OREGON COAST Oregon Coast Aquarium
A FEW NOT-TO-MISS ATTRACTIONS
Columbia River Maritime Museum The rich history of the Columbia River is yours to explore here. Interactive exhibits delve into the dangerous Columbia River Bar and the intriguing science of storms. Tour the floating lighthouse — the lightship Columbia — and learn about rivergoing vessels from dugout canoes and sailing vessels to modern freighters. Astoria, CRMM.org High Life Adventures Zoom along a mile-long/2-kilometer zip-line tour on the North Coast in Warrenton. Eight different lines speed through beautiful timber, over quiet ponds and past a 7-acre/3-hectare lake. Warrenton, HighLife-Adventures.com Oregon Coast Aquarium Explore marine life and plants native to the Oregon Coast on this beautiful 39-acre/16-hectare site. Indoor and outdoor exhibits include “Passages of the 52
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Deep,” featuring 3,500 sea creatures and a 200-foot/61-meter underwater walkway through shark-filled waters. Newport, Aquarium.org Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad At this open-air attraction, you can chug along behind a historic steam locomotive as it snakes along Tillamook Bay and the beautiful Oregon Coast. Enjoy the 90-minute coastal excursions, and look for seasonal trains like the Fall Splendor Excursion and the Candy Cane Express. Garibaldi, OregonCoastScenic.org Prehistoric Gardens In a lush, temperate rain forest on the Coast, Prehistoric Gardens features two dozen dinosaurs lurking in the undergrowth and hiding among the trees and ferns. These colorful, life-size replicas are sure to thrill young and aspiring paleontologists. Port Orford, PrehistoricGardens.com Sea Lion Caves You’ll find one of the world’s great sea caves on the Oregon Coast at Sea Lion Caves, a privately owned wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary. Take an elevator ride down to sea level to spot the vast numbers of wild sea lions that make their home here. Florence, SeaLionCaves.com
Seaside Aquarium One of the oldest aquariums on the West Coast, the Seaside Aquarium was originally built as a saltwater swimming pool. Today its tanks house a variety of sea life and an exhibit of harbor seals that play and preen as visitors feed them. Seaside, SeasideAquarium.com Shore Acres State Park Perched on a cliff high above the ocean, this former estate is home to beautiful formal gardens — a Japanese-style garden and curated collection of American roses. Another trail leads along the rugged cliffline for dramatic views, storm watching and the chance to see seasonal whale migrations. Coos Bay, StateParks.Oregon.gov Yaquina Pacific Railroad Historical Society This collection of historic rail cars honors Oregon’s bygone railroad days. A restored Pacific Railway Post Office museum offers a glimpse at old-fashioned mail service. Two steam engines here were used by the local lumber mill from the 1920s to the 1950s, and a caboose dates from 1907. Toledo, YaquinaPacificRR.org
COURTESY OF THE OREGON COAST AQUARIUM
Charleston Marine Life Center Discover a world of oceanic wonders at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology’s center. The aquarium, museum, sea-life touch tanks, and special programming offer an in-depth look at coastal ecosystems, marine mammals, ocean habitat and cutting-edge research of local oceans. Charleston, CharlestonMarineLifeCenter.com
