The 10 Best Specialty Museums in Oregon Coast, Oregon Coast

May 17, 2022 Sachiko Swiger

The Southern Oregon coast is home to isolated beaches, rugged cliffs with breathtaking views of the Pacific and quaint seaside towns. If you stay in the Bay Area, go whale watching at Coos Bay or explore the region on a bike or a hike along the coastline. Antique shoppers will want to explore old town Bandon while golfers hit the links at the world-renowned Bandon Dunes golf course. And don’t forget to bring your fishing gear – you’ll want to cast for salmon and other Pacific Northwest fish at Gold Beach, one of the region’s top fishing spots.

The Central Oregon Coast is a great place for fishing, clamming, hiking, golfing and other outdoor activities. Take the kids and visit the Sea Lion Caves near Florence, the world’s largest. Head up to Newport for a view of the state’s second-tallest lighthouse and shopping in this seaside town popular with vacationers for the last century. Go fly a kite on the beach in Lincoln City, kite capital of the world.

The Northern Oregon Coast offers a relaxing way to enjoy the region. A stay in the scenic town of Astoria on the Washington border will allow you to explore the western edge of the Lewis and Clark trail, with views of the Columbia River and the Pacific. Walk the sandy beaches in Seaside and Cannon Beach and then grab saltwater taffy and other treats while shopping these seaside towns.


Restaurants in Oregon Coast

325 2nd St SE, Bandon, OR 97411-9653 +1 541-329-0317 http://washedashore.org/
Excellent
85%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 94 reviews

Washed Ashore - Gallery & Workshop

We are a non-profit community art project who's mission is to build and exhibit aesthetically powerful art to educate a global audience about plastic pollution in oceans and waterways and spark positive changes in consumer habits.

Reviewed By legsbell - Martinez, United States

This is a must visit if you care about the health of our oceans. They provide a great education regarding the polluting of our beaches and the negative impact on sea life, The sculptures are amazing, made from trash picked up at beaches

2. Marshfield Sun Printing Museum

1049 N Front St, Coos Bay, OR 97420-4923 +1 541-267-4027 [email protected] http://www.marshfieldsunprintingmuseum.org/
Excellent
100%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Marshfield Sun Printing Museum

The Marshfield Sun Printing Museum is a historic newspaper and job printing shop on the National Register of Historic Places. It features the original equipment of The Sun newspaper (1891-1944) and exhibits on printing and local history. The Museum is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, daily on Tuesday - Saturday from 1-4pm. We are closed on Sunday and Mondays. Personal tours are available by appointment all year. Please call the Chamber of Commerce at 541-269-0215 to schedule an appointment. We are located at 1049 Front Street in Coos Bay, OR, 97420. Admission is free (donations accepted).

3. Seaside Inverted Experience

111 Broadway St Suite 11, Seaside, OR 97138-5817 +1 503-470-8040 [email protected] http://www.seasideinverted.com
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 71 reviews

Seaside Inverted Experience

A one-of-kind photo adventure with a vintage Seaside theme! All props are upside down (inverted) and hung from the ceiling, allowing for a fun interactive photo opportunity! Use your smartphone or ours, with the help of our staff take the best, fun pose in the scene of your choice, then invert it and you're now upside down!

Reviewed By 803triciaj

We had a great time. Even my teenage son who hates having pictures taken of him was enjoying the experience. They did a great job during the photo shoot. Even after they went above and beyond to help us get a picture. I highly recommend

4. Columbia River Maritime Museum

1792 Marine Dr, Astoria, OR 97103-3525 +1 503-325-2323 http://www.crmm.org/
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,769 reviews

Columbia River Maritime Museum

The Columbia River Maritime Museum tells the dramatic and inspiring stories of a mighty river, a vast ocean, and the generations of people who have made their living plying the waters of the region. The Museum is home to the largest collection of maritime artifacts in the Pacific Northwest (over 20,000 pieces in all), as well as a 19,000+ volume research library and more than 30,000 photographs. In addition to permanent and rotating exhibits, the campus includes a lightship, 3D movie theater, gift shop and the Barbey Maritime Center. Classes, workshops, demonstrations, lectures and other educational programs are offered regularly.

