10 Fun Things to Do in Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast

Visit the Connie Hansen Garden Conservancy

Open daily from dawn till dusk all year except during the winter months, the Connie Hansen Garden Conservancy is a beautiful place to take a breather. Free and open to the public—although donations are accepted to help keep things going—the 1-acre green space was a passion project of retired Lincoln City resident Constance Hansen, who took up gardening as a hobby for 20 years. Go for a relaxing stroll through the garden's pathways, lined with hundreds of rhododendrons of all shapes, colors, and sizes, and all manner of flora and fauna native to this part of Oregon, including magnolia, maple, Sitka spruce, and dogwood trees.

Try Your Luck at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort

For top-notch entertainment, including touring acts, comedians, and events like the Ultimate Fighting Championship tournaments, head to the Chinook Winds Casino Resort, a 157,000-square-foot resort that boasts more than 1,200 slot machines and table games. The casino itself is open 24 hours per day, while the property hosts several restaurants, lounges, and cafes, as well as a steakhouse, golf course, fitness center, playground, game room, and hotel in case you want to make a long weekend of it.

Hit the Beach

Lincoln City's miles of sandy beaches are its primary attraction, with kite flying, beach combing, shellfishing, whale watching, and tide pooling all being popular activities here, as well as walking along the sand and watching the waves roll in. Some hardy souls even surf. 

Roads End State Recreation Area, located at the northern edge of the city limits, has limited facilities but offers wide open beach access. Other great spots include the "D" River State Wayside, where the river and ocean meet, and Josephine Young Memorial Park, which has picnic areas, bay access, and wooded areas. The former is also a hotspot for kite flying events.

Take a Hike

The many forests, lakes, rivers, and creeks around Lincoln City provide beautiful terrain for hiking along nature trails. Cascade Head is home to two different Nature Conservancy trails, each rich in wildlife and wildflowers, while the Drift Creek Falls trail in Siuslaw National Forest passes through lush rainforests and makes you cross a suspension bridge, where you'll be rewarded with fantastic waterfall views. For a more leisurely hike, try the Cutler City Nature trail, a one-mile track that passes through woods and wetlands, or the Hebo Lake Loop Trail, also in Siuslaw National Forest, a family-friendly, less-than-one-mile track that circles the lake.

Go Boating or Paddling on Devil's Lake

Devil's Lake provides a wealth of water recreation opportunities, from motor boating and water skiing to canoeing and kayaking. On Devil's Lake, boat launches are located near the campground on the northern side and at the East Devil's Lake day-use park. Paddlers, meanwhile, can enjoy a guided trip at Siletz Bay, a national wildlife refuge.

Try Your Hand at Glass Blowing

Glass art is a significant pastime in the Northwest, and Oregon Coast communities have embraced the colorful art form wholeheartedly—many local glassblowers will even let you watch or join in through a hands-on class or workshop. 

You can find the work of glass-blowing artists at Lincoln City Glass Center, the Sears Glass Art Studio, Alderhouse Glass, and Mor Art Glass. And if you happen to spot a blown-glass floating sphere along the shoreline while you're walking along the Oregon coast, then that "Finders Keepers" artist-signed and numbered piece of art is yours to keep. More than 3,000 of them are dropped in the area between mid-October and Memorial Day.

Do Some Tax-Free Shopping

Do you know the great thing about shopping in Lincoln City? Like the rest of Oregon, there is no sales tax. Charming local boutiques, candy stores, and gift shops can be found up and down Highway 101, while bargain and deal hunters will love exploring the stores at the Lincoln City Outlets, which include Coach, Old Navy, and Bath & Body Works, among other well-known brands. 

You can also go shopping for local goodies at the Lincoln City Farmers and Crafters Market. Held on Sunday all year long, this farmer's market offers locally-grown produce, baked goods, prepared foods, and a wealth of handcrafted items—it's typically held indoors at the Lincoln City Cultural Center during the colder months and moves outdoors when it's warmer. Live entertainment and food are also a fun part of this Sunday market experience.

Feast on Fresh Seafood While Overlooking Siletz Bay

Fresh seafood and Pacific Northwest cuisine are an essential part of any Oregon Coast experience. Feast on clam chowder and other delicious seafood items at Mo's Restaurant, and you'll quickly understand why the former is a favorite up and down the Oregon coast. The Lincoln City location overlooks the bay, offering gorgeous views while you enjoy clams, crab, cod, shrimp, and oyster dishes of all kinds.

Attend a Festival

Starting in the spring and throughout the summer months, Lincoln City hosts several festivals featuring kites, fireworks, and sandcastles. Plan your visit around the Summer Kite Festival, a two-day kite flying festival in June featuring kite making, competitions, and kite performances, or the ever-impressive Lincoln City Sand Castle Competition, held in August at Siletz Bay. Foodie types will love the Chowder and Brewfest in September, a celebration of Oregon Coast comfort foods and signature craft beers made by regional breweries, complete with live entertainment and games.

Raise a Glass at McMenamins Lighthouse Brewpub

Tuck into an ice-cold pint and a piping hot bowl of clam chowder at Lincoln City's McMenamins Lighthouse Brewpub, an Oregon staple. McMenamins serves its own selection of locally-brewed beer, including Cascade Head, a pale ale named after Lincoln Head's wildlife preserve.