A fall beach day Trip Report

Question

I would have put this on the Old Orchard Beach forum, but it's pretty inactive. Plus, if others have had a great staycation/vacation day in Maine this weekend, feel free to add your report here!

It's nice to enjoy "locals' season" and today was gorgeous. Temps in the high 70s/low 80s and low tide around 10:30 meant it was a beach day. At the end of September!

I had a craving for Pier Fries, so we headed to Old Orchard Beach. The town has stopped charging for parking for the season and the few private lots that were still open were in the $5/$10 range. It is so nice to walk the beach when it's not wall-to-wall people! The tide was coming back in over warm sand, so people were in swimming in ocean water that wasn't ridiculously cold. I wished I had thrown my suit in.

After our walk, we hit Pier Fries first followed by a slice at Bill's Pizza. They are beside each other (same ownership I think) and both only accept cash. There are several ATMs nearby, so if you don't normally have cash you'll be all set. We enjoyed sitting on one of the nearby benches and people-watching while eating. And yes, we put vinegar on our Pier Fries. Anything else is sacrilege.

Having walked the beach, we strolled up and down Old Orchard Street. Except for a couple of the towels/bathing suit shops, quite a few places were still open. I hadn't been into Beachology, so went in to check it out. It was a very nice shop and will be open until Christmas Eve this year. We then went into Dickinson's Candy. This place looks like Willy Wonka moved in! It doesn't have glowing reviews on TA, mostly due to peoples' interactions with ownership, but we had no issues and had a nice chat with the man who checked us out. There is quite a selection of candy and ice cream. They will also be open into December. The arcade was open, but the rides have closed for the season.

We showed great self-discipline in not stopping at Fielder's Choice for ice cream on our way out of town. 😊.

Sometimes Old Orchard Beach doesn't get a lot of love on these forums, but when I was looking around today, everyone, both people and dogs, seemed to be having fun. We did!

Answer

Visiting Old Orchard Beach in late September can be a delightful experience, especially if you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxed beach day without the summer crowds. The weather this time of year often allows for comfortable walking and light swimming, particularly when the high temperatures reach the upper 70s to low 80s.

Parking tends to be more affordable in the off-season. While the town typically stops charging for parking at this time, private lots that remain open usually charge around $5–$10. This makes it easy to park and enjoy the beach without the usual summer hassle.

Food options along the pier are still accessible and enjoyable in the fall. Classic choices like Pier Fries and Bill’s Pizza remain open, though they may be cash-only. Eating while people-watching on nearby benches is a fun, quintessentially Maine experience. Don’t forget vinegar on the fries — it’s considered essential!

Exploring Old Orchard Street is still worthwhile in September, as several shops remain open:

Beachology: A nice retail stop for beach-related items, open through Christmas Eve.
Dickinson's Candy: Offers a large selection of candy and ice cream. Even if some online reviews are mixed, visiting in person can be enjoyable.
Arcade: Still open for some entertainment, though rides are typically closed for the season.

Other points to note:

Some seasonal shops and bathing suit stores may be closed or winding down for the season.
Rides on the pier are no longer running, but the boardwalk and beach remain pleasant for strolling and casual exploration.
Self-discipline may be needed to resist fall-specific treats like ice cream from Fielder's Choice, but it’s all part of the experience!

Overall, a late September visit provides a “locals’ season” vibe — fewer crowds, relaxed atmosphere, and the ability to fully enjoy the beach, coastal scenery, and casual culinary delights. Dogs and people alike seem to appreciate the quieter environment, making it a great time for a stress-free Maine beach day.