MommyPoppins.com
MAKE YOUR DAY
Get Listed Log In Sign Up My Profile Sign out Contact
Philadelphia
  • Anywhere
  • New York City
  • Dallas Fort Worth
  • Atlanta
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Houston
  • Miami South Florida
  • Philadelphia
  • Washington DC
  • Orlando
  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Connecticut
  • Long Island
  • New Jersey
  • Westchester
Get Listed Log In Sign Up My Profile Sign out Contact

HOME - Philadelphia

Activity Calendar

Providers

Calendar  
  • Events

  • Virtual

  • This Week's Picks

  • Activity Providers

  • Submit an Activity

Philadelphia Guide  
  • News & Openings

  • Philly Baby Guide

  • Philly for Preschoolers

  • Tweens & Teens

  • Parks & Playgrounds

  • Free Activities

  • Restaurants

Things To Do  
  • Crafts for Kids

  • Recipes

  • Science for Kids

  • Games & Activities

  • Outdoors

  • Online & Virtual

Camps & Classes  
  • Camps Guide

  • Classes Guide

  • Preschools & Schools Guide

  • Directory

Parties & Holidays  
  • Gift Guide

  • Birthday Parties

  • Party Providers

  • Holidays

  • Spring Guide

  • Summer Guide

  • Fall Guide

  • Winter Guide

Family Travel  
  • Day Trips

  • Family Vacations

  • Theme & Water Parks

  • Resorts & Hotels

  • Jersey Shore Guide

  • Poconos Vacation Guide

  • New England Travel

  • DC Travel Guide

Contact

Sign up for our free newsletters.
Check out the mesmerizing ice carvings at the Founders Philly Freeze Out. Photo courtesy of the Manayunk Development Corporation
Culturefest!, Fire and Ice Festival, Founders Philly Freeze Out, and More Fun Things To Do in Philly this Weekend
Kids enjoy sledding on a hill off Kelly Drive. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation
Best Sledding Spots Near Philadelphia for Kids
 A winter oasis, Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest houses a skating rink overlooking the Delaware River, a ski chalet-style lodge and more. Photo by Danielle Smith
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 40 Best Things to Do with Kids in Philly
Kids under 18 are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Liz Baill
100 Free Things To Do in Philly with Kids
Playing in the snow: a favorite winter activity for Philly kids
GUIDE
Philly Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families
Celebrate winter at Peddler's Village with live fire artistry and ice carving demonstrations. Photo courtesy of Peddler's Village
Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Philly in January 2026, According to MP Editors
Learn all about fire safety and the history of firefighters in Philly at the Fireman's Hall Museum.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
15 Free Things To Do Indoors in Philadelphia: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Kids can zoom down the slide and, of course, launch scarves at Kith + Kin. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin
Best Kids Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in Philadelphia
Kids 18 and under are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Liz Baill @creativishmom
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in Philly
Check out the amazing WildWorks Ropes Course at the entrance to the Philadelphia Zoo.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Ultimate Pennsylvania Bucket List: 35 Things To Do With Kids in PA
Pony rides always bring out smiles at Linvilla Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard
Farms with Animals and Petting Zoos near Philadelphia that are Perfect for Preschoolers
School Calendars 2025-2026: Important Dates for Philadelphia School District
Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), located in the heart of Old City.
Visiting Historic Philadelphia: Top Things To Do in the Historic District with Kids
Take in 300 years of history on Elfreth's Alley. Photo courtesy of the museum
3 Days in Philadelphia with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Phildephia's Magic Gardens are covered by magical mosaics and found objects. Photo by Liz Baill @creativishmom
Best Philly Tours for Kids: Art Hunts, Food Tours, Ghost Tours, and More
Take a bikde ride through Doylestown. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
9 Walkable Neighborhoods near Philly for Family Outings
Ricketts Glen State Park  is a family-friendly destination with awesome activities for all ages. Photo of Ricketts Glen by the author
Amazing Budget Weekend Getaways for Philly Families
Build birthday memories brick by brick at LEGOLAND. Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND
Best Indoor Birthday Parties for Kids in Philly
