Scarborough Beach offers New England's warmest ocean swimming, with water hitting high 60s in summer months. Arrive early for parking spots and swim in lifeguarded areas to avoid the notorious rip currents.
The pristine white sands of Ferry Beach offer a tranquil escape with views of traditional Maine lobster boats gliding by. Check the tide charts before visiting to maximize your swimming or beachcombing experience.
Western Beach offers soft sands and gentle waves where endangered Piping Plovers nest during summer. Bring your own refreshments and maintain distance from nesting areas to protect these rare shorebirds.
The dramatic coastal path along Prouts Neck reveals the same rugged Atlantic views that inspired Winslow Homer's iconic paintings. Wear sturdy shoes - parts of the trail hug cliff edges and become slippery after rain.
This historic racetrack hosted heart-pounding NASCAR events from 1949 until 2021, famous for its intimate 1/3-mile oval. Fans loved the "Day of Destruction" events and the electric atmosphere under the lights.
Snap a selfie with Lenny, the world's only life-size chocolate moose made from 1,700 pounds of milk chocolate. While browsing the handcrafted confections, don't miss their famous Bangor Taffy and sea salt caramels.
Perched on Maine's rugged coastline, Winslow Homer's Studio reveals where the famed artist created his iconic seascapes. Tours run May through November and require advance booking through Portland Museum of Art.
Paddle through Maine's largest salt marsh, where tidal creeks wind through 3,000 acres of pristine habitat. Early mornings offer the best wildlife viewing, with chances to spot Great Blue Herons and Glossy Ibis.
Forget the postcard beaches - Scarborough's real magic happens when fog rolls across Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, turning kayakers into mysterious silhouettes. The locals at Pine Point Beach have perfected the art of pretending not to notice tourists struggling with lobster crackers. Higgins Beach offers surfing that ranges from 'delightful' to 'humbling,' depending entirely on Atlantic Ocean moods. Prouts Neck's rocky coastline provides dramatic views that inspired Winslow Homer's most famous seascapes. After beach adventures, The Cheese Iron offers artisanal selections that transform ordinary picnics into gourmet affairs. For rainy days, the Big 20 Bowling Center provides vintage lanes where serious locals maintain decades-old rivalries with remarkable good humor.
"Great location. On a hill so that you can see the Bay from many rooms. Close walking distance to both the Old Port area and restaurants and venues on State Street. Spacious rooms. Only complaint was that the parking garage was completely full so we had to park in a hotel owned garage next door."
"These are the best rooms. We have stayed here a couple of times, always in a two bedroom suite. This room was a little more beat up than the last time we stayed. The kitchen drawers didn’t close unless you pushed them. The dishwasher didn’t seem to work and there was a stain on the couch. But the room was very comfortable and spacious. The staff was very friendly and amazing. Will def stay here again. "
"When I first checked in they tried to move us to a double queen room instead of the single king bed that I reserved. After I said that I wanted the king that I reserved they found a room with a king bed. We went to the room only to find that the key card would not open the door. I went back to the desk carrying the luggage. Both people followed me back to the room and both tried to open the door but no luck for either. Went back to the front desk again carrying the luggage. They moved us to the room next door to the one we tried before saying housekeeping would need to fix the door. The fitness room was very small, it has just a weight machine, a single stationary bike and a walking/running machine that wasn't working. The included breakfast was disappointing but okay. We will likely look elsewhere the next time we are staying in Scarborough. "
"Such a great hotel especially for the price. Then spa is great and accessible without booking a service. They were amenable to all our requests. The location is also great. Highly recommend."
"The front desk staff was very helpful when we had an awful odor (some kind of chemical). They had us upgraded and in a new room I. Less than 20 minutes!"
"Parking was very expensive, and the garage did not work properly. The property was clean, there were some things like a coffee maker and a small refrigerator in the room. Cleaning takes place every two days which was not ideal. Front desk staff all had different answers to questions asked. "
Can I book refundable accommodations in Scarborough?
If you want the flexibility to change your travel plans to Scarborough, most hotels offer refundable* bookable rates. You can find these properties by searching our site and using the "fully refundable" filter to narrow down the results.
Where should I stay in Scarborough if I'm looking for a budget-friendly accommodation?
Where can I stay in Scarborough if I want a vacation rental instead of a hotel?
If you want a good alternative to a hotel, browse our selection of 89 vacation homes. In addition, there are 12 apartments and 10 condos.
What will the weather in Scarborough be like during my trip?
July and August are typically the warmest months in Scarborough when the average temp is 65°F. January and February are the coldest months when the average temperature is 30°F. October and December are the months with the most rain.
Why should I book my Scarborough hotel through Hotels.com?
There are lots of reasons to book your Scarborough trip with us: our free cancellations on selected hotels gives you flexibility, and with One Key™, our rewards program, you will be able to earn and use OneKeyCash™* on all eligible bookings such as hotels, car rentals, flights, vacation rentals and more on Hotels.com, Expedia and Vrbo.