York Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Located on the scenic coast of Maine, the charming town of York is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a quintessential New England experience. With its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and a variety of attractions, York offers something for everyone.

One of the town's main attractions is the iconic Nubble Lighthouse. Located on a small island just off the coast, this historic lighthouse offers stunning views and is a favorite spot for photographers. Visitors can also explore the adjacent Sohier Park, which is perfect for picnicking and enjoying the ocean breeze.

For those interested in history, a visit to the Old York Historical Society is a must. This museum showcases the town's fascinating past through its exhibits and artifacts. Explore the historic buildings, including the Old Gaol (jail) and Jefferds Tavern, to get a glimpse into life in colonial times.

Nature lovers will enjoy the tranquility of York's beautiful beaches. Long Sands Beach and Short Sands Beach offer miles of sandy shores, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing. Take a leisurely stroll along the Marginal Way, a scenic pathway that winds along the rugged coastline and offers breathtaking ocean views.

To experience the local culture, head to York Village. This charming downtown area is filled with boutique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafes. Take a break from exploring to savor a delicious meal at one of the town's many seafood restaurants, where you can indulge in fresh lobster and other local delicacies.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of recreational opportunities in York. Hike or bike through the beautiful Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region, which offers miles of trails and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Golfers can hit the links at one of the town's scenic golf courses, while boating enthusiasts can set sail from the York Harbor Marina.

Alternative names: Area: 131.78 mi²Elevation: 16 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 43°9'0"N, 70°37'47"W

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MaineUnited States

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York Top Attractions

York Attractions - What to See and Explore

York offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Cape Neddick Light, Old York Gaol, Sayward-Wheeler House, Old Schoolhouse. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Lighthouse • Vernacular architecture
Cape Neddick Light
Perched on a rocky island off the craggy coast of York, Maine, the Cape Neddick Light stands as a picturesque sentinel over the Atlantic Ocean. Known affectionately as "Nubble Light" to locals, this charming lighthouse has been guiding mariners since its establishment...
Museum • History museum
Old York Gaol
The Old York Gaol is a former colonial prison at Lindsay Road and Main Street in York, Maine. Its oldest portion dating to about 1720, it is one of the oldest prison buildings in the United States, and one of the oldest public buildings in the state of Maine.
Museum • Architecture • History museum
Sayward-Wheeler House
The Sayward-Wheeler House is an American historic house museum in York Harbor, Maine. It was built about 1718, and overlooks the York River. it was the home of Jonathan Sayward, a local merchant and civic leader, who remodeled and furnished the house in the 1760s according to his own conservative taste.

