Things to Do
In Ocean Park, dive into beach bliss, explore bustling markets, and embark on thrilling water adventures for an unforgettable getaway. 🌅🏄‍♂️🌴
Explore Ocean Park
Small City. Big Attraction.
Ocean Park, a small city in Maine, captivates with its stunning 7- mile-long sandy beach and vibrant local culture, making it a must-visit destination.
01.
Old Orchard Pier
The Old Orchard Beach Pier, opened in 1898 and built for \$38,000 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, quickly became a lively New England hotspot. Featuring three pavilions and a grand Pier Casino ballroom for 5,000 guests, it attracted legendary performers like Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra.
Over time, storms and disasters severely damaged the pier—losing parts in the early 1900s, suffering a major fire in 1969, and facing destruction from a 1978 blizzard. After several rebuilds, it reopened in 1980 as a 500-foot structure and remains a beloved seaside landmark today.
02.
Palace Playland
Palace Playland began in the late 1800s with simple attractions like a skating rink and merry-go-round. A 1948 fire destroyed much of the park, including Maine’s last wooden roller coaster, but it was rebuilt and grew steadily, even briefly run by future philanthropist Bernard Osher.
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By the 1990s, it became known as “New England’s largest pinball and video arcade,” a title it still holds with over 200 games in a 24,000-square-foot space. Today, it blends nostalgic charm with modern thrills for a classic beachfront experience.
03.
Old Orchard Beach
Old Orchard Beach, a seven-mile stretch along Maine’s southern coast, is a classic New England seaside destination known for its charm, soft sand, and the historic 800-foot pier offering ocean views, dining, and shopping. Nicknamed the “Coney Island of Maine,” it blends a lively atmosphere with family-friendly appeal.
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Its gentle waves are perfect for swimming and relaxing, while nearby Palace Playland adds amusement park fun. With a nostalgic boardwalk feel, fresh lobster rolls, summer fireworks, and easy access from cities like Boston and Montreal, it remains a top East Coast beach spot.
04.
The Old Port
The Old Port in Portland, Maine, is a historic waterfront district where cobblestone streets and 19th-century buildings reflect the city’s maritime roots. Once a trade hub, its old warehouses now host boutiques, galleries, seafood restaurants, and an active harbor. Nearby, the Portland Observatory offers sweeping views of Casco Bay.
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The Eastern Promenade adds peaceful waterfront trails and picnic spots, while the area comes alive at night with bars and live music. Blending history, coastal beauty, and vibrant culture, the Old Port captures the spirit of Portland and remains a top destination for visitors.
05.
Portland Light House
Perched on the cliffs of Cape Elizabeth in Fort Williams Park, Portland Head Light is one of America’s most photographed lighthouses and a symbol of New England’s maritime legacy. Built in 1791 under George Washington’s orders, it has guided ships through Casco Bay for over 200 years.
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With its white tower and black lantern contrasting the Atlantic horizon, the lighthouse attracts visitors year-round. Managed by the town of Cape Elizabeth, it offers rich history, stunning ocean views, and a peaceful glimpse into Maine’s coastal beauty.
06.
The Temple
The Baptist Temple in Ocean Park, Old Orchard Beach, Maine, was built in 1881 by the Free Will Baptist Ocean Park Association as part of a Chautauqua-inspired summer community. Designed by Dow and Wheeler and constructed in just six weeks, it remains Maine’s only octagonal religious building and was once among the largest of its kind.
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With an 80-foot diameter, clapboard exterior, and central cupola, the Temple features a simple post-and-beam interior, original wooden furnishings, and a speaker’s platform—preserving the charm of its revival-era roots.
