Top Things to Do in Seaside, Oregon!

Feed the Seals at the Seaside Aquarium!

Originally opened in 1927, The Seaside Aquarium is the oldest, privately owned aquarium on the West Coast! There are many exhibits to enjoy and two of the favorites are the Touch Tank and the Seal Experience. At the Touch Tank, visitors can feel a bit of life under the sea as they are guided through interacting with (and touching!) sea anemones, sandpaper textured starfish and a prickly sea urchins. The Harbour Seals of the Seaside Aquarium are famous – and quite the entertainers! They follow commands like sitting, certain learned actions and talking – and the even applaud themselves! You will never forget your chance to feed the seals. For a small fee, you and your loved ones can feed happy seals from a platform. Those who are not hungry have plenty of room to get away from any crowds but be aware, as soon as you start feeding them, they are likely to start hamming it up – performing all kinds of tricks to get more fish from you!

Peruse Seaside from the water – by kayak, paddle board or paddle swan!

A fun way to see more of this Oregon Coast town is from the water! Wheel Fun Rentals offers single and double kayaks, paddle boats, stand-up paddle boards and paddle swans, to name a few of the ways you can get out on the water. Rates are by the hour and paddlers of all skill levels are welcomed!

The BEACH!

There is no attraction more loved by locals and visitors alike than the beautiful shoreline in Seaside, Oregon. Visitors should be sure to walk the prom to the main beach (Seaside Beach) in Seaside, sight of many festivals each year and the finish line celebration area for the famous Hood to Coast Relay. Other nearby beaches that should be on your must-stop list include Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site and a hike around Tillamook Head National Recreation Trail. No matter which beach you choose, you will be treated to pristine coastline, pure salt air, and breathtaking sunset views you will never forget!

Check Out the Seaside Carousel Mall

The Seaside Carousel Mall is a mall with over 15 different vendors. While some of the interesting stores may be accessed from Broadway, the majority are tucked away in the tiny shopping center. A restaurant, coffee shop, old-time malt shop, toy store, and seaside apparel are among the other things you’ll find there. The concentration of entertainment within the Carousel Mall makes it a must-see on your trip to Seaside. So grab a friend and go for a spin around the world-famous Carousel; you’ll almost certainly make lifelong memories.

Fort Stevens State Park

Fort Stevens State Park is one of the most beloved state parks in Oregon for a plethora of reasons. It’s described by many as where the river, forest, and sea intersect because it lies on the northwesternmost corner of the state. The park has something for everyone, from hikers to history aficionados, nature enthusiasts, and sports fans.

With a size of over 4000 acres, the park is pretty large and contains several huge beaches as well as many forests to explore. Many trails that wind their way around spruce, pine, hemlock trees, dunes and wetlands are found throughout the park, making for a very diverse environment. Exploring here is a true delight for nature lovers.

And if you are looking to fuel-up for your next adventure, we love a stop at Camp 18 for breakfast, have lunch or an afternoon snack at Dooger’s Seafood and Grill, and dinner at Nonni’s Italian Bistro.

Your Meredith Lodging Seaside vacation rental will put you a short stroll away from many of the activities we have recommended here. We also have homes in nearby Manzanita and Gearheart. View our entire collection of Oregon Coast homes at MeredithLodging.com. We hope to see you in Seaside soon!