Try a whiz-wit at Tony Luke's, a reliable Philly cheesesteak spot with multiple locations. Photo courtesy of  J. Varney for GPTMC
11 Kid-Friendly Philly Cheesesteak Spots
Challenge the rope bridge and zip line at Elmwood Park Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo
100 Things To Do in Philly with Kids Before They Grow Up
GUIDE
Guide to Classes for Kids in Philadelphia
Put your skills to the test on the obstacle course at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air
Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!
Turn your eye of the tiger into the eye of an artist at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art with Kids: Creative Family Time at the Art Museum
Six Flag Great Adventure brings big-time thrills and is one of our favorite amusement parks in New Jersey.
Great Theme Parks and Amusement Parks Near New Jersey
Blue Cross RiverRink is open for Summerfest in the warmer months and Winterfest in the colder months. Photo courtesy of  J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Top Attractions in Philadelphia: Best Things to See and Do with Kids
Parents eat while kids climb and slide at Craft Hall.
12 Philly Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat
Take a hike: Family getaways are a great opportunity to reconnect with nature.
GUIDE
Philly Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways
No one walks the plank, but everyone has fun with with Scallywag’s Pirate Adventures in Erie. Photo courtesy of Scallywag's Pirate Adventures.
10 PA Weekend Getaways for Families
FIND AND BOOK ACTIVITIES
calendar icon
This Week In
Philadelphia
The Escape Game
The Escape Game King of Prussia - various times
Wild Seeds Agile Learning Community
The Dandelion Project - various times
Tea Around Town Philadelphia
Tea Around Town - various times
The Escape Game
The Escape Game King of Prussia - various times
Wild Seeds Agile Learning Community
The Dandelion Project - various times
Tea Around Town Philadelphia
Tea Around Town - various times
Art Kids Studio
Philadelphia Museum of Art - various times
The Escape Game
The Escape Game King of Prussia - various times
Tea Around Town Philadelphia
Tea Around Town - various times
Barnes Free First Sunday Family Day
The Barnes Foundation - 10:00 AM Pick
Art Kids Studio
Philadelphia Museum of Art - various times
The Escape Game
The Escape Game King of Prussia - various times
Tea Around Town Philadelphia
Tea Around Town - various times
The Escape Game
The Escape Game King of Prussia - various times
Wild Seeds Agile Learning Community
The Dandelion Project - various times
Tea Around Town Philadelphia
Tea Around Town - various times
The Escape Game
The Escape Game King of Prussia - various times
Wild Seeds Agile Learning Community
The Dandelion Project - various times
Tea Around Town Philadelphia
Tea Around Town - various times
The Escape Game
The Escape Game King of Prussia - various times
Tea Around Town Philadelphia
Tea Around Town - various times
SEE ALL ACTIVITIES
SUBMIT AN ACTIVITY +
Sign up for our free newsletters.
FOLLOW US FOR ACTIVITY PICKS, DEALS, AND GIVEAWAYS
FaceBook Instagram Twitter Pinterest YouTube
Activity Guides
  • Beaches & Lakes
  • Best Of Lists
  • Birthday Parties
  • Boats
  • Boredom Busters
  • Camps
  • Childcare
  • Christmas/Hanukkah
  • City Guides
  • City Hacks
  • Classes & Enrichment
  • Community
  • Crafts & Recipes
  • Earth Kids
  • Easter
  • Fairs & Festivals
  • Fall Activities
  • Family Travel
  • Farms & U-Pick
  • Free Activities
  • GoList
  • Halloween
  • Holidays
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Indoor Activities
  • Museums
  • News & Openings
  • Outdoors
  • Parent Talk
  • Parks & Playgrounds
  • Play Gyms & Sports Centers
  • Pools & Spray Parks
  • Preschools & Schools
  • Restaurants
  • Shows
  • Skiing & Winter Sports
  • Special Needs
  • Special Occasions
  • Sports
  • Spring Activities
  • STEM
  • Stores & Services
  • Summer Activities
  • Theme & Water Parks
  • Trains, Dinos & Heroes
  • TV, Film & Movies
  • Virtual
  • Visitors Guide
  • Weekend Events
  • Weekend Trips
  • Winter Activities
  • Zoos & Gardens
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pin It WhatsApp

25 Things to Do During an Old Orchard Beach, Maine Summer Family Vacation

8/30/12 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

Old Orchard Beach in Southern Maine is a family friendly beach town perfect for a summertime vacation.  The 7 mile long crescent shaped beach, considered the state’s best, is of course the number one attraction here, but there is plenty more to do when the sun goes down or if the gang tires of the beach.


