This is one of Maine's iconic lighthouses that is easy to access by car if you're visiting York, ME…read moreor driving through the area. First, it's pretty for taking a photo or two. You cannot access the island directly, but can view the lighthouse from the parking lot. Second, you can walk down the rocks on the left side and watch the crashing waves. In the summer (we visited on July 4, 2026), it can get quite crowded (the parking lot has perhaps 40 spaces in total). But most people do not stay for a long time. If you are driving to Maine on the coastal route, I would strongly recommend visiting here for a photo after you cross the state line at Kittery!

Beautiful lighthouse. Easy to navigate to the location and easy to park. It was so peaceful to…read morewatch the waves crash against the rocks. As a tourist, this checked all my boxes, especially that there was no cost to enter the parking lot.

It's romantic. Lots to see and happy kids. It's got a great view and I always find it enjoyable to…read moretake a stroll on through and people-watch.

Patriot was here at Prescott Park on May of 2026 on a warm Saturday afternoon. Nice park area…read morewith a stage area and food venue

This is a great spot to try out if you are visiting with young children. There are several picnic…read moretables under shady trees to enjoy a snack. The playscape is beautiful with a fun zip line feature and plenty of climbing, slides, and swings for different ages. We enjoyed the playground first then walked over to the small beach which wasn't too crowded and perfect for an hour of cooling off in the water and searching for cool rocks. There is an outdoor shower for washing off after the beach by the bathrooms. The only thing we were surprised about was the lack of garbages, not a big deal as we just put our garbage in our bag to throw away later.

The way to Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse was closed for renovation so we ended up just checking…read moreGreat Island Common. It's actually a large enough place with plenty of parking and had some good amount of spots for gatherings/picnics/BBQ. I didnt feel like it was the most beautiful place although the view of the harbor was. I enjoyed the little painter decor that they have and that wide open feel of just standing by the waters. However i felt like the place needed some TLC. Idk. The gentleman by the entrance was very kind and sweet though and allowed us to just check the area for some quick pics for free as we didnt stay too long for this visit.

If you're in southern Maine in the summer or fall and want to get away from the heavily trafficked…read morebeach hotspots, then grab your picnic stuff and come here. There's decent parking, and a handicapped spot nearest the picnic pavilion (this covered structure can be rented for large groups). And rest rooms. Speaking of potties--because Ms. Tiny Bladder knows there are people who care about this info--there's one typical park open-air bathroom. It's large and you could fit a wheelchair in, but there are no grab bars. There's a small building, closer to the woods, with a handicapped sign, so there is a designated bathroom for those of us with mobility issues. (I wasn't needing my cane nor wheelchair on this occasion.) There are picnic tables grouped to the right side of the grassy area, and a covered pavilion that can be rented for groups (though we ate in there one cloudy day & the whole place was empty). There are more picnic tables scattered about the other sides of the property, and a playground to the far left. Back at the entrance/exit, there is a small pond covered in water lilies and cattails. There's a little deck/overlook (seems a little sloped and close to the water, but it felt solid) and there's a bench nearby. No sitting on the bench or standing around this summer ('21), as there were fire ants living somewhere near the bench. A sign warned visitors ahead of time. Back on the picnic area side, there are many trails leading to Barters Creek, a picturesque spot with several places to stop and enjoy the water scene. There's one spot that's almost a little island (except it's probably by definition a peninsula? Maybe?). I've seen people swimming around there--teens to grammas--and it's just nice to also sit there and look out at the flora and fauna. We love this picnic area and always return every trip to York. Go check it out!

this is a nice spot overall. some water views down a short trail. would recommend stopping by…read moreespecially if at the fort across the street.

We revisited Vaughan Woods at a different time of the year, and it's still such a cool spot (though…read morefar busier than it was when we came in autumn a few years ago). It's a state park that's open year long -- during the shoulder season, you can park outside the closed gates and walk in. This time we came when the gates were open; but, there was no attendant to check our state parks pass. It looks like payment is on the honor system (please pay so we can preserve beautiful trails like this!). I'll reiterate what I said in my previous review: It's located along Salmon Falls River (which separates Maine and New Hampshire). And with 3+ miles of hiking trails, it's easy to choose-your-own-adventure. So, whether you're looking to walk a lot or little, spend the day here or just a quick half hour, or if you're a local looking for a new running trail, be sure to explore the "old growth forest" (I saw this used elsewhere and looked into it: did you know this is a term that essentially means it's an ancient woodland, or a natural place that has aged without disruption?)! And it's accessible too: the extremely well groomed, well marked, mostly widened walking paths are easy to navigate (there are some hilly areas; and if it's not winter you're DEFINITELY going to want to bring bug spray). Also, from here you can access the grounds of the restored Hamilton House (built by merchant Jonathan Hamilton in the late eighteenth century) which sits on a stunning grassy knoll among cleared open green space overlooking the river (we actually saw a beaver this most recent time!) on one side and a beautifully maintained garden on the other side.

