York Beach Things to Do

Cape Neddick Lighthouse, better known as Nubble Light can be seen from many spots along the coast in York, Maine. The best view is from Sohier Park which offers an unobstructed view with perfect photo opportunities.
You can sit on a bench and watch the waves crashing on the rocks, the seagulls coasting overhead and the occaisonal scuba diving group. There are almost always artists painting or drawing the lighthouse. It's a very peaceful, romantic setting. What you CAN'T do is actually go onto the island the lighthouse sits on. I have heard that once a year they have a clambake in the lighthouse but I've never seen any evidence that they let people over there.
There is a lot of history and stories associated with the Nubble, which I won't go into here. You can read about them online. Nobody lives there now. Rumors that it's haunted, but then there are stories about hauntings in lots of lighthouses in Maine.
Twice a year the Nubble is adorned with white lights: for "Christmas in July", Santa pays a visit on a York Fire Engine. Also, the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, for the Annual Lighting of the Nubble. Santa stops by for this event also. There's music and some munchies available, usually cookies if I remember correctly.
There is a Gift shop and a restaurant called "Foxes". Maine has wonderful seafood and Lobster no matter where you go. At Foxes the "Lobstah" selections are divine and the view breathtaking. Foxes has a take out window also, not sure if they have same menu selections as inside restaurant. But if you are looking for dessert, walk up the road to Brown's ice cream instead. Yum.

York Beach is divided into two beaches - Short Sands at the north and Longs Sands to the south. The beaches are divided by a peninsula that houses the Nubble Lighthouse, which you can visit if you take a few minutes to drive or walk to it. I also suggest walking around the rocky shore just south of the lighthouse, which offers a nice trail through the dunes and down to the shore. You can also climb on the huge rocks that line the shore all around the peninsula if you are just a little daring.

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YORK'S WILD KINGDOM, located in York Beach, Maine has something to offer every member of the family. Each year more than 200,000 people come to visit the largest zoo and amusement park in the area. With exotic animals from around the world, YORK'S WILD KINGDOM is recognized for its rare species and knowledgeable curators.

They offer a variety of family rides, paddle boats, an 18 hole miniature golf course, a petting zoo, scenic picnic grounds and even a Haunted House. Educational learning sessions take place throughout the day and a special member of the zoo Rewa---Maine's only White Bengal Tiger---will amaze and delight the child in everyone! Don't miss our all New Butterfly Kingdom!

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The time that I went, they were expecting rain, so the rides were closed. However, we still went into the zoo. Had a great time seeing all the different animals. I took over 100 photos.

A prim and proper little lighthouse on tiny island a stone's throw from the mainland. It looks like the only way out there is a suspended basket on a cable. They lit it up for Christmas, and from Sohier Park (on the mainland side) it and the light-decorations all up and down the coast were beautiful.

Long Sands is the bigger of the two local beaches, hence the name.

Long Sands has a designated surfing area.

There are hotels and houses for rent across the street.

Parking is more limited than it is at Short Sands. There is metered parking available along Route 1A along the beach. Restrooms are available at the Bathhouse. Lifeguards on duty end of June to Labor Day.

Short Sands Beach is next to the downtown area of York Beach. It is the smaller of the two local beaches, hence the name.

There is plenty of parking, but be sure to bring lots of quarters. Cops on bicycles are quick to give tickets the second your time is up on the meter.

There are a bathhouse, outdoor showers, a playground and basketball courts.

Short Sands is popular with familys and kids. Fun-O-Rama, an arcade, is right next to the beach.
Across the street is Goldenrod's, a local favorite spot for lunch. You can watch through the windows as they make salt water taffy. There are lots of little shops and restaurants in the downtown area.
You can have the Goldenrod mail your family and friends some salt water taffy. Or walk across the street and mail a delicous Maine Lobster to your jealous relatives.

Look for the Hawaiian Ice sign (the place has moved a few times) and get a Hawaiian Ice with Maui Cream. Yummy!

York's Wild Kingdom and amusement park are a short walk away.
Concerts are performed on Short Sands in the summer at the gazebo. The handsome gentleman on the far bench is my Dad.

York's Wild Kingdom offers a variety of family rides, paddle boats, an 18 hole miniature golf course, a petting zoo, scenic picnic grounds and even a Haunted House.
It's a bit of a tourist trap and certainly not a great amusement park. It's fun enough to bring the kids to.
Not worth the price in my opinion.

Current prices as of this writing are:
PRICING for Summer 2005
Zoo & Ride Package Zoo Only
Adults $18.25/person $14.00/person
Children
4-10 yrs old $ 14.25/child $ 9.00/child
Children
3 yrs & under $ 4.00/child $ 1.00/child

Fun-O-Rama is an arcade in an archaic looking building. It's right on Short Sands Beach which makes it popular with families and local teens alike.
There are both modern and older video games. The place gets noisy and hot. Even die-hard older video game fans can only stay for a short time. Children don't seem to mind the dumpy atmosphere though.

This is a good zoo for people of all ages. There is a petting zoo where you can feed deer, goats and other animals. You can see monkeys, cougers, kangaroos and various other animals and birds. There are rides such as Go-Carts, bumper cars and paddle boats. Stay and watch the elephant show.

In York Village there is a tour that goes around a block or two in the village with a man in a grim reaper costume. He tells great local ghost stories and supersitions. If you're into ghosts or even slightly believe, I would take advantage of this.