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Old Orchard Beach, Maine

There is a long history of passenger rail travel to Old Orchard Beach. In 1842, steam trains between Boston and Portland made stops in Old Orchard Beach and, in 1953, the Grand Trunk Railroad connected Montreal to Old Orchard Beach. In 1873, the Boston and Maine Railroad began stopping at the same site that the Amtrak Downeaster now stops. In 1892, a traveler could take an electric trolley car to Saco and Biddeford and in 1903, the Portland to Old Orchard Beach Electric Railway opened.

However, with the advent of the automobile culture in the mid 1900s and the termination of passenger rail in Maine, these wonderful public transit amenities stopped operating. It is therefore very exciting that passenger trains are again visiting this beach town. The Downeaster began stopping at Old Orchard Beach on July 12, 2002 and the seasonal service will continue through October 31, 2002. The town will break ground on a train station/visitor center in the fall of 2002, and it is expected to be completed by the 2003 summer season. This center will be located at the current Chamber Visitors Center, on First Street, right in the heart of downtown and very near the beach, the pier and other attractions. For information, call (207) 934-2500.

This town is a good walking town. Orient yourself along Grand Avenue, the first street running parallel to the beach. East Grand Avenue is on the side of the pier going towards Portland, and West Grand Avenue is on the side going towards New Hampshire. The Beach Trolley goes to various locations in town, including restaurants and pubs, and the Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach shuttle bus has two routes through town on its way into Saco and Biddeford.

The beach is the biggest attraction at Old Orchard Beach and many consider it to be the best in Maine. With seven miles of sandy beach, there is plenty of room to spread out, and the location of the beach, in a sheltered area of Saco Bay, makes it very safe for swimming.

A bike or scooter is also a good way to get around town. For bike rentals, try the Viking Motel, 80 West Grand Avenue, (207) 934-1720 and for scooters, go to Beach Scooter Rentals, 28 East Grand Avenue, (207) 934-0156.

Every Thursday at 9:00 p.m., there are fireworks by the pier, late June through Labor Day. There are also free shows on the pier, every Monday and Tuesday night at 7 p.m. during the season. Visitors can see excellent family musical entertainment at the Salvation Army Pavilion Amphitheater, Church and Sixth Streets, (207) 934-2024,. Some performances require tickets, so check the web site for details.

Old Orchard Beach has a long and fascinating history as a resort, and the Old Orchard Beach Historical Society features historical memorabilia from the area, dating back to the seventeenth century. The Society is located at the top of Old Orchard Street, (207) 934-9319.

After a full day of swimming or bike riding, you might enjoy a local brew at the Whale Tail Brewing Company, 213 Saco Avenue, (207) 934-7370. The Whale Tail is connected to the Village Inn, a pleasant restaurant featuring downeast chowders and stews, salads and fresh fish.

For a more upscale dining experience, try the French and American cuisine at Joseph's, right on the beach at 55 West Grand Avenue, (207) 934-5044. The Maine Sunday Telegram gives Joseph's 4½ stars.

There are a multitude of accommodations in Old Orchard Beach, most of which are on or near the beach. There are motels, inns, guest houses, condos, housekeeping suites and cabins and bed and breakfasts. However, if you will be there between June 15 and mid September, be sure to make reservations, even during the week. This is a resort where folks often book for a week or more, so weekdays are usually no less busy than weekends. Many of the accommodations are very large motels, inns or condominium projects, but there are some smaller, comfortable facilities, a few of which are listed here. Most of the accommodations have staff that can speak French.

The following accommodations have the same owner and management and are near each other on or along West Grand Avenue: The Edgewater Oceanfront Motor Inn, 57 West Grand Avenue (comfortable inn right on the water); The White Lamb Cottages, 3 Odessa Avenue, Old Orchard Beach, (a ten cottage compound, each sleeping two visitors, with muffins, coffee and newspaper delivered daily); and, Scrub Pine Cottages, 9 Seacliff Avenue, Old Orchard Beach, (cottages without daily maid service, weekly stays). Reservations and information, (207) 934-2231, (800) 203-2034, edgelamb@JANELLE.com.

Auberge By the Sea, 103 East Grand Avenue, (207) 934-2355, is a comfortable, four bedroom bed and breakfast, with kitchenettes, a large porch and a short private pathway onto the beach.

Kelly's Oceanfront Resort consists of two large old New England cottages, with one, two and three bedroom suites. There are two locations on the water (22-24 Puffin Street and 6-8-10 Wavelet Avenue). Call (207) 934-4169 for reservations.

Last, but not least, there is Palace Playland - nothing fancy, just lots of the rides and arcade games that you might remember from childhood. Pay Playland a visit and you might feel like a child again.