Things to Do in Biddeford, Maine: Where to Eat, Stay & Play

Looking for an easy, festive New England escape? Biddeford delivers. From its revived mill district and standout dining to coastal calm just minutes away, there’s plenty to fill a perfectly paced holiday weekend in one of Maine’s most exciting small cities. Read on for a list of our favorite things to do in Biddeford, Maine.

Best Things to Do in Biddeford, Maine

Where to Eat & Drink in Biddeford, Maine

Banded Brewery: Biddeford’s first brewery (c. 2013) is best known for juicy sours and IPAs. bandedbrewing.com

Elda: From hot “forest tea” made with spruce tips, sweet fern, and birch to venison tartare with ramp powder, Elda’s refined farm-to-table offerings helped put Biddeford on the national map. eldamaine.com

Fish & Whistle: Maine has lots of great seafood, but Fish & Whistle finally delivers on perfect fish and chips. fishandwhistlemaine.com

Jackrabbit Café: A sleek but cozy brunch-only café created by the owners of Elda. jackrabbitmaine.com

Lorne Wine: With natural wine, local ciders, and craft beers by the glass or the bottle, Lorne is both a lively bar and a retail shop. lornewine.com

Lucky Pigeon Brewing Co.: You won’t meet an ale (pale, light, dark, red, or Scottish-style) that you don’t like at this gluten-free brewery. luckypigeonbrewing.com

Magnus on Water: Small plates, craft cocktails, and a fun, young crowd make this neighborhood eatery feel like a nightly celebration. magnusonwater.com

Nibblesford: Maine-made cheeses and charcuterie boards that deliver a true taste of place. nibblesford.com

Palace Diner: Classic diner fare—buttermilk flapjacks, tuna salad sandwiches—done to the chef-owners’ exacting standards and worthy of national acclaim. palacedinerme.com

Sweetcream Dairy: Two of the many standout flavors of this made-from-scratch ice cream: sweet cream and roasted chestnut. sweetcreamdairy.com

Time & Tide Coffee: Can’t decide what to order? The staff is committed to demystifying every aspect of coffee culture. timeandtidecoffee.com

Where to Stay in Biddeford, Maine

The Lincoln Hotel: Outside of large chain hotels, The Lincoln is the only (and best) game in town. Rooms are airy and luxurious, with high-quality linens and plush mattresses, and the lobby is as chic as any in New York, especially when decked out for the holidays. lincolnhotelmaine.com

Where to Do in Biddeford, Maine

Biddeford Mills Museum: Biddeford’s manufacturing past comes to life with guided tours (often run by former mill workers), a community-sourced collection of artifacts, and a peek at the underground canals that once powered a vibrant industry. biddefordmillsmuseum.org

Hills & Trails: Browse this family-owned shop for tees, hoodies, prints, and accessories that capture the beauty of Maine’s woods and waters. hillsandtrails.co

Old Orchard Beach: A seven-mile stretch of sand waits only five miles north of town. One of Maine’s premier summer attractions beckons walkers throughout the year. oldorchardbeachmaine.com

Suger: Part lifestyle boutique, part healthy café, Suger has well-curated Maine-made gifts, decor, and apparel, including super-soft bamboo-fiber tops, dresses, and leggings. angelrox.com

Wooven: These gorgeous linens, pillows, dresses, bags, and scarves are made with repurposed fabrics from Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Owner Albert Nhan also makes bespoke pieces in the shop—watch the master at work as you shop. woovensales.com

This feature was originally published as part of “Weekend Away: Holiday Weekend in Biddeford, Maine” in the November/December 2023 issue of Yankee.

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