A colorful pier for dynamic photography.
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At my own expense, I offer all of this to you: a humble tribute to Mother Gaia. It is my hope that you will spread my art and message to others, uplifting and inspiring their souls.
May my works guide photographers illuminating their path toward creating stunning and impactful images that show the raw beauty and essence of life in all its transcendent glory. —Pamela Goodyer
We arrived here at night. We pulled up to this pier, bursting with colors. There were too many lights on in the area to be able to do Milky Way photography. But even without the Milky Way, you can see it makes a dynamic subject. The Old Orchard Pier stretched out nearly 500 feet above the vast expanse of the ocean. It offers a variety of activities, such as dining, shopping, dancing, and live music performances. This beach town also has lifeguards on duty at all times. According to a resident, this sandy beach is the first one you’ll reach when entering Maine from Canada, making it a popular tourist destination.
WHERE TO DO PHOTOGRAPHY IN MAINE
During our journey up the coast of Maine, we were lucky to have five consecutive days of clear weather. We captured stunning shots during the day and night, including images of the Milky Way and lighthouses. Be sure to check out our other articles featuring Maine and Canada travel, and our lighthouse and Milky Way article. If you’re considering going to Maine, these are some good articles. FEATURE ARTICLES
Months: The Milky Way Core can be seen from March to October, disappearing below the horizon for the rest of the year. It appears in the early morning hours in March and becomes visible earlier each month. The best time to catch a glimpse of the core is during summer, when it can be seen immediately after sunset, providing an ideal viewing opportunity for stargazers too. Since this is a beach town, it’s a good idea to go during the summer months, so you can enjoy the beach by day and Milky Way photography by night.
New Moon: Timing is crucial to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way. This celestial event can only be seen on clear nights with a visible moon, limiting the viewing window.
Light Pollution: The best way to experience the full wonder of the Milky Way is to escape from areas with heavy light pollution. However, it may be possible to see some faint traces of the galaxy from places with mild artificial lighting. The most spectacular views can be found in remote locations far from cities and civilization. Check out our How to Section for more details, including using a light pollution map to guide you to dark sky locations.
This area can be explored in just one day and night. If the weather is favorable, you can create stunning shots of the Milky Way in the surrounding areas. There’s a lot to do here, along with restaurants and shopping. You could spend at least two days here with a camera in hand and doing a few other things.
SEE DETAILS BELOW
Wear warm clothes in the cooler and cold months. Bring a backpack with all your camera equipment. Keep in mind that this is Maine, and at night, the temperatures will drop, even in the summer months. You might need to do some hiking in the sand, so be sure to wear appropriate shoes. If you have an extra hand, consider bringing along a thermos of coffee. It can also be helpful to bring a headlight, extra batteries, or a portable charger.
There is no shortage of activities to enjoy in and around the pier, from shopping and indoor karting to mini golf and weekly firework shows. For a more relaxing day, you can go fishing or take a bike ride on the Eastern Trail. And if thrill-seeking is your thing, amusement parks and parasailing options are also available. The possibilities are endless, and the fun never stops in this vibrant beach town.
For your GPS: The Pier – 2 Old Orchard St, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
You can also see all of our MAINE LOCATIONS.
The best place to stay in Orchard Beach is the Crest Motel. We loved it here. It was within walking distance of the pier, and the price was fantastic. The indoor/outdoor pool with a hot tub made our night. It took all our aches and pains away. MORE DETAILS BELOW.
INFORMATION
MAINE INFORMATION
WHERE TO CAMP
BEACH CAMPGROUND
27 GO CAMPING WAY,
OLD ORCHARD BEACH, ME
Old Orchard Beach Campground has been family-owned and operated for 50 years. The Daigle family takes great pride in offering the finest family camping. The campground comprises cabin rentals, deluxe RVs, and park model sites.
PIER PIZZA
The best place to eat is right at the entrance to the pier at Pier Pizza for a quick meal before or after shooting photography. They have great sauce.
2 Old Orchard St – The Pier
Sun to Thu 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Fri & Sat 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Sun to Thu 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Fri & Sat 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM
THE CREST HOTEL
We stayed here years ago when it had different owners. It is located at 35 East Grand Avenue. This beach motel sits on a 7-mile sandy beach. Area attractions like Palace Playland and the Pier are just a five-minute walk away. If you’re planning on photography here and looking for an affordable motel near the beach with great amenities and friendly staff, look no further than The Crest Motel.
Rooms and two-bedroom apartments from $165. They are steps away from the pier. What we liked best about this hotel was the convenient location to photograph the pier at night, along with the indoor pool.
They offer our guests free WiFi, a heated indoor pool and hot tub, in-room microwaves, refrigerators, and air conditioning.
Know before you go!
Baxter State Park Maine – Photography Hot Spot
