Maine OLD ORCHARD BEACH 43.5148° N, 70.3721° W Visitors have been celebrating fun times at this grande dame of resort towns for 170 years. Despite being updated and modernized for the 21st century, the town’s Victorian-era beach vibe remains intact. The hub of activities on the seven miles of sandy beach is Old Orchard Pier. Beside drinking, dining and shopping above the waves, the pier has surfboard, umbrella and chair rentals. At nightfall the historic pier comes alive with fireworks, concerts and dancing.
New Hampshire HAMPTON BEACH 42.9113° N, 70.8135° W Folks from “away” are often surprised by the dramatic waves breaking along the state’s 13 miles of oceanfront. The beach is near the top on lists of cleanest in the country, and the Hampton Beach Boardwalk is ranked in the top 10 for its cafes and local shops, scenic setting, and lively atmosphere. Local bands tune up every evening on the Sea Shell Stage. For those seeking less honky-tonk, more reserve, nearby Jenness Beach in Rye is a smaller, less crowded option.
OGUNQUIT BEACH 43.2559° N, 70.5917° W
In the town’s native Abenaki language, Ogunquit means “beautiful place by the sea,” the perfect description for a 3.5-mile stretch of clean, white sand. The local trolley has a beach stop on its path around the quaint buildings, tiny shops and pedestrian bridges of this seaside village. Marginal Way is a spectacular mile walk beginning at the beach and winding along the windswept cliff edge to Perkins Cove, a popular anchorage with a working dock for local fishing boats.
Old Orchard Beach Pier
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SPRING 2022
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