20 Best Things to Do in Lincoln City, Oregon

© oregoncoast.org

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

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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

© Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

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. Next read: Oregon beaches

725 Summer Street NE # C, Salem, Oregon 97301, Phone: 503-986-0707

 

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

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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

© North Lincoln County Historical Museum

The North Lincoln County 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

© Lincoln City Farmers and Crafters Market

The Lincoln City Farmers and Crafters Market is a local market held at the Lincoln City Cultural Center every weekend where local farmers, producers, artisans, and craftspeople display and sell their wares. A wide variety of locally grown, sourced or handmade goods are sold here, ranging from flowers, fruit, food and vegetables to delicious baked goods, homemade honey, sweet treats and beverages. Arts and crafts products include clothing, jewelry, ceramics, and artworks. The market is held year round, moving indoors and outdoors with the changing seasons, and offers a selection of live entertainment featuring local artists and musicians throughout the year.

7755 US Hwy 101, Gleneden Beach, OR 97388, Phone: 541-921-0062

More vacation ideas: Best Romantic Weekend Getaways in Oregon, Places to Visit in Oregon

© 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

© Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

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. Things to Do in Oregon

© 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

© Bijou Theatre

The historic Bijou Theatre was built in 1937, when it was known as the Lakeside Theatre. The fabulous old building has been providing film buffs with a wonderful choice of feature films, first runs, timeless classics and more for almost 100 years and is still as popular as it always was. After a major renovation in 2017, patrons can now look forward to more comfortable seats and a full digital movie experience. If you are not sure which movie to come and see you can visit their website to watch the trailers of current movies. Patrons can order food to be delivered to their seats and craft beers and other beverages are available in the foyer.

1624 NE Hwy 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367, 541 994 8255

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Mossy Creek Pottery is your go-to store for one-of-a-kind household décor items and beautiful giftware. The store is nestled within 6 acres of beautiful wooded spruce and hemlock forests, where it showcases the work of 40 talented northwest ceramic artists, each of whom brings their personal touch to the gallery. The beautiful wares on display are both decorative and functional and include a large selection of beautiful bowls, mugs, utensil holders and vases. Purely decorative pieces include pretty coasters, ornaments, and pendants. You can depend on finding something special here to suit all tastes and budgets.

483 S. Immonden Rd, Lincoln City, OR 97367, 541 996 2415

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The Drift Creek (or Bear Creek) covered bridge was built in 1914, to span the Drift Creek and to facilitate traffic over the creek. The bridge was constructed out of wood, and is considered to be the oldest covered bridge of its kind in the state. Over several decades, the bridge was subjected to wet coastal weather which eventually rotted away sections of the wood. Eventually, in 1997, it was declared dangerous and was condemned. Due to the efforts of the local community who launched fund-raising efforts to save the bridge, it was eventually moved to its current resting place on top of a concrete bridge over the Bear Creek.

Drift Creek Covered Bridge, Highway 18, Lincoln City, OR 97385

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Encompassing acres of estuarine habitat along the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, the Siletz Bay Wildlife Refuge boasts mud flats, salt marsh, sloughs and forests, all of which offer food and shelter for dozens of species of shore birds, waders and ducks. Visitors come from all around the area to hike the Alder Island Nature Trail, paddle a canoe or kayak along the pristine waterways or try their hand at salmon fishing from the banks. Non-motorized boats are allowed – there is a boat launch alongside the parking area. Birders can depend on getting some great wildlife photos, especially in spring when resident bird numbers are substantially increased by migrating birds.

Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Lincoln City, OR 97367, 541 867 4550

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An often-overlooked neighborhood of Lincoln City, Nelscott District should definitely feature on your Lincoln City itinerary. Quaint beach cottages line the beaches and there is a definite laid-back and relaxed atmosphere. You can easily access the beach for some of the best surfing in the area and the ZuhG Surf shop has all the kit you need for a day on the waves. If you are in the mood for some great food you have also come to the right place, with several restaurants vying for your patronage. The Black Squid Beer House is rumored to serve the best craft beers on the Oregon Coast and the children will love visiting the Christmas Cottage where it’s Christmas all year round.

Nelscott District, Lincoln City, OR 97367

© Scout Northwest Trading Company

If you are in need of the right kit for your Oregon adventure, the Scout Northwest Trading Company is the place to go. The store stocks a wide range of outdoor clothing including tees, pants, jackets and other must-haves. In addition, you can also stock up on outdoor adventure necessities like binoculars, all-purpose tools and knives and first-aid articles to keep you safe in the great outdoors. This unique store also carries a range of home essentials like hand-made soaps, aromatherapy candles, incense bricks, teas, coffees and more. They also offer axe and knife throwing, one of the leading recreational trends – bring you friends and enjoy something really different.

Scout Northwest Trading Company, 1500 SE East Devil’s Lake Road, Lincoln City, OR 97367, 541 418 5305

© The Chocolate Frog

The Chocolate Frog is on a mission to bring happiness to the world through chocolate and other decadent candies. Using imported Swiss and Belgian chocolate, the team at the Chocolate Frog hand-made their delicious chocolates from scratch every day. However, not content with just producing the best chocolates and candies in Oregon, they also know that everyone loves to try something new and unique. To this end they carry a wide variety of candies from other small-batch local artisans as well as a range of imported chocolates and candies from all over the world. Taste, quality and cost lie at the heart of their business. You are invited to drop by and explore or shop online.

The Chocolate Frog, 3521 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367, 541 614 1243

© Game Over Arcade

Catering to the needs of gamers of all ages, Game Over Arcade is a popular meeting place in Lincoln City. The arcade boasts more than 100 arcade games including the latest releases (like Terminator Salvation and Big Buck HD) as well as all your vintage classics like Donkey Kong, Mario Bros and Pacman. While the younger members of the family play the arcade, parents can enjoy watching their favorite teams in action on the big screen in the Sports Bar. Game Over is ideal for birthday parties too – book a private party and bring your friends access to all the games and much more.

Game Over Arcade, 2821 NW Hwy 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367, 541 614 1150

© Kyllo's Seafood and Grill

Since 1984 Kyllo’s at the Beach has been treating Lincoln City residents to excellent fresh seafood and great grills at their beachfront venue. As you watch the waves roll in you can choose from a very wide selection of succulent fresh seafood - think oysters done 4 ways, clam chowder, Dungeness crab prepared in several ways and much more. However, there are even more choices when it comes to their other fare which includes salads, wood oven pizza, burgers, tacos, and pasta. Only the freshest and best quality fish, seafood, steaks and ribs make it onto the grill and onto your plate. Enjoy cocktails, wines or beer on the side.

Kyllo’s Seafood and Grill, 1110 NW 1st CT, Lincoln City, OR 97367, 541 994 3179