A Complete Guide To York, Maine

Maine is the perfect place to visit if you love the outdoors. York, Maine is situated on the southern coast of the state and is a popular summer destination for beach goers. The rocky coastline, cute mom & pop shops, and quaint bed & breakfasts make up the New England seaside town of York. This complete guide to York, Maine has everything you need to the perfect getaway in New England.

About York

Safety - York, Maine is one of the safest towns in the USA. Just take normal precautions (keep an eye out for pickpockets, be vigilant walking at night, ect.)

History - York was founded in 1630 by Edward Godfrey. In the early days of York it was a hotspot for ship building and trading. Today York thrives on the tourism industry. To learn more about the history of York, Maine read this article.

When To Visit York, Maine

Maine can get freezing in the winter months, and honestly there is never much of a spring in New England. Because York is a beach town, it is best visited in the summer (June - August). Fall is always gorgeous in New England, so if you are looking to do some hiking or beach walks, you will love fall (September - November) in York.

How To Get To York, Maine

The best and only way to get to York is by driving. If you are coming from far away the best airport to fly into is Boston Logan International. Logan is a huge airport, so you will not have any trouble finding an affordable flights whether you are coming from another state or abroad.

From Logan rent a car and drive to York. Since York is in southern Maine it is a easy drive (around an hour from Boston). I recommend a stop in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on the way to York!

You can also fly into the Portland Airport (PWM) which is 40 minutes north of York, but you may have trouble finding flights. Some airlines that fly into The Portland Airport include Breeze Airlines, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier, Southwest, United, and Sun County. You can find flights to the Portland Airport from cities all along the eastern seaboard.

Read about all of the airlines and which cities fly to Portland here.

Where To Stay In York, Maine

Luxury York Hotels

🛎️Viewpoint Hotel - The Viewpoint Hotel is the nicest hotel in York, Maine. Complete with an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, spacious rooms, gym, and more you will love the viewpoint hotel.

🛎️Cliff House - Technically located in Cape Neddick, Maine is The Cliff House Hotel. While The Cliff House Hotel is not York, it is the best hotel in the York area. You will find only luxury at The Cliff House.

Middle Range York Hotels

🛎️York Beach Surf Club - If you are looking for a fun surf vacation than stay at York Beach Surf Club. The hotels interior is bright and airy, it is also located on Long Sands Beach.

🛎️Dockside Guest Quarters - The Dockside Guest Quarters is a cute bed & breakfast located on York Harbor. At The Dockside Guest Quarters you can find a restaurant, a bar, views of the water, and more!

🛎️Inn On Blues - Located in downtown York you will find the comfortable and modern Inn On Blues Hotel. Enjoy spacious rooms, a restaurant, beach access, and more at the Inn On Blues Hotel.

Budget York Hotels

🛎️Union Bluff Hotel - Located on York Beach, The Union Bluff Hotel is a stunning little hotel. You can find ocean views from many rooms, breakfast served daily, two restaurants, and beach access at The Union Bluff Hotel.

🛎️Meadowmere Resort - Meadowmere Resort is a lovely place to stay if you are looking for a budget friendly resort in the York area. At The Meadowmere Resort you will find two pools, a spa, a bar, two restaurants, and more.

York House Rental

🛎️Castle Rock - York is a great place to rent a house on the beach for a week. The Castle Rock cottage is an adorable located within walking distance of the popular Long Sands Beach.

What To Do In York, Maine

Have a Beach Day At York Beach

York Beach is made up of Long Sands Beach and Short Sands Beach. The more popular Long Sands Beach is one and a half miles of golden sand and is better for surfing. Shorts Sands is more of a hidden gem that is located next to Cape Naddick and is perfect for kids as the waves and currents are not as strong as the nearby Long Sands Beach.

York Beach Village

If you need to break your day of sun and sand up, York Beach Village is an easy walk from Long Sands and Short Sands Beach. In York Village you will find boutiques, tourist shops, surf shops, cafes, restaurants, ice cream parlors and more. You can also find a zoo in York Beach Village, but I never visit because of animal cruelty in zoos.

Read more about animal cruelty in zoos here.

Nubble Lighthouse

How cute is the name of Nubble Lighthouse. Nubble Lighthouse is probably the most picturesque place you can visit in York. Located on a cliff, the lighthouse sits looking out on the water. Nubble Lighthouse is a popular sunrise spot for tourists in York. Although the sunsets on the opposite side of the water, Nubbles also beautiful to visit at dusk.

For the best views of Nubble Lighthouse situate yourself at Sohier Park.

Hike Mount Agamenticus

How can you not do a hike while in Maine? Located in Cape Naddick you will find one of the best hikes in southern Maine, Mount Agamenticus. Mount Agamenticus has trails of all lengths. For beginner hikes I recommend doing Blueberry Bluff, Witch Hazel, and the Ring Trail. All together this makes an easy two mile hike! If you are looking for more of a challenge try the Porcupine, Darter, Third Hill, Ridge, and Sweet Fern Trail Loop.

