Craving a coastal getaway with dramatic scenery, beachcombing, and small-town charm? Head to Lincoln City! Nestled along Oregon’s central coast, Lincoln City offers ocean views, artisan shops, and endless outdoor activities. Whether you're flying a kite on the beach, browsing antique stores, or hiking coastal trails, this laid-back town is a perfect seaside escape.
When I like to visit
The best time to visit Lincoln City is from late spring to early fall (May through October) for the best chance at dry weather and stunning sunsets. Winter months are quieter but perfect for storm-watching and beachcombing after high tide.
Tips for getting There
- If you are traveling by car: Lincoln City is located along US-101, about 2 hours from Portland and 1.5 hours from Salem or Corvallis.
- By Air: The nearest major airport is Portland International Airport (PDX). Rent a car for the scenic drive to the coast.
- By Bus: Lincoln County Transit offers local routes, and some intercity bus services run along the coast from nearby towns.
Where I like to stay
- Salishan Coastal Lodge – Upscale resort with spa, golf, and forested surroundings just south of town in Gleneden Beach.
- Inn at Spanish Head – The only hotel built right on the beach along the Oregon Coast, with dramatic ocean views and on-site dining.
- Shearwater Inn – Comfortable boutique stay with fireplaces, ocean views, and easy beach access.
Top Attractions
1. Sharpen Your Skills or Savor a Meal at The Culinary Center
The Culinary Center in Lincoln City is a budding gourmand’s paradise, featuring cooking classes, cook-offs, food tastings, wine pairings and all things culinary. The center focuses on seasonally-inspired dishes using only the freshest ingredients from the Pacific Northwest, from prairie-raised chickens and free-range eggs to grass-fed natural meats, organic vegetables and sustainably fished seafood and shellfish. The center supports and encourages interaction between local producers and consumers, offering visits to local farms or inviting farmers to teach a class. Cooking classes range from demonstration classes by professional chef who teach you the tricks of the trade, to hands-on, cook-it-yourself classes, where you get to dive right in and learn how to prepare sushi, dim sum, and pizza. The Culinary Center hosts four cook-offs a year, where professional chefs create delicious Pacific Northwestern dishes and provide a great way to see, taste and savor some of the city’s best restaurant meals around.
801 SW Hwy 101 4th Floor, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367, Phone: 541-557-1125
2. Create or Watch Live Glassblowing at Jennifer Sears Glass Art Studio
Learn how to blow glass at the Jennifer Sears Glass Art Studio on your weekend trip. Working in conjunction with Lincoln City Glass Center, the city-owned facility is operated by artists who offer their expertise to the public to educate them about the art of glass-blowing, as well as producing artistic works of their own. Located at the south end of the city in the Taft District, the studio can be visited at any time to watch the process of glass-blowing while appointments for glass-blowing lessons can be made in advance. Friendly and welcoming local artisans will guide you through the process of blowing glass in the same way it has been done for centuries. Volta Gallery displays works made here and is situated across the street from the studio.
4821 Oregon Coast Hwy, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367, Phone: 541-996-2569
Activities and Attractions for Couples:
3. Stroll the Beach and Spot Tide Pools at Road’s End State Recreation Site
One of Lincoln City’s most beautiful spots, Road's End State Recreation Site is a sheltered enclave just north of the town that is perfect if you want to escape the crowds found on the main beaches. Quaint cottages line the shore as it narrows towards Road’s End Point, and there are hidden coves, tidal pools, and little islands to explore along the coast. Clamber over the rocks at Road’s End Point at low tide where you’ll find a secret cove, but be sure to beat the tide on the way back. Popular with sailboarders, Roads End State Recreation Site is well known for hunting and finding hand-crafted glass floats, numbers of which are placed along the public beaches from mid-October to Memorial Day to reflect each year. If you are looking for romantic things to do in Lincoln City, don't miss this perfect vacation spot.
725 Summer Street NE # C, Salem, Oregon 97301, Phone: 503-986-0707
4. Try Your Luck or Catch a Show at Chinook Winds Casino Resort
Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City offers a variety of entertainment, from a fully serviced resort complete with a heated swimming pool, sauna and spa to a licensed casino, entertainment showroom and a world-class golf course. There is a 157,000-square-foot (14,600 square-meter) gaming floor, with a variety of slot machines, table games and video poker games, a state-of-the-art convention center, games arcade and two restaurants, as well as a 24-hour food counter. The main floor of the casino features the Chinook Winds Showroom, which plays host to live entertainment and shows throughout the year. Guests can play a round of golf on the resort’s championship golf course.
1777 NW 44th Street, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367, Phone: 541-996-5825
5. Wander Through Tranquility at Connie Hansen Garden Conservancy
A hidden gem in the heart of Lincoln City, the Connie Hansen Garden is a beautiful, well-tended garden filled with winding walkways and enchanted paths, landscaped grass patches and ornate water features. Guided tours through the gardens are available if booked in advance for visitors who wish to learn about the history of the garden and how it came to be, as well as information about the blooms, flowers, and trees growing in the garden. The garden is open daily from dawn until dusk, and there is a small gift shop on site.
