New England Charm & Lobster Galore! Coastal Town Hyped As Top Summer Escape

One of the most charming regions of the United States is New England, a sprawl of picturesque coastlines and quaint villages.

Besides Bill Belichick’s Ring cam footage, New England’s beauty is hard to knock, whether it be Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine or beyond.

But National Geographic believes there’s a little-known Maine town calling your name this summer.

While it’s common for East Coasters to venture off to Portland for an indulgent weekend getaway, Maine’s largest city has lost its “hidden gem” membership as it’s become much more mainstream in recent years.

You probably won’t feel overly jam-packed in Portland, but Nat Geo still believes one coastal town is the ultimate alternative that’s equally charming with no shortage of lobster concoctions.

Welcome To Biddeford!

Straddling Maine’s southern shores lies a pass-through town on the way to Portland that’s worthy of being so much more than a road trip bathroom break.

If it’s anything short of being your next vacation spot, it’s a stop on the way to Portland to get a taste of Maine’s most underrated food scene, of course anchored by a variety of lobster dishes.

But it’s more than just a foodie stop too. Biddeford boasts beautiful shores along both the Saco River and the Atlantic, most notably what’s known as the Biddeford Pool for some of the most photo-worthy scenery south of Portland.

Nearby, you’ll find Fortune Rocks Beach, Hills Beach, or opt for an excursion to centuries-old Wood Island.

The charismatic row of downtown Biddeford buildings is a must-visit too, lined with down-home eats and local boutiques, and leading into another island in Saco with a much more urban feel, Factory Island, where you’ll find locals’ favorite hangout, The Run of the Mill Public House & Brewery with scenic waterfront views.

Maine’s ‘Fastest Growing’ City

Portland is surprisingly an expensive city. Whether it be rent, food, this, that, and the other, it doesn’t belong in the budget category.

Given its close (23-minute) proximity, it’s easy to see why Nat Geo considers Biddeford to be the best alternative.

It’s only Nat Geo, though. The people have spoken — Biddeford is Maine’s fastest-growing city.

Whether it be more affordable housing, less crowded restaurants and beaches, or simply the magic of unveiling a hidden gem, Biddeford is surging not only for newfound residents but also for tourists.

There’s more to do here than you might think. Of course, stuffing your face with lobster is one of many activities.

Though it does seem a common consensus is that Biddeford makes for a great day trip or weekend getaway, much like Portland.

Nature enthusiasts can spend countless hours exploring Ferry Beach State Park or sifting through the tide pools of the aforementioned Biddeford Pool.

Meanwhile, beachgoers working on their tan can go to numerous beaches dotting the region. Old Orchard Beach is arguably the most popular, according to TripAdvisor.

Lobster Galore!

The hype is real for Biddeford, but most notably, the insanely delicious food scene.

There are numerous seafood restaurants speckled throughout Biddeford that hold near-perfect Google ratings.

In this day and age of whiners who type up a novel for something as simple as an order missing a flake of cilantro, you gotta admit that’s pretty impressive.

James Beard finalist Fish & Whistle holds a 4.8 Google rating, where one recent patron boasted, ‘if you’re anywhere close to Fish & Whistle, seriously, make a detour’.

No, they don’t serve lobster, but Johnny Shucks sure does. As someone who has visited Portland, finding any lobster meal under $20 feels like highway robbery.

Here, you can order Lobster Poutine for $19 or a piping hot bowl of Lobster Bisque for $12.

The food scene (especially lobster) is the main aspect that Nat Geo hyped up about Biddeford as Portland’s top dupe.

In fact, Food & Wine named Biddeford one of America’s “small cities with big food scenes” with locals shunning tourists who visit without ‘eating their way through the city’.