HotelTonight – Last-Minute Deals on Hotels in York, ME
The state of Maine has adopted the slogan, "Vacationland," as it's a state filled with incredible vacation destinations for nature lovers. However, there's one town in Maine that stands above the rest – York. Maine locals treasure this quaint little coastal town, and every summer these locals await the flood of tourists flocking from all over the country to the beautiful shores of New England. During my recent summer trip to Maine, I stumbled upon the town of York almost accidentally. As soon as I discovered it, though, I knew I had to spend more than just a couple of hours there. So rather than get back in my car and head on to my next destination, I decided to make a last-minute change to my travel plans and book a hotel in York, Maine. To find the best deal on a last-minute hotel in York, I checked the HotelTonight app on my phone. After scrolling through the selection of York hotels, I found the perfect room for my qualifications and budget. Just like that, I booked the hotel and got ready for a bit of sunshine, surf and, of course, Maine lobster.
Beaches
York is first and foremost considered a beach town, so if you are looking for wide stretches of sandy beaches, you're in luck – York has plenty. Some of the beaches in the area include the York Harbor Beach, Long Sands Beach and Short Sands Beach. I quickly discovered that Short Sands was the busy, touristy beach in town, so I instead ventured to Long Sands. This beach was a bit calmer, but still featured food stands and general stores, and it proved to be the perfect b each scene for my mood.
Mount Agamenticus
When in Maine, you should expect to spend a good amount of time outdoors. After all, there's so much gorgeous natural scenery in this state that you won't want to be stuck inside at all. One of the locals' favorite outdoor spots in York is Mount Agamenticus, which offers stunning views of the Atlantic to the East and the White Mountains to the west. This easily accessible mountain offers a fantastic trail system that will guide you to the summit in half an hour. Making the quick trek up this pretty mountain was one of the highlights of my time in York, as it offered unbeatable views that gave me a great feel for the boundless natural beauty of Maine.
Sohier Park
Sohier Park is home to York's most famous attraction, the Nubble Lighthouse. In fact, the Nubble Lighthouse is not only one of the most photographed attractions in Maine, but also all of America. I decided to enjoy Sohier Park like the locals do – with a towel, an umbrella and a picnic. But I also couldn't resist experiencing Sohier Park just a bit like a tourist, because I had to take a few photos of the idyllic Nubble Lighthouse while I was there.
Downtown
Locals commonly refer to the shopping district near Short Sands Beach "downtown," and I understand why. This commercial district is filled with shops, eateries and people walking to and from the beach. As the hub of activity in York, you definitely shouldn't skip out on visiting this cute little downtown. I had a number of great meals downtown, but more importantly, I had some delicious ice cream at some of the many popular ice cream shops here. Locals will tell you that York has some of the best ice cream in the state, and after tasting ice cream from a few of the different local shops, I have to say they're probably right.
York River
The Atlantic Ocean isn't the only body of water that offers some fun and natural beauty in York – there's also the York River. This 13-mile long river is perfect for kayaking, canoeing and boating. It meanders past beautiful scenery and historic buildings. During my little kayak trip down the river, I stopped at the Dockside Inn for a delicious, scenic lunch along the river. (And yes, I ordered the lobster.)
HotelTonight – Find Great Hotels in York, Maine
I never really thought of Maine when I pictured beach resort towns, but that has changed since I stumbled upon York. This lovely coastal town has everything you could want in a beach destination – gorgeous stretches of sand, a charming little village and plenty of fun outdoor activities. You couldn't be bored in York even if you tried. I ended up staying in York for two full days and nights, but I wish I'd been able to stay even longer. My idyllic summer retreat in York was one of the highlights of my New England trip, and I'm already dreaming of my next York getaway. Whenever I'm able to escape to York again, I'll be sure to book my York hotel through HotelTonight, because this handy app makes booking accommodations so easy and fast.