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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Oceanfront Seaside a good fit for families

Mike Brodwater Correspondent

Seaside, Oregon, is a place you can enjoy all year –rain or shine.

The town has been hosting ocean-loving visitors for more than a century, and it’s no wonder. In town – or close by – there are pristine beaches, seafood restaurants, an aquarium, Lewis and Clark historic sites, indoor and outdoor children’s activities, museums, hiking, and a promenade to stroll.

Visit Seaside in the winter and find fewer people, lower rates and the chance to experience a winter storm.

The beach

The beach is the prime reason to visit any ocean front resort town in Oregon. The feel of walking through the sand, the distinctive salty taste and smell of the wind, the roar of the breaking waves.

There are no private ocean beaches in Oregon. Cars are permitted to drive in most areas. The beach at Seaside is made for families. Wood fires are allowed – can you say smores? The beach has a swing set up right off the main downtown thoroughfare. Along with the usual beach-combing collectables, sand dollars are often found. (Hint: when you get home and a terrible smell invades your car look for old but treasured sand dollars between the seats.) Seaside’s beach is perfect for kite flying and sandcastles.

Promenade

Definition: A public place for walking especially along a beach or a walk taken in a public place for pleasure.

It is a tradition at Seaside to walk to the 1 1/2-mile promenade just about sunset and admire the sun as it falls below the ocean’s horizon. The promenade is lit at night for that romantic-hand holding stroll.

Take the promenade to a Lewis Clark historic site where some of the expedition’s men boiled ocean water to produce salt. The salt was used to preserve meat for the long journey back home.

Aquarium

Also along the promenade: The Seaside Aquarium, the oldest on the coast. The modest building displays provide exhibits of what is living in the ocean. You will never be able to see seals as close as at this place and even feed them. Yes, you can even smell their breath. The displays may be limited but they are well done and worth your time.

Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6-13, $6.75 for seniors, free for children 5 and younger. For information, visit www.seasideaquarium.com.

Funland

When you’re ready for some indoor fun, head to Funland. The arcade boast more than 100 games, including .Air Hockey, Dirty Driving and pinball machines. Some of these games go way back.

Fascination is a game you may not recognize, but give it go with the whole family. The promo is “Fun for all, tall and small, all you do is roll the ball.” Across the street are bumper cars and a shopping mall with a central carousel.

Funland is at 201 Broadway St. Games start at 25 cents. Visit www.funlandseaside.com for more information.

Nearby

Seaside is nearby to Fort Stevens State Park, where the remains of a 1906 shipped wrecked ship is still on the beach; Fort Clatsop National Park where the Lewis and Clark party spent the 1805-06 winter; Tillamook Cheese Factory and more sights including the town of Astoria.