The casual ocean front town offers a Coney Island-esque strip loaded with touristy shops hawking everything you could ever need for a beach vacation, snack shops offering up regional clam cakes and hand cut fries by the box, an over the top mini-golf course, a seaside amusement park and 500 foot pier that has been an Old Orchard Beach destination for over 100 years.

The surrounding areas of Biddeford, Saco, Scarborough and Portland are close enough to Old Orchard Beach that families don’t have to drive far to enjoy the cycling, fishing, boat trips and historic sites they have to offer.

Here are 25 of the best things to do in Old Orchard Beach and the surrounding areas during a summer time family vacation.  

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

1.    Enjoy the 7 miles of sun, surf and sand at Old Orchard Beach, consistently voted the best beach in Maine.
2.    Watch the Thursday night fireworks right next to the historic pier.
3.    Take a spin on the Ferris Wheel or one of the other thrilling attractions at the Coney Island-esque Palace Playland, the only beachfront amusement park in New England.
4.    Indulge in an ice cream float or another retro treat at the vintage Ocean Park Soda Fountain a mile south of the Pier in the beachfront village of Ocean Park.
5.    Spend an evening at the historic Pier that juts 500 feet out into the ocean chock full of shops, restaurants and other amusements.
6.    Rip into a lobster in the rough at The Lobster Claw and Pound down the road in Saco.
7.    Play one of the two elaborate pirate themed mini-golf courses at Pirates Cove Adventure Golf.
8.    Visit Fun Town/Splash Town amusement park home of the Excalibur the largest roller coaster in the New England.
9.    Hit Old Orchard Street for a box of the delicious name sake food at Pier Fries.
10.    Take a trip to York Wild Kingdom a lovely zoo and amusement park less than hour south in York.
11.    Take a day trip to Portland the picturesque waterfront city 15 miles to the north offers great eating, outdoor adventures, museums and historic sites.
12.    Spot an egret as you walk or canoe through the Scarborough Marsh, the largest salt water marsh in the state.
13.    See seals, pull lobster traps and fish for mackerel, harbor pollock, bluefish and striped bass on Fish Lips 2 hour family focused deep sea fishing trip. 
14.    Find out what it is like to be a lobsterman on a Lucky Catch Lobster Trip on the Casco Bay.
15.    Feed the bears, visit the moose and bobcat and other rescued animals at the Maine Wildlife Park.
16.    Build a sandcastle at the annual Sandcastle Contest held over the 4th of July weekend.
17.    Pack a picnic and head to Fort Williams Park, home of the historic Portland Head Light, made famous by Edward Hoppers painting of the same name and the remnants of Fort William.
18.    Take a break from the sand at the with a skating session at the Biddeford Ice Arena.
19.    Buy a family board game or try to pick a puzzle from the enormous selection at the excellent game store Board Silly on Old Orchard Street.
20.    Spend a rainy day at staring at the stars at the Southworth Planetarium on the University of Southern Maine campus in Portland.
21.    Monkey around the tree tops at Saco’s Monkey Trunks Arial adventure park.
22.    Cycle your way along the Eastern Trail, a renovated rail bed that is easy enough for beginners and pretty enough to satisfy more accomplished riders.
23.    Let you kite soar in the breezy sea air as the sun sets and the crowds clear out.
24.    Go tide pooling for crabs and other critters along the rocky crevices of the coast in Fort William Park.
25.    Splash around at Aquaboggan a small, kiddie oriented water park.

Beaches & Lakes Summer Activities Northeast United States Maine

Featured Local Savings

Sign up for our free
newsletters.
New York City
Dallas Fort Worth
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Houston
Miami South Florida
Philadelphia
Washington DC
Orlando
Los Angeles
San Francisco Bay Area
Connecticut
Long Island
New Jersey
Westchester
MommyPoppins.com
Mommy Poppins is a family activity website that helps people find things to do with kids.
QUICK LINKS
Activities
Providers
Family Travel
CONTACT
Newsletter Subscribe
Contact
About
SITEMAP
Submit an Activity
List Your Business
Advertise with Us
© 2026 MommyPoppins. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms of Use.
5.342
X
Click Here to Sign Up!
Register/Login if you don't want to see this popup.