Free parking and a nice short trail to a cascade. It was dry when we went so the cascade was a…read moreletdown tbh but still a fun time

I have noticed this trailhead many times on our trips to Old Orchard, but never had time to stop in…read moreand check it out. Today, we did! I'm so glad! The trail is beautiful, and easy for anyone (except a wheelchair, sorry) I have a bad knee with limited mobility, and this was doable for me! I'm so glad we made it out there today. The waterfall was at full force, and was so gorgeous. The little landing area at the bottom was full of downed trees, but the kids were having so much fun climbing and navigating. There were people flitting about in every which way, miniaturized by the big waterfall. The bridge was washed out, looking to be repaired, so I think one access from the loop was cut off. But people were navigating over the downed trees and on rocks. Nobody seemed to care. It was a blast! HIGHLY recommend this trail.

Wide open spaces…read more Memorial Park is a cool park nestled in between the ocean and the Libby Library. Definitely not a bad location for a park, this one just seems small at first but just keeps going. All kinds of things in the park, tennis courts, basketball courts, a nice gazebo, a memorial for veterans and even a nice little lighthouse model at the main entrance. Gentle, rolling hills makes Memorial Park a great place for a gentle walk in your bare feet. During the summer there is a Summer Concert Series of music as well as other events and activities. This is a very popular park and you see all kinds of people during all kinds of things. Some playing sports, other strumming on musical instruments and some just laying on the grass catching the sea breezes. In the winter people even use the park for cross country skiing, snow shoeing and some sledding for the little kids on the small hills. A very nice park in an extremely nice location.

Update: I love this…read morepark and I love that people bring there well behaved dogs here so they can walk and have fun. Just an FYI there is an overweight boomer woman who has a small white dog who was at the park yesterday giving people hell for having their dog off leash. She picked up her dog and as her dog was wagging its tail and clearly wanted to get down and play began, she began a slue of micro aggressions about how her dog was "reacting" and she was having "panic attack" lady, don't bring your dog here if you can't be around other dogs. Also, this park is only "on leash" for the first 100 feet and then dogs are allowed off leash. She is a miserable, mean and nasty boomer who needs to chill and stay away from Clifford park with that attitude. Her dog was cute though but I feel bad for it.

What at first looked to be a small green area instead revealed itself to be beautiful park tucked…read moreaway in the middle of Biddeford, with a playground, tennis courts, restrooms, and miles of hiking trails of varying difficulty levels that wind through tons of trees and scenic granite boulders. There are even the remains of a small cemetery plot and a small waterfall.

I love this beach so much and go all the time, it is beautiful! I do wish it was a little cleaner…read morein the summer, (especially in the water) because it does get super busy, and it's a little gross having when you practically have to swim in seaweed.

During a run today I stopped by Bayview to get a drink, Many…read morethanks to the nice young lifeguard who offered me a bottled water while I was waiting to use the hose, he was so polite and help full. Lisa

Shevenell Park is a small park in downtown Biddeford that apparently came into existence when a…read morebuilding was taken down. For many years it was little more than an empty lot with broken glass and the usual garbage that accumulates when no one's watching, but a few years ago some grant money appeared and the lot was cleaned up. Trees were planted, benches were built, and some tables and chairs showed up. Now it's a spot where there are concerts every Wednesday in the park, people drop by to eat their lunch, and the police frequently walk through. There's nothing about the park that's going to put it on the cover of Architectural Digest, but it's one of a hundred little things that can turn a small downtown from a dreary and depressing wasteland into a place where people want to work and live. Not all of those 100 things have been done yet and there's always some guy within a few blocks asking people for spare change, but it's nice to see progress. If you're near Biddeford between 5:30 and 7:00 on a Wednesday night in the summer, check out the music and then walk to one of the nearby restaurants for dinner. Shevenell Park is okay, and that's worth three stars. Actually it's a little more than okay but Yelp won't let me give it 3.5 stars.

We hadn't been here since before the pandemic, so we thought we'd come and take a late afternoon…read morestroll here recently... it's just as special as we remember! Some of my former review holds up: "It's a 1/2 mile boardwalk (a beautifully maintained structure with planks the color of the seaside) that winds through a coalesced bog (essentially what this means is that, a long time ago, two dying ponds filled with decaying matter so much so that they became one and turned into a peatland) - the southernmost example of its type - and ends with a small loop in the forest making it about 2 miles roundtrip. It's absolutely one of the most unique and stunning landscapes in Maine I've ever seen: it seems to include a variety of different flora from different climates (even though I know that can't be true). If I was plunked in the middle of here without knowing where I was, I wouldn't be able to tell you if I was in Iceland, Arizona, Mars, New England, or Scotland. It's so stunningly varied. From what I've heard, this is absolutely the kind of place you return to every few months because of how different it looks from season to season. Winter features sparkling whites and chocolatey brown colors, offering sweeping views of wide open spaces; during spring, the heath becomes incredible with pink and purples of the blooming plants and regrowth; in summer, the heath seems smaller because of the fullness of the rich green plants; and, autumn is ablaze with various warm colors from the range of plants all getting ready to rest. This is a very special place." A couple things of note now that it's become more popular though: 1. Some people use this as their running/power walking/exercise route, and that can be a little overwhelming when they're coming at you fast on such a small space, segue... 2. A stroller takes up almost the entire width of the three foot wide boardwalk. In both instances, be prepared to very carefully balance on the edge as these folks pass by. DO NOT STEP INTO THE BOG EVER.

This trail is gorgeous! There are a couple of points that you don't feel like you're in Maine…read moreanymore. For the main path, there's a cute rainbow-like boardwalk. This would make it easy for those with strollers. There's not as much mud to deal with like other trails. If you choose to, there is a more natural wooded loop that you can do when the boardwalks end. This part is more traditional, where you'll need some muddin' boots or sneakers you don't mind getting dirty. We've hit up multiple preserves and this is by far the best maintained location. Definitely give it a try!

I visited Old Orchard Beach in the off-season, so most of the shops, restaurants, and amusements…read morewere closed; but I actually found that to be part of the charm. Without the summer crowds, the beach felt quiet and serene. I could walk for miles along the sand with only the sound of the waves and the gulls for company. The pier was closed, but it was still nice to see it up close and I can imagine how lively it must get in the warmer months. A few local spots were still open and the locals I met were friendly and welcoming! The chilly air gave the town a calm, coastal feel that was really refreshing. If you're looking for the classic seaside excitement, definitely come back in the summer. But if you enjoy peaceful walks, ocean views, and a slower pace, Old Orchard Beach in the off-season has its own quiet beauty.

Old Orchard Beach is the perfect mix of relaxation and fun, whether you are visiting as a couple or…read morewith the whole family. The West Grand area is especially nice with clean bathrooms, easy access to the sand, and plenty to do nearby. Staying right on the beach at places like Ocean House or Beechwood is ideal. It is so much better than commuting in and out each day. There is something for everyone, big kids, little kids, and kids at heart. From the water to the boardwalk, you will never be bored. Just remember, like at any beach, keep a close eye on the little ones in the waves. If you are not staying overnight, be prepared for parking fees ranging from 20 to 40 dollars per day. But once your feet hit the sand, it is worth every penny. Old Orchard Beach has that classic seaside charm that makes you want to come back year after year like we do.