46. Oregon Scenic Railroad
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 842-7972
Description: Kids will have fun on the 1.5-hour round trip ride on the scenic railroad between Garibaldi and Rockaway beach. To find the railroad travel to Garibaldi and turn left on Third Street and follow the signs to Lumberman’s Park. Due to the railroad’s popularity, reservations are recommended. Call or visit the Web site for the current ticket prices and trip times.
47. Blue Heron Cheese Company
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 842-8281, (800) 275-0639
Address: 2001 Blue Heron Dr.
Description: A somewhat smaller establishment than the Tillamook Cheese Factory, this is just as fun—with lots of free samples of cheese, syrups, and jams. A delicatessen and gift shop are onsite, as well. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. October through February and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. March through September.
48. Tillamook Cheese Factory
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 815-1300
Address: 4175 US 101 North
Description: Opened in 1949, the Tillamook Cheese Factory is renowned for its delicious cheese rendered from dairy farms in the county, where the land is too salty to grow crops. There are self-guided tours with lots of great old photos, free cheese, and an ice-cream bar. A restaurant and gift shop are available for tasty meals and nifty mementos. Open daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from June through September and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. the rest of the year.
49. Hatfield Marine Science Center
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (541) 867-0226
Address: 2030 South Marine Science Dr.
Description: A splendid companion to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, this science center opened in 1996. Primarily designed as a place to research and study marine life, it is also a great place for kids to get the real feel for the ocean via hands-on activities, such as petting the octopus, playing with sea anemones, and handling starfish. Also in this intriguing spot are exhibits, demonstrations, and field trips. The center is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. They are open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday the rest of the year. Visit their Web site for the current schedule. There is no admission fee but donations are encouraged.
50. Oregon Coast Aquarium
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (541) 867-3474
Address: 2820 Southeast Ferry Rd.
Description: In the 40,000 square feet devoted to marine life, this famous aquarium off US 101 has a giant octopus, sea otters, and sea lions cavorting about in front of your wide eyes. There are also lots of fluffing puffins and other seabirds in a huge outdoor aviary. As well as learning lots about the life of an ocean and its residents, you can watch the feeding of the animals and observe various special programs. Tickets are $14.95 for adults, $12.95 for seniors, $9.45 for children ages three to 12. The aquarium is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year.
51. Ripley’S Believe It Or Not!
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (541) 265-2206
Address: 250 Southwest Bay Blvd.
Description: Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! is packed with strange items that will appeal to the kid in all of us. For example, children get a chance to pretend they are astronauts speeding through space. Be careful that younger ones aren’t too spooked. Open daily, except for Christmas. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the rest of the year, it’s 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the Web site or call for admission fees.
52. The Wax Works—A Living Museum
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (541) 265-2206
Address: 250 Southwest Bay Blvd.
Description: Another roadside attraction that will certainly entertain kids is The Wax Works, where legendary and famous characters, some animated, seem to come alive. Open daily, except for Christmas, the summer hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., the rest of the year, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the Web site or call for admission fees.
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 750 Lighthouse Dr.
54. Darlingtonia Wayside
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: As you walk along wooden platforms through a patch of skunk cabbage in a steamy bog, you will encounter a collection of pitcher plants called Darlingtonia. These exotic cobra lilies are freakish carnivorous plants that lure insects by enchanting them with their sweet smell. The bugs crawl into the mouth of the Darlingtonia, can’t crawl back up, and eventually fall to the base of the stem where they are digested. Most all adults and surely all kids will be fascinated with these little critters that are plants that eat animals! Located 5 miles north of Florence, on US 101 on the east side of the road, the wayside is for day use only. There are nearby picnic benches and tables if the visit makes you hungry.
55. Dolly Ware’S Doll Museum
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (541) 997-3391
Address: On Us 101 At 36Th Street
Description: If you have kids who like dolls, you may want to stop and visit this museum, which houses 2,500 dolls of all ages and descriptions. This collection of dolls from Germany, France, and Italy also includes a pre-Columbian doll. Collector’s items such as Kewpie dolls and Shirley Temple dolls are also on display. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Monday.
56. Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (800) 551-6949, (541) 997-3641
Description: This charming old state park is one of the most child-friendly spots on the Oregon Coast. Kids can swim, hike, beach comb, and build sandcastles or you can rent a boat or canoe for a family cruise. If you have a boat or canoe with you, you will find a boat launch available, or you can rent a canoe, rowboat, or paddle boat at the concession stand in the park. Located 3 miles south of Florence on US 101, the park is open year-round. For a campsite reservation, call (800) 452-5687.
57. Sand Dunes Frontier And Theme Park
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (541) 997-8087
Address: 85366 US 101
Description: Dune buggy rides operated by trained drivers will escort your family on an exciting outing to the world-famous dunes 4 miles south of Florence on US 101. Licensed drivers can also rent buggies for their own excursions. Open daily from March 1 to November 1.
58. Sandland Adventures
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (541) 997-8087
Address: 85366 US 101
Description: This wild and wooly adventure gives kids a chance to scoot about the dunes in a dune buggy. You can hire a guide or rent a buggy for yourself to pilot. If no one wants to go dune buggying, there are also go-karts, miniature golf, and bumper boats. Open daily 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday during the rest of the year. Closed January 1 and December 25.
59. Sea Lion Caves
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (541) 547-3111
Description: This special location, 11 miles north of Florence, on US 101, is a natural wonder worth visiting. An elevator will take you 208 feet down to the world’s largest sea cave—it’s the size of a football field. Safe behind glass (and keeping the seals safe), you can still hear the uproar from the seals as you watch them loll and swim and cavort in large heaps. Up on top there is a gift shop and an observation deck to try and sight a whale spouting. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission is $11 for adults, $10 for seniors, $7 children age seven to 12, and kids age two and under are admitted for free. Closed Christmas day.
City: Coastal Oregon, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions