Canadians are still in love with this gorgeous American town: “It’s so nice”

Maine’s Old Orchard Beach boasts seven miles of “pristine, sandy beach,” a famous pier, a newly built Ferris wheel, along with a host of attractions and other things to do, making it a summer hot spot for tourists.

The town’s year-round population may only be 9,000, but according to Maine Public, each summer could see as many as five million tourists visit the town.

Many of them came from Canada — the US–Canadian border is less than four hours from Old Orchard Beach, and Montreal is just over five hours away on I-93. In fact, it wasn’t unusual to hear conversations in French from Francophone Canadians taking in the sea air and gorgeous views.

Canadian tourism to the US hit by Trump tensions

Tourism to the US from Canada is way down this year, as Canadians reacted badly, understandably, to Trump raising tensions over tariffs and his demands that Canada become the 51st state. A Wall Street Journal piece from last month confirmed a 20% drop in air travel and a 35% decline in land crossings.

In Old Orchard Beach, that was a big worry — the town’s Chamber of Commerce says 30 to 40% of revenue for the tourist season comes from Canadians.

Previous Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even named Old Orchard Beach in a speech rejecting Trump’s tariffs and calls to subsume Canada into the US: “We’re angry. We’re going to choose to not go on vacation in Florida or Old Orchard Beach,” he said at a news conference on March 4.

Canadian visitors still love Old Orchard Beach

The good news is that many Canadians can’t resist the charms of Old Orchard Beach and are still crossing the border to enjoy fresh lobster rolls and other seafood delights.

According to Global News, on the weekend ahead of Canada Day, celebrated on July 1, the beaches were busy and many of the visitors were Canadians.

Kelly Raymond from Drummondville, Quebec, admitted she wanted to take the political situation more into account, and wasn’t keen on spending money in the US, but said, “For the ocean, it’s the closest we have… I want to take time off, it’s so nice.”

Another tourist was far clearer about how they saw the situation: “I don’t want Trump to decide my vacation.”

Maine Governor pleads with Canadians

Meanwhile, Maine Governor Janet Mills was in Canada at the end of June, trying to smooth things over. She spoke to an event hosted by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, in New Brunswick: “I can understand the heartfelt angst that Canadians must have felt and must continue to feel. But I will say it is your neighbors across the border, the small businesses whose families come from New Brunswick, whose families come from Quebec — those small businesses are the ones who are being hurt right now.”

Of course it helps, a bit, that Maine voted for Biden in 2020 and 2024, meaning it’s not seen as backing Trump or his policies that much of Canada is so enraged by.

And it also helps that Old Orchard Beach continues to feel like a slice of summer paradise. Beyond the beach and the boardwalk, visitors can take in the vibrant Thursday night fireworks, wander through the seasonal Palace Playland amusement park, or rent bikes and cruise along the Eastern Trail, a scenic greenway that cuts through marshes and quiet woodlands. The town’s summer calendar is packed with outdoor concerts, artisan markets, and beachfront yoga sessions, while sunset over the Atlantic draws crowds each evening to the pier with soft-serve in hand. For many Canadians, politics may come and go, but the salty air, warm sand, and small-town charm of Old Orchard Beach are timeless.

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