Why visit Saco
Townapedia lists 35 museums and landmarks, 67 parks and trails, 104 places to eat, 38 places to stay and 18 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include The Saco Drive-In, Wood Island Light, Biddeford City Hall and Saco City Hall.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 80°F; January lows average 16°F, and about 69 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Saco
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Saco
Saco is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 20,381 at the 2020 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy and General Dynamics Armament Systems (also known by its former name, Saco Defense), a subsidiary of the defense contractor General Dynamics. Saco sees much tourism during summer months due to its amusement parks, Camp Ellis Beach and Pier, Ferry Beach State Park, and proximity to Old Orchard Beach.
From the Wikipedia article Saco, Maine (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do18
Wood Island Light
Lighthouse · National Register of Historic Places · 6.7 mi
Lighthouse in Maine, United States
City Theater
Cinema and theater · 3.0 mi
Theater in Biddeford, Maine, United States
University of New England
School · 5.1 mi
Private, coeducational university in Maine, USA
6 more on the map.
Museums and landmarks35
Biddeford City Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Rathaus in Biddeford, United States of America
Saco City Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Rathaus in Saco, United States of America
300 Main Street, Saco
A. B. Seavey House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Saco, Maine, listed on the NRHP in York County
Biddeford Main Street Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Historic district in Maine, United States
Biddeford-Saco Mills Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
Historic district in Biddeford and Saco, Maine
Cummings' Guest House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
Historic African-American summer boarding house in Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Dudley Block
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
Building in Biddeford, United States of America
Emery School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.2 mi
Former school building in Biddeford, Maine, on the National Register of Historic Places
First Parish Meetinghouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.6 mi
Historic church in Maine, United States
Grant Family House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.5 mi
Historic house in Maine, United States
Hunnewell House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.7 mi
House in Scarborough, Maine
J.G. Deering House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
Historic house in Saco, Maine, United States
23 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds67
Palace Playland
Sports field and stadium · 2.4 mi
Palace Playland is a seasonal amusement park located in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. It has operated on the same site since 1902.
1 Old Orchard Street, Old Orchard Beach
The Ballpark at Old Orchard Beach
Sports field and stadium · 1.6 mi
7 Ballpark Way, Old Orchard Beach
55 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes104
Blast from the Past Too Diner
Restaurant · American, Diner · 3.3 mi
50s Style Diner
623 Route 1, Scarborough
08:00-20:00
Lisa's Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 2.4 mi
17 Old Orchard Street, Old Orchard Beach
Su-We 11:00-22:00, Th-Sa 11:00-23:00
Banded Brewery Company
Bar and pub · 2.9 mi
32 Main Street, Biddeford
Mo-Th 16:00-21:00; Fr, Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12:00-20:00
Red Door Market & Deli
Restaurant · 2.3 mi
39 Old Orchard Street, Old Orchard Beach
Mo-Fr 08:00-18:00; Sa-Su 08:00-16:00
Beach Bagels
Restaurant · Coffee Shop, Bagel · 2.3 mi
34 Old Orchard Street, Old Orchard Beach
06:00-23:00
Ken's Place
Restaurant · Seafood, Fish And Chips · 3.5 mi
207 Pine Point Road, Scarborough
Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
92 more on the map.
History
This was territory of the Abenaki tribe whose fortified village was located up the Sokokis Trail at Pequawket (now Fryeburg). There was a settlement at the mouth of the Saco river, with homes and permanent cultivation, at the time of contact with Europeans in the early 1600s.
In July 1607, 500 warriors led by sakmow (Grand Chief) of the Mi'kmaq First Nations Henri Membertou attacked the village at present-day Saco, killing 20 of their braves, including two of their leaders, Onmechin and Marchin, leading to conflict that lasted until 1615.
In 1630 the Plymouth Company granted Thomas Lewis and Richard Bonython a charter to establish a town at Saco, with a deed that extended 4 miles (6.4 km) along the sea, by 8 miles (13 km) inland. Settled in 1631 as part of Winter Harbor (as Biddeford Pool was first known). The government of Maine, under Ferdinando Gorges, was based in the town from 1636 to 1653. It would be reorganized in 1653 by the Massachusetts General Court as Saco, which would be renamed Biddeford in 1718.
