Biddeford Pool - yorkcommunitymaine.org

Autotour (Suggested day trips. Have an early breakfast)
The Old Port - Portland’s Old Port is one of the most successful revitalized
warehouse districts in the country offering over 158 shops, 65 restaurants, 28
galleries, and numerous pubs. All located in a charming five block area lined with
cobblestone streets on Portland’s historic waterfront. Combine this with a trip to
the Portland Art Museum. About 45 miles from York. Take the Maine Turnpike
(I-95) to exit 44.. Less than an hour away. See http://www.portlandmaine.com/.
Ogunquit to Biddeford Pool, via Wells, Kennebunkport, and Goose Rocks
Beach, (see attached maps)
Total distance: approx. 85 miles
Mile 0.0 Drive North on Route 1 from Oqunquit center
Mile 7.2 Turn right onto Route 9E
Mile 11.7 Stop in Kennebunkport center. Park and visit the shops, boutiques,
and art galleries. Proceed on the very scenic Ocean Drive.
Mile 14.1 Stop to view the Summer home of George Herbert Walker Bush.
Continue on Ocean Drive.
Mile 15.6 Turn right onto Wildes Dst. Road at an old white fire station.
Mile 17.1 The center of the fishing village of Cape Porpoise.There is a very nice
café and gourmet shop – the Cape Porpoise Kitchen – at the intersections of
Wildes Dst. Road, Pier Rd, Rt. 9W and Rt. 9E. Stop there for coffee or tea but
don’t eat too much. Lunch is just up the road. Continue onto Pier Rd.
Mile 17.9 Park near the Cape Porpoise Pier. You can watch lobstermen unloading
their catch and view the Goat Island Lighthouse.
There are three opportunities for lunch. We suggest the Pier 77 Restaurant with stunning views of
Cape Porpoise Harbor and the working lobster boats that are moored there. The Ramp Bar & Grill
is casual with it’s own bar menu featuring items such as lobster rolls, fried clams, fish & chips,
and burgers. Located under Pier 77, The Ramp is open right through the day with the Ramp menu
and it is a bustling scene blending locals and tourists to enjoy Guinness on tap or a cocktail right
on the waters edge. The third opportunity is the Cape Porpoise Lobster Co., Inc. Here you can dine
al fresco in a very casual atmosphere. You line up to order your food and dine on a picnic table
overlooking the harbor. Many of the lobstermen have their lunches here.
Return to the 4-way intersection.
Mile 18.6 Proceed to Goose Rocks Beach via Rt. 9E (If you are running out of
time, you can return to Kennebunkport via Rt. 9W). See map 5.
Mile 21.4 Take a right on Dike Rd. The Clock Tower Farm will be on your right.
Mile 22.2 Stop and park at the intersection of Dyke Road and Kings Hwy. You
can park across from the Goose Rocks Beach General Store. The beach is a short
walk straight ahead. At three miles long, Goose Rocks Beach is a favorite with
walkers. It's wide, smooth and sandy, and affords wonderful views of Eastern
Goose Rocks and Timber Island, just off the coast. Return to your car and take a
left on Kings Hwy.
Mile 22.9 Turn left on New Biddeford Rd.
Mile 23.8 Turn right onto Rt. 9E (aka Mills Rd.) and head in the direction of
Biddeford.
Mile 27.4 Turn right onto Rt. 208S.
Mile 29.4 Turn left onto Yates Road
Mile 30.0 Stop and park at the F.O. Goldwaithe general store. There are picnic
tables out back with great views.
Biddeford Pool is the large tidal pool, as well as the name of the community around it, located off
of Saco Bay in southern Maine. Biddeford Pool is the site of Maine's first recorded permanent
settlement, then called "Winter Harbor." In the winter of 1616-1617, Richard Vines, a physician,
resided here as part of the colonization efforts of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Lord Proprietor of
Maine. An early village developed on the north side. In 1708, Fort Mary was built near the pool's
entrance.
The small harbor hosts both vacationers and lobstermen. Its water level fluctuates from a large
navigable body during high tide to mostly mudflats during low tide. The only exception is the
deep mouth, which is naturally dredged by tidal current. Consequently, this is the area where most
boats are moored. The pool is surrounded by tall grass salt marshes that are home to a variety of
birds and other wildlife.
Proceed on L.B. Orcutt Blvd to Ocean Ave., turn right onto First Ave. and drive
past the Marie Joseph Spiritual Center, make a left turn onto Mile Stretch Road
and enter Rt. 208N.
Mile 33.8 Take Rt. 9E to Biddeford.
Mile 39.1 At the traffic light turn left onto Rt. 111 in the direction of Sanford.
Mile 40.1 Stay in the right lane and make a left turn onto Rt. 1 and 111.
Follow the sign to I-95 (aka the Maine Turnpike, a toll road).
Mile 41.3 Enter I-95 and go south.
Mile 69.3 Exit I-95 at The Yorks (exit 7).
Follow the spur road (exit road) and bear left towards Rte 1 South / York Village.
Mile 69.8 Turn right onto Rte 1S, stay in the left lane.
Mile 70.1 At the traffic light turn left to “York Village” and onto Rte 1A.
Mile 71.1 At York village center village reset your odometer to 0.0 miles and
continue on Rt. 1A. You will pass by York Harbor, York Harbor Beach, and Long
Sands Beach in York Beach, See Map 2.
Mile 4.0 Turn right onto Nubble Rd. and proceed to the Cape Neddick Nubble
Light.
Mile 5.0 Park at the Nubble Light and enjoy the view. Off to your left you will
see the Cliff House in the distance.
Built in 1879, Cape Neddick Nubble Light (visible from the Cliff House) is the southernmost of
Maine's many lighthouses. It is also called the Nubble Light, referring to the barren rocky island
(the Nubble) on which it sits, just off shore. The 41 foot tower is constructed of cast iron plates
lined with brick. The fourth-order Fresnel lens flashes red every six seconds, and is visible for 13
miles. From the Nubble you can also catch a glimpse of Boon Island Light, nine miles offshore.
Return to Rt. 1A and continue past Short Sands Beach into York Beach.
Mile 5.6 York Beach is a somewhat “honky-tonk” kind of place. It has a carousel,
as well as a number of arcades. York’s Wild Kingdom, Maine’s largest zoo and
amusement park is a block away from the beach. Continue on Rt. 1A.
Mile 8.1 Turn a slight right onto Shore Road. You will pass by the Harborside
Restaurant and Cape Neddick Lobster Pound, the venue for our Tuesday dinner,
and the Cape Neddick Harbor.
Mile 12 Turn into Perkin’s Cove. Loop around the area and then continue on to
Ogunquit center.