After Labor Day, things quiet down fast around here. Funtown Splashtown closed for the year on September 8. Palace Playland's daily schedule ended with the holiday. The Thursday fireworks are done until next summer. People who only know Old Orchard Beach in July assume there's nothing left to do.
That isn't true. The beach is still there, and you'll have most of it to yourself. The marshes fill with migrating birds, the tupelo trees at Ferry Beach turn crimson, and downtown Saco and Biddeford have a full calendar running into December. Here's what we tell guests who book with us between October and the holidays.
What's Closed, and What Isn't
Closed until 2027: Funtown Splashtown USA (its 2027 season passes are already on sale), the Thursday Night Fireworks, and Palace Playland's daily summer schedule. Check palaceplayland.com before you count on any late-season ride hours. The Amtrak Downeaster's seasonal stop at Old Orchard Beach also ends in mid-October.
Still open: the beach itself, all seven miles of it. The state parks and Audubon sanctuaries. The Eastern Trail. Downtown Biddeford's restaurants. Plenty of OOB restaurants and shops stay open well into fall, though hours get shorter, so call ahead. The Downeaster still stops in Saco year-round, at the Saco Transportation Center.
Fall Color at Ferry Beach
This is our favorite fall recommendation. Ferry Beach State Park is two miles from the hotel, and its stand of tupelo (black gum) trees grows at the far northern edge of the species' range. In fall the tupelos turn deep crimson, and the 0.4-mile raised boardwalk on the Tupelo Trail takes you right through them. It's flat, it takes half an hour, and almost nobody outside the area knows about it.
The park's staffed season ends September 30, so check the Maine State Parks site for off-season access before you go.
Fall Birding
Fall migration is one of the best times to bird on the southern Maine coast. East Point Audubon Sanctuary at the tip of Biddeford Pool is open sunrise to sunset, and more than 260 species have been recorded there. Parking is very limited (roadside, room for about six cars), so go early. Scarborough Marsh and the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells are both within 20 minutes. Our outdoor guide covers all three.
The Beach in the Off-Season
A long walk on Old Orchard Beach in October or November is a different experience from summer. Hard-packed sand at low tide, nobody fighting for parking, and the pier with no crowds on it. Bring a real jacket. The wind off the water feels colder than the forecast says.
Pumpkin Harvest Festival: Saturday, October 24
Saco Main Street's Pumpkin Harvest Festival runs 11 AM to 3 PM at Dyer Library and C.K. Burns School. There's a pumpkin patch full of decorated pumpkins, a pie-eating contest, live music, pony rides, a carnival area, and more than 60 local vendors. Admission is free. It's about as classic a small-town New England fall day as you'll find, and it's ten minutes from the hotel. Details at sacomainstreet.org.
Holiday Shopping in Saco
Main Street Market: Sunday, November 22, 9 AM to 2 PM at Thornton Academy's Linnell Gym. This is the fourth year for the market, which brings together more than 60 local artisans and crafters. It's a good place to get a start on holiday shopping with things you won't find anywhere else.
Saco Bucks Saturday: November 28 on Main Street, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, focused on shopping at downtown's local businesses.
Tree Lighting and the Parade of Lights
Saco Tree Lighting: Friday, December 4 at the Saco Transportation Center.
Holiday Festival & Parade of Lights: Saturday, December 5 on Main Street. The festival runs during the day, and the Parade of Lights follows in the evening with lit floats, dancers, and Santa. This is the biggest holiday event of the year in Saco. Times are posted on the Saco Main Street calendar. If you're coming for the parade, book a room for the night instead of driving home in the dark. We're a few minutes from Main Street.
Dinner in Biddeford
The off-season is when Biddeford's food scene really stands out. The mill district restaurants don't depend on beach traffic, so they keep going all winter. A cold night with dinner downtown is one of the better things about visiting this time of year. The Palace Diner, in a 1927 dining car, is still the one guests ask about most.
Walk or Bike the Eastern Trail
The Eastern Trail is a multi-use rail-trail that runs through Saco, connecting to Old Orchard Beach and continuing toward Portland and Kennebunk. With the leaves turning and the summer cyclists gone, fall is the best time to walk it.
Flying Out for the Holidays?
Portland International Jetport (PWM) is about 25 minutes north. Our Park & Fly lets you stay the night before your flight, have hot breakfast, and leave your car in our free lot while you travel. If you'd rather not drive to the terminal, our 24-hour airport shuttle is $30 one way per room.
Rates are lower than in summer, the roads are empty, and you can park anywhere. Hot breakfast is still included, and the parking is still free. Pair a quiet beach walk with the Tupelo Trail, a festival on Main Street, and dinner in Biddeford, and you have a better weekend than most people get in August. See our rooms or book direct for the best rate.