As you may know, RAWZ is blessed to have our home office in beautiful York, Maine. Being located in coastal New England means we see a wave of tourists in the summer and for festivals and holidays throughout the year. While I may grumble about the crowds every now and then, it’s a small price to pay for residing in such a majestic area. The best part is that our furry friends can enjoy all the wonder that Maine has to offer as well! Here’s a few great places in the area that the RAWZ family recommends to visit with your pet.
Beaches
Like many canine parents, seeing my dog Clooney running on a beach brings me almost as much joy as he feels being at the seashore! While there’s an abundant number of beaches in the area, here’s some of our family’s favorites:
Cape Neddick Beach (Cape Neddick, ME) - This gem is a small, dog-friendly beach located near the mouth of Cape Neddick river. Popular among locals, the seafront has plenty of space for pups to play off-leash between sunrise and 8am or on-leash after 6pm from May 20th to September 20th. Many love this beach for its tide pools which are perfect for timid dogs who may not be ready to swim in the surf yet. After some fun under the sun, be sure to check out Cape Neddick Lobster Pound restaurant nearby that offers dog-friendly outdoor patio seating!
Long Sands Beach (York, ME) - Nestled between the village of York Harbor and York Beach, Long Sands Beach offers over a mile of sandy shore with views of Nubble Lighthouse and the Isle of Shoals. An often crowded tourist attraction with up to five thousand visitors daily during its peak season, favorite activities include walking along the shore, swimming, surfing, and beach sports. With umbrella and raft rentals available and restaurants just a short walk away, this is the pawfect place to kick it back with your pup during the summer! Long Sands also features a sidewalk running the length of the beach for those who want to avoid bringing sand home with you in the car.
Beautiful Walks
Nubble Lighthouse (York, ME) - Perhaps Maine’s most iconic lighthouse, Nubble Lighthouse (formerly Cape Neddick Light Station) has played an important role in helping ships navigate the area’s perilous waters. Since first being illuminated in 1879, Nubble had 13 different light-keeping families until becoming fully automated in 1987. The beautiful Sohier Park is situated along the coast and offers great views of the lighthouse along with about 50 lined parking spots, a welcome center, and a seasonally operated gift shop.
Marginal Way (Ogunquit, ME) - Although dogs are only permitted on Marginal Way from October 1st to April 1st, don’t pass up the opportunity to walk this lovely oceanside trail with your four-legged family! Only 1.25 miles long, this walkway takes you past stately hotels and inns, sailboats out on the Atlantic, and straight to Perkins Cove, a charming and picturesque fishing village. If you happen to visit during the summer, be sure to check out Ogunquit Dog Park off of Berwick Road with helpful amenities like water, seating, and tennis balls.
While this is far from a complete look at the beauty surrounding us here on the Northeastern coast, we hope to have inspired some amazing places to visit and to enjoy with your pet. Whether it’s a walk in the park, around the neighborhood, or even a visit to your favorite local landmark, things just seem a little more pleasant with a four-legged companion!
