Springing Forth in the Maine Beaches with our Favorite Secret Spots
Spring is the great re-awakening in the Maine Beaches region, when we look forward to the full renewal of life here on Southern Maine’s coast.
As the weather warms, the trees bud and and flowers bloom, and we love revisiting our seasonal favorites. Visitors, too, anticipate returning for the most magical of seasons here in the Maine Beaches region.
We know you have your favorites to which you faithfully return every trip — we see those lines wrapping around the lot on the first day of their season, after counting down the days to get that first lobster roll, that rum punch, or ice cream cone. We are there right beside you!
But we’re also here to share with you a few of our own favorite things, though lesser known, that can make a great field trip.
Let’s start the day at Coastal Craft Workshop in Old Orchard Beach at one of their craft and creative classes. (And if you’re not normally crafty, the staff will help you tap your inner creativity!) They offer a variety of fun workshops such as sea glass windows, sea glass tree, polymer clay, pebble art, and scallop-shell trinket dishes. These events can make for a memorable morning or afternoon, as well as a special memory to take home to remember your time in Maine.
For a snack, stop at The Way Way Store in Saco. The Way Way Store, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This blast from the past and offers up a wide range of traditional sweets that go back to the mid-20th century, such as penny-candy, ribbon candy and a take-out ice cream window. They even have their own line of pure Maine maple syrup. Plus they sell Moxie, Maine’s original soda, in a glass bottle! And, they’ll sell to you from the original cash register used when the store opened in 1916.
Part entertainment and part education, the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport is like stepping back in time when railroads, trolleys, and electric street cars were king of transportation. Here you can ride the rails aboard a vintage trolley from the early 1900s, and explore the expansive grounds filled with beautiful, restored trolleys and transit artifacts. The Restoration Shop always has a project in process, and the new Maine Central Model Railroad Building houses an impressive model railway. The gift shop sells a wide variety of transit-themed clothing, games, puzzles, books and other souvenirs to purchase. As part of a relaxing afternoon here, you may also enjoy their beautiful grounds and picnic areas. The museum is open daily in season, beginning May 3; admission is $5 and children five (5) and under are free.
Since we’re feeling nostalgic, let’s stop for lunch at Pool Lobster at Goldthwaite’s in scenic Biddeford Pool. It’s a long-time neighborhood market with a great deli with even better views. They are open daily Memorial Day to Labor Day and yes, they serve lobster, seafood, burgers and dogs, pizza, sandwiches, salads and hand-scooped ice cream. Hopefully it’s a nice day so you can enjoy the backyard picnic tables overlooking Saco Bay.
While on our way south on Route 1, be on the lookout for a big red barn in Wells, across from the Maine Diner. Inside the 5,550-square-foot Cole’s Corner Gift Shop are about 45 vendor shops filled with a wide variety of treasures, from antiques and homemade crafts to collectibles and assorted interesting finds. Like many of the antique shops you can find along Route 1, this country store is filled with many nooks and crannies and it’s like hitting up 45 shops all at once!
To get a better view of the entire Maine Beaches region, how about a helicopter ride? Based at Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport, Pine Tree Helicopters offers a few different tours of various durations: Maine Lighthouse Tour, Nubble Light Tour and the Sunset Tour as well as custom tours. Flights get as high as 1,200 feet above sea level, which is just enough to offer great views while still appreciating the details of the rocky coast, natural landscape and iconic landmarks from above!
In the afternoon, and if it’s a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you should check out The Center for Wildlife in York. Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays, this is a great stop for families and those who would enjoy meeting rescued turtles, porcupines, birds, snakes, rabbits and bats, among others, and learn more about their mission to rescue and rehabilitate local wildlife. Their Nature Center and outdoor ambassador enclosures are open rain or shine for self-guided visits as well as private tours. Nature Center visits are $10; drop-ins are welcome if tickets are available. Reservations are recommended.
To cap off our day on the road less traveled in the Maine Beaches region, let’s stop at the Leavitt Theatre in Ogunquit Village on Route 1. They are celebrating their centennial anniversary in 2025. For 100 years, this locally-owned venue has served the region as a cultural landmark for movies, live music, comedy and various entertainment. Rooted in timeless cinematic charm, it’s been described as “Gatsby meets cozy New England charm whimsical rustic,” which captures its unique vibe well! Leavitt Theatere now serves up dinner and craft cocktails so you can enjoy a night on the town with dinner and a show!
Now you’ve sampled a quick trip around some sites less traveled. In addition to our stunning coastline and wide variety of events and activities, you’ve found some hidden gems amongst the perennial favorites. No doubt in your travels you have discovered so much more to circle back around and explore. So pack your bags, juice up your phone and vehicle, and enjoy spring in The Maine Beaches!