The Yorks, comprised of York Harbor, York Village, and York Beach, are the gateway to Maine and recommended by “Money” magazine as one of the top ten North American vacation destinations, and with good reason.  Since the first settlers arrived in 1623, the area has been a favorite of all who have visited. Along with the coastal scenery there are historical sites to explore, shopping galore, sports, and more.

Life in the Past Lane: Take a stroll in the past lane at Old York. Experience over 300 years of New England heritage with a visit to the eight historic museums of Old York including a colonial tavern, an old jail complete with dungeons and cells, a riverside estate filled with antiques, and a warehouse once belonging to patriot John Hancock. Also on site are a nature preserve, museum shop, contemporary art gallery, and restored gardens. Guided tours are available. www.oldyork.org

Life’s a Beach: Pick a beach, any beach, and enjoy. Try them all! For surfing and volleyball head to Long Sands Beach which is a sweeping two miles long. Looking for a quiet place to sun bathe then head to Short Sands Beach.  Want to avoid other tourists? Check out York Harbor Beach directly across the street from the York Harbor Inn.  Or better yet, try a different beach each day.

Tee off: Create your own legend at the Legends Golf Course created amid the hilly terrain with some parts literally carved out of the rock. The rolling landscape of some greens and tees are on elevated spots providing golfers with sweeping vistas of the picturesque New England countryside. Don’t let the scenery distract you completely. Some of the holes are very challenging so keep your eye on the ball. www.ledgesgolf.com

Shop ‘til you drop: Get some yummy treats to take home from the Stonewall Kitchen flagship store in York. Or, head to the Kittery Outlets, conveniently located on Route One. With 120 brand name outlet stores there is truly something for everyone from A to W (Areopostale to Wilson’s Leather Outlets) with all the other favorite brands in between. And, L.L. Bean is only an hour away.

A Whole Lot of Kisses: Since 1896 when Edward and Mattie Talpey started the Goldenrod in York Beach, it has been the must-do stop for visitors looking for salt water taffy. Some families have been coming for generations. It’s truly a family thing. The fourth generation is still making the Goldenrod’s New England Salt Water Taffy Kisses fresh everyday. Visitors can watch workers cooking, cooling, pulling and wrapping.  Makes a great gift to take home. www.thegoldenrod.com

Go Wild: Lions, tigers, and bears, oh, my! Located in York Beach, the Wild Kingdom has something to offer every member of the family. With exotic animals from around the world, including Maine’s only White Tiger, a butterfly garden, petting zoo, an 18-hole miniature golf course, a carousel, and even a Haunted House.  Truly fun for the whole family. It is Maine’s largest zoo and amusement park. www.yorkzoo.com

Lighting the Way: The Nubble Lighthouse is one of Maine’s many picturesque lighthouses. It is located in on a “nubble” of land - a barren rocky island - just off shore in York, near Long Sands Beach.  The lighthouse has been guiding sailors – and attracting sightseers – since 1879. The lighthouse is visible from many spots along the shore but for the best up-close view visit Sohier Park only 200 yards from the Nubble offering an unobstructed view with perfect photo opportunities.

Wiggle While You Walk: Located on Old Mill Road, in York Harbor, is the Wiggly Bridge that leads to a pleasant hiking trail through the Steedman Woods. The walk is short, easy, and scenic. The bridge was built in the 1930s and most likely was dubbed the Wiggly Bridge by a troop of Girl Scouts.  And wiggle it does. The little steel bridge stretches over the tidal flow from Barrel Mill Pond to the York River. It connects the causeway with the woods. Make sure you wiggle as you walk across the bridge.  Not to worry it is very well maintained.

Bring an appetite: There are a plethora of places to eat – casual and formal. For casual daytime lunches check out Sun and Surf Restaurant right on York Beach with a view of Nubble Lighthouse.  Or, the Dockside Restaurant in York.  In the evening for fine or casual dining nothing surpasses The York Harbor Inn. Go casual in the Ship’s Cellar Pub, on the lower level, where the mahogany woodwork create a sailing vessel ambiance. Relax with a cocktail around the fireplace before dining in the upstairs restaurant. Live music is a common occurrence. While not necessarily formal but always delectable, dine in the Inn’s Ocean View Restaurant where Chef Bonsey offers a delicious menu so wonderful that has been featured in “Food & Wine Magazine.”

I do! I do! There is no better place to “pop the question” or to celebrate a wedding, an anniversary, or any special occasion than an event at historic and romantic York Harbor Inn. They can handle everything from the small intimate dinner to a pull-out-all-the-stops wedding in their 3,000 square foot room with a 35-foot cathedral ceiling and dramatic skylight atrium.  Truly, it will be an event to remember.

Make York Harbor Inn your home base. It is conveniently located so everything that the Southern Coast of Maine has to offer is readily accessible. The York Harbor Inn is noted for having rafters and beams from a circa 1812 building that were floated over from the Isle of Shoals. The Inn has 54 rooms in five separate lodges. Accommodations range from simple but elegant Country Inn-style rooms to luxurious guestrooms with Jacuzzi spa tubs, fireplaces, ocean views, balconies and heated tile floors. The family-owned Inn is a wonderful place to come home to – or better yet, the perfect place to spend the day relaxing.  And don’t think the York Harbor Inn is just for summertime visits.  The Inn is open all year round starting the year off with a pop of the cork at their New Year’s Eve Gala.  Special events are held throughout the years. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said it best, “He seeks a fairer land in vain, who would leave the summer shore of Maine.” – or the leave the shore of Maine during any season. Any season is the reason to visit and to stay at York Harbor Inn. Check www.yorkharborinn.com or call 800-869-1436.