Seaside, Oregon is a mecca of activity on the northern Oregon Coast. It is probably the biggest draw for tourism (has been for around 150 years) and boasts the most to do along the entire Oregon coastline. With a 3-mile long boardwalk (known as the promenade) lined with galleries, shops, restaurants, and entertainment, people come from Portland, Seattle and beyond to take in all the city has to offer.

Park your car (no parking meters!) and take a walk through town.

You won't be running out of things to do and see as you're given the opportunity to jump in a bumper car, take a few rounds on the large carousel made up of replicas of the vintage horses carved in the 1900's and other strange creatures, go power-shopping in the Factory Outlet Center with 30 manufacturer stores, offering great prices on merchandise, all tax-free and so much more. The shopping in Seaside is a never-ending experience.

Download the 2008 Seaside, Oregon Event Calendar Here ( 96K)

This great city was incorporated in 1899 and is the very end of the Lewis and Clark trail. A large statue in the middle of the city's turnaround commemorates it. In fact, you may want to take the time to visit the Seaside Museum and get a bit more acquainted with the city's rich history. If you feel like a pleasant hike and are wanting to experience a bit of that history, you can follow in the footsteps of the Lewis and Clark Expedition by taking the six mile Oregon Trail walk across Tillamook Head, between Seaside and Cannon Beach. The ocean and surrounding areas are really beautiful.

The city has it's own privately owned aquarium. Built in 1937, this a great place to spend some time feeding the seals and touching various sea creatures in the Discovery Center. All the sea life, except for New England lobster, are natives of the Pacific NW. It's not a very large place, but that allows it to be totally financially self sustaining. It's a fun place to visit.

Rent a couple of bicycles or mopeds and tool around the town, taking in the sun and do some people watching. You may even consider renting a paddle boat for a relaxing ride down the Necanicum River. The Necanicum is also a wonderful place to drop your lures for some crabbing and fishing. If you're feeling up to some real excitement, take a helicopter tour of Seaside and the northern Oregon Coast. Take it all in from a birds eye view.

Volleyball, tide pooling, kite flying, tri-biking and long walks are popular thing to do on the 3-mile, 250 foot wide pristine beach. Cuddle up together around a beach bonfire or just chase each other around in the sand. In the Spring, you can enjoy the annual gray whale migration, an annual event that draws people from all over. Whale watching anywhere along the Oregon Coast is something that has to be experienced.

Hop over to the Civic & Convention Center to see what may be going on over there. A large multi-purpose facility, tradeshows and other events are held there on a regular basis, contributing to the economy of the town.

At the end of a long and eventful day, there are a plethora (I think I broke my tongue!) of lovely hotels, bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals to choose from. Fine dining runs all through town. Fresh seafood and other delicious fare is served with care to hungry visitors. Don't forget dessert. Grab a yummy caramel apple or some just-made salt water taffy as you cruise the promenade before turning in for the evening.

I could go on and on about all there is to enjoy in this popular city. The possibilities are nearly endless. I encourage you to visit, take in the sun and the fresh sea air and make your own kind of fun.