Leaving Portland, Maine, I wanted to take the beach route and visit the small community of Old Orchard Beach, Maine.  With only 9,000 full-time residents, this vacation spot swells to nearly 75,000 in the summer.

Old Orchard Beach was first settled in 1657 by Salem native, Thomas Rogers naming it the Garden of the Sea.  Planting grape vines and pear trees, it was the apple orchard that gave this beach its name.

Seven miles of beach extend from Scarborough to Saco and is one of the main attractions for tourists visiting Old Orchard Beach.  Seaside condominiums, beach homes on stilts and charming bed-and-breakfasts cater to vacationers who come from the east coast, mid-Atlantic and Canada.

At the center of the beach is the famous Old Orchard Beach Pier, built in 1898, measuring 500 feet in length.  Bars and restaurants were built on the pier and there was once a ballroom at its end known as the of the Pier Casino.  While the casino no longer exists, there are shops, carnival food stalls and a club at the end of the Pier.

By the early 20th century, a seaside amusement park was built on four acres of beach property to promote tourism.  It is one of the last parks along the east coast that remains in operation today.

Have you visited Old Orchard Beach on vacation?  I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my quick stop in Old Orchard Beach and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Stroll Orchard Beach and Visit the Pier

Where to Stay:

Old Orchard Beach Inn
6 Portland Avenue
Old Orchard Beach, ME  04064
Telephone:  207 934 5834

Where to Eat:

Joseph’s by the Sea
55 West Grand Avenue
Old Orchard Beach, ME  04064
Telephone:  207 934 5044

What to Eat:

Seafood, especially lobster