Your Next New England Weekend Trip
I was fortunate enough to take a trip to Old Orchard Beach in Maine this past Memorial Day weekend with my boyfriend’s family. This was a generous Christmas gift from his family and we all got to spend much needed time together. 7 of us total and it was relaxing and yet super fun!
Where We Stayed
The family rented an Airbnb just shy of 10 minutes from The Pier and downtown area. We got the entire two story cape style house home to ourselves and it was perfect. The vibe was rustic meets modern. It houses 12 guests with 4 bedrooms and 7 beds. There are two bathrooms, one is a full bath while the other is a half bath.
There was a great backyard that has space for yard games and even has an outdoor shower. The bed I slept in was so comfortable I was out like a light each time I hit the pillow! Did I mention there was a sink in the bedroom? Very convenient for getting ready before dinner each night!
The location is on a main road however you can walk or bike just over half a mile or park for free in 2 dedicated 24-hour beach parking spots on Milliken Street parking. In the prime summer season, you can also take a trolley, which is located 250 feet away from the house at Jimmy the Greek’s Restaurant, and stops at 8 beach locations. $2 per person Children 5 and under ride free! The private driveway parks four vehicles. There is also plenty of on-street parking available.
In the nearby area there are walking and nature trails, bike trails, dog paths and tennis courts. Of course, there are different beaches locally too. If you feel like staying in at the house it features a fully equipped kitchen and a deck with a Napoleon BBQ grill, a Blackstone 36” flat top griddle, and small charcoal grill. The grilling ideas are endless!
If you are coming with kids it is only a 5-minute drive to Aquaboggan Water park and Funtown Splashtown USA.
What We Ate & Drank
Breakfast each morning took place at the house but we ventured out for lunches and dinners. There are countless restaurants and bars in the area, you basically have to choose what type of food you want and you’ll be set. We explored the more popular local spots.
The Pier Bar & Restaurant – Located right at the end of the Pier in downtown OOB is a restaurant and bar that is right above the water. You can look down through the cracks in the boardwalk and see the ocean waves below, how cool! Here I got a Beach Bucket that had pineapple juice, Blue Curacao and coconut Rum – it was delicious and reminded me of being in the Caribbean! The staff was super friendly and very attentive. Our friends had the chicken wings and said they were incredible!
Local OOB Restaurant – We went here for dinner the first night. This place is great as they have lots of gluten-free options. They have a small inside but lots of seating outside with heaters. I stuck with my classic mule with a flavored vodka and got the gluten-free chicken tenders and fries. Pretty simple but hit the spot as we sat outside and it was chilly!
The Brunswick – This was our go to bar location. This place is right on the water and has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and bars. While we did not eat here, plenty of drinks were bought! I tried something new to me, a Good Boy John Daly style cocktail. This comes in a can and was very refreshing! Many of us also took part in a couple rounds of jello shots the first night out, because we were kicking off vacation with a bang!
Jimmy the Greek’s – Let me preface by saying this place is NOT a greek-style restaurant. They have a couple options for greek food but they were not pleasant by any means. Drinks were pretty standard and in the back of the restaurant they have an entire arcade set up. Sean and I played multiple rounds of air hockey and I am not pleased to say that he won, but I played an impressive game against him!
Tips & Practical Info
Getting there: Absolutely drive if you are local to New England!
Getting around: Certain areas are walkable, but we mostly drove and rode Uber. The first night we got a local golf cart service which was a blast!
Best time to visit: Memorial Day to Labor Day – this is a summer destination spot!
What I’d do differently: I would love to explore some other local parts of Maine next time and try some other restaurants!
Would I recommend it?If you are looking for a budget-friendly, family-friendly vacation this is a great spot to go!
Final Thoughts
We came home feeling extremely fulfilled having spent time with family. Sometimes the best trips are the ones not planned with an itinerary. I also want to recommend that on a rainy day, the Kittery Outlets are only 35 minutes away and it is fun to walk around downtown with the carnival that is stationed there! Big thank you and shout out to Sean’s family!
