York is comprised of 4 townships – York Village, York Harbor, Cape Neddick and York Beach, making it one of the larger geographical townships in Southern Maine. It has approximately 12,000 residents and has the second highest home values in Maine. Additionally, its school system is reputable, with nearly 70 percent of town funds being appropriated toward the school system. Similar to other seacoast towns, York is a well-known summer destination, offering 4 beaches, 3 golf clubs, the Nubble Lighthouse. Short Sands is a lively beach destination with restaurants, entertainment, York’s Wild Kingdom, playgrounds, and a quaint, historic waterfront downtown with an arcade, bowling, taffy shop, and numerous shops and restaurants. Long Sands Beach offers an alternative to the busyness of Short Sands, primarily with small hotels and inns along its extensive beach.
For the most part, York is easy to navigate via US Route One, except there can be congestion during summer months. Biking is an option along beaches and along Route 103, which is generally an escape route if traffic is bad on Route One. Walking around Short Sands, Long Sands, the Village, and York Harbor is common, and various running routes can also be found in these areas.
Being larger than its neighboring towns of Ogunquit and Kittery, York's scene is less localized. Each township has its own distinct scene. York Village is considered the "center" of York, offering a reputable hospital, supermarket, shops, services and restaurants like The Central Restaurant & Bar. York Harbor is a wealthy offshoot of York Village, with multi-million dollar estates bordering Maine's rocky coastline. It also has its own beach, York Harbor Beach, which offers an alternative to other beaches. It is a popular wedding destination as well. Cape Neddick can be summarized by a drive along Shore Road. Luxury homes line the coast, and residency is a mix of full-time and seasonal residents. It also has its own beach and golf club, and the Cliff House was just renovated, as one of the most luxurious hotels and spas in Maine. Also popular in Cape Neddick is The Cape Neddick Inn, a cozy restaurant with new ownership and chefs. Right off Exit 7 of I-95 is the Stonewall Kitchens headquarters, which offers homemade jams, spreads, a cafe, home and kitchen gifts, and culinary classes.
The first settlement was established in 1624, as "Agamenticus." In present day, Mount Agamenticus offers hiking and walking trails in York. It is the second oldest town in Maine, incorporated in 1652. Several American authors spent summers months in York, including Mark Twain. In subsequent years, it has evolved into a summer resort town, similar to Ogunquit, offering historic architecture through York Village and surrounding areas of York.