Maine

Best Maine Beaches in 2024 – wyandottedaily.com

Published

2 years ago

January 15, 2024

Best Maine Beaches in 2024 – wyandottedaily.com

The salty breeze whispers through your hair, the sun paints your skin with a golden glow, and the rhythmic crash of waves serenades your soul. Ah, Maine’s beaches – where coastal charm meets rugged beauty, and every grain of sand promises an adventure. But with over 3,000 miles of coastline, choosing the perfect beach can feel like navigating a lobster trap maze. Fear not, fellow seafarers! This guide is your compass, pointing you towards the hidden gems and iconic shores that will make your 2024 Maine beach vacation unforgettable.

Sun-Kissed Sand for Every Soul

For the Classic Beach Bum:

Ogunquit Beach: Picture-perfect Ogunquit is a postcard come to life. Soft, golden sand stretches for miles, framed by dramatic cliffs and charming seaside shops. Paddleboard through turquoise waters, build sandcastles with your crew, or simply soak up the sun – Ogunquit’s timeless beauty never disappoints.
Old Orchard Beach: Craving a vibrant, carnival-like atmosphere? Old Orchard Beach delivers! Seven miles of sandy bliss beckon with arcades, mini golf, and the iconic Pier 33. Ride the Ferris wheel for breathtaking ocean views, scream your heart out on a roller coaster, or grab a funnel cake and watch the sunset paint the sky in fiery hues.

For the Adventure Seeker:

Acadia National Park: Acadia’s wild beauty is legendary. Hike granite cliffs overlooking Thunder Hole’s booming waves, kayak through intricate coves teeming with marine life, or explore tide pools teeming with starfish and crabs. Acadia’s beaches are raw, untamed, and perfect for those who crave a taste of the Maine wilderness.
Perkins Cove: Nestled within Ogunquit, Perkins Cove is a hidden gem for the adventurous soul. Rent a kayak and weave through lobster traps, or explore the rocky shores at low tide, discovering hidden tide pools and marine treasures. Keep an eye out for seals basking on the rocks – they’re the Cove’s resident sunbathers!

For the Family Fun Seeker:

Long Sands Beach: This gentle giant in York stretches for a mile, offering ample space for families to build sandcastles, splash in the waves, and fly kites. Pack a picnic basket, grab some buckets and shovels, and let the laughter echo across the vast expanse of sand. Bonus points for building the most epic sandcastle your family has ever seen!
Gooch’s Beach: Kennebunk’s Gooch’s Beach is a haven for families. Calm, protected waters make it ideal for little ones to splash safely, while tide pools offer endless opportunities for exploration. Build a sandcastle moat, search for hermit crabs, or simply let the kids run wild on the soft, sandy shores.

For the Serenity Seeker:

Popham Beach State Park: Escape the crowds and find solace at Popham Beach State Park. Miles of pristine sand dunes stretch towards the horizon, backed by dramatic cliffs and whispering pines. Hike along scenic trails, build a bonfire on the beach (permits required), or simply sit back and let the rhythmic lull of the waves wash away your worries.
Sand Beach: Tucked away on Mount Desert Island, Sand Beach is a secluded paradise. Hike through Acadia National Park, arriving at a crescent-shaped beach framed by towering cliffs. Swim in the calm, crystal-clear waters, explore tide pools teeming with life, or simply soak in the tranquility of this hidden gem.

Beyond the Sand: Unforgettable Experiences Await

Maine’s beaches are just the beginning. From chartering a lobster boat tour to indulging in fresh seafood at a harborside shack, each coastal town offers unique experiences. Kayak through the serene waters of Casco Bay, explore the charming shops of Kennebunkport, or catch a breathtaking coastal sunset from atop Cadillac Mountain. Every moment is a chance to create memories that will shimmer like seashells long after your vacation ends.

Planning Your Maine Beach Bliss: Tips and Tricks

Timing is key: Maine’s peak season runs from June to August, so expect larger crowds and higher prices. Consider visiting in May or September for shoulder-season charm and milder temperatures.
Pack wisely: Don’t forget sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, towels, and swimwear. Pack layers for unpredictable coastal weather, and consider water shoes for exploring rocky shores.
Respect the environment: Leave no trace behind. Pack out your trash, be mindful of wildlife, and avoid disturbing the delicate coastal ecosystem.
Embrace the local vibe: Sample fresh seafood, browse charming shops, and strike up conversations with friendly locals. Immerse yourself in the unique rhythm of Maine’s coastal communities.