Museum
Old Schoolhouse
The Old Schoolhouse, also known as the York Corner Schoolhouse, is an historic one-room school building on the grounds of the Old York Historical Society at York and Lindsay Streets in York, Maine.
Park
Mount Agamenticus
Mount Agamenticus is a 692 ft high monadnock in the town of York, Maine. The area surrounding the summit is a park reservation which provides habitat for wildlife and a venue for recreation.
Museum • Specialty museum
John Hancock Warehouse
The John Hancock Warehouse is a historic warehouse at 136 Lindsay Street in York, Maine. Built in the 18th century, the small warehouse is notable for its association with Massachusetts politician John Hancock.
Lighthouse • Vernacular architecture
Boon Island Light
Boon Island Light is located on the 300-by-700-foot Boon Island off the southern coast of Maine, United States, near Cape Neddick. Boon Island Light has the distinction of being the tallest lighthouse in both Maine and New England at 133 feet. The lighthouse has a focal plane at 137 feet above mean high water.
43°8'6"N • 70°39'42"W
Elizabeth Perkins House
Museum
Neighbourhood
York Historic District
The York Historic District encompasses the historic village center of York, Maine, one of the oldest communities in the state.
43°10'22"N • 70°35'59"W
Conant-Sawyer Cottage
The Conant-Sawyer House is a historic summer house at 14 Kendall Road in York Beach, Maine. Built in 1877 and enlarged in 1896, it is a well-preserved example of a late 19th-century upper middle-class summer house.
Tudor Revival architecture
Hawkes Pharmacy
The Hawkes Pharmacy, also known recently as the Rockaway Hotel, is a historic commercial building at 7 Main Street in York Beach, Maine. Built in 1902, it is the commercial building in the village of York Beach to retain significant historic features.
43°10'51"N • 70°36'19"W
Pebbledene
Pebbledene is a historic house at 99 Freeman Street in the York Beach area of York, Maine. Built in 1896, this Queen Anne/Shingle style house was the last large-scale summer house built in the area.
43°9'53"N • 70°40'2"W
John Sedgley Homestead
The John Sedgley Homestead is a historic homestead property at Scituate and Chases Pond Road in the York Corner area of York, Maine.
Neighbourhood
York Cliffs Historic District
The York Cliffs Historic District is located on Agamenticus Avenue in York, Maine. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 26, 1984.
43°9'13"N • 70°37'39"W
Robert Rose Tavern
The Robert Rose Tavern is a historic house and former tavern at 298 Long Sands Road in York, Maine. Built in the 1750s using elements of a house built in 1680, it is one of the oldest surviving public hostelries in the state.
43°9'23"N • 70°38'2"W
Moody Homestead
The Moody Homestead is a historic house at 100 Ridge Road in York, Maine. The main house, built in 1790, is attached to an ell that is estimated to date to the late 17th century.
Neighbourhood • Colonial revival architecture
Brave Boat Harbor Farm
Brave Boat Harbor Farm is a historic gentleman's farm at 110 Raynes Neck Road on the coast of York, Maine, United States. Developed in the early 1950s, it consists of a designed horticultural landscape with five structures, the most significant being a Colonial Revival house built at that time.
43°8'27"N • 70°41'18"W
Isabella Breckinridge House
The Isabella Breckinridge House also known as River House, and formerly the Breckinridge Public Affairs Center of Bowdoin College, is a historic house at 201 US Route 1 in York, Maine, United States.
43°8'41"N • 70°42'28"W
Barrell Homestead
The Barrell Homestead is a historic house at 71 Beech Ridge Road in York, Maine, United States. At the core of this three-story house is a c. 1720 late First Period house, which has been in the hands of a single family since 1758.

Day trips

York – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of York, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Funtown Splashtown USA (Saco), Wentworth by the Sea (New Castle), Portland Head Light (Cape Elizabeth).

28 milesN
Theme park, Amusement park, Water park
Funtown Splashtown USA, Saco
Funtown Splashtown USA is a vibrant amusement park nestled in the city of Saco, Maine, offering a delightful blend of thrills and spills for visitors of all ages. As Maine's largest water and amusement park, it presents a perfect summer escape with a diverse range of...
7.9 miSW
Hotel, Spa, Golf
Wentworth by the Sea, New Castle
Nestled in the serene coastal town of New Castle, New Hampshire, Wentworth by the Sea marries the charm of a historic grand hotel with the comforts of modern hospitality. This elegant hotel, which has graced the shores of New Hampshire since 1874, offers guests a...
39 milesNE
Specialty museum, Museum, Lighthouse
Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth
Portland Head Light is a historic lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The light station sits on a head of land at the entrance of the primary shipping channel into Portland Harbor, which is within Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine.
33 milesS
Palatial seaside estate and gardens
Castle Hill, Ipswich
Castle Hill is a 56,881 sq ft Tudor Revival mansion in Ipswich, Massachusetts built 1926-1928 as a summer home for Mr. and Mrs. Richard Teller Crane, Jr. It is also the name of the 165-acre drumlin surrounded by sea and salt marsh the home was built atop. Both are part of the 2,100-acre Crane Estate located on Argilla Road.
36 milesS
Lighthouse
Cape Ann Light Station, Rockport
The Cape Ann Light Station on Thacher Island, off Cape Ann in Rockport, Massachusetts, is nationally significant as the last light station to be established under colonial rule and the first station in the United States to mark a navigational hazard rather than a harbor entrance.

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Best Time To Visit York

Learn when is the best time to travel to York weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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June, July and August are the busiest months in this location.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in February, June, July, August and September. Most of it rains in November.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in York?

The top attractions to visit in York are:

What is the best time to visit York?

June, July and August are the busiest months in this location. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.