Planning a family vacation to Old Orchard Beach, Maine, was a slam dunk for our summer getaway. With kids aged 8, 10, and 12, we needed a destination that delivered fun, relaxation, and, of course, plenty of ice cream. Old Orchard Beach, with its classic seaside charm, sandy shores, and vibrant boardwalk, gave us four days of unforgettable memories. Here’s how we made the most of our trip to this lively coastal gem.
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Getting There
Old Orchard Beach is nestled along Maine’s southern coast. We decided to drive from our home in Connecticut to Old Orchard Beach, a roughly 3-hour trip depending on traffic. We set out on a Thursday morning, which, as expected, came with some congestion on I-95—summer travelers and beachgoers were out in full force. Still, with a solid playlist and a few car games to keep the kids entertained, the drive was manageable. We arrived in Old Orchard Beach just in time to catch the afternoon sun, ready to kick off our coastal adventure.
Tip: Try to avoid afternoon travel on Thursdays and Fridays headed to resort and beach areas across Connecticut and Massachusetts. Beach traffic can be brutal, so plan accordingly and arrive with less stress.
Flying In?
For those not driving, Old Orchard Beach is easily accessible by air. The closest airport is Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Portland, Maine, just 16 miles away (about a 30-minute drive). Other solid options include Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) in New Hampshire (65 miles, roughly 1 hour) or Boston’s Logan Airport (BOS) (95 miles, about 1.5 hours) for more flight choices. Rent a car at any of these airports to make exploring the area a breeze.
Get a Rental Car. While there are certainly Uber and Lyft options, it is better to rent a car in this case, so that you can easily get to dinners, shopping and the sights. Get your Rental Car – Expedia.com
Accommodations
Old Orchard Beach offers a range of lodging options, from cozy motels to beachfront condos. We chose the Sea Cliff House Motel, a family-friendly spot right on the beach. Located on East Grand Avenue, it’s steps from the sand and a short walk to the famous Old Orchard Beach Pier. The motel offered spacious suites with kitchenettes, perfect for our crew, and a small pool that the kids loved. Waking up to ocean views each morning? Yes, please.
The on-site staff were super helpful, and the motel’s proximity to the boardwalk meant we could grab snacks or hit the arcade without piling into the car.
See a link to the Sea Cliff House Motel.
Other options we considered: The Edgewater or this VRBO.
TIP: Book early for Old Orchard Beach, especially in summer. Prime spots fill up fast! The Edgewater was sold out when we looked.
When to Go
June through August is peak season for an Old Orchard Beach family vacation, with warm weather, lively crowds, and all attractions in full swing. We visited in mid-July, and the beach was buzzing but manageable. The Atlantic water is chilly (think refreshing, not freezing), but the kids didn’t care. For warmer water, aim for late July or early August. By warmer I mean less chilly – we’re not talking Carribean here. May and September offer quieter vibes and cooler temps, while fall brings stunning foliage and smaller crowds. Winter is super quiet, perfect for a cozy coastal escape.
Packing
Packing for a Maine Beach Trip is a breeze with our free Packing Tool! Easily create a customized list for each member of your family.
As for the actual beach day packing, that is more of an art form of efficiency and preparedness. Getting this part right will make a family beach day stress free and relaxing. Check out this post for all of the keys to success: Gear Up for a Fantastic Family Beach Day
Day 1 - Arrival, Beach Vibes and Pier Excitement
We rolled into Old Orchard Beach in the late afternoon after our 3-hour drive from Connecticut. After checking into the Sea Cliff House Motel, we couldn’t resist the call of the beach. After a quick exploration of the grounds, we hit the sand just steps from our room. The kids dove into the waves, built sandcastles, and chased seagulls while we watched and enjoyed the afternoon relaxation.
Dinner was at Pier French Fries, a local institution. Think crispy fries, juicy burgers, and enough ketchup to keep the kids happy. Afterward, we strolled the Old Orchard Beach Pier, soaking in the neon lights, arcade games, and cotton candy-fueled energy. With every step the list of the places we just had to go to before we left kept getting longer by the step. The kids begged for a few rounds at the arcade, and we caved—vacation rules, right?
With sandy feet and happy hearts, Day 1 of our Old Orchard Beach family vacation was a total win.
Day 2 – Beach Day, Boardwalk Stroll & Amusement Park Thrills
We started the morning with a quick breakfast in our suite at the Sea Cliff House Motel—bagels, fruit, and coffee from the kitchenette fueled us up. Eager to explore, we took a short 5-minute walk (just 0.3 miles) from the motel to the Old Orchard Beach boardwalk, enjoying the salty air and morning calm along the shore. The kids loved spotting seagulls and collecting tiny shells before we headed back to gear up for a full beach day.
Old Orchard Beach’s seven-mile stretch of sand, right outside our motel, was perfect for our family—soft sand, gentle waves, and plenty of room to spread out. We set up our beach chairs, cooler, and umbrella, and the kids dove in, boogie-boarding and building sandcastles. The Atlantic water was chilly, but they didn’t care one bit. We packed snacks and drinks which kept us happy, but when hunger struck, we strolled back to the boardwalk for lunch at Lisa’s Pizza—classic slices and fried dough that hit all the right spots.
