Are you planning a trip to Oregon and want to spend time on the Oregon Coast? Check out these awesome things to do in Seaside, Oregon!
This list of the best things to do in Seaside, Oregon was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
For well over a century now, tourists and families alike have made Seaside, Oregon one of their favorite vacation getaways. This is especially true for those that live in the Portland area.
It’s not just because of the fabulous beaches and incredible scenery that you’ll find there, but also the many attractions and the endless things that there are to do there.
If you’re planning on visiting Seaside with children, you’ll be happy to know that there are amusement parks, an aquarium, and plenty of other exciting attractions in the area that will make their trip memorable too.
So let’s get started! Here are several of the things to see in Seaside, Oregon as well as do when visiting.
Seaside, Oregon Activities
Although Seaside is considered to be a small resort city, there are still a ton of outdoor activities you and your family can enjoy together.
Several of the top things to do in Seaside, Oregon include golfing, tennis, hiking, and biking. Spending at least a day at Seaside Beach is an absolute must during your visit.
If your family has a love for watersports, there are also swimming, fishing, surfing, boating, and kayaking opportunities.
Perhaps these outdoor activities are not exactly what you’re looking for?
A few of the other Seaside Oregon things to do include great shopping and dining opportunities, outdoor movies, live concerts, and outstanding theater productions.
Seaside, Oregon Attractions
The Seaside Promenade is one of the central attractions in the city that will take you to several other nearby attractions.
It’s a 1.5-mile concrete path that’s located along the beach, providing you with fantastic views of the Pacific and great people-watching opportunities.
Catching a beautiful sunset while strolling the Promenade is one of the many romantic things to do in Seaside Oregon.
Check out the Aquarium
Families with children should pay a visit to the privately-owned Seaside Aquarium, one of the oldest aquariums that you’ll find anywhere on the West Coast.
The aquarium can be found along the Promenade. Most visitors love the chance to feed a family of seals right when they get there.
Historial Society Museum
The Historical Society Museum is another neat little place to visit that’s nearby and has a wide variety of artifacts from thousands of years ago up until the present.
Lewis and Clark Salt Works
Another one of Seaside Oregon tourist attractions just off the Promenade that won’t cost your family a dime is the Lewis and Clark Salt Works.
Today, we live in a world that doesn’t struggle to get our hands on salt, but that wasn’t the case back in the early 1800s.
Salt was an essential ingredient for preserving and adding flavor to food, so the process that you’ll learn about was a pretty big deal.
Captain Kid Amusement Park
Other fun stuff to do in Seaside Oregon includes spending an afternoon with your kiddos at the Captain Kid Amusement Park.
The amusement park has go-karts, mini golf, rock climbing, a roller coaster, mining, and more. It’s an excellent option for your family when you want your kids to burn some energy and have fun.
High Life Adventure Park
Right across the street from Captain Kid Amusement Park is the High Life Adventure Park.
It’s a really cool aerial ropes course that is perfect for adventure-seekers. Kids need to be at least 7 years old to participate, so we’re putting this on our list for next year!
Downtown Seaside
The downtown district of Seaside is divided up by the Necanicum River Estuary. On the west side of the estuary is where you will find more family-friendly activities and attractions.
All along Broadway Street, there are restaurants, shopping, arcades, and family entertainment to check out, like the Seaside Inverted Experience.
This is also a great area to find ice cream, gelato, and tons of saltwater taffy! I recommend checking out Phillips Candies!
Another iconic thing to do in Seaside is to ride on the historic carousel at the Seaside Carousel Mall! It’s really beautiful and it’s near cute shops like the Under the Big Top toy store and Seaside Mostly Hats that will delight kids of all ages! There’s also laser tag right by the carousel.
The Gilbert Historic District is located on the east side of the estuary and is where you’ll discover where most of the older buildings of Seaside reside, as well as art galleries and coastal shops.
The Lewis and Clark Statue can be easily spotted at the Turnaround at Seaside, which is the exact point where the famous explorer’s expedition came to an end.
Things to do Near Seaside Oregon
Want your kids to experience wildlife like they never have before? The Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area is about a 30-minute drive from the city and is just one of the many things to do around Seaside Oregon with children.
Hug Point
One of the coolest places near Seaside is Hug Point. There’s a beach area, a sea cave, and easy/short hiking trails with epic views of the Oregon Coast.
If you visit when the tide is out, you’ll be able to see wagon wheel marks from when the pioneers came through on the Oregon Trail!
Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area
It’s a popular place to visit for birdwatching, where you may spot Bald Eagles, Dark-eyed Junco, Mallards, Violet-green Swallows, and all kinds of owl species.
There’s a large population of Roosevelt elk there, so they’ll be impossible to miss. You may also come across raccoons, river otters, beavers, and weasels.
Camp 18 Museum and Restaurant
Situated about 20 miles to the east of Seaside, the Camp 18 Museum & Restaurant is more than a place to grab a bite to eat.
The log cabin restaurant is also a museum that tells the story of the early logging industry. The museum features logging equipment and amazing wood carvings, as well as fascinating information worth looking into.
Ecola State Park
Cannon Beach is less than a 15-minute drive from Seaside and there are a lot of places to visit between the two.
Things to do in Cannon Beach and Seaside include spending a day at the beach next to the iconic landmark of Haystack Rock and also stopping in to see the breathtaking views at Ecola State Park.
Tillamook Head Trail
If you’re a family with older children, the Tillamook Head Trail is a 6.3-mile moderate hike that will take you to some of the best scenery in the state.
Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
When you want to cross a lighthouse off your bucket list, the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse is located on a small island not far from Seaside. It has a rough history that’s interesting to learn about, although you can only see it at a distance from the seashore.
Where to Stay in Seaside Oregon
Best Western Plus Ocean View Resort
We love staying at the Best Western Plus Ocean View Resort because it’s right on the beach just blocks from downtown. They have family suites with kitchens, an on-site restaurant, an indoor swimming pool, and more!
Plus, it’s pet-friendly. Check the latest rates and availability.
River Inn at Seaside
The River Inn at Seaside offers an indoor pool, playgrounds, a game room, and free breakfast. It’s also right on the beach. Check the latest rates and availability.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
The Holiday Inn Express is close to the beach and has an indoor pool, free breakfast for the whole family, and it’s pet-friendly. Check the latest rates and availability.
Seaside Oregon Attractions Wrap Up
As you can see, there are a lot of fun things to do in Seaside Oregon. There’s plenty of beauty, history, and exciting places to visit that make Seaside an excellent vacation destination for couples and families.
If you’ve visited the city before, what are some other fun things to do in Seaside Oregon that you enjoyed and would be willing to share? What are you most excited about doing when you get there?
Thanks, Best Western Plus Ocean View Resort for hosting us. All opinions are our own (we honestly LOVE this hotel!)