One of the most popular outdoor attractions in Seaside is the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean you'll find at the historic oceanfront Promenade. Visitors can stroll, jog, bike, or skate along this 1.5-mile paved promenade and enjoy great people-watching and beach views along the way.
You'll also find the Seaside Aquarium and the landmark automobile turnaround at the promenade, the latter of which includes a statue of Lewis and Clark commemorating the end of their long journey to the Pacific Ocean. The historic Promenade and automobile turnaround are both free to access and welcome guests to bring along their dogs, strollers, and wheelchairs.
Get Outdoors and Play
The beach and waters in and around Seaside provide abundant opportunity for outdoor fun. Whether you want to bike or skate the Promenade or fly a kite at the beach, you'll find plenty of ways to enjoy some fun in the sun at the waterfront, but there are also many other outdoor adventures in and around Seaside.
If you're a fan of golf, you can spend the day on the green at either Seaside Golf Club or the Gearhart Golf Links, but if you'd rather leisurely paddle on one of the many waterways in Seaside on a kayak, you can book an adventure with Sunset Empire Park and Recreation, which leads group floats several times a year. Other outdoor adventures include learning how to surf from a certified instructor at the beach and hiking Tillamook Head, among others.
If you're a fan of golf, you can spend the day on the green at either Seaside Golf Club or the Gearhart Golf Links, but if you'd rather leisurely paddle on one of the many waterways in Seaside on a kayak, you can book an adventure with Sunset Empire Park and Recreation, which leads group floats several times a year. Other outdoor adventures include learning how to surf from a certified instructor at the beach and hiking Tillamook Head, among others.
Discover Amusement Parks and Games
There are a number of fun arcades located both in Seaside's central shopping district and around town. Skeeball, bumper cars, a carousel, pinball and video games, air hockey, miniature golf, and go-karts are among the available activities.
At Funland Entertainment Center (201 Broadway), you can find a full range of games and activities (including bumper cars) as well as a cafe serving pizza. Just a little further down Broadway, Interstate Amusement Company (110 Broadway) offers classic 1950s bumper cars, miniature golf, and a tilt-a-whirl ride. A few miles south of Seaside on Highway 101, you can also visit Captain Kid Amusement Park (85911 U.S. 101) for a full day of family fun.
At Funland Entertainment Center (201 Broadway), you can find a full range of games and activities (including bumper cars) as well as a cafe serving pizza. Just a little further down Broadway, Interstate Amusement Company (110 Broadway) offers classic 1950s bumper cars, miniature golf, and a tilt-a-whirl ride. A few miles south of Seaside on Highway 101, you can also visit Captain Kid Amusement Park (85911 U.S. 101) for a full day of family fun.
Shop for the Perfect Gift or Treat
Whether you're looking to refresh your beachside wardrobe or you're looking for the perfect souvenir to take home to your loved ones, the shops in Seaside offer visitors plenty of opportunities to find some great local crafts, fresh candy, and unique clothing.
You can watch candy makers pull and wrap fresh taffy and other handmade sweets at Phillips Candy Kitchen (217 Broadway) and then choose from a huge selection of fresh and packaged candy, including old-time favorites like hand-dipped caramel corn. Another fun shopping adventure can be found nearby in the Seaside Carousel Mall at Under the Big Top (300 Broadway), a store full of toys, games, puzzles, and novelties that make great gifts for kids of all ages.
If you're looking to take home a piece of art, the Oregon Gallery (15 Broadway) offers a selection of photography and gift items including poster-sized prints of some of the breathtaking scenery found in and around Seaside. On the other hand, if you'd rather spend the afternoon flying a kite but forgot to pack your own, Above It All Kites (19 Broadway) in downtown Seaside is stocked with all sorts of flying flags, banners, windsocks, and kites.
You can watch candy makers pull and wrap fresh taffy and other handmade sweets at Phillips Candy Kitchen (217 Broadway) and then choose from a huge selection of fresh and packaged candy, including old-time favorites like hand-dipped caramel corn. Another fun shopping adventure can be found nearby in the Seaside Carousel Mall at Under the Big Top (300 Broadway), a store full of toys, games, puzzles, and novelties that make great gifts for kids of all ages.
If you're looking to take home a piece of art, the Oregon Gallery (15 Broadway) offers a selection of photography and gift items including poster-sized prints of some of the breathtaking scenery found in and around Seaside. On the other hand, if you'd rather spend the afternoon flying a kite but forgot to pack your own, Above It All Kites (19 Broadway) in downtown Seaside is stocked with all sorts of flying flags, banners, windsocks, and kites.
Visit the Seaside Aquarium
Located on the Promenade, this privately-owned aquarium occupies a former natatorium. Open daily starting at 9 a.m., the Seaside Aquarium (200 North Prom) welcomes guests year-round to discover a variety of unique exhibits including the famed Feed the Seals attraction where kids of all ages can purchase fishy treats to give these creatures throughout the day.
The Seaside Aquarium also features a variety of touch tanks, where kids can touch such creatures as sea anemones, sea stars, and sea urchins. Live and preserved marine specimens are among the other exhibits inside this modest aquarium. Admission is required to attend but special family discount packages are available for up to six guests.
