Scarborough

Scarborough is in the Greater Portland region, but feels a thousand miles away from city life. Long sandy beaches and dunes and acres of marshland are the primary features of this seaside community. Close enough to easily access all there is to do in Portland, you may find that everything you need for the perfect vacation is right here.

Things to Do in Scarborough

Nature watching is very popular in Scarborough, in large part due to Scarborough Marsh, a 3,100 acre estuary where kayakers and canoeists enjoy exploring the Dunstan River, and birders come to watch a large variety of water fowl and others feed in the rich tidal waters and grasses.

Scarborough’s beaches are fantastic. In the summer, Scarborough Beach State Park is always a popular spot. The sandy beach has warmer water temperatures than many other Maine beaches and there’s plenty of room to play. The endangered piping plover nests on the beach each spring, so keep an eye out for this small shorebird. Higgins Beach is very popular with early morning surfers and sunbathers alike.

Prouts Neck, a peninsula community in Scarborough, inspired some of Winslow Homer’s best works and is home to his studio – tours can be arranged through the Portland Museum of Art.

Where to Stay in Scarborough

Also on Prouts Neck is the venerable Black Point Inn, a summer institution for 140 years. The hotel has a pub as well as The Point, perfect for fine dining and amazing views of the Atlantic. The Higgins Beach Inn is perfectly situated for sunrise walks along the beach and Shade, its restaurant serving beach-fare, is a great spot to dine after a day in the sun. In nearby Portland, there are ample hotel options.

Restaurants in Scarborough

With easy access to the freshest seafood, it’s no surprise that Scarborough is home to some of the best seafood restaurants.  Seasonally, sit on the pier at the Bait Shed and order one of the various lobster dishes on the menu. Dunstan Tap & Table is a popular gastro pub with an outdoor patio. There’s also the award-winning  El Rayo Taqueria, serving inspired Mexican cuisine. There are plenty of easy-going dining options in Scarborough.