Planning a girls weekend getaway by the ocean? Old Orchard Beach is one of the best girls trip destinations in the USA for groups looking for sun, sand, good food, and fun activities. This classic Maine beach town has everything you need for a memorable girls trip, from wide sandy beaches to lively attractions and charming shops.
Located on Maine’s southern coast, Old Orchard Beach is perfect for a Maine weekend getaway. Spend your days soaking up the sun on the beach, walking along the shoreline, or exploring the Old Orchard Beach Pier, which is full of restaurants, bars, and shops over the water. For fun with friends, enjoy mini golf, arcade games, and rides at nearby amusement parks, or take a short drive to Funtown Splashtown USA in Saco for even more thrills. Don’t forget to stop for the iconic Pier French Fries while you’re on the pier!
If you are looking for girls weekend trip ideas, Old Orchard Beach has options for every mood. Relax by the pool at your oceanfront hotel, enjoy cocktails with an ocean view, shop at local boutiques like Beachology and Happynest, or take in live summer music and fireworks on the beach. Here’s a guide to making the most of a girls trip in Old Orchard Beach.
A girls trip to Maine isn’t complete without spending time by the water. Old Orchard Beach has a long, soft sandy beach that is perfect for hanging out with friends, playing in the waves, or just relaxing while taking in the ocean view. Mornings are great for a walk along the shore or collecting seashells, and you can stop at a nearby café for coffee or a snack while watching the waves.
Many oceanfront hotels also have pools, which makes it easy to take a break from the sun while still spending time together. The Old Orchard Beach Collection includes six hotels right on the beach, Waves Oceanfront Resort, Gull Inn, Sea View Inn, Ocean house Hotel, Edgewater and Kebek 3. They have pools where you can swim, float, or lounge with your friends. You can plan your day to enjoy the beach in the morning and the pool in the afternoon without ever leaving the oceanfront.
One of the most iconic spots in Old Orchard Beach is the Old Orchard Beach Pier! The pier stretches out over the ocean and is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. It is a great place to walk in the evening with friends, enjoy the view, and watch the sunset over the Atlantic. You can stop for a drink, browse the shops, or just take in the lively summer atmosphere.
While you are there, be sure to try the Pier French Fries. These hand-cut fries with vinegar are a classic snack and a favorite for both locals and visitors.
If you’re craving pizza, Old Orchard Beach has several popular spots right near the pier, including Lisa’s Pizza, Rocco’s Pizza, and Bill’s Pizza. There is an ongoing debate about which one is the best, so the fun part is trying them all and deciding for yourself.
For groups looking for playful girls trip ideas, Old Orchard Beach has plenty of fun and nostalgic activities to enjoy together.
Right by the beach is Palace Playland, New England’s only beachfront amusement park. This classic park sits right on the sand and has more than 30 rides and attractions, from gentle family rides and kiddie rides to thrill rides and a large arcade with over 200 games. You can ride a Ferris wheel with ocean views, try the bumper cars, spin on the carousel, or take on the Sea Viper coaster for a bit of adrenaline. The arcade is one of the largest in the region, full of modern video games and vintage classics, making it a perfect stop for friendly competition and laughs with your group.
Just a short drive away in Saco is Funtown Splashtown USA, a much larger amusement and water park that can easily fill an entire day with fun. Funtown combines classic rides and big attractions with a full water park experience. It is home to Excalibur, the only wooden roller coaster in Maine and one of the tallest log flume rides in the region, Thunder Falls, which splashes you down with plenty of excitement. You’ll also find big thrill rides like the 220-foot Dragon’s Descent drop tower and the indoor Astrosphere ride with lights and music if you want something a little different. For cooling off in the summer heat, the water park has towering slides like Tornado and Mammoth, interactive splash areas like Pirate’s Paradise, and plenty of pools where you can unwind between rides. With more than 50 rides, slides, pools, and attractions, it’s easy to spend hours exploring everything the park has to offer.
Together, these two parks add a fun twist to a girls weekend getaway with a mix of nostalgic beachside rides, arcade games, big thrills, and water park excitement that everyone in the group can enjoy!