Want to get away from the sweating masses over-crowding the beach? Not up for sitting on your buns,…read morebaking in the summer sun? Want some peace & quiet instead of screaming tots and squeaky playground swings? I did. Not that there's anything wrong with the typical midsummer Maine beach experience. It just was NOT my vibe for this getaway. And so we sought out land trusts and mountains and parks, including one of our favorite spots to hit some pretty trails: Vaughan Woods. First, even in the middle of the summer and several cars in the lots, we barely saw another person. On the river trail--which I particularly love for all the scenic views of the river and benches to sit and rest--we had two couples cross our path. Very quick, smiley "hellos" and off they went. So peaceful! I'm mobility-challenged but I had a recent treatment and felt a little more mobile and stable. I took my time and my husband was a great helper. I'd say the river trail can get a bit challenging for anyone with a knee/ankle/foot/balance issue. But if conditions aren't wet, you go slow, and rest at the benches, you might be able to do it! The toilet stall is a wooden structure that is open to the air at the top of the walls before the roof begins. It's a toilet set over a pit, and you could definitely get a wheelchair in, but I don't recall seeing any grab bars. There was plenty of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Like other places (parks, beach), we noticed it was "carry in, carry out." There are several picnic tables surrounding the parking lot, and we enjoyed a post-hike snack. This place is worth the drive out to South Berwick. Give it a go!

Located across from the York Inn, this nice little park has various art installations. My favorite…read moreone in particular is the stone with the tiny figures, doing various leisurely activities, such as reading, playing fetch, or sunbathing. This place is right by the harbor, so the view is fantastic! There are several benches where you can sit and relax!

I love this little park above York's Cliff Walk. Beautiful ocean views, a few benches to relax and…read morea unique and whimsical sculpture that just plain makes me smile. We visited right after the holidays and the sculpture's frolicking beach goers were adorned in red plaid scarves! How festive! This is a nice spot right off 1A with free street parking right at the entrance. A quick stop but worth it!

Cute little park hidden in a neighborhood behind the hospital and with easy access to the…read moreinterstate. Great play structure with a few slides, big kid and baby swings, tire swing, and teeter totter to name some features. There's also a basketball court and a baseball field for plenty of options to play and run! Lots of planes fly over which is an added bonus for the littles to see.

Four tree island is a peaceful and quiet park with several picnic and BBQ areas, well-maintained…read morewalking paths, and public restrooms. A parking lot is right off Peirce Island Rd, which is convenient for every visitor. It is delightful to come around sunset time during the summer. The breathtaking skyline view of the Memorial Bridge and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard worth a couple of hours wandering with families and friends. The piece of the island is small but so relaxed for a walk after a busy day.

Very small, but very pretty. It was really smelly when i visited, but that might have something to…read moredo with the tide at the time. There is a small but entertaining playground by the parking lot, but midway through my children's play, my husband spotted a used condom on the ramp bridging the ground to the playground equipment ‍ Other than that, very pretty location.

Totally love this seacoast museum. My grandchildren love the hands on touch tanks, the pretend…read morefishing boat, the live seahorses and the sand play area. We also enjoy the huge playground and tide pools. We bring a picnic lunch and make a day of the experiences. We love it there so much we became members! I highly recommend!

Odiorne Point State Park is a public recreation area that opened in Rye, New Hampshire in July…read more1972. It is administered by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. The park is located along the Atlantic seacoast in Rye, not far from Portsmouth. The area is the site of the Pannaway Plantation: the first European settlement in New Hampshire. Settled in 1622, the plantation was completely abandoned by the 1630s when the settlers moved to nearby Strawberry Banke. The land was settled in the mid-1660s by the Odiorne Family, whom the park is now named after. From 1942 to 1947, the park was the home of Fort Dearborn. The ruins of the deactivated World War II-era fort can still be seen today. Today the park is home to hiking trails, bike paths, a playground, picnic areas, pavilions, and a Seacoast Science Center which opened in 1992. My family and I visited Odiorne Point State Park this summer while we were heading to Maine for a summer getaway. We had some time to kill before we could check in to our AirBnb, so we decided to stop at the park. We had fun exploring the grounds and my two sons especially enjoyed playing on the nautical-themed playground. The highlight of the park is the Seacoast Science Center. There are all sorts of exhibits devoted to the conservation of marine and coastal environments. My two sons loved learning about whales, local shellfish populations, the local fishing industry, the fight against ocean pollution, and underwater exploration. There was even a cool gift shop where we picked up a few things. Whether you live in the area or you're just passing through like us, Odiorne Point State Park is a fun place for the whole family!