York Beach Maine Vacation Beaches, Zoo, Salt Water Taffy Fun for All

York Beach has two major sandy beaches. One is called Long Sands and the other is Short Sands. Long Sands deserves it's name. It is very long and best of all it is free. (Except for the parking meters. Get there early as the spaces fill up early in the morning.) Short Sands also deserves it's name. It is short but there is a grassy park in front of it plus a playground for the kids. If you want something to do for every age, than Short Sands is where you should spend your day. The beaches are less than a mile a part and an easy walk between them if you want to park at one and walk to the other. 

Long Sands has a few restaurants, small stores and a few motels across the road from the beach. There are also bathhouses so bathrooms are available. The beach is nice for kids because it does not have a sudden drop off in the water. The water goes out quite a ways before it drops off. (I have never been out far enough to know how far it is out but a native told me it is a long ways out.)

Short Sands has just about everything for the family. There is Goldenrod Kisses which is a inexpensive restaurant but their specialty is making salt taffy and it is made on site and you can watch them make it from the sidewalk  through the big glass windows. There is also a fan blowing the smells outside so it is hard to resist not going in to buy some! Inside is more than taffy. They sell the yummiest fudge, (swiss chocolate is my favorite), and there is a section for the kids where they can pick out their penny candy. (Yes, some of the candy is still a penny there!)

Once you leave Goldenrod, do check out the arcade. It is right across the street at the end of Short Sands beach. It is fun for the kids with lots of video games and skill games. When you have had your fill of arcade games, take a walk down the main street. Here you will find unique little shops with everything from cheap tourist trinkets to fine gifts and jewelry. There are a few restaurants down this street too.