York, Maine and the surrounding seacoast area in October is basically what an AI-generated image of “autumn utopia” would look like, and there’s no shortage of things to do. In fact, some of locals’ favorite things are happening right now — from art exhibitions, to fall festivals, to spooky programming.
1. Feast at fall festivals like Harvest Fest
Maine is famous for our autumn festivals. Think fair, but more local, less rides, and (in our opinion) more fun. Harvest Fest is York’s autumn festival, and it features live music, a craft fair, and local food vendors. Harvest Fest is scheduled for October 19th from 9AM to 4PM at the York Beach Ball Field. If you miss it, no worries: Ogunquit Fest is from October 25th to 27th, featuring a car show on the 26th and a craft fair on the 26th and 27th.
2. See art exhibitions before they end
Two of the Ogunquit Museum of American Art’s summer exhibitions are set to end on November 17th. First, “Domestic Modernism: Russel Cheney and Mid-Century American Painting” features works by Russel Cheney (1881-1945) produced while living with his male partner and literary historian F.O. Matthiessen in Kittery Point, Maine. The exhibition explores his gay relationship in mid-century America. Next, get a rare look at vanguard New York artist Lee Krasner’s (1908-1984) work in “Lee Krasner: Geometries of Expression.”
3. See “My Best Friend’s Wedding” before it closes on October 27th
The Ogunquit Playhouse continues to put on incredible theatre productions 91 years after opening. The current production, My Best Friend’s Wedding, follows a food critic whose ex-boyfriend becomes engaged to her best friend. You’ll have to see the show to find out what happens.
4. Get a spa treatment by the sea
Rainy day or not… it’s always a good time for a spa treatment. The Viewpoint by Nubble Lighthouse is now offering a range of spa treatments from a Forbes five-star trained therapist using organic products. The menu includes treatments like the Acadian Swedish Ritual, Long Sands Scrub, Deep Ocean Tissue, Maine Cocoon body wrap, and more. Go to viewpoint.try.be to book or visit viewpointhotel.com/wellness.
5. Spook it up in Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, just 10 minutes from York, is an idyllic place year round — and it really shines (or darkens?) during spooky season. Deadwick’s Ethereal Emporium, a local shop, calls itself the “seacoast’s largest purveyor of magickal curiosities, custom herbals, and more.” Go on Halloween for the full effect: the famously cool Portsmouth Halloween Parade is on October 31st at 7PM, starting on Pierce Island. Plus, Deadwick’s will be hosting a ticketed Samhain Circle event, invoking Celtic paganism for the year’s spookiest day.
6. Hike and find fall foliage
It might just be the best time for a hike in Maine. For beginners, or people who just want to stroll, check out Wiggly Bridge and Harbor Walk in York Harbor or Marginal Way in Perkins Cove. For more of a work out, with bigger rewards, try Mount Agamenticus in York.
7. Eat or drink by the fire at the area’s coziest spots.
York andthe surrounding seacoast has plenty of warm spots for a perfect fall lunch or dinner: First, try breakfast at Lil’s in Kittery or Elephantine in Portsmouth. For lunch and dinner, new restaurant Lulu’s is located right on the ocean and has tiki torches and fire pits going at night, with $10 tacos al pastor meals and $10 margaritas every Sunday and Monday. A Little Auk also has extreme fall vibes — an all outdoor restaurant with shared plates and wood-fired pizza, blankets, fire pits and heaters, and a bar out of a 1969 Airstream trailer. Pizza is $10 on Thursday nights with live music. Stones Throw may not have fire pits, but it deserves an honorable mention for inventive fall menus and $10 burgers on Monday nights.
8. Go apple or pumpkin picking
New England’s favorite fall activity is in no short supply this year. Applecrest Farm Orchards in Hampton Falls is close by and has it all: From goats to sugary cider donuts and a full-on local grocery store, along with the apple picking, of course. It opened nearly 100 years ago, with a train that used to go directly to the orchard from Boston called the "Apple Train."
9. Antique or thrift shop for the best finds of the year.
Some of the best antiquing and thrifting happens in the fall, when vendors clear out some inventory to re-organize before the holiday shopping rush. Among our favorites is York Antiques Gallery, which has a large and diverse group of vendors. Hart and Home Consignment Shop has cool second hand furniture, if that’s what you’re looking for, too.
10. Cozy up at the sauna and hot tub
What’s more cozy than a cedar sauna on the coast of Maine in October? The Baths, located at The Viewpoint, are usually open to hotel guests only. But for a limited time, The Viewpoint is giving access to The Baths with each booked spa treatment.