The Seaside Aquarium also features a variety of touch tanks, where kids can touch such creatures as sea anemones, sea stars, and sea urchins. Live and preserved marine specimens are among the other exhibits inside this modest aquarium. Admission is required to attend but special family discount packages are available for up to six guests.
Tour the Seaside Historical Society Museum and Butterfield Cottage
Seaside has some interesting local history: It was one of the Northwest's first resort towns, is part of the region the Clatsop people call home, and was where Lewis and Clark expedition members established a salt-making camp during the winter of 1805.
If you're looking to learn more about the unique origin of this popular destination, The Seaside Historical Society Museum offers interesting exhibits, artifacts, and photographs on these topics. Exhibits at the museum include topics like the Native American history, the history of logging, Seaside's historic hotels, a scale model diorama of the city in 1899, and an exhibit dedicated to the now-collapsed Pacific Pier.
Although the museum is relatively small, you can spend some more time exploring nearby at the adjacent Butterfield Cottage, a rooming house for summer visitors recreating the early 1900s in Seaside.
If you're looking to learn more about the unique origin of this popular destination, The Seaside Historical Society Museum offers interesting exhibits, artifacts, and photographs on these topics. Exhibits at the museum include topics like the Native American history, the history of logging, Seaside's historic hotels, a scale model diorama of the city in 1899, and an exhibit dedicated to the now-collapsed Pacific Pier.
Although the museum is relatively small, you can spend some more time exploring nearby at the adjacent Butterfield Cottage, a rooming house for summer visitors recreating the early 1900s in Seaside.
Attend Special Event and Festivals
Seaside, Oregon, hosts a number of special events and festivals throughout the year. Depending on what time you visit, you can enjoy festive holiday celebrations, car shows, craft beer festivals, and even beach volleyball tournaments. These are some annual favorites:
Pouring at the Coast Festival: A day of craft beers from nearly 30 breweries presented by the Seaside Chamber of Commerce and Seaside Brewing Company
Spring Downtown Wine Walk: An annual celebration of local vineyards that takes place on the third Saturday in May
Seaside Muscle 'n' Chrome: A car show that brings dozens of classic automobiles to the Promenade each June
Miss Oregon Pageant: The official selection of the state's representative in the Miss America Pageant, which takes place in June each year
Independence Day Parade and Fireworks: a full day celebration with a parade and fireworks show over the Promenade
Seaside Beach Run: Several races including a 5 and 10-K run that take place each July to raise money for local charities
Beach Volleyball Tournament: An annual beach contest with over 1,000 teams competing each August—the largest amateur competition of its kind in the world
Hood to Coast Relay: A 200-mile race in August that stretches from Mount Hood to the finish line at the beach in Seaside that features a beer garden, live music, awards, and plenty of food
Pouring at the Coast Festival: A day of craft beers from nearly 30 breweries presented by the Seaside Chamber of Commerce and Seaside Brewing Company
Spring Downtown Wine Walk: An annual celebration of local vineyards that takes place on the third Saturday in May
Seaside Muscle 'n' Chrome: A car show that brings dozens of classic automobiles to the Promenade each June
Miss Oregon Pageant: The official selection of the state's representative in the Miss America Pageant, which takes place in June each year
Independence Day Parade and Fireworks: a full day celebration with a parade and fireworks show over the Promenade
Seaside Beach Run: Several races including a 5 and 10-K run that take place each July to raise money for local charities
Beach Volleyball Tournament: An annual beach contest with over 1,000 teams competing each August—the largest amateur competition of its kind in the world
Hood to Coast Relay: A 200-mile race in August that stretches from Mount Hood to the finish line at the beach in Seaside that features a beer garden, live music, awards, and plenty of food
Discover Historic Sites and Monuments
While Seaside is known for its promenade where the Lewis and Clark Trail ends, it's also the home of a number of other historical sites, artifacts, monuments, and attractions. You can stop by the Seaside Visitor's Center to learn more about the local historic sites or you can just wander around town until you happen upon a statue, plaque, or sign.
Whatever you decide to do, you won't want to miss out on a great view from the coastline in Seaside: The Tillamook Rock Light, a decommissioned 1881 lighthouse that had to be shut down in 1957 because it was too treacherous to commute out to Tillamook Rock to maintain it.
Whatever you decide to do, you won't want to miss out on a great view from the coastline in Seaside: The Tillamook Rock Light, a decommissioned 1881 lighthouse that had to be shut down in 1957 because it was too treacherous to commute out to Tillamook Rock to maintain it.
Wander Through Nature at Seaside Parks
Although the most popular parks in Seaside are its beaches, the oceanside city is also home to a number of nature parks that you can spend the whole day exploring. Tillamook Head features the best view of the lighthouse as well as plenty of opportunities to hike, camp, and fish while Ecola State Park stretches down seven miles of coastline with views of Haystack Rock and access to some more isolated beaches. Check the Seaside Parks Department and the Oregon State Park Department websites for more information on local parks, hours of operation, and information about camping, fishing, and swimming regulations.