Reviewed By C5865LBmaryl - Dodgeville, United States

The museum has so much to explore about the fishing industry, canneries, coast guard rescues, etc. the museum fee also includes touring the light ship Columbia. Spent nearly two hours.

5. Flavel House Museum

441 8th St, Astoria, OR 97103-4620 +1 503-325-2203 http://astoriamuseums.org/
Excellent
56%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 569 reviews

Flavel House Museum

A historical Victorian home turned museum.

Reviewed By rshaneel - Malibu, United States

This is definitely a must do when visiting this charming town. First of all it’s affordable T $6 pp. It is full of history and if your into history you will enjoy and able to appreciate this beautiful house. I am happy that they included the 5 minute or so visit to explain the history of the house before you enter. The house itself is maintained beautifully and I they have little bits of info to read to help you understand of what we are seeing. Staff Vicki was very informative and helpful with our questions.

6. Umpqua River Lighthouse, Museum,and Gift shop

1020 Lighthouse Rd Winchester Bay, Winchester Bay, OR 97467-8734 +1 541-271-4631 http://umpquavalleymuseums.org/museums/umpqua-river-lighthouse/
Excellent
59%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 199 reviews

Umpqua River Lighthouse, Museum,and Gift shop

Coastal visitors center with Museum, Lighthouse with Tours, Coffee & Snack Bar, Art Gallery, and Gift Shop open 7 days a week. 9-7 March-October and 10-5 November-February.

Reviewed By grousebutte - Reedsport, United States

Seeing the Lighthouse Lens up close and personal is fascinating! Informative Tour Guides, Really Well Done Museum, Excellent Clam Chowder Bread Bowls, Fun Gift Shop, Unique Art Gallery, and beautiful ocean views. Truly a "find" along the Coast!

7. Whale, Sea Life and Shark Museum

Ellingson Street and Highway 101, Depoe Bay, OR +1 541-912-6734 http://oregonwhales.com/Museum/museum.html
Excellent
60%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 144 reviews

Whale, Sea Life and Shark Museum

Reviewed By 63emilyf - Provo, United States

Great company to go whale watching with. Carrie truly loves and know the wales you see and it's nice to know you are with a marine biologist instead of a tour company. She is very careful and gentle with the whales and doesnt disturb them. As someone who gets sea sick, I also greatly appreciate their smoother boats that don't stink of diesel. We got to sea some cool birds, sea lions and fish as well.

8. Siuslaw Pioneer Museum

278 Maple St, Florence, OR 97439-9617 +1 541-997-7884 http://www.siuslawpioneermuseum.com/
Excellent
48%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 56 reviews

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum

9. Garibaldi Museum

112 Garibaldi Ave, Garibaldi, OR 97118-1016 +1 503-322-8411 http://www.garibaldimuseum.org
Excellent
65%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 34 reviews

Garibaldi Museum

Reviewed By casaahha - Salem, United States

A wonderful place to spend 2 hours in a town of less than 1000 people. You will learn about Garibaldi's history with lumber and fishing businesses. A highlight is being exposed to the role played by Captain Robert Gray and his ships, Columbia Rediviva and Lady Washington, in the discovery of the Columbia River for America before Lewis and Clark came to the Pacific Northwest. Interesting displays on the Coast Guard, Native Americans and guns. A lot of model ships to see.

10. Port Orford Lifeboat Station Museum

92331 Coastguard Hill Rd, Port Orford, OR 97465-8655 +1 541-332-0521 http://www.CapeBlancoHeritageSociety.com
Excellent
70%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 63 reviews

Port Orford Lifeboat Station Museum

Reviewed By countrygirl4life

Had a wonderful little hike with our kids 4&6. The trail was beautiful and interesting with little critters to be spotted. Will definitely come back when the museum is open.

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