Short Sands Beach,
York Beach, MaineYork, Maine, is living proof that you don't have to travel
far up the Maine coast to get a true feel of the famed Downeast
lifestyle.
Lobster dinners, rocky shoreline, expansive ocean beaches, ice cream
stands, salt water taffy and refreshing salt air await you just minutes
north of the New Hampshire-Maine border. York has something fun for
everyone: the quiet, antique-friendly York Harbor and York Village, the
beaches, carousel and arcades at York Beach, and the rugged, rocky,
more secluded environs of Cape Neddick.
When visiting York, you can see the joy and relaxation in peoples'
faces as more smiling and "hellos" take place here than you can
initially handle. The key is to adapt. When you do, the health benefits
are greater than any wellness doctor could ever recommend.
We suggest starting with Long Sands beach where families saturate this
wonderful two-mile stretch where the water is cold, but the appeal of
the area isn't. Long Sands Beach is perfect for strolling, sunning,
building a sandcastle, or just meeting friendly people. If you don't
mind the frigid waters, it is also perfect for swimming.
Long Sands Beach
Then walk the loop from Long Sands Beach to the stunning
Nubble
Lighthouse at Cape Neddick. Generally recognized as one of the most
photographed lighthouses in the country, this is the perfect place to
rest, get hypnotized by the rough ocean waves and prototypical Maine
rocky coastline --it is a picture-perfect postcard come to life.
Sometimes, Mother Nature's fury can be viewed in the form of some
spectacular storms with biting high winds and crashing waves.
My wife Joan and I fell in love at Nubble Light, under the milky way
sky. For years, we have come back to our favorite New England travel
destination remembering that day when our lives changed in the most
wonderful way possible. It's especially nice coming to Nubble Light at
night to cool off, hear the hypnotic waves and see the red beacon light
shining in the pitch black, seaside sky, landscaped with an endless and
stunning array of stars and galaxies. For others, it's fun trying to
spot other lighthouses in the far distance (on a clear night, you can
see lighthouses as far as 30 miles away in Portland).
You could literally spend a day at Nubble Light, and not tire of one of
New England's masterpieces.
Nubble Lighthouse
Around the corner from Nubble Lighthouse is absolutely
terrific ice cream at
Dunn's ice cream
stand. We strongly recommend the blueberry ice cream. And remember,
it's OK to eat blueberry ice cream without feeling guilty. Blueberries
are loaded with antioxidants, plus you're helping the Maine economy by
purchasing this tasty fruit. Regarding the ice cream, we'll just say
you're helping the Vermont economy. Foxes, which is closer to Nubble
Light, also serves Dunn's Ice Cream at its ice cream stand and has a
nice dining area where you can sample top-notch Maine classics like
lobster, and clam chowder.
To justify all that eating, be prepared to walk about a mile until you
reach York Beach. Here, you will find Short Sands Beach, the midget
cousin of Long Sands Beach. The waves pack a wallop and so do the
crowds. Short Sands Beach is downtown, which means easier access to
stores, restaurants, arcades, York Wild Kingdom -- Maine biggest zoo
with plenty of amusement rides there, too -- and, curiously, a bowling
alley, overlooking the ocean. It is
a bit puzzling seeing people favor the bowling alley over a pristine
beach. Perhaps the salt air produces better scores. The beach is such a
fun place and the views on adjacent Ocean Ave. Extension are simply
marvelous...
Short Sands Beach.
View from Ocean Ave. Extension in York Beach, Maine.
Make it a point to walk across the street to the landmark Goldenrod's, offering nice lunches and loads of salt water taffy. They make the stuff here, and at times, the machines viewed from the window draw more of a crowd than a Britney Spears concert. Only here, you get more wholesome entertainment.
The Goldenrod in York Beach.
In downtown York Beach, the scene is lively and fun on a summer night...
