York Beach

Like many shorefront towns in Maine, York Beach has a long, long history of entertaining summer visitors. Take away today's bikinis and boom-box music and it's easy to imagine squealing bathers adorned in the full-length bathing garb of the late 19th century. Just as they did back then, visitors today come here to eat ice cream, enjoy carnival-like novelties, and indulge in the sun and sea air.

York Beach is a real family destination, devoid of all things staid and stuffy—children are meant to be both seen and heard here, and that's part of what gives the area its invigorating feel. Just beyond the sands of Short Sand Beach are a host of amusements, from bowling to indoor minigolf and the Fun-O-Rama arcade.