Overview
York is a town on the Southern Coast in Maine. It includes the villages of York Beach, York Harbor, and Cape Neddick.
10 sights · 8 things to do · 7 places to eat · 23 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about York
Boon Island Lighthouse
The Museum Buildings of Old York
Jefferds' Tavern
Built in 1754, it serves as the visitor and education center for the museum. Purchase your tickets here. Free parking on site.
The Old Gaol
The jail housed prisoners from 1719-1860 and is one of the oldest British public buildings in the US.
Emerson-Wilcox House
Devoted to decorative arts including the Bulman Bedhangings, the only known complete set of American crewel bedhangings.
John Hancock Wharf and Warehouse
York's only remaining colonial warehouse once owned by the American patriot portrays the seafaring days.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Dec. (climate data from nearby Seacoast)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PSM Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, Portsmouth — 11 mi away. Directions
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 37 mi away (major hub). Directions
There is no train service direct to York. From Boston's North Station and Portland, Amtrak provides service on the "Downeaster" to the towns of Wells, or Dover, NH.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Cape Neddick Light, The Museum Buildings of Old York, Emerson-Wilcox House
- Lunch 1637
- Afternoon Old Schoolhouse, The Ledges
- Dinner Cape Neddick Lobster Pound Harborside Restaurant
Day 2
- Morning Boon Island Lighthouse, Jefferds' Tavern, John Hancock Wharf and Warehouse
- Lunch Clay Hill Farm
- Afternoon Elizabeth Perkins House, York Golf and Tennis Club
- Dinner Flo's Hot Dogs
Day 3
- Morning York Public Library, The Old Gaol, George Marshall Store Gallery
- Lunch Fox's Lobster House
- Afternoon Ramsdell House, Harbor Adventures
- Dinner Mimmo's Fine Italian Continental Cuisine
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
- Portland International Jetport (PWM)
- Manchester Airport (MHT)
- Pease International Airport PSM
- Logan International Airport (BOS)
By train
There is no train service direct to York. From Boston's North Station and Portland, Amtrak provides service on the "Downeaster" to the towns of Wells, or Dover, NH.
By bus
There is no bus service direct to York.
Place C & J Trailways
Provides hourly bus service from Boston (South Station or Logan Airport) to their Portsmouth, NH terminal. Also a few daily trips to Portsmouth from New York City.
By car
Route 1 along the Maine coast is the scenic route. Interstate 95 is the direct route from Boston (1.25 hours) and other east coast cities. Maine Exit 7 is the Route 1 "The Yorks" exit.
Get around
See
See Jefferds' Tavern
Built in 1754, it serves as the visitor and education center for the museum. Purchase your tickets here. Free parking on site.
See The Old Gaol
The jail housed prisoners from 1719-1860 and is one of the oldest British public buildings in the US.
See Emerson-Wilcox House
Devoted to decorative arts including the Bulman Bedhangings, the only known complete set of American crewel bedhangings.
See John Hancock Wharf and Warehouse
York's only remaining colonial warehouse once owned by the American patriot portrays the seafaring days.
See George Marshall Store Gallery
Contemporary art by regional artists. This was once the customs house for York and a general store.
See Elizabeth Perkins House
The days of elegance and grace in colonial revival décor and a restored riverside garden.
See Ramsdell House
Ongoing restoration of a small 1741 home and a look at the lives of early farm laborers.
See Cape Neddick Light (Nubble Light House)
A 41ft (12.5 m) white cast-iron conical tower and attached house set off on a small island overlooking the rocky coast and nearby beach. One of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States.
Do
Do York's Wild Kingdom
Slides, go-karts, rides, paddle boats, mini golf, petting zoo. Note of warning: The animals at this zoo are mistreated. They are kept in small enclosures with inadequate habitat. Your children will come away with the impression that animals are objects, and not creatures who deserve our compassion. The York Center for Wildlife is a great alternative. For more info please see below.
Do York Public Library
In addition to free wifi and access to computer workstations, YPL offers a plethora of fun, educational, and cultural programming for all ages. Past programs have included story times and crafts; lunch and learns; a winter concert series; author talks; book talks; art exhibits and gallery talks. We also provide access to a collection of thousands of books, DVDs, audiobooks, and magazines - supplemented with streaming and downloadable movies, audiobooks, e-books, and music for all ages.
Buy
Nearby Kittery, has over 120 outlet stores. Route 1 north along the coast has a large variety of shops to browse.
Eat
Eat Cape Neddick Lobster Pound Harborside Restaurant
Eat Flo's Hot Dogs
Famous hot dog shack. Open only 11-3 Except Wednesdays. Steamed hot dogs with Flo's secret sauce. Crowded in the summer.
Eat Fox's Lobster House
Overlooks Nubble Light.
Eat Mimmo's Fine Italian Continental Cuisine
Sleep
Stay The Inn At Ridge Road
Stay Sunrise Motel - York Beach
Every room has a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Preferred Rooms with frig/microwaves, suites with butler kitchens, and efficiencies with full kitchenettes. All guest rooms have wireless hi-speed access, in-room climate-control units, in-room coffee, expanded cable TV with remote, telephones, and alarm clock. The hotel is all non-smoking, has laundry facilities, and plenty of parking. Ask for rooms with private balconies or jacuzzis tubs.
Campgrounds
Stay Burnette's & Tent Area
Stay Cape Neddick Campground
Stay Flagg's Trailer Park
Stay Wayside Trailer Park
Nearby
Ogunquit
City / town · 64 listings · 6 mi away
Kittery
City / town · 11 listings · 7 mi away
Portsmouth
City / town · 48 listings · 9 mi away
Odiorne Point State Park
Park · 2 listings · 9 mi away
Wells
City / town · 15 listings · 11 mi away
Dover
City / town · 13 listings · 12 mi away
Durham
City / town · 4 listings · 14 mi away
Kennebunk
City / town · 2 listings · 16 mi away
My experience
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