Mini golf is practically a tradition on any girls trip to the beach, and Old Orchard Beach has some great courses that make it fun to spend an afternoon together.
A classic choice is Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, where you can putt your way through an 18-hole pirate‑themed course with footbridges, cascades, and themed landscaping that make it feel like a real adventure on the high seas. There are two different courses available, so your group can challenge each other to see who can get the best score on all 36 holes if you want to play both. The whole setting feels a bit like a mini adventure as you walk from hole to hole and laugh over tricky shots.
Another mini golf option a few minutes from the beach is Jungle Adventure 3D Blacklight Mini Golf. This one is indoors and played under black lights with 3D glasses, so the course feels like stepping into a glowing jungle. The 18 holes are designed with vibrant, themed art that pops under the lights, making it a fun choice if you want to take a break from the sun or if it looks like rain. There is also a small arcade area with games if you want to keep the fun going after your round.
If your group prefers something a bit more laid‑back or wants a more traditional golf experience, Dunegrass Golf Club is a beautiful New England golf course just minutes from the beach. Designed with rolling greens, wooded dunes, and scenic views, this 18‑hole course is great for golfers of all skill levels. You can book a tee time, take lessons if you want to brush up on your swing, and even enjoy a meal at the clubhouse after your round.
No girls weekend trip is complete without a little shopping, and Old Orchard Beach has some really fun local boutiques worth exploring. These shops are great stops between beach time and dinner, and they offer unique items you won’t find in big chain stores.
One local favorite is Beachology, a beach‑inspired store filled with coastal decor, summer accessories, and gift items that celebrate seaside living. You can browse colorful towels, cute hats and bags, shells and signs for your home, and salty‑air themed gifts perfect for remembering your trip. The shop has a bright, easygoing beach vibe that fits right in with the Old Orchard Beach feel, and it’s a nice place to find things for yourself or gifts for friends and family back home. (beachologystore.com)
Another great stop is happynest by Maili, a boutique full of thoughtfully selected home décor, jewelry, accessories, and small gifts. The shop feels personal and curated, with many items that reflect Maine’s coastal charm and can add a bit of local character to your space. Whether you’re looking for a fun piece of jewelry, a new decoration for your home, or something that reminds you of your trip, this shop has plenty of choices.
After a full day at the beach, a good dinner spot can make your girls weekend getaway even better. One of Old Orchard Beach’s most popular places to eat is Joseph’s By the Sea. This long‑running oceanfront restaurant has been serving fresh, locally sourced seafood for decades and is known for its views of the beach and sea.
Part of what makes Joseph’s special is its outdoor rooftop and patio dining, where you can sit with your group while you watch the sunset. The menu includes Maine classics and seafood favorites like lobster potato pancakes, seared sea scallops, and lobster rolls, as well as options like paninis, salads, and other dishes if someone in your group isn’t as focused on seafood.
It is a relaxed but memorable place to enjoy cocktails or local brews after a day on the beach, share a fresh seafood dinner with friends, and take in that classic Maine coast setting. Many visitors make it a stop on their itinerary not just for the food, but for the ocean views and atmosphere that make dining here feel special.
During the summer, Old Orchard Beach really comes alive with events that make evenings special. One of the best traditions is the weekly Thursday night fireworks put on near the beach in front of the Pier and Palace Playland. From late June through most of August, fireworks light up the sky around 9:45 p.m. almost every Thursday night (weather permitting). People gather on the sand with blankets, chairs, and snacks to watch the show together.
In addition to the regular Thursday shows, there’s usually a special fireworks display around July 4th that draws even bigger crowds and adds to the holiday energy.
If you are looking for girls trip destinations in the USA, Old Orchard Beach offers the perfect mix of relaxation, seaside fun, and classic coastal charm. Between beach days, local shops, great seafood, and fun attractions, it is easy to see why so many groups choose Old Orchard Beach for a Maine weekend getaway.
Staying at an oceanfront hotel makes the experience even better, with the beach just steps from your room and the best of Old Orchard Beach right outside your door. The Old Orchard Beach Collection features six oceanfront hotels, all ideally located directly on the beach. Explore our properties and make your girls trip even more special by waking up just steps from the sand.
