The Old Orchard Beach Pier and Attractions: A Local Guide

The Old Orchard Beach Pier is the town's landmark, a wooden structure that runs about 500 feet into the Atlantic and has served as the social heart of the community for generations. This guide covers the pier's history, what you will find there today, and the attractions around it, including Palace Playland, the amusement park just off the sand.

The pier by the numbers

• About 500 feet into the Atlantic.
• Originally built in 1898.
• Current structure dates to 1980, after fires and rebuilds along the way.

A century as the heart of town

The original pier opened in 1898 and quickly became the place where the town gathered, a stage for music and performances as much as a walkway over the water. Frank Sinatra played there in the 1930s, early in a career that would make him one of the most famous performers in the world. The pier has burned and been rebuilt more than once, and the structure standing today dates to 1980, but its role has not changed: it is still where visitors and locals go to watch the ocean, catch the breeze, and feel part of the town's rhythm.

What you will find there today

The pier today is lined with shops, and a stop for Pier Fries is practically a rite of passage in Old Orchard Beach. Walk the length of the pier and you get the classic view of the beach and Saco Bay, with the town spreading out behind you.

Palace Playland and the amusement area

Right near the pier, Palace Playland anchors the beachfront amusement area, with rides and carnival lights that give summer evenings their glow. Between the pier, the rides, and the beach itself, the stretch of the waterfront near the pier is the busiest, brightest part of town in season, and it draws families from across New England all summer long.

Living near the pier

Homes and condos near the pier put the attractions at your doorstep, and that convenience is a big part of the appeal for buyers. The trade-off is the season: summer brings crowds, noise, and the hunt for parking, while the off-season reveals the quieter town underneath. Buyers who love the pier tend to know exactly which trade they are making, which keeps demand steady for properties in the area.

For a wider view of where you might fit, the neighborhoods guide walks through the town's areas, and the complete area guide covers local life from schools to seasons.