So, what are you waiting for?

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Maine

Woman dies after crashing into stopped tractor-trailer on Maine Turnpike

Published

10 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Press Room

Woman dies after crashing into stopped tractor-trailer on Maine Turnpike

YORK, Maine (WGME) — Police say an 81-year-old woman died after crashing into a tractor-trailer that had stopped in the breakdown lane on the Maine Turnpike in York.

Maine State Police say 81-year-old Janice Goldsmith of Massachusetts was driving on the Maine Turnpike in York around 3:15 p.m. on Monday when she crashed into the rear of a tractor-trailer that was stopped in the breakdown lane.

Goldsmith died at the scene.

According to police, the tractor-trailer had stopped in the breakdown lane due to a mechanical malfunction, and the driver had placed reflective warning triangles in the breakdown lane as required.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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Maine

‘Just b——-‘: Rep. Pingree says she was lied to about ICE facility in Scarborough

Published

22 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Press Room

‘Just b——-‘: Rep. Pingree says she was lied to about ICE facility in Scarborough

PORTLAND (WGME) – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says what she was told about an ICE facility in Maine is “B.S.”

Pingree says she and her staff got to tour the ICE facility in Scarborough Monday.

She says there was one person being detained while she was there.

The facility has three holding cells, and she says she was told there have never been more than five people inside.

Pingree and an attorney raised concerns about detainees being denied their Constitutional rights to have an attorney present.

“We checked out that office,” Pingree said. “We were told there were space limitations of bringing attorneys, so that’s just b——-, there’s plenty of room in there, you can bring in an attorney or the attorney can stand in the doorway.”

“In my particular case, my client was enrolling in an alternative, was forced to enroll in an alternatives to detention program, where he would have his whereabouts monitored,” Melissa Brennan of ILAP said. “He didn’t even understand what he was signing, and I think what’s most important is that people are deprived of that opportunity to consult with someone, to have that reassurance of having your legal counsel next to you.”

Pingree says she was told no one is held at the detention center overnight.

She says she didn’t see anything inside that was out of line for a facility like this.

CBS13 reached out to ICE for comment late Monday afternoon on Pingree’s visit, and we are waiting to hear back.

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Maine

Penobscot County’s first case of bird flu confirmed

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

Press Room

Penobscot County’s first case of bird flu confirmed

A strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been detected in a flock of backyard birds in Penobscot County this month for the first time since it appeared in Maine almost four years ago.

The case of H5N1 was confirmed on Dec. 1, according to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, which reports cases by county and does not specify towns. Federal disease tracking data show the new case affected 90 birds and is one of the few known cases in eastern or northern Maine. Two flocks were affected in Hancock County in 2023, following two in Washington County the year before.

It’s only the third known detection in a backyard flock in Maine this year; the first two, in Cumberland County, were confirmed in February and affected about 110 birds. Statewide, health officials have raised the current risk level to high in response this month as the wild birds that typically spread the disease are migrating.

That risk level reflects the likelihood of birds getting sick, not people, according to Jim Britt, spokesperson for the state agriculture department. Commercial flocks haven’t been affected. The disease has been detected in numerous wild birds around Maine this year, primarily in southern and coastal counties.

While people can get bird flu, this strain isn’t considered a big public health risk, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said. Human cases have come from exposure to birds and dairy cattle, according to the CDC, but there are no confirmed U.S. cases of people spreading it to each other.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is generally spread to poultry through the droppings of wild birds or exposure to them. It was first found in Maine in 2022, and has been detected in a handful of flocks annually after numerous cases that year.

Signs of infection in poultry include low energy and appetite, soft or misshapen eggs, swelling around the head, purple wattles, combs or legs, coughing and sneezing, nasal discharge or sudden death.

To limit risk to their flocks, poultry owners can protect them from contact with wild waterfowl by providing indoor shelter and covering outdoor areas. Sick and dying birds can be reported to the state online.

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