Seaside’s storied past is part of its charm. From heritage buildings that tell of the city’s past to sites connected with the Lewis & Clark Expedition, here are some places that helped shape Seaside as we know it.

Lewis & Clark Expedition Sites

Members of the Corps of Discovery expedition — including Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and Sacagawea — famously spent the winter of 1805–06 at Fort Clatsop, just north of Seaside, but many historic sites related to their famous expedition are right in the heart of Seaside.

Salt may not be high on the list for most travelers’ packs nowadays, but it was crucial for 19th-century voyagers who had to preserve meat. At The Lewis & Clark Salt Works on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — just off the Promenade on the south side of Seaside — the crew spent many weeks boiling saltwater to extract salt. Take a look at the re-created boiler in a tiny park or watch volunteers undertake the process during the annual Lewis & Clark Saltmakers event, which typically takes place in September. 

Other must-sees include the End of the Trail Statue at the Turnaround, which depicts the two explorers, and North Gateway Park, where members of the expedition were generously hosted by members of the Clatsop Nation. Tillamook Head is another must-visit — and a great place for an invigorating hike. It was here that William Clark, Sacagawea and several members of the Corps saw stunning ocean vistas en route to view a beached whale near what’s now Cannon Beach.

History and a Historic Jail 

To learn more about Seaside’s history, head to the Seaside Museum and Historical Society, a nonprofit museum dedicated to protecting and preserving the past. Collection highlights cover topics ranging from Indigenous history to the Lewis and Clark expedition, along with plenty of interesting artifacts about Seaside’s urban development. Don’t miss the Butterfield Cottage, which was built by a Portland jeweler in 1893 and served as a vacation home before eventually being moved to the current museum grounds in 1984, where it was restored and transformed for public viewing.

If you like your history served with a pint, head to the Seaside Brewery, located in a building that was once both the old city jail and Seaside’s City Hall. Construction started in 1912, soon after a fire decimated much of Seaside’s historic Gilbert District. When the brewery took over the building, the owners fittingly decided to build the bar around the jail cell that was once used as a “drunk tank,” relying almost entirely on locally reclaimed wood and other materials to bring new life to what has since become one of Seaside’s best spots for a brew and a bite. Come on the last Thursday of the month between September and May to attend a History & Hops lecture, co-produced with the Seaside Museum.

Old-Timey Dance Hall and Candy Shop

Families love the Seaside Carousel Mall because of its whimsical merry-go-round, but most visitors aren’t aware that this popular spot stands on what was once Seaside’s most happening spot to go dancing. It was here that the Bungalow Dance Hall stood from 1920 until the 1940s. During its relatively short lifespan, the venue hosted all sorts of internationally renowned big band stars, including Duke Ellington, Bing Crosby and Glenn Miller. And Seaside’s music history doesn’t stop there. Legend has it that beloved Oregon band the Kingsmen, famous for their catchy cover of Richard Berry’s “Louie Louie,” first heard the tune on the jukebox at Seaside’s popular Pypo Club. Seaside’s oldest continually run business, Phillips Candies has been bringing sweetness to Seaside for generations. Established in 1897 and owned by the same family since 1936, this beloved spot on bustling Broadway Street crafts colorful saltwater taffy in a wide range of colors and flavors from peppermint to peanut butter — and it even has a taffy puller dating to 1923. While taffy might be the star of the show here, the confectioner offers tons of other sweet treats for sale, including gummy candies, caramel corn and Phillips’ own chocolates.