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After 15+ Visits to Seaside, OR Here are My Favorite Things to Do

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There are a few places along the west coast of the U.S. that have that old-timey vibe of a seaside resort from yesteryear. In Oregon, Seaside is that place. In fact along the whole coast, only Santa Cruz, CA is more quintessentially a seaside town–the kind with boardwalks, arcades, and salt water taffy.

Located along the northern part of the Oregon Coast, Seaside is a family friendly vacation town, one that I have been coming to for 50+ years (since I was a tot).

Seaside has miles of sandy beaches to explore. If you are a walker more than a hiker, take a stroll along the Promenade, a paved walkway that runs parallel to the beach, and enjoy gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean.

Rent a bike or pedal car and explore the town on two wheels, or rent a pedal boat and float the river.

If you’re looking for indoor activities, the Seaside Aquarium is worth a visit once. It’s the first aquarium to breed harbor seals successfully in captivity, and you can see the resident seals up close.

Take a trip back in time and explore the history of the town at the Seaside Museum and Historical Society.

And don’t forget to check out the Carousel Mall, a unique shopping destination that features an indoor antique carousel and a variety of shops.

Beaches and Promenade

The Beach

When visiting Seaside, Oregon, one of the most popular things to do is to spend time at the beach and on the promenade. 

Seaside Beach is a long, wide sandy beach that stretches for 2 miles along the Pacific Ocean. Walking the beach, building sandcastles, and flying kites are popular activities. It’s not hard to find a windy day near the Pacific Ocean and a few shops in town sell kites and sandcastle supplies.

What is rarer is sunbathing weather. Most people sit bundled up on a blanket as their kids dig in the sand. In numerous visits, I think only once was it warm enough to sit outside in a swim suit.

And speaking of swimming, do so at your own risk. The area is known for sneaker waves and rip tides. The ocean is also quite cold most of the year, so most people roll up their pantlegs and wade up to their knees and call it good.

TIP: Never turn your back to the ocean. Large waves can suddenly strike and have enough force to knock you over and worse.

Promenade

The Seaside Promenade, also known as “the Prom,” is a 1.5-mile long boardwalk that runs parallel to the beach. It is a popular spot for jogging, walking, and biking, and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

The Seaside Promenade is wheelchair accessible.

There are several access points to the beach from the Prom, making it easy to get down to the sand and water.

Many hotels line the Prom, and I recommend getting an ocean view room along the Prom. This way no matter what the weather does, you get to look out at the ocean, which really is the star attraction.

sandy beach with concrete railing and lamppost in foreground, view from Seaside Prom
View from the roundabout at Broadway where it intersects with the Prom

Attractions and Activities

The town of Seaside offers a variety of attractions and activities that are perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. Here are some of the top things to do in Seaside.

Seaside Aquarium

The Seaside Aquarium is the oldest aquarium on the West Coast and is home to a variety of marine life, including sea urchins, starfish, eels, and harbor seals.

Visitors can even touch some of the creatures in the touch tanks. The aquarium also has a great exhibit on the history of Seaside and its connection to the ocean.

It looks tiny from the outside, but there is more inside than you would think. If you have kids, I recommend visiting this at least once.

Lewis and Clark Salt Works

History buffs will appreciate visiting the Lewis and Clark Salt Works. This attraction is a replica of the salt works that the famous explorers set up during their expedition to the West Coast. Located near the south end of the Prom, this one only requires a quick stop to check it out.

Seaside Inverted Experience

Looking for a unique experience? Check out the Seaside Inverted Experience. This photo studio will allow you to have fun and creative pictures taken that make it look like you are upside down, sideways, well, pretty much any which way except upright.

Captain Kid Amusement Park

For a fun day out with the family, head just outside of downtown to Captain Kid Amusement Park. This park has a variety of rides and attractions, including go-karts, a kiddie coaster, and a shipwreck-themed mini-golf course.

Hiking Trails

Seaside is surrounded by beautiful scenery that offer stunning views of the coastline while taking you through peaceful forests.

For a more beginner/intermediate hike try Tillamook Head. The trail extends for about 6 miles (each way) and has an elevation gain of about 1100 feet.

For a more challenging climb, just outside of Seaside along Hwy 26 is Saddle Mountain Trail. While only 2.5 miles each way, there are steep sections in it’s 1600 feet of elevation gain.

Shopping

The town has a variety of shops and restaurants that cater to all tastes and budgets. Here are some of the best places to shop and dine in Seaside.

Shops

The main downtown area along Broadway Street is where most tourists start out. You’ll find variety of shops.

If you’re looking for souvenirs, clothing, or gifts, you’ll find it in Seaside.

  • Stroll Broadway St. for souvenirs, beach toys, kites, tchotchkes, salt water taffy, hard to find candies, and other cool finds.
  • Along Broadway, stop into the Carousel Mall, which has a full sized Carousel inside. A fun diversion on a rainy day. Surrounded by shops, this gets you out the rain. My favorite is the toy store.
  • Also on Broadway, check out the Seaside Antique Mall, which has over 10,000 square feet of cool finds.
  • At the east end of Broadway be sure to cross over the river and check out Beach Books, another favorite. I like to support independent booksellers.
  • Along Hwy 101, you’ll find the Seaside Outlet mall. The sidewalks here are covered, so this is another rainy day activity where you can stay mostly dry (there are three separate buildings so you may get a little wet moving from one to the next).

Near Seaside

Seaside itself can occupy you for a couple of days, but if you are in the area longer here are some nearby favorites that are less than an hour away.

  • Tillamook Cheese Factory. Sample cheeses, watch the process, get ice cream and explore the gift shop. The nearby Blue Heron Cheese shop makes great brie and also has a nice gift shop.
  • Cannon Beach. This is a short drive from Seaside and offers a more upscale shopping experience and lots more beach to explore. Iconic Haystack Rock is located here.
  • Astoria. Two top choices in nearby Astoria are to climb the Astoria Column for its expansive views, and the Maritime Museum. The Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean near here and it is a treacherous spot for boaters. The museum explores the maritime history of this spot and highlights the role of pilot boats in navigating this area.
  • Fort Clatsop near Astoria. This replica of the winter encampment Lewis and Clark stayed in from 1805-6 is an interesting place to spend a few hours, even if your not a great history buff. Some costumed interpreters were there on our visit, and there were also some trails through the woods.