Cliff Walk

Maine's coastline reminds me so much of Irelands. The Cliff Walk transported me back to the lovely country. Located adjacent to Harbor Beach, you will find one of my favorite walks in Maine, The York Cliff Walk. Enjoy a leisurely stroll with views of the rocky coastline on a perfectly paved path.

Harbor Beach

Harbor Beach is my favorite beach in York. The hidden gem is away from the more popular beaches in York Beach and makes for a quite and relaxing beach day. Harbor Beach is south of Long Sands Beach and Short Sands Beach, but is still within walking distance of York Beach Village.

Try Saltwater Taffy

While I strongly dislike the stuff, if you have never tried saltwater taffy, Maine is the place to do it. Stop by The Goldenrod to sample some of this sweet and sticky substance. I love to watch the taffy puller at Goldenrod, it is so satisfying. You can also find homemade ice cream and candy at the Goldenrod Candy Shop!

Explore More of Southern Maine

There are so many stunning towns in southern Maine that are worth a visit and are easy to get to from York. Some of the best places to visit in Southern Maine include Kennebunkport, Portland, and Ogunquit.

Kennebunkport is a quaint town located about 30 minutes north of York. In Kennebunkport you will find the stunning Gooch's Beach, Seashore Trolly Museum, St. Ann's by the Sea Episcopal Church, and amazing whale watching tours.

Portland, Maine is about a 40 minute drive north of York. Portland is the biggest city in southern Maine so there is plenty to do. While in Portland visit the Portland Head Lighthouse, The Victoria Mansion, Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, walk around Old Port, and learn more about Maine at the Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth Longfellow House.

Ogunquit is only 10 minutes north of York. While in Ogunquit be sure to visit Ogunquit Beach, Marginal Way, The Ogunquit Museum of American Art, Perkins Cove Road, and Footbridge Beach.

Visit Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Portsmouth, New Hampshire is only 10 minutes south of York. In Portsmouth you will find an adorable downtown area full of unique shops and amazing seafood restaurants. While in Portsmouth be sure to visit the Strawbery Banke Museum, Prescott Park, The Music Hall, USS Albacore Museum, and Explore Market Street.

🎣Read Next - A Complete Guide To Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Best York, Maine Tours

🚗Southern Coastal Maine (York, Ogunquit) Private Day Tour - See all the highlights of Southern Maine in this one day tour. If you are short on time this Southern Coastal Maine Private Day Tour is for you!

🚗Harbor Lights and Sights Cruise - This Harbor Lights and Sights Cruise out of Portland, Maine offers a walk through history on the water. On this tour you will pass by The Portland Head Lighthouse,  Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, Fort Gorges, Ram Island Ledge Light, and The Casco Bay Islands!

Where To Dine In York, Maine

Coffee & Breakfast

☕St. Joe's Coffee - St. Joe's Coffee is an adorable hole in the wall cafe that serves incredible coffee and sandwiches that is a perfect pre beach breakfast.

☕Nectar Cafe - Nectar Cafe is one of the most popular coffee shops in York. At Nectar you can find some of the best espresso and breakfast in the beach town. I loved the breakfast burrito!

☕Beach Bliss Cafe - Located on the water you can find the adorable Beach Bliss Cafe that serves everything breakfast. Enjoy coffee, donuts, sandwiches, and more at the beachside cafe.

Lunch & Dinner

🍴Lobster Cove - Did you even go to Maine if you didn't try Maine Lobster? The seaside, Lobster Cove will hook you up with some of the best seafood in the state.

🍴Nick's Steakhouse - If you are looking for something on the fancier end of things checkout Nick's Steakhouse. Nick's Steakhouse serves everything you would find at a big city steakhouse.

🍴The York River Landing - The York River Landing is the perfect place for a casual dinner. You can find american food at the York River Landing along with a bar.

York, Maine FAQs

Is York, Maine worth visiting? Yes! York, Maine is home to a stunning coastline, plenty to do, amazing seafood restaurants, adorable bed and breakfasts, and more.

Is York, Maine nice? Yes. York, Maine is a lovely town full of everything you could want!

What is there to do in York, Maine? There is so much to do in York, Maine. You could visit Harbor Beach, Hike Mount Agamenticus, do the York Cliff Walk, visit Nubble lighthouse, checkout York Beach Village, visit York Beach, and more.

What county is York, Maine in? York County

A Complete Guide To York Wrap Up

York is a picturesque seaside town in Southern Maine that is perfect for any occasion. (a day trip from boston, a week long beach vacation, or a weekend getaway) The New England town is a vacationers dream. I hope that this complete guide to York, Maine helps you plan the perfect trip! If you like this post I think that you will love my guide to Portsmouth, New Hampshire and my local's guide to Boston, Massachusetts.

Happy Travels,

Daisy