Honestly, if you ask a local about Seaside, they’ll probably give you a bit of a side-eye. It’s got a reputation for being the "Vegas of the Oregon Coast," mostly because of the neon lights on Broadway and the sound of arcade games drifting out into the salt air. But here’s the thing: most people just scratch the surface. They walk the Prom, buy a bag of salt water taffy, and call it a day.
They’re missing the point.
Seaside is actually a weird, beautiful mix of high-energy kitsch and rugged, isolated nature. You can be feeding a barking harbor seal at a 1930s aquarium one minute and standing on a cliffside where Lewis and Clark once stood the next. If you’re wondering what to do in seaside oregon, you have to embrace both sides. You have to be okay with the sticky fingers from a double scoop of ice cream and the mud on your boots from a trek up Tillamook Head.
The Broadway Hustle and the "Prom"
The heart of town is Broadway Street. It ends at the Turnaround, where the statue of Lewis and Clark stands looking out at the Pacific. This is where everyone goes. It's loud. It's colorful. It's the place where you’ll find the Seaside Carousel Mall. Seriously, even if you don't have kids, the carousel is a work of art.
Right next door is Funland Arcade. If you want to feel like it’s 1985 again, this is your spot. They still have "Fascination," which is this bizarre, competitive bingo-style game involving rolling rubber balls into holes. It’s been there forever. It’s addictive. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Then there’s The Prom. It’s a 1.5-mile concrete boardwalk built in 1921.
Walking it at sunset is the cliché that actually lives up to the hype. You’ve got the ocean on one side and these beautiful, weathered beach houses on the other. It’s flat, easy, and perfect for people-watching. If you want to get away from the Broadway crowds, just walk north or south for about ten minutes. The noise fades, the wind picks up, and you actually start to feel the scale of the ocean.
Feeding the Locals (The Furry Kind)
You cannot talk about what to do in seaside oregon without mentioning the Seaside Aquarium. Look, it’s not the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It’s small. It’s old. It’s housed in an old natatorium from the 1920s. But it is one of the oldest privately owned aquariums on the West Coast, and it has charm coming out of its ears.
The big draw? The seals.
They are spoiled. They know exactly how to get you to buy a tray of chopped fish. They’ll slap their bellies, wave their flippers, and bark until you toss them a snack. It’s loud and a little messy, but it’s a Seaside rite of passage. Inside, there’s a touch tank where you can poke a sea anemone (gently!) and see a 25-pound lobster that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie.
Escaping the Kitsch: Tillamook Head
When the crowds on Broadway get to be too much, head south to The Cove. This is where the surfers hang out. The waves here wrap around the point of Tillamook Head, creating long, peeling rides that are famous—and a bit territorial, so be cool if you’re heading out there.
This is also the gateway to the Tillamook Head National Recreation Trail.
This hike is no joke. It’s about a 6-mile round trip if you go to the viewpoint of "Terrible Tilly," the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. The lighthouse sits on a jagged rock about a mile offshore, and it looks like a haunted prison. It’s been abandoned for decades. Standing on the cliffs of the Head, looking through the Sitka spruce trees at that lonely lighthouse, is the exact opposite of the arcade noise back in town.
- Pro Tip: The trail can be incredibly muddy even in July. Wear actual boots, not your beach flip-flops.
- Safety Note: Keep an eye on the weather. Coastal storms can blow in fast, and those cliff edges are slippery.
Where to Actually Eat (Beyond the Taffy)
Food in Seaside is a bit of a minefield. You have a lot of "tourist traps" serving frozen fish and chips. If you want the real stuff, you have to look a little harder.
Osprey Cafe is the local darling for breakfast. Their smoked steelhead benedict is legendary. It’s tucked away in a residential area on the south end of town, away from the chaos. If you’re looking for a classic "Oregon Coast" experience, Pig 'n Pancake is the staple. Is it gourmet? No. Is it comforting to eat sourdough pancakes while watching the rain hit the window? Absolutely.
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For dinner, Nonni’s Italian Bistro is surprisingly high-end for a beach town. They make their own pasta, and the atmosphere is cozy enough that you forget you’re wearing a damp sweatshirt. If you just want a beer and a burger, Seaside Brewery is located in the old city jail. Yes, you can literally eat in a cell.
The 2026 Event Calendar
If you're planning your trip for early 2026, keep an eye on the Seaside Civic and Convention Center. They host everything from cat shows to the Oregon Ghost Conference (usually in March), which is a massive gathering for paranormal enthusiasts. Also, the First Saturday Art Walk is a great way to see the Gilbert District, which is the more "adult" and refined side of Seaside with galleries and boutiques.
Actionable Insights for Your Trip
- The "Secret" Beach: Head to the very north end of the Prom, past the condos. The crowds vanish, and you can often find whole sand dollars and agates during low tide.
- Rent a Surrey: Those four-wheeled bike contraptions you see on the Prom? They look ridiculous. They are also incredibly fun. Just stay in the bike lanes and watch out for pedestrians.
- History Lesson: Visit the Lewis and Clark Salt Works. It’s a tiny outdoor exhibit where the expedition members boiled seawater to make salt for their return journey. It’s a quick 10-minute stop but adds a lot of context to where you’re standing.
- Parking Hack: Avoid the lots right on Broadway. Drive two blocks south or north to the residential side streets; you’ll find free street parking and a much shorter walk than you'd think.
Seaside is what you make of it. You can lean into the "tourist" vibe and have a blast with arcade games and fried dough, or you can use it as a base camp for some of the most rugged hiking in the Pacific Northwest. Most people choose one or the other. The best way to do it is to do both.