Tell children about the Astoria Column, tide pools, ice cream cones, and waterfalls and you’ll likely have some very happy campers that are bubbling over with excitement for their vacation to the north Oregon Coast. Maybe you’re a local and you just got a phone call that your sister is bringing the kids for a long weekend, or maybe you’re planning a trip for your family to the Oregon Coast. Either way, you’ve come to the right place to find the best things to do with kids in the area. Some of our other blogs also have family friendly activities listed, so check out the links to those other posts!
Seaside Inverted Experience - Best photo op in Seaside! This adorable spot has a plethora of scenes for photos set up… upside down! Giggles and family silliness will ensue when you pose for photos and peek at the results. Who doesn’t want to have a photo where it looks like they are hanging from a toilet, right? Christmas card worthy!
Trolley/Frite & Scoop - Old and young alike are enamoured with the Astoria Trolley. Park at the Astoria Riverwalk Inn, or anywhere along the route, and hop on and off all day for $2. You can glide along the riverwalk in the fully restored 1913 trolly, walk parts to stretch your legs, stop for ice cream at Frite & Scoop, and stroll down Pier 39 to take in the views.
Sea Lions - While they may be the center of some controversy, they sure do make wonderful entertainment. The best place to catch them is typically the East Mooring Basin. These huge creatures bark at each other, push each off the docks, flop around, and swim gracefully around the marina.
Funland Seaside - Bumper cars, whale races, arcade games, and snacks! If it’s rainy or cold this is a great way to keep kiddos happy for a few hours. Some of the games are classics, but they’ve got some bigger newer games as well. From personal experience a $40 card can last a family 1-2 hours.
Youngs River Falls - A short but steep (hold hands for little ones) climb will get you right up near the falls. There is a shallow area for swimming if you can brave somewhat chilly water temperature. There are bushes with salmonberries in the late summer, great photo opportunities, and plenty of room to splash around and get some energy out.
Cathedral Tree Trail - A trail suitable for all skill levels, Cathedral Tree Trail is a perfect quick hike for kids with a big reward at the top! It takes about 30 minutes to get to the Astoria Column from the base of the trail. You’ll be met with panoramic views of Astoria and the surrounding areas. Don’t forget to stop at the giftshop to grab a plane to fly off the Column! The trail itself has plenty of shade, interesting root systems, and the cathedral tree.
Aquatic Center - Now this is a way to burn some energy. Slide down the big red slide, splash around in the kiddie pool, burn some calories swimming laps, or frolic around with water toys. This pool is clean, safe, and modern. The beach is the typical place to go when you visit the coast, but if you’ve got a family that loves swimming this is a great place to go before or after an afternoon of sandy beach adventures.
Seaside Aquarium - While it may not be the biggest aquarium on the west coast, it’s still a fun and exciting spot for families to feed the seals, touch critters in the touch tank, and learn a few new things through the exhibits. The aquarium is lined with tanks full of native wildlife, making it a great stop before tide pools so everyone can get acquainted with the animals they will (hopefully) see in the wild!
Captain Kid Amusement Park - Right off the 101 in Seaside you'll find a mini golf course, go-kart racing, and some children’s rides. This amusement park may be small, but it can provide a hefty dose of family fun. One great perk is that there is not entrance fee, you only pay for what you want to do.
Check our previous blogs for these other family friend ideas:
Climb the Astoria Column and fly a plane off
Tide Pools
Peter Iredale Shipwreck
Maritime Museum
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