Travel Guide: York Beach, Maine
York, Maine is a small beach town in Maine that is extremely popular for vacation during the summer months. During the off-season, though, York is just as great — if not better. With less tourists around, there are so many activities to enjoy. Here’s a list of some of my favorite places that will make you fall in love York as much as I did.
Joe’s Coffee
This small breakfast joint is packed during the summer, but on this chilly morning in October we were the only ones there. They have all different kinds of egg sandwiches beyond your typical bacon, egg, and cheese. They also have one of the best chai tea lattes I’ve ever had—way better than Starbucks! We got our sandwiches to go and took them with us to Long Sands Beach, where we laid towels out on the sand and had a picnic. Without the summer tourists, the beach in fall feels like your own secret spot, and it was the perfect place to have a delicious breakfast.
Beach Pea
Another great lunch spot in York is Beach Pea. Like most restaurants in York, Beach Pea is a pretty small, order-at-the-counter type place. They have lots of different salads, sandwiches, and coffee and teas to choose from. I definitely recommend their chicken salad.
Nubble Lighthouse
One of the most photographed lighthouses in the world is the Nubble in York. There were a bunch of other tourists gathered around with their smartphones out, snapping pictures of the lighthouse that sat on its own island in the middle of the ocean. It was a surreal sight, and a definite must-see in Maine.
Applecrest
A staple fall activity in New England is apple picking. Just a half hour from York, Applecrest is located in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, and has fields of endless apple trees. They also have farm animals, an organic grocery store, and a restaurant. After picking our apples, my friends and I sat down at the restaurant where we ate apple cider doughnuts and sipped hot apple cider outside. When we got home, we made an apple crisp out of the apples we had picked, making for a perfect end to an autumn day.
Boat ride
The best part about Maine is how close it is to the water, so a boat ride is a definite necessity. My friends and I went on the Finestkind, a ship that takes you through the coast of Ogunquit, Maine, which borders York. They offer a variety of different cruises, but we went on the scenic cruise that took us back to the Nubble lighthouse. This time, we viewed it from the water, and it was just as pretty. The captain even let us steer the ship on the way back!
Barnacle Billy’s
Maine is famous for their lobster, and their lobster rolls are a must-try. We went to Barnacle Billy’s and sat on the back porch, right on the water. The restaurant is in Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, which has a bunch of little restaurants and ice cream stalls. At Billy’s, I had the best lobster roll I’ve ever eaten, with a buttery roll stuffed with cold lobster salad. We also drank some of Billy’s famous rum punch while watching boats come in and dock at the restaurant. Billy’s has a special place in my friend Becca’s family because it’s where her parents met, as well as her aunt and uncle. To Becca’s family, this seafood spot is almost like a second home.
Portsmouth
The town of Portsmouth is only a short 15 minute drive from York, and it’s a great place to spend the day. We went to The Fresh Press for breakfast, a juicery with amazing acai bowls, before walking around all of the different shops. Portsmouth reminded me of a mini Charleston, with a bunch of little boutiques lined up along the road, and a view of the water close by.
Portland
The last town we went to during fall break was Portland, Maine. Portland is right on the water and serves as a port for many ships, hence its name. The number one rated restaurant in Portland is Duckfat, a sandwich shop specializing in poutine. We got french fries topped with cheese and a fried egg—one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten. We walked the fries off by going through all of the different shops and stores, from familiar ones like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie to smaller boutiques. There were also local vendors set up under tents along the water selling things like knitted scarves, handmade jewelry and original paintings.