1931 NW 33rd Street, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367, Phone: 541-994-6338
6. Explore Coastal Heritage at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum
The North Lincoln County Historical Museum is a small museum in Lincoln City dedicated to showcasing life as a pioneer in North Lincoln County. Founded in 1987, the museum began collecting artefacts and documents regarding life in the region in the 20th century and after moving locations a few times due to their rapid growth, the museum now resides in the City Hall building with a large exhibition space and recently renovated research library. Visitors can explore life as a pioneer from the late 1800s to the mid-1920s on the lower level of the museum, while galleries upstairs showcase life in the county from 1920 to 1965 when townships were incorporated into the city. Entrance to the museum is free.
4907 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367, Phone: 541-996-6614
If you are traveling with kids:
7. Experience Local Art and Events at the Lincoln City Cultural Center
The Lincoln City Cultural Center is a center for education in the performing arts and holds classes for children in a variety of art forms, ranging from fine art and drawing, to dance, music, literature and theater. Classes that can be taken at the center include spinning and weaving, juggling, yoga movement and clay classes, as well as Zumba, street jazz, hip-hop and voice lessons. The center plays host to a number of excellent education-based and artistic events throughout the year, such as ‘Dance of Universal Peace’, Pinwheels for Prevention’, Love Your Lincoln’ and the Summer Cultural Fair, all of which are geared towards promoting performing arts among children. Award-winning shows can be enjoyed at the center, such as music by the Pacific Trombone Quartet, Brady Goss, and the Jacob Zimmerman Duo, and the center sponsors various activities and playwriting contests for budding artists of all ages.
540 NW U.S. 101, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367, Phone: 541-994-9994
8. Kayak, Fish, or Picnic at Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area
Devil's Lake State Recreation Area offers a wide variety of family-friendly outdoor activities. Devil’s Lake is the only coastal campground located in the middle of the city and is especially popular in summer, becoming the core of summertime activity. The campground is a spacious, comfortable site with flush toilets, hot showers and ten mooring ramps for boats. The lake is ideal for swimming, boating, water skiing and kayaking with easy access from the campsites to the lake. The lake is home to an array of birdlife, which can easily be spotted while gliding along the shoreline in a canoe. Visitors can take kayak tours throughout the summer months.
9. Shop Deals and Discover Finds at Lincoln City Outlets
Lincoln City Outlets is a shopping outlet center in the heart of the city that boasts a number of top shopping brands, stores and shops. The outlet park features a variety of shops, ranging from children’s apparel, accessories and footwear to food, furniture and other services. Top brands include Levi’s, American Eagle Outfitters, Rockport, and Hollister while a range of specialty stores such as Bath and Body Works, Shutterbug, and Vitamin World provide specialized products.
1500 SE East Devils Lake Road, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367, Phone: 541-996-5000
Must-see if you are a first-time visitor:
- Lincoln City Beach – Seven miles of sandy shoreline perfect for beachcombing, kite flying, and tidepooling.
- Lincoln City Glass Center – Try your hand at glassblowing or take home a colorful handmade souvenir.
Where I Like to Eat
- Blackfish Café – Locally sourced seafood and Pacific Northwest dishes served in a stylish, intimate setting.
- Kyllo’s Seafood & Grill – Oceanfront dining with fresh crab, chowder, and breathtaking views.
- Mo’s Lincoln City – Classic Oregon Coast spot for clam chowder and casual seafood in a family-friendly atmosphere.
- Wildflower Grill – Cozy cottage restaurant known for hearty breakfasts and forested views.
My favorite local events:
- Finders Keepers (Year-round) – Search for hidden blown-glass floats along the beach—yours to keep if you find one!
- Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival (June) – Giant kites, demos, and colorful sky displays on the beach.
- Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival (October) – A breezy autumn celebration with kites, crafts, and family fun.
- Art on the Edge Studio Tour (May) – Explore local art studios and meet Oregon coast creatives along the Central Coast Arts Trail.
My favorite day trips within 30 Minutes to 1 Hour of Lincoln City, Oregon:
- Depoe Bay (20–25 min) – Watch whales from shore and stroll the “world’s smallest harbor.”
- Pacific City (40 min) – Climb the giant sand dune at Cape Kiwanda or sip beer at Pelican Brewing with beach views.
- Newport (45–50 min) – Visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium, historic Yaquina Head Lighthouse, and lively bayfront shops.
- Drift Creek Falls (45 min) – Hike to a stunning waterfall and suspension bridge deep in the coastal forest.
- Otter Rock (30 min) – Surf-friendly beach town near Devil’s Punchbowl, perfect for tidepooling and sunsets.
- Salem (1 hr 15 min) – Oregon’s capital city with historic sites, wineries, and Willamette Valley charm, just inland from the coast.
Plan Your Trip