We want to take between 7-9 days to spend on a beach in October. We have been to South Padre, TX. and Orange Beach, AL the last two years, and want to see something new. I was originally thinking maybe NC, SC or Maryland, but then came to the Maine board and remembered how great it was when we were there in 2000. We definitely want to stay right on the beach in a balcony room. We want to be able to walk a consideralbe distance on the beach, plus the place needs to be reasonable cost ($80 or less). My husband would probably like to go where we have been before so I don't have to go "check out everything" too much! He wants to walk the beach! But I have promised to let him have his time at the beach if we go to a new place. So here's my questions: Would the weather still be warm enough to enjoy the Maine coast at the end of October? Would the Maine coast definitely be nicer than more southern states such as NC, SC or Maryland? We stayed at Wells I believe in 2000 and ventured north as far as Kennebunkport. We always thought we would like to come back and go further north. What towns, beaches, etc. would you recommend that would give us the beach requirements, but also sightseeing not too far from our hotel? Thank you so much for any help, ideas, etc!

Where are you from? How nippy do you like it on the beach?

We've been the 3rd week in October, stayed in Boothbay Harbor. There were some days I wore a parka early in the day then again in the evening. The weather was very cool and crisp--a nice change for us, but this isn't the same league as S Padre or Orange Beach the same time of year!

Even at that late date I would think you'd have a lot of difficulty finding a place right on the beach with balcony overlooking it for $80 a night. Also, you'll find that a lot of places (restaurants too) are closed/in the process of closing for the season then. We had a terrific time, but then having come from FL, cool and crisp to cold was a real treat for us and we weren't interested in beach weather (which IMHO you don't get in Maine even in August!! LOL)

K... let's use Bar Harbor as an example. Per Wunderground, this is the forecast for the next few days...
75° | 53°
69° | 52°
68° | 51°
75° | 54°
78° | 56°

Now, here is what the "historical" forcast (temp) states for, say, the last week of October, 2004 (specifically Oct. 27): Mean Temperature 47 °F / 8 °C -
Max Temperature 57 °F / 13 °C Min Temperature 37 °F / 2 °C

So, the high was 57 and low 37. In my opinion, a little too cold to enjoy the beach. By the way, www.wunderground.com is a great resource for stuff like this.

Late October is not beach weather in Maine. It will probably be in the 40's-50's during the day, a lot cooler at night. However, the beaches are deserted this time of year, and if you find a place that's open it will be quite reasonable.

Don't forget, there's very few sandy beaches north of Portland ME. If you want to come to New England, Cape Cod might be a better idea with lots more sandy beaches available. We've been to the Cape in April. OTH we had almost beach weather as late as Thanksgiving in NC where we rented a beach house for the week. The rates go way down in the fall. We went thru Emerald Isle Realty. It was very quiet. I wouldn't gamble on the Maine coast that late in October. Here in New England we seem to get a rainy stretch just before Halloween.

imho the cape, natucket or the vineyard would all be good options. i live in maine and would Not be headed to the ocean in oct! the leaves will have passed. and i believe you will find alot of shops, restaurants, etc closed. could you come in sept.

Maine will be pretty cold! I think you might want to try the carolinas or georgia. but beware it is hurricane season and this part of the east coast could be risky.

prices will be less for whole house rentals, but some with pools will likely have closed the pools for the season.

you might want to consider Va - assumteague and chincotegue there isn't much else but beach.

also ocean city md, nj any part of the coast from seaside park on down to cape may

va and north are less prone to the hurricanes.

Lots of beach places close at the end of September in Maine, others stay open just long enough to capture some last-minute-business from foliage overflow. If you can go early October, Maine might be okay, you might even hit Indian Summer...but you'd better watch the weather patterns and have a backup plan.

If "walk the beach" is really your main desire, check out Billowhouse.com, real quiet area but you can take day trips to the city of Portland, to Freeport shopping, or up and down the coast. Be sure to bring a sweater however!

BrendaKay, you seem to have an awful lot of posts asking about beach trips. Where are you headed?

We want a beach vacation but we're open to which beach! I guess I've written so many posts thinking that people in different states will read those specific posts and tell me about their state's beaches! I would say we have probably narrowed it down to Alabama, the Florida panhandle or possibly Georgia or SC. Thanks for any help you can offer!

I would say the NE is better in this recent hurricane history. I to love the beach in the off season. Try Brigintine just above Atlantic city condos right on the beach and you can walk the entire length of the island (bird sanctuary at the end). Also CapeCod National seashore beaches are beautiful. I think the walk is something like 20 mi. and swimming in the freshwater kettle ponds is warm in Oct. Another idea is Assateague Island state park just below Ocean City Md. for camping right in the dunes (although this might be tempting fate in Oct.)Take a poncho and have fun.

NC/SC beaches can be terrific in October. It is no longer high season, and the water is still not too cold. Would be my choice over Maine that time of year.

Ogunquit!!! We love many places. Try seachambers.com or The Sparhawk. Realizing that the weather could be Indian Summer or downright cold. We love this area in the off season so much. Moody beach is perfect for a 6 mile walk.
Goodluck!

gyppie, what are you doing up so late? lol...Hawaii time?