By mid-afternoon, the boardwalk’s energy called us back. Just a quick walk from the beach, we let the kids loose at Palace Playland, New England’s only beachfront amusement park. They begged for rides, and we couldn’t resist the Ferris wheel—the ocean views from the top were absolutely stunning.
Dinner was at Joseph’s by the Sea, a short drive away, with fresh seafood for us and kid-friendly options for the crew. We capped the night with ice cream at Ocean Park Soda Fountain, a retro gem that felt like a step back in time. Walking back to the motel under the boardwalk’s twinkling lights, we felt that perfect vacation glow.
Beach Gear Must Haves!
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Day 3 - Rain! Shopping Triumph.
Rain greeted us on Day 3, but in Old Orchard Beach, a little drizzle doesn’t dampen the fun. After a hearty breakfast at The Breakfast Place—pancakes for the kids, lobster omelets for us—we decided to pivot to a shopping adventure at the Kittery Premium Outlets, just a 50-minute drive south on I-95. With over 100 stores, it promised something for everyone, from brand-name deals to kid-friendly distractions.
We bundled into the car, armed with snacks and a playlist to keep the kids happy through the morning showers. The Kittery Outlets were a hit—spacious, covered walkways kept us mostly dry, and the kids loved browsing at stores like Nike and Gap Kids for new sneakers and vacation gear. We scored deals at J.Crew and Old Navy, while the 10-year-old declared the candy selection at the Lindt Chocolate Shop the “best part of the day.” A quick lunch at the outlet’s food court—burgers and pizza slices—kept everyone fueled.
By early afternoon, we headed back to Old Orchard Beach, where the rain was still falling. The Sea Cliff House Motel’s proximity to the boardwalk (a quick 5-minute walk, just 0.3 miles) made it easy to pop over to the Palace Playland Arcade for some indoor fun. The kids burned through tokens on claw machines and racing games, racking up tickets for quirky prizes. Even we got in on the action, challenging them to air hockey (parents won, barely).
Dinner was a cozy affair at The Shack, a short drive from the motel, where we devoured lobster rolls and mac-and-cheese that hit the spot on a rainy evening. Back at the motel, we wrapped up the night with a family board game session in our suite, laughing over the kids’ questionable Monopoly strategies. Rain or shine, Old Orchard Beach delivered another day of family fun.
Day 4 - Full Beach Day
Our final day in Old Orchard Beach was all about soaking up every last moment of beach bliss. We started with a leisurely breakfast in our suite at the Sea Cliff House Motel—bagels, fruit, and plenty of coffee to fuel the day. With check-out at 11:00 AM, we packed up the car early, stashed our bags in the trunk, and headed straight to the beach, just steps from the motel. The seven-mile stretch of Old Orchard Beach was calling, and we weren’t ready to say goodbye just yet.
We set up our beach chairs, umbrella, and cooler for a full day of family fun. The kids, aged 8, 10, and 12, dove into the waves, perfected their boogie-boarding skills, and built an epic sandcastle complete with a moat. The gentle Atlantic waves kept them entertained for hours, while we relaxed with a book (finally!) and cheered on their beach antics. For lunch, we took a quick 5-minute walk (just 0.3 miles) to the boardwalk and hit Bill’s Pizza, a local favorite. Their cheesy slices and crispy fries were a hit with the kids, and the quick service got us back to the beach in no time.
By mid-afternoon, the kids begged for one last boardwalk adventure, so we strolled over to Palace Playland for a final ride on the carousel and a few more arcade tokens. The ocean views from the boardwalk never got old. As the sun started to dip, we returned to the beach for a final round of shell-collecting and wave-jumping, savoring the salty air and those perfect vacation vibes.
We wrapped up around 6:00 PM, grabbing a quick dinner to-go from Rocco’s Pizza & Subs near the boardwalk. Their hearty subs—loaded with meats, cheese, and veggies—were perfect for the road, keeping everyone fueled for the drive. The 3-hour trip back to Connecticut was smooth, and the kids, exhausted from a full day of beach fun, were fast asleep before we even crossed the Maine state line. Old Orchard Beach gave us the perfect mix of classic beach joy and laid-back coastal charm—a family vacation we’ll be talking about for years.
Adventures We Missed
There’s always more to explore! We didn’t make it to Ferry Beach State Park, just a 10-minute drive away, with trails and a quieter beach perfect for nature lovers. The Saco Museum, a short drive to Saco, offers a peek into local history and would’ve been a hit with our curious 10-year-old. If we had another day, we’d also check out Funtown Splashtown USA, a family-friendly amusement and water park nearby.
Alternatives to Old Orchard Beach
Maine’s coast is packed with options. If Old Orchard Beach is booked, consider Kennebunkport, a charming town with beaches and a quieter vibe and summer residence of the Bush family. Also, you can try Wells, known for its long sandy shores.