Visitors can sample some nice arts, crafts and antique stores, plus the obligatory t-shirt shops. Perhaps the best of these shops is Joan's Beach House which has a nice array of gifts, including some great Maine shirts, lighthouse lamps and throws. Some great candle scents permeate the air. Don't forget, also, about Candy Corner that specializes in salt water taffy, homemade fudge, truffles, fine chocolates, handmade turtles, caramel apples, and chocolate -dipped strawberries and bananas...
The Candy Corner in York Beach.
York Harbor and York Village are more subdued and New England-traditional than York Beach. The shopping district has a quaint, relaxed feel -- some prefer the quiet, understated feel with its small town feel, tree-lined side streets, spectacular homes sporting many different types of architecture, and meandering sidewalks leading to charming little indepedently owned shops. A small ocean beach at York Harbor is just a short walk away, as well as a fun cliff walk which requires walking over lots of rocks, while enjoying sweeping views of the Atlantic ocean.
Cliff Walk, York Harbor
Not too far from York Harbor on Route One is the famed Stonewall
Kitchen offering some truly amazing jams, syrups, salad dressings and
plenty of kitchen accessories. Don't leave without buying the
incredible blueberry jam.
On the other side of town is Shore Road, which has more twists and
turns than a Hitchcock movie. Here in the Cape Neddick area, you'll
experience a more untouched part of the area as the ocean looks more
lonesome and wild, but no less charming. Shore Road leads to the
delightful village of Ogunquit.
Great restaurants reside in York. Clay Hill
Farm is without a doubt the
best restaurant in the area and possibly in New England. Clay Hill
Farm's lovely gardens and warm intimate dining rooms in an old and
elegant farmhouse set the tone for the freshest food we've encountered
in many years of dining. The spinach salad is so alive with
straight-from-the-garden tatste and just the right amount of dressing.
The lobster bisque jumps right at your taste bud's joy center. The
roast half duck and seafood scampi are particularly amazing, so
flavorful and memorable with all the right seasonings and sauces.
Deserts, largely of a chocolate theme, will leave you breathless.
The Cape Neddick Inn (Rt. 1A) is also a superb dining establishment. A
gracious country atmosphere awaits you, along with fine service and an
upscale menu featuring creative seafood and steak dishes. During the
summer, a warm window breeze and the fine art on the wall lend a
home-like feeling. We really enjoyed the salads and schrod and pork
dinners on our first visit here.
Another restaurant recommendation is the Sun and Surf on Long Sands
Beach. What might first seem like a tourist haven turns out to be a
fine top-notch steak and seafood place. The seafood --particularly the
haddock -- is quite fresh and plentiful. The Sun and Surf has quite
possibly the best clam chowder and blueberry pie of any we've sampled
in New England. Plus, the perfect view of Long Sands Beach is reason
enough to visit.
There are many fine places to stay in York. Here are a few...
The former Inn at Long Sands is now the Stone's
Throw. We
expect the quality to be as wonderful as it was before, offering
rooms with spectacular ocean view porches of beautiful Long Sands Beach
-- right across the street. Further updates on the way for the
new inn and restaurant -- stay tuned!
View from Stone's Throw at Long Sands Beach
The Dockside Guest Quarters, near York
Harbor, is
located on the secluded Harris Island. The Dockside consists of bed and
breakfast-type rooms in the main house and some very good modern,
condo-style rooms featuring fireplaces and porches with great harbor
views. It is nestled in between dense wooded area and the harbor,
making it a peaceful and romantic place to stay. A fine restaurant
completes this excellent choice for lodging.
York might not have the style of nearby Ogunquit, the opulence of
Kennebunkport, the Springsteen feel of Hampton Beach, N.H., or the
urban aura of Portland. What it does have is heart and soul and a great
family-oriented atmosphere, inviting every walk of life to experience
the seaside experience in New England. York is simply made to enjoy.
So, enjoy!
Many of York's businesses are seasonal, especially in the York Beach
area. For more information, visit the York Maine Chamber
of Commerce
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Books by VisitingNewEngland.com Publisher Eric Hurwitz
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