15 Of The Best Things to Do in Seaside Oregon

December 8, 2021

Categories: Seaside | North Oregon Coast

Updated 04/08/2023 ~ 

Seaside is home to many great things to do. It is a small town in Oregon with a lot to offer visitors if you’re looking for a nice escape from city life. The lovely beaches, amazing views, and relaxing atmosphere make it a great destination for people looking for some peace. 

As you are planning your next vacation or weekend getaway, make sure to include Seaside on your list of destinations! Here are a few highlights of fun things to do in Seaside, Oregon:

 

1. Visit The Seaside Carousel Mall

The Seaside Carousel Mall is a popular shopping and entertainment destination. The mall features a beautifully crafted carousel with hand-carved animals and a variety of unique and interesting shops, including boutique clothing stores, art galleries, gift shops, and more.

The mall also offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including a fun-filled arcade and an indoor play area for children. One of the highlights of the mall is the carousel itself, where visitors can enjoy a ride on the carousel for a small fee.

 

2. Eat at Camp 18 Restaurant 

A long time favorite, Camp 18 is a unique log-built restaurant and museum that is located approximately 25 minutes east of Seaside off Hwy 26. The restaurant serves delicious homestyle meals, and the museum features a collection of vintage logging equipment and artifacts. Be sure to check out their gift shop!

 

3. Explore Ecola State Park

Located between Seaside and Cannon Beach, Oregon, Ecola State Park is on the north shore of scenic Highway 101. The main attractions are rocky headlands and wild areas with wildlife like elk, black bears, and other animals like raccoons or squirrels. It is a beautiful place to explore, with trails like Ecola Point Trail, which leads you along the coast and offers scenic views of Tillamook Head. Moreover, it offers stunning views along the coastline!

Enjoy whale watching in the winter season from December to March from this place itself! Be sure to also visit Indian Beach while there, it's a beautiful, secluded area with tide pools and it's a favorite spot for surfing.

4.  Take the Kids to Funland Arcade

Here are some of the things you can do at the Funland Entertainment Center, they offer a variety of games and activities for visitors of all ages. Play classic and modern arcade games. Many of the games offer the chance to win tickets, which can be redeemed for prizes like stuffed animals and toys. Funland has a bumper car ride that allows visitors to bump and spin their way around a track. You can also enjoy a Fultano's pizza while there!

The Funland Arcade in Seaside, Oregon is a great place to have fun and enjoy a variety of activities with family and friends. Located on Broadway in the heart of downtown.

 

5.   Go Hiking and Surfing at Oswald West State Park

Oswald West was established as a state park back in 1930 by the Oregon Legislative Assembly due to its popularity among locals and tourists alike. Oswald West State Park offers gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean, sandy beaches, rock formations, and 13-mile stretch of the Oregon Coast Trail. Whale watching is popular here during the winter season, and surfers and hikers love to visit year-round. There are many recreational activities that we can do available at Oswald West State Park.

 

6.  Check Out Hug Point State Recreation Site

Hug Point is in an ideal location, just a short drive south of Cannon Beach. This place offers stunning views, sandy beaches, and rocky coastlines when the weather allows. You can also get your sight on exquisite animal life, like bald eagles and other such creatures. One of the most popular tourist activities here is walking along the beach towards the north cliffside, where you'll find an old car stuck at the high tide mark.

Hug Point State Recreation Site offers easy access to the beach, a peek at some interesting local history, and loads of scenic beauty. A short walkway leads from the parking lot to the beach, where you can enjoy the view and explore tide pools that lie just beyond the sand.

 

7.  Visit Seaside Museum and Historical Society

There are many things to do in the Seaside, but some of the best include a visit to the Seaside Museum. This museum is located right on Broadway Street. It tells the history of Seaside and is filled with interesting displays. It features many exhibits like the Victorian era, Native American culture, etc.

The Seaside Museum has its own research library that is open to the public. It has an extensive collection of books, manuscripts, and other resources related to the history of Seaside and its surroundings. The museum also has an excellent gift shop, which is a great place to buy souvenirs for your visit. If you're interested in learning more about what makes this place so great, it's worth your while to stop by the Seaside Museum while you're here!

