal on antiques or have a great chat, or both!
Tangibles Antiques
935 US-1Go meet Cesar and you'll either get a great deal on antiques or have a great chat, or both!
All the things you want, most of them you don't need... but it's fun. Give yourself at least an hour in here.
The Shops at Cape Neddick
1300 US-1All the things you want, most of them you don't need... but it's fun. Give yourself at least an hour in here.
Renys
107 Wells PlazaHave yourself a Maine Adventure!
This is the big red barn of antiques across from Wild Willy's on Route 1 - pack a lunch, bring your passport, whatever you need to spend at least an hour in here. Note: No bathrooms here! sigh...
York Antiques Gallery
746 US-1This is the big red barn of antiques across from Wild Willy's on Route 1 - pack a lunch, bring your passport, whatever you need to spend at least an hour in here. Note: No bathrooms here! sigh...
It’s the place with all the jams. There’s a lovely cafe inside as well. A good local gift to bring home.
23 locals recommend
Stonewall Kitchen York Company Store
2 Stonewall LnIt’s the place with all the jams. There’s a lovely cafe inside as well. A good local gift to bring home.
Sightseeing
Ogunquit Playhouse
10 Main StCatch a show!
Marginal Way
Marginal WayA lovely path to walk - VERY Photogenic.
I personally haven't been but it's been on my list for-ev-er. Please check it out and tell me what I'm missing!
47 locals recommend
Ogunquit Museum-American Art
543 Shore RdI personally haven't been but it's been on my list for-ev-er. Please check it out and tell me what I'm missing!
I love Mount A. You can do a 20 min walk or get "lost" for hours. Not difficult but wear your sturdy footwear. A GREAT place to watch Sunrises, Moon rises, meteor showers, etc.
109 locals recommend
Mount Agamenticus
I love Mount A. You can do a 20 min walk or get "lost" for hours. Not difficult but wear your sturdy footwear. A GREAT place to watch Sunrises, Moon rises, meteor showers, etc.
York Land Trust
421 Cider Hill RdGo for a walk outside :)
Skeeball! Claw machines! Video games! It’s.... FUN! right up on Short Sands.
15 locals recommend
Funorama
13 Beach StSkeeball! Claw machines! Video games! It’s.... FUN! right up on Short Sands.
A wonderful local non-profit that helps our local wildlife. It has programs and exhibits that are interesting and fun.
Center For Wildlife
375 Mountain RdA wonderful local non-profit that helps our local wildlife. It has programs and exhibits that are interesting and fun.
This is “the lighthouse” one thinks of when they think of Maine. Very photogenic in all weather and seasons.
91 locals recommend
Nubble Lighthouse
Sohier Park RoadThis is “the lighthouse” one thinks of when they think of Maine. Very photogenic in all weather and seasons.
A short footbridge (that wiggles) which is part of a path leading to the Harbor or into some nice short walking trails, depending on which way you’re headed.
25 locals recommend
Wiggly Bridge
57 Barrell LnA short footbridge (that wiggles) which is part of a path leading to the Harbor or into some nice short walking trails, depending on which way you’re headed.