Location: South Bend
Top Things to do in South Bend
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What to do and see in South Bend, United States: The Best Places and Tips
South Bend is a city in Pacific County, Washington, United States. It is the county seat of Pacific County. The population was 1,637 as of the 2010 census. The town is widely known for its oyster production and scenery.
Restaurants in South Bend
1. Northwest Carriage Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By SeattleMeadowlark - Seattle
You don't have to know a thing about horse drawn carriages to really enjoy this museum. First, I must say that, having spent many hours in all sorts of museums,this one is absolutely first class. Not a thing has been missed in layout, presentation, and instruction.
The carriages were the the prime transporters in the days when horses were the source of 'horse power'. You've seen some of these carriages on the TV and in movies: Gone with the Wind, Shirley Temple, Westerns like "Bonanza", photographs of the 1800's, historical photographs. They have been, in most cases, lovingly and painstakingly restored to their former beauty.
I like my history a little more down to earth. Certainly I can appreciate the grandeur of the hearse that carried Austria's Emperor Ferdinand, whose assassination exploded the world into WW I. I can easily see the beauty of the same sort of carriage that carried Queen Elizabeth.
But I truly appreciated the more mundane, the more close to reality sort of vehicle. The museum has a Mail carriers' carriage, unrestored, to let you see the original paint job. I liked the produce wagon, complete with baskets of fresh produce and a scale. You can just see these more plebian vehicles coming down your street in the Victorian era. I most especially liked the chuck wagon. This is the real thing. It was a rolling kitchen, ones depended on by the cowboys riding the range. It had everything needed to cook a meal on the prairies.
You learned more than just the carriages. I learned a great deal of history, as well. For instance, the average number of horses on the streets of New York before cars was well over 100,000 horses. A nice carriage could cost a year's pay, a plain one about a month's pay. The Conestoga wagon...the one used by the pioneers...did not carry the entire family. No, one wanted to save the draft animals (oxen, rather than horses) and so folks WALKED west alongside the wagon.
The gigantic hearse (mentioned above) carrying Emperor Ferdinand was purchased by a rich man, brought back to the US and then left to rot in the rain for thirty years. It took a master restorer-Jerry, the owner of the museum- and many hours to return it to it's present glory and condition.
That's something you notice during your visit: the exquisite attention to detail, the incredibly amount of work to restore the carriages, the successful attempts to retain as much of the original wood, leather, and upholstery as possible. You learn so much: about springs, about the origin of a fifth wheel, why the wheels on carriages were of two different sizes, why some carriages had drivers seats behind, higher than or level with the passengers. You even learn the names of the horses (and what happened to them after the show was cancelled) on "Bonanza"..
Jerry and Lori are the owners and restorationists. They, and their lovely staff member, Mary, are all so very expert in their knowledge of the carriages, their history and the efforts to restore them.
This museum is incredible.
Please do NOT climb onto the carriages. They are incredibly old and while they are sturdy, they're museum pieces, not to be sat in.
There IS a wagon you can climb up on and sit in. It's for kids but adults will enjoy it, too. There are period costumes to dress up in for photographs, a 'horse' that teaches you how to drive it, and a period classroom, complete with ink well desks and schoolbooks.
Entry fee is extremely reasonable, with adults paying only $6. Parking is ample with plenty of room for RV's, and there's a lovely park between the parking lot and the river. The gift shop is well stocked with a plethora of gifts and books.
Do NOT miss Northwest Carriage Museum. You will enjoy it and will learn a lot!
2. Pacific County Courthouse
Overall Ratings
5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Joyce M - Hull, Massachusetts
Beautiful architecture, historical photos, beautiful stained glass and great views. Don't miss this lovely museum "like" courthouse if you're in the area.
3. Wildlife Heritage Sculpture Corridor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Douglas O - Aberdeen, Washington, United States
There may not be much left of the old downtown but as you pass this city on 101 you are treated to a bunch of metal sculptures along the road of all sorts of animals. Made me want to stop and have something to eat as payment for the art show! Smart move Raymond.
4. Robert Bush Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, California
We were driving from Seattle to Astoria and drove through South Bend, which is a major oyster area of Washington State.
We stopped at Robert Bush Park as it has a nice view of the water. It also has the world's largest oyster shell there. There is also a nice totem pole there. There is also various information about the area.
Its also a convenient restroom stop on the drive.
The size of the park is small, but its nice place to stop for a short amount of time.
5. Willapa Harbor Golf
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
The Willapa Harbor Golf Course is one of the oldest municipal courses in the state of Washington , first opened in 1926. We are a 9-hole facility, yet with several sets of tees, playing it twice gives golfers a distinctly different feel on our back 9.
Reviewed By Sailingandrving
We are golfers travelling in our RV and found this to be an excellent stop. The nine hole golf course is challenging and fun. The course was in excellent condition. We came for 3 days and stayed a week, enjoying a pleasant spot overlooking the 9 hole course and the practice facilities. The owner is friendly and really made us feel welcome. For us golfers, this golf course and park was a fabulous find!
6. Willapa Paddle Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Willapa Paddle Adventures offers kayak and bicycle rentals. Kayaks go out on the beautiful Willapa River, a truly breathtaking river surrounded by nature and wildlife, and bicycles trek along the "Rails to Trails" bicycle trail that spans many miles.
Reviewed By vinochica - Portland, OR
Baylee and crew set us up on a wonderful 2 hour paddle that my family won't soon forget. I rented kayaks for my 13-year-old and myself (we have some flatwater kayaking experience) and a tandem for my parents, who are in their 60s and have...MoreThank you so much for the kind review ❤️ I'm so glad you guys came and had fun with us, you were such a treat to have! We hope to paddle with you again!
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