 

8.  Have Fun at the Seaside Aquarium

Looking for some aquatic fun in Seaside? Why not hit up the Seaside Aquarium to feed the otters, marvel at the fish, and experiance the touch tank!  Whether it's your first time or your fifth, you'll be sure to find something entertaining. You can also find educational talks about the animals at daily scheduled times or participate in an event like their annual sandcastle contest held each summer. Located downtown Seaside, north on the promenade which borders the beach.

 

9. Visit Nearby Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is a small seaside community in Oregon. The city is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, amazing sunrises, and challenging surfing spots. Here are some things to see while exploring Cannon Beach. On your way there, stop by the The Tillamook Creamery (formerly known as the Tillamook Cheese Factory) for some free samples and a fun tour! Once you have arrived at the beach, explore Ecola State Park. This Park has everything from hiking trails to tide pools teeming with marine life. There are also various scenic viewpoints along these paths where visitors can take breathtaking photographs of the ocean below. 

 

10. Savor Seaside's Farmers Market

The Seaside Farmers Market is held every Wednesday from June through September. This is an excellent opportunity to try some of the best local dishes made by chefs that will leave you wanting more! You can find fresh produce and tasty food items at this market. They also feature the work of local artists, including soaps, essential oil blends, jewelry, coasters, wine racks, photography, paintings, doll clothes, bags, table dressings, and other home accessories. You can also pick up flowers and crafts while enjoying live music during the summer months on Wednesdays as well!

 

11. Seaside's Boutiques

You can find unique and trendy clothing, accessories, and gifts in the many shops throughout Seaside. It is a great place to shop if you're looking for that perfect souvenir or gift to bring back home after your trip. You can find unique and trendy clothing, accessories, and gifts in the many shops located throughout Seaside. It is a great place to shop if you're looking for that perfect souvenir or gift to bring back home after your trip.

Seaside has a wide range of unique stores for every interest and budget. Shopping at the beach is fun because you can find unusual, rare, and even handmade items that you won’t find at any other place!

 

12. Seaside Promenade

Whether you’re just passing through Seaside or staying for a few days, the Historic Seaside Promenade is an absolute must. It’s 15 feet wide and paved, stretching one and a half miles from Avenue U on the south end of town to 12th Avenue on the north end.

Every day, you can find people riding their bikes, walking dogs, or just enjoying the sunshine on this famous Seaside Promenade. Along with offering gorgeous views of both mountains and beach fronts, it is also considered one of Seaside's most kid-friendly areas as well! You'll find numerous pathways leading to the beach and you can even enjoy swinging on the huge beach swing set! 

 

13.  Ride the Seaside StreetCar

The streetcar trolley runs weekends through Labor Day and offers visitors easy access to all downtown areas and many popular attractions like the aquarium. It's only one dollar to ride, which makes it an affordable way to travel around town!

 

14. Learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition:

Seaside is located near the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail, and there are several museums and historical sites in the area that are dedicated to the expedition. While the Lewis and Clark Expedition did not directly visit Seaside, they did travel along the Oregon Coast and encountered several Native American tribes, including the Clatsop people, who inhabited the area where Seaside now stands.

The Lewis and Clark statue in Seaside, Oregon is a bronze sculpture that depicts the two explorers, along with their dog, Seaman. The statue is located on the turnaround at Seaside at the end of downtown main street where you can walk along the 1.5-mile-long Promenade.
 

15. Discover Sunset Beach State Recreation Site

Sunset Beach is located right along Highway 101 South of Cannon Beach. This 120-acre park offers paved parking and an ADA accessible board to the sand. This area has another name called Warrenton Beach, so make sure you don't get confused between both these beaches when planning your trip here! 

 

Conclusion

If you are visiting the Seaside the area, this list of things to do suggestions will help you plan your trip and have a great time here. You'll also want to check out our list of places to eat. Truly you can't go wrong in choosing Seaside Oregon. If you like the ocean, the beach, hiking, fresh seafood, a small-town feel, and coastal weather, then Seaside is for you!

For your lodging needs, Beachcombers NW offers a great selection of Seaside beach houses and condos including oceanfront and pet-friendly rentals. Book your stay early and plan your vacation getaway you'll want to return to year after year!