Tidepools galore! A hands-on aquarium in Maine.

Favorite Vacation Moment

York, ME

by sandkatv March 10, 2008

Vachon Family at the Nubble Lighthouse, summer 2007

Our family loves our time at Long Sands Beach in York, Maine. We live about 45 minutes from the beach which has become a favorite destination for our family so we are there frequently during the summer months and even into the early Fall. York is one of the most family friendly places to spend time but there are also many things for adults to enjoy as well. The town is clean, well-maintained and chock full of activities and great places to eat. We prefer Long Sands Beach to Short Sands as the crowds are fewer and the tidepools that my three young children discover are amazing. When the tide goes out it leaves behind hermit crabs, periwinkles, crabs, baby shrimp and even an occasional young lobster! My children will sit for hours exploring these pools and swimming in the warmer waters of the larger pools. You can also catch a surfer or two when the waves are right.

Just a short trolly ride away to Short Sands Beach you can poke among the many shops, grab an ice cream, watch old fashioned salt water taffy or fudge being made at Golden's, play indoor mini golf, check out the rides and animals at York's Wild Animal Kingdom, drop a few quarters in the arcade or spend an afternoon playing on the wonderful playground right on the beach. There is also a bandstand that features an assortment of performances a few nights a week during the summer months.

A trip to York would not be complete without a trip to the Nubble Light House, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country. We love to top off that trip with an ice cream from Brown's...yummy! I have some great pictures of the children covered in chocolate ice cream!

Our children are already asking when we can go to York and it's only early March! Although there are many places our family likes to visit I can't think of a more peaceful and play-filled spot that York Beach!