From the History section of Saco, Maine on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay38
Churches and places of worship36
The Temple
Church · Christian · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
50 Temple Avenue, Old Orchard Beach
Dunstan Methodist Episcopal Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 3.1 mi
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Latter-Day Saints · 1.8 mi
Shopping14
Gas and EV charging13
Schools, colleges and libraries29
Jameson Elementary School
School · 1.6 mi
20 Jameson Hill Road, Old Orchard Beach
Healthcare8
Southern Maine Health Care Sports Performance Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.4 mi
14 Thornton Avenue, Saco
Map of Saco
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32°F | 16°F | 3.5 in | 18.6 in |
| Feb | 35°F | 17°F | 3.5 in | 16.6 in |
| Mar | 42°F | 26°F | 4.1 in | 13.6 in |
| Apr | 54°F | 35°F | 4.4 in | 2.8 in |
| May | 64°F | 46°F | 3.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 74°F | 55°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 3.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 79°F | 60°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 71°F | 52°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 60°F | 41°F | 5.2 in | 0.2 in |
| Nov | 48°F | 32°F | 4.2 in | 2.3 in |
| Dec | 38°F | 22°F | 4.5 in | 14.6 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Portland Intl Jetport Hcn 72606 (10 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
York County has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2024-05-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2024-03-20: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2023-09-14: Hurricane Lee (Hurricane)
- 2023-03-22: Severe Storm And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2022-03-15: Severe Storm And Flooding (Coastal Storm)
- 2020-04-04: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Biddeford Municipal (B19) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 5 miles away.
- Old Orchard Beach 3 mi east, about 5 min by car
- Dunstan 3 mi northeast, about 5 min by car
- Biddeford 6 mi south, about 10 min by car
- Oak Hill 6 mi northeast, about 10 min by car
- South Portland 10 mi northeast, about 16 min by car
- Gorham 11 mi north, about 18 min by car
- Kennebunk 12 mi southwest, about 19 min by car
- Westbrook 13 mi north, about 21 min by car
- Brunswick 34 mi northeast, about 55 min by car
- Auburn 39 mi north, about 1 h by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Saco Maine Street, Josh and Melanie Rosenthal, CC BY-SA 2.0
- John R Andrews Bridge, Eastern Trail, Saco ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- SacoME OldHighSchool, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 371 Main Street, Saco ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 121 North Street, Saco ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Saco station platform, September 2006, Josh and Melanie Rosenthal, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Ferris Wheel - 3984723567, Andrew Malone, CC BY 2.0
- City Hall Biddeford, ME 2005, Tomasso , English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- SacoME CityHall, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Wood Island Light, Gateman1997 at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- First Parish Meetinghouse, Biddeford ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0
- West Scarborough United Methodist Church, Scarborough ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Portland RR Co 1911, Scarborough ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0
- ScarboroughME HunnewellHouse, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- St. Andre's Church and rectory, Biddeford, Maine (76897), Tichnor Brothers, Publisher, Public domain
- ScarboroughME BesseyCommon1, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- BiddefordME JohnTarrHouse, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0
- OldOrchardBeachME StaplesInn, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Former Emery School, Biddeford ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0
- OldOrchardBeachME CummingsGuestHouse, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Saco Central Fire Station, Saco ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 1826 Jacobs Store, Saco ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bird's-eye View of Machine Shops & Mills, Biddeford, ME, Unknown author, Public domain
- Old Post Office, Biddeford ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 32 Water Street, Biddeford ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Saco Historic District (Maine), Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 90 Temple Street, Saco ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Main Street, Biddeford, ME, Unknown author, Public domain
- SacoME GrantFamilyHouse, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- SacoME WayWayGeneralStore, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0
- BiddefordME StJosephsSchool, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0
- ScarboroughME WinslowHomerStudio, User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Funtown-Splashtown USA, Paulec252, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Jerome Plante, SP-OOB2024, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Excalibur (Funtown Splashtown USA) Technical Data Poster, TobyMinceraft, CC0
- John R. Andrews Bridge, Eastern Trail, East Coast Greenway, Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Eastern Trail entering Old Orchard Beach ME, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- I-195 (ME) wb approaching exit 2, April 2025, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- I-195 (ME) eb past exit 2, April 2025, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- I-195 wb approaching Maine Turnpike toll booth, April 2025, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
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