Darcy's Guidebook
Food scene
So many places for great food especially seafood.
This is the best seafood around. It is very popular so you may have to wait if you don’t call and order ahead of time. We like to eat at their picnic tables. They even have a new outdoor bar area that has live music on weekends. It is across from trolley stop.
43 locals recommend
Huot's Seafood Restaurant
29 Eastern AveThis is the best seafood around. It is very popular so you may have to wait if you don’t call and order ahead of time. We like to eat at their picnic tables. They even have a new outdoor bar area that has live music on weekends. It is across from trolley stop.
I love the baked goods at this shop. They are especially know for their cinnamon rolls but you may want to preorder because they sell out early. The huge muffins are wonderful as well.
17 locals recommend
Ocean Park Pizza
69 Seaside AveI love the baked goods at this shop. They are especially know for their cinnamon rolls but you may want to preorder because they sell out early. The huge muffins are wonderful as well.
You have to drive to this ice cream shop but it is totally worth it. The prices are great and the portions generous. You will be more then satisfied with a “baby” cone. They also had make their ice cream.
11 locals recommend
Fielder's Choice
156 Saco AveYou have to drive to this ice cream shop but it is totally worth it. The prices are great and the portions generous. You will be more then satisfied with a “baby” cone. They also had make their ice cream.
This is a romantic restaurant, great for a date or special family occasion. I highly recommend making a reservation as walking in my be impossible.
60 locals recommend
Joseph's By the Sea
55 W Grand AveThis is a romantic restaurant, great for a date or special family occasion. I highly recommend making a reservation as walking in my be impossible.
This place has been in the neighborhood since the 1950’s. They make their own ice cream and have some unique flavors and classic choices. It is a local favorite and you can walk to it.
16 locals recommend
Garsides Ice Cream Inc
320 Ferry RdThis place has been in the neighborhood since the 1950’s. They make their own ice cream and have some unique flavors and classic choices. It is a local favorite and you can walk to it.
The best fries! Make sure you add salt and vinegar the New England way.
24 locals recommend
Pier French Fries
12 Old Orchard StThe best fries! Make sure you add salt and vinegar the New England way.
Sightseeing
We have lots of ways to enjoy the ocean and outdoors.
Check out the nature center and hiking trails. They also offer some nature tours and activities.
35 locals recommend
Ferry Beach State Park
95 Bayview RdCheck out the nature center and hiking trails. They also offer some nature tours and activities.
This is one of the last classic sea side amusement parks. It has no admission fee so it is great to just wander. We like to go after a day at the beach in the cool of the evening.
97 locals recommend
Palace Playland
1 Old Orchard StThis is one of the last classic sea side amusement parks. It has no admission fee so it is great to just wander. We like to go after a day at the beach in the cool of the evening.
Funtown Splashtown USA
774 Portland RdThis is a lot of fun for families.
This is a beautiful costal town just a short drive away. Fun place to shop but pricey. Federal Jacks is a great pub.
131 locals recommend
Kennebunkport
This is a beautiful costal town just a short drive away. Fun place to shop but pricey. Federal Jacks is a great pub.
Trina Lyn Fishing Charters
5 Bay AveMy husband went out on this boat and loved it.
Captain John offers some really nice scenic boat rides but, only on certain days of the week so you may want to plan ahead.
Captain John's Charters
5 Bay AveCaptain John offers some really nice scenic boat rides but, only on certain days of the week so you may want to plan ahead.
This place offers walk in surf lessons and surfboard rentals for kids and adults. They also have beautiful locally designed and created clothing and accessories. Check the schedule as the surf lessons are dependent on tides so are offered at different times. My daughter is one of the instructors.
7 locals recommend
Mocean Surf and Skate Shop
6 Union AveThis place offers walk in surf lessons and surfboard rentals for kids and adults. They also have beautiful locally designed and created clothing and accessories. Check the schedule as the surf lessons are dependent on tides so are offered at different times. My daughter is one of the instructors.
Neighborhoods
Great little fishing village one mile away. You can go deep sea fishing or just a boat ride. Park and walk around and out on the breakwater especially at sunset. It is magical. Also a good place for beach access with a pay parking lot.
19 locals recommend
Camp Ellis
Bay AvenueGreat little fishing village one mile away. You can go deep sea fishing or just a boat ride. Park and walk around and out on the breakwater especially at sunset. It is magical. Also a good place for beach access with a pay parking lot.
This is a beautiful village, however parking can be a problem. If you can get a space, it is a wonderful place just to walk around. The Soda Fountain is a trip back in time.
23 locals recommend
Ocean Park
This is a beautiful village, however parking can be a problem. If you can get a space, it is a wonderful place just to walk around. The Soda Fountain is a trip back in time.
This is a busy seaside town with amusements bars and restaurants. Lots of not so healthy food and fun. Great for vacation.
185 locals recommend
Old Orchard Beach
This is a busy seaside town with amusements bars and restaurants. Lots of not so healthy food and fun. Great for vacation.
The whole city of Portland is a foodie paradise. Seriously, you can look it up. I really like Grace but there are many other wonderful choices for restaurants. It also has great shopping and museums. If you have a rainy day with kiddos check out the Maine Children’s Museum. It is great.
223 locals recommend
Old Port
The whole city of Portland is a foodie paradise. Seriously, you can look it up. I really like Grace but there are many other wonderful choices for restaurants. It also has great shopping and museums. If you have a rainy day with kiddos check out the Maine Children’s Museum. It is great.
Shopping
Maine offers some unique shopping experiences.
This is by far the best grocery store around. The prices are so good we bring a cooler so we can shop and take it home. It is further away the other stores but the prices are absolutely worth it. Great place to grab a quick dinner or lunch too.
14 locals recommend
Market Basket
220 Mariner WyThis is by far the best grocery store around. The prices are so good we bring a cooler so we can shop and take it home. It is further away the other stores but the prices are absolutely worth it. Great place to grab a quick dinner or lunch too.
This is a Maine adventure in shopping. The section and prices are amazing. This is a great place for beach necessities, souvenirs, snacks and just about anything.
10 locals recommend
Renys Department Store
4 Scamman StThis is a Maine adventure in shopping. The section and prices are amazing. This is a great place for beach necessities, souvenirs, snacks and just about anything.
This is yet another Maine adventure in shopping. They buy close-outs and sell at a fraction of original cost. You could go and fine nothing or you could get a designer handbag at 90% off. It is for bargain hunters. Lots of hardware, clothing shoes, food, furniture, sporting goods.
9 locals recommend
Marden's
451 Payne RdThis is yet another Maine adventure in shopping. They buy close-outs and sell at a fraction of original cost. You could go and fine nothing or you could get a designer handbag at 90% off. It is for bargain hunters. Lots of hardware, clothing shoes, food, furniture, sporting goods.
This place has wonderful sandwiches and is close by if you need to run out for milk. Say hi to Sunny for us. He is a great guy.
Saco Bay Variety
216 Beach StThis place has wonderful sandwiches and is close by if you need to run out for milk. Say hi to Sunny for us. He is a great guy.
City advice
Don't miss
Trash day
Trash day is Monday but they often come very early so roll the cans out on Sunday night. I put a notification on my phone because forgetting is a real pain. The green bin is for general trash and the brown is for all recyclables. We put out a blue can for returnable beverage bottles and cans(including juice cans) but you can just leave this where it is. I pick that up. The proceeds benefit Midcoast Leo’s a local service organization both my children volunteer for that specializes in helping those with blindness and sight issues.