Skip to content

Seaside Stories

Feel Like A Kid Again

August 23, 2019 | by Shellie Bailey-Shah

Go ahead — take a vacation from adulthood with a trip to Seaside. We give you permission to feel like a kid again. Forgot how? Here are some ideas. 

 

Ride a Big Wheel

Remember what it was like when your parents let you take off on a bike ride by yourself for the very first time? Recapture that sense of freedom by renting a bike or a multi-person surrey at Wheel Fun Rentals (321 S. Holladay Dr. and 153 Ave. A) or the Prom Bike Shop (622 12th Ave.). Or if you’re really going to embrace your childhood memories, rent a “Funcycle” for the beach. It’s like a Big Wheel for adults.

 

Blow some quarters

Grab that change you’ve been saving in a jar and head to Funland Seaside Arcade (201 Broadway St.). In addition to arcade games, it’s home to one of the only remaining Fascination parlors — think skee ball meets bingo. You earn tickets and can redeem them for prizes.

 

Take an old-school spin

Head across the street to Interstate Amusement (110 Broadway St.) and climb into a vintage bumper car. Where else can you hit another car on purpose and not get a ticket? Or take a spin in a go-kart at Captain Kid Amusement Park (2735 S. Roosevelt Dr.).

 

Go ‘round and ‘round

Admittedly, our days of head-spinning rides are over. But if you’re not there yet, climb on the Tilt-a-Whirl at Interstate Amusement or the classic carousel inside the Seaside Carousel Mall (300 Broadway St.).

 

High-tech tag

If you’re looking for more high-tech fun, step into the multi-story arena at Seaside Laser Tag & Arcade inside the Carousel Mall. It’s certainly not like the tag you used to play on the school yard.

 

Eat like a kid

No judgement here. Grab yourself a corndog at The Original Pronto Pup (110 Broadway St.). What are we saying? Grab two! Top off with something sweet at Zinger’s Homemade Ice Cream (210 Broadway St.), where you can order a simple scoop or a fancy sundae, complete with homemade hot fudge, marionberry and caramel sauce. 

 

Feel like a kid in a candy store

Yes, literally. You’re going to need snacks for the ride home, right? There’s no shortage of shops for those with a sweet tooth: Seaside Candyman (21 N. Columbia St.), Philips Candies (217 Broadway St.), Rascals (320 Broadway St.) and Schwietert’s Cones & Candy (406 Broadway St.).

 

Say hello to the sea life

Find sea stars, sea anemones and hermit crabs at low tide. The best spot to look? Try “The Cove” on the far south side of the beach near Tillamook Head. Here you don’t want to touch or disturb the creatures. However, if you head over to the Seaside Aquarium (200 N. Promenade), you can get hands-on at its touch tank. And make sure to say hello to the boisterous family of seals.

 

Build a sandcastle & campfire

Of course, you’ll need to kick off your shoes and spend some time on the beach. Try your hand at sandcastle construction. Then when the sun starts to go down, head over to the Seashore Inn (60 N. Promenade) to pick up a fire kit (wood, kindling, newspaper and matches). Don’t forget the s’mores fixings. The inn sells those, too. Do your part to keep the Coast safe and beautiful for everyone and brush up on campfire safety before you go.

 

and so much more!

Gone Fishin’

You know you’re in Seaside when . . . this sentence can be completed in numerous ways. Today I’ll finish it with: . . . you see a guy walking down the road in tall rubber boots, fishing pole in one hand, long silvery fish dangling from the other.

Learn More
A Weekend of Discoveries

Last weekend I went to the Pouring at the Coast Event with my boyfriend, and had the best time! We were given souvenir glasses to use during the event (and they had rinse stations to keep your glass clean between tastings). We tried craft beers from every brewery, and I discovered I really enjoy the dark beers

Learn More
Honeymooning in Seaside

Part of the fun of planning a wedding is also planning the honeymoon (and I’ve been collecting ideas for both)! Many couples dream of the ideal honeymoon location, and on the top of their list should be Seaside! Sand, sea, and surf, along with amazing places to stay, eat, and be merry.

Learn More
How to Treasure Seaside

Learn why one family uncovers more reasons to love Seaside each time they visit. After 40 years of coming to Seaside, there are st...

Learn More
Beach Campfires – Under a Dome of Stars

A longstanding tradition is alive and well in Seaside

Learn More
Top Take-Out Spots in Seaside

Maybe you need a quick breakfast to fuel your day’s adventure? Or you’re hungry for dinner but too tired to venture out of you...

Learn More
Making Seaside Beautiful: Gardens

Seeking help on starting a garden plot sent me in search of Pam Fleming, whose reputation as a resource on Seaside’s Gardens was a bit understated as I was to discover. I met her at the Grand Opening of Back Alley Gardens (find by walking through Natural Nook Florists 734 Broadway).

Learn More
Beach Access for Everyone

Beach Wheelchair Access is Growing on the Coast Seaside is proud to be among a small number of coastal towns in Oregon to offer fr...

Learn More
A Year in Seaside – Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall Tips

While Seaside is an enduring summertime destination, our beach town increasingly draws visitors to its sandy shores throughout the...

Learn More
After the Storm

A look at a storm from the early 1900s in Seaside

Learn More
Seaside Is Your Whale-Watching Home Base

Want to see whales on the Oregon Coast? There’s no better home base than Seaside. Set yourself up in cozy beachfront lodgings, s...

Learn More
Seaside: More Than Just a Resort Town

Seaside is also a community of hard-working professionals

Learn More
Top Things to Do With Young Kids

Seaside has long been a favorite family retreat, but it’s an especially good choice for families with young children. Why? Becau...

Learn More
Burgers and a beer at U Street Pub & Eatery
Big Burgers You’ll Want to Brag About

Seaside is, of course, known for its fresh seafood. Dozens of restaurants have clam chowders and local razor clams on the menu. Bu...

Learn More
Eat Your Way along the North Coast

Seaside is now the starting point for the self-guided North Coast Food Trail that travels south to Neskowin and includes more than...

Learn More
Feel Like A Kid Again

Go ahead — take a vacation from adulthood with a trip to Seaside. We give you permission to feel like a kid again. Forgot how? H...

Learn More
A Glimpse of the Turnaround: Circa 1940

Seaside's classic turnaround circa 1940.

Learn More