ON THE INSIDE TRACK W
hen it rains, there’s more! If you’re waiting for sunshine and needing something to do, Florence has many opportunities to stay dry while exploring local art and culture.
ries and clothing.
For those wanting to stay active, stop in at Holiday 8 Bowl, 1710 27th St., for bowling, pool, video games and air hockey. The local gym, Coastal Fitness & Aquatics at 2285 Highway 101, has state-of-the-art equipment, a women’s circuit training room, gym, swimming pools and many classes. Day and week passes are available for visitors.
Oregon Coast Military Museum, 2145 Kingwood St. near the Florence Municipal Airport, provides education about the military, from World War I through current conflicts, as well as displays of veterans’ artifacts and memorabilia from their service.
Local museums offer glimpses into the past. Siuslaw Pioneer Museum, located at 278 Maple St., has friendly volunteers who can show Florence’s progression Please note: Some of these lo- through its colorful history, as cations may be closed due to the well as exhibits on the RhodoCOVID-19 pandemic. dendron Festival.
In addition, local gaming centers have opened, offering arcades and tabletop game options. Florence Senior Center, 1570 Kingwood St., a gathering place for everyone, is open to all ages and offers daily activities such as card games, line dancing and exercise and art classes.
Many excellent galleries, as well as fine shops and businesses, regularly display high-quality artwork, thanks to the many talented artists and craftspeople who live and work here. The artwork is diverse — oils and watercolors, textiles, glass, photography, sculpture, mixed media, pottery, artisan jewelry, blown glass, turned wood, greeting cards and more. Galleries are spread all over. One good way to sample it all is to take a self-guided tour during the second Saturday of each month. From 3 to 5 p.m., the 2nd Saturday Gallery Tour travels to multiple sites to view the works, meet the artists and enjoy refreshments. The venues and featured artists vary each month.
City Lights Cinemas, 1930 Highway 101, has the perfect blend of blockbuster hits and indie flicks showing in four theaters. Show times start at noon and continue throughout the day. Be sure to catch arthouse films, feature documentaries and Are you an artist yourself? Shakespeare and enjoy cuisine Florence Regional Arts Alliance from local food trucks. offers classes in various media Visitors are always welcome at for all artists as well as a gallery at its Art Center, 120 Maple St., the Siuslaw Public Library, 1460 The Studios at Jayne Smoley Ninth St. In addition to a large Designs, 1458 First St., features collection of books, periodicals, fused glass and painting workDVDs and videos, there are art shops, and find premium art exhibits, computers, free Wi-Fi, materials at BeauxArts Fine Art genealogy information, story Materials and Gallery at 2285 time and activities for youth, Highway 101 Suite H. reading programs and frequent
On the highway, just around the corner from Old Town, is the Florence Antiques District, where rows of shops beckon to antique hunters. Find coastal artifacts like Japanese floats mixed presentations and entertainwith vintage jewelry, antique ment. There is also a Mapleton furniture, collectables, accessobranch at 88148 Riverview Ave. Midcoast Wave 2021–2022
For more information, including its Youtube page, visit www. siuslawlibrary.info.
With all these inside venues to explore, it won’t be long until the sun returns.
A Siuslaw News Publication
