Things to do in York County

Smell the salt air and walk with the sand beneath your feet at Ogunquit Beach. The beach lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Ogunquit River. It is within convenient walking distances from the town center. Explore its 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) of shoreline and enjoy the sea and surf.

Set between land and sea, Marginal Way is a 1.25-mile (2-kilometer) cliff walk between Ogunquit Beach and Perkins Cove. Watch Atlantic Ocean waves crashing into the rocks and spraying the tide pools beside the path, while surfers and divers venture out into the salty water. Considered one of the most walkable communities in Maine, Ogunquit is understandably proud of this scenic coastal path. The land for the walkway was donated to the community by Josiah Chase Jr. in 1925.

If you want to experience an authentic Maine fishing village, visit Perkins Cove. In this enclave of Ogunquit, located just south of the town center, explore an array of shops, restaurants and scenic walking routes.

Find much to appreciate along the pretty swath of sand at York’s popular Long Sands Beach. For 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers), you can surf, sun, stroll and enjoy the scenic sights, including the Nubble Lighthouse and Boon Island.

Experience all of Ogunquit’s beach beauty, with not many people, by visiting Footbridge Beach on the town’s northern edge. A favorite of watersports enthusiasts and families, the beach is one of the finest in the state, even the nation. Because it has only a medium-sized parking lot, the beach is not typically overcrowded.

To best appreciate the ambiance of Kennebunkport, visit Dock Square, an eclectic collection of historic fishing shacks that now house inviting art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. The renovated shacks sit on wharves that jut out over the Kennebunk River. Try to envision the bustling wharf in the 1800s, when it operated as a busy shipbuilding port. You’ll see evidence of the fine mansions built by sea captains; many of these are now stately inns.