Want to know a good city to visit along the oregon coast. Never been to Oregon and I have two young children?

Question

I was hoping to go on a vacation this summer around july or august. My husband and I are 23 we would be driving from Idaho with our 4 year old and 1 year old. I am hoping to get some good ideas on hotels and attractions. Thank you ~ we would only be staying about a week

Answer 1

I'm going to agree with all of the above; however, you should definitely make a loop. Take a look at a map. Coming from Portland, you could take US Highway 30 to Astoria (maritime museum, Astoria Column, interesting downtown area). If you like history, stop at Fort Clatsop where Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1805-06. Swing through Fort Stevens State Park nearby in Hammond (military gun turrets, biking, shipwreck "Peter Iredale"). Then go to Seaside (lots of tourist stuff, right on the beach).

A variation is to take US Highway 26 out of Portland to Seaside.

Continue working your way down US Highway 101. Cannon Beach is interesting. Kind of an upper-end tourist trap. Ecola State Park is beautiful. Continuing south, stop at Hug Point and Oswald West State Park. Enjoy the views as 101 winds along the cliffs high above the ocean.

Just north of Tillamook, but right on the highway, stop at the home of Tillamook Cheese and see how cheese is made.

The area around Lincoln City was called by the governor "The 20 Miserable Miles" (a play on the early 1960s marketing campaign "20 Miracle Miles"), but you'll cross the shortest river in the world and there's a factory outlet mall. Stop at Depoe Bay (that's the correct spelling). Watch the boats thread their way in and out of the port - quite a feat of seamanship (you may recognize the port from the movie "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest").

Continue south to Newport. The must-see attraction is the Oregon Coast Aquarium on the south side of the big bridge. Be sure to visit the Oregon State University aquarium (practically next door) - see the octopus there, and touch the tidepool animals. I've stayed at the La Quinta Inn, not far from the aquariums. Nothing fancy, good for families though since it has a free continental breakfast. Be sure to visit the old waterfront in Newport (barking sea lions, good clam chowder), and Yaquina Head Lighthouse a few miles north of town.

To close the loop, start heading for home on US Highway 20. Have a great trip!

http://crmm.org
http://www.nps.gov/lewi/planyourvisit/fortclatsop.htm
http://www.astoria-usa.com/fort-stevens-state-park.shtml
http://www.seasideor.com/
http://tillamookcheese.com/VisitorsCenter/
http://www.aquarium.org/
http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/

Answer 2

Yurts are nice recommendation, but I'm afraid you'll find that they are nearly sold out for the summer. They open for reservations nine months in advance and go very quick.

Aside from the odd weekday, I'd be surprised if you find any worthwhile stretch of days.

Newport is my vote for a place to visit. There's the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Undersea Gardens that the kids will enjoy.

Nice beaches nearby as well.

My second vote would be for Seaside. It's a bit on kitschy side, but i think your 4 year old would enjioy some of the entertainment.

Answer 3

Here is something to consider:

Renting a yurt (it's like a rustic cabin, but round and partly vinyl) at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria. It's an awesome state park, with beach access, a playground, and films/presentations in the evening.

Astoria has some cool places like the Maritime Museum, and Fort Stevens has a military museum and the army battery to walk around, and Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark wintered on their expedition, and which is now a popular attraction with costumed hosts.

A half hour drive to the south is Seaside, with cool shops, attractions, and some great Beaches.

A 20 minute drive north, across the Columbia River by Bridge, are two lighthouses. On up a bit is the Long Island Penninsula with all kinds of touristy attractions, like kids rides, little shops, and much more.

You could use the yurt as a homebase, or if you want a more "polished" experience, rent motels in each area.

http://www.oldoregon.com/Pages/fortstevens.htm
http://www.oldoregon.com/
http://www.seaside-oregon.com/
http://www.seasidechamber.com/
http://www.funbeach.com/

Answer 4

Newport is a great spot. The kids will enjoy the aquarium where Keiko, the orca, was. And many great sea animals and creatures are. The wax museum is fun too. The wharf is pretty good also. Adults can enjoy the Rouge brewery.By the way, Thursday is bingo night. Not like any bingo you have played before. It is a hoot. There are many places to stay at all prices. Plenty of stores and places to eat. On main street there is a good mexican food place, Mazatlan restaurant is good.
Newport is a safe place to be and enjoy. I recommend it highly.

Answer 5

Like several other answerers, I recommend Newport and Seaside. They both offerer attractions your kids would enjoy. Lincoln City is another possibility.

Answer 6

Creater Lake
Timberline Lodge
Portland
Oceanside

Answer 7

Newport, it has cheap hotels $25.00-$40.00 a nite.crabbing,lot of gift shop and seafood plases to eat the beach is not to far,& most of all the OR. coast Aqurim, fun place for all family. I`m a volintere there

Answer 8

im a oregon native here are some good citys towns ect Astoria, Newport, Coos Bay. all good siteseer places.

Answer 9

Seaside would probably be the most fun. Then Newport.

Answer 10

I would say Newport and Seaside... they are one of the best.....