The Best Destinations for Families in Maine

*York Beach (Southern Maine): This beach town is actually a set of three towns; head for Short Sands with the kids, where they can watch a taffy-pulling machine, play video games in an arcade, ogle seashells in a trinket shop, or scarf cotton candy at a small amusement park. The Long Sands section is ideal for tanning, Frisbee tossing, or kite flying; nearby is Nubble Light (a scenic lighthouse) and a kid-friendly ice-cream shop.

*Old Orchard Beach (Southern Maine): This place has sort of a carnival atmosphere—there are french fries, hot dogs, and fried dough galore. Though it might be a bit much for stodgy adults who can’t embrace the pure camp, the kids will probably love it.

*Freeport (Lower Midcoast): It’s almost impossible to knock Freeport as a family vacation spot. We’re talking about a town with loads of shopping, outdoor music in summer, about a half-dozen L.L. Bean stores (including nearly a whole floor focused on kids’ outdoor wear), and tons of quick eats and chain hotels. Plus lobsters. Plus a souvenir shop with a moose theme. Heck, there’s even a McDonald's—tastefully designed, of course. About the only thing this place lacks is a go-kart track and an Elmo theme park. And that’s a good thing.

*Monhegan Island (Lower Midcoast): The mail boat from Port Clyde out to Monhegan is intriguing, the inns are a rustic overnight adventure, and the smallish island’s scale is perfect for kids to explore, especially kids in the, say, 8-to-12-year-old range.