Josh Heineman, Author at Seaside Oregon

Don’t let a little bit of rain keep you away — the winters are magical in Seaside, and some consider it the most wonderful time of the year to visit. Accommodations are more affordable than during the high season, the restaurants rarely need reservations, and the epic winter storms encourage you to cozy up by a fire and soak in all that Seaside has to offer. Pack your rain jacket and layer up so you can also catch and enjoy sunbreaks. Check out these nine great things to do during the cooler months.

1. Celebrate at Seaside’s Spirited Holiday Events

Yuletide in Seaside kicks off Thanksgiving weekend and runs through December, featuring a community tree lighting, a proper holiday tea, a local gift fair, plenty of Santa sightings and the annual Parade of Lights. For holiday gifts, point your sleigh toward Tipton’s, where it’s Christmas year-round, and Tis the Season for festive toys.

2. Try the Best Restaurants, Minus the Wait List
Winter is the perfect time to explore Seaside’s culinary scene, with places to visit on the North Coast Food Trail and beyond. Dooger’s Seafood & Grill is the place for clam chowder topped with butter and a sprinkle of paprika, or grab a spot on the heated patio of Finn’s Fish House for fresh Willapa Bay oysters. The Stand serves killer enchiladas with house-made salsa verde, or try the new Phởholic for Vietnamese noodle soup that hits the spot on a cold day.

3. Savor the Local Wine and Beer Scene

If you missed Seaside’s Fall Wine Walk in early November, don’t worry. Many of the bottle shops are led by specialists who can recommend an in-house pour or a bottle to take back to your hotel. Hop & Vine has an impressive selection of locally brewed beer and Oregon wines, plus light bites and comfy bar seats; check out The Wine and Beer Haus for over 500 hard-to-find wines, plus football and hot dogs.

4. Stroll Along the Prom on a Stormy Day

Seaside’s wind-whipped waves are a sight to behold in the winter. First pick up a pair of Ilse Jacobsen waterproof rain boots and a matching rain jacket at C&R Mercantile — and don’t forget to properly outfit your pup at Beach Puppy. Next get a hot milk tea with brown-sugar bobas from the Tea Artist, and hit the 1.5-mile Prom for an epic storm-watching stroll.

5. Watch the Surfers at the Cove

Big waves mean winter is Seaside’s peak surfing season. Pack your binoculars, drive through Surf Squatch Espresso & Grindz or Brew 22 Coffee for a delicious coffee specialty, and then park at the Cove, on the south side of town. There, you can watch the area’s best surfers brave the waves from your warm car.

6. Buy a Book and Read by the Fire

If the cold makes you want to curl up by your hotel-room fireplace with a good book, you’re in luck. Find a bestseller or that new memoir you’ve been anticipating at Beach Books, pick up takeout at Yellow Curry Cozy Thai down the street, and then head back to your hotel for an afternoon of reading and watching the rain.

7. Browse Seaside’s Downtown and Outlet Shops

Broadway is lined with shops in Seaside’s perfectly walkable downtown. Bliss is your go-to for elevated home goods, and Crafted in Seaside offers unique handmade keepsakes and attire. Search for the perfect souvenir at several shops in the indoor Seaside Carousel Mall — yes, with a real carousel — and then hit the Seaside Outlets for bargains from brands like Nike and Pendleton.

8. Hunt for Antique and Vintage Treasures

Downtown’s sprawling Seaside Antique Mall is ideal on a rainy afternoon, with 95 vendors selling everything from midcentury-modern furniture to vintage jewelry. Cottage and Castle Antiques is an off-the-beaten-path gem filled with meticulously collected glassware and art. If you’re in the mood to thrift, check out the colorful vintage kitchenware at Crystal’s Deals.

9. Play Seaside’s Family-Friendly ClassicsRound up the crew for old-school pinball, Skee-Ball and next-gen arcade games at the iconic Funland Arcade, then ride the vintage Bumper Cars and Tilt-A-Whirl, and enjoy a hand-dipped Pronto Pup corn dog across the street. Seaside Laser Tag & Arcade in the Carousel Mall is sure to receive a big thumbs-up from your kiddos, too.

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