17 fun things to do in Lincoln City, Oregon
In this blog, we share 17 fun things to do in Lincoln City, Oregon! From glass float hunting to antiques and waterfall hikes, this area of the Oregon coast has it all. We also share where to stay in Lincoln City, Oregon, how to get to the coast, and where to eat when you visit!
Lincoln City is one of my favorite family-friendly destinations on the Oregon coast. With miles of sandy shoreline, a twice-a-year kite festival, and fantastic hiking and shopping, there is something for everyone! In this blog, we share 17 fun things to do in Lincoln City, Oregon. Most of the activities below are free or low cost!
This blog was written in partnership with Explore Lincoln City, but all thoughts, inclusions, and opinions are our own!
Welcome!
We’re Gwyn and Ami. Based in Spokane, Washington, we’re your guides to the Pacific Northwest and beyond!
We’re adventure travel experts, and our blog is all about helping you find the best hikes, weekend getaways, and national park adventures in the United States and abroad. You can find more on Instagram @gwynandami.
Fun things to do in Lincoln City, Oregon
With charming shops and art, good food, and miles of sandy coastline, Lincoln City Oregon really does have it all! In fact, we’ve been to Lincoln City nearly a dozen times and we still find new things to do every time we visit. We LOVE visiting this section of the coast.
See below for 17 of our favorite things to do in Lincoln City. Most of this activities are free or low-cost!
Looking for more fun and family friendly Oregon coast destination guides? Click here for more Oregon coast destination guides and itineraries!
17 best things to do in Lincoln City, Oregon
Watch artisan glassmaking at Alder House
Open May through November, Alder House is a beautiful artisan glass shop where you can watch artisans making custom glass pieces right in front of you. It’s free to visit, and we stayed for over an hour watching the artisans work! You can also commission the artisans to make you a custom piece.
Visit Mossy Creek Pottery
Just down the road from Alder House, you’ll find Mossy Creek Pottery, a beautiful gallery featuring pottery and ceramics from artists across the Pacific Northwest. Even if you’re not shopping, it’s worth stopping in to browse the collection and appreciate the craftsmanship on display.
Hike at drift creek falls
The Drift Creek Falls Trail is one of my favorite hikes on the Oregon Coast! This relatively easy 3.2 mile (round trip) hike takes you across a 240-foot long cable suspension bridge over Drift Creek Falls! You’ll get a unique birds-eye view of the beautiful waterfall with an impressive 75-foot drop. You can also hike to the bottom of the falls, but beware that the trail can get slick from the mist. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Lincoln City, Oregon, Drift Creek falls should be at the top of your bucket list!
Use this link to get 30% off AllTrails Plus ($35.99/year) and AllTrails Peak ($79.99/year), which gives you offline access to trail routes and wayfinding.
This trailhead is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, and requires a daily parking pass ($5). I recommend the NW Forest Pass, America the Beautiful pass, or a day pass that you can purchase remotely on site. You likely wont have cell service at this trailhead.
Fun fact: many social media content creators on Instagram have dubbed this the “longest suspension bridge in Oregon,” but that’s not actually true!! There are a number of longer suspension bridges in Oregon, including the St. Johns Bridge in Portland. The more you know!
Date night dinner at Hearth and Table
If you’re looking for fine dining (at an affordable pricepoint!) on the Oregon coast, plan to enjoy a date night dinner at Hearth and Table. This cozy wood fired bistro has exceptional pizzas, homemade ranch, and excellent drinks. Arrive early, as they only take walk-ins. There is a cute nextdoor store where you can browse beautiful curated kitchen items, or enjoy a drink while you wait for a table to open up.
We got the spanakopita and cheese pizzas, which were generously sized (between us, we had a few slices leftover). We also got the house special dessert which was good and beautifully presented, but the real star of the show was definitely the (pizza) pie.
Shop for coastal antiques
The Oregon coast is one of my favorite places to look for antiques! Many are coastal themed, but you’ll find a wide assortment of goodies, and Lincoln City has several wonderful stores. Our favorites include Coastal Treasures for quirky finds in a unique, old building, and the small but lovely collection at Carrousel by the Beach. If you’re looking for 90’s nostalgia clothes, head over to Better Days Vintage.
Looking for more fun and family friendly Oregon coast destination guides? Click here for more Oregon coast destination guides and itineraries!
Visit Oregon’s only UNESCO Heritage site for hiking, elk watching, and more!
Just north of Lincoln City, Cascade Head is one of the most beautiful natural areas on the Oregon Coast. Part of Oregon’s only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this scenic area offers coastal hiking, sweeping ocean views, and excellent opportunities to spot Roosevelt elk. I recommend hiking the Lower Cascade Head Trail (4.9 miles round trip) for sweeping views of the ocean and the surrounding bluffs.
Search for “Finder’s Keepers” glass floats on the Oregon Coast
Every time we go to Lincoln City we participate in their Finders Keepers program, which is a real life treasure hunt! Every day, “float faeries” hide hand-blown glass floats on the beach, and if you find one you get to keep it! It’s fun, free, and will keep you coming back to the coast year after year. We haven’t found one yet, but I know one day we will!
The floats are hidden above the high tide line and below the grass and dunes, so keep your eye out around driftwood and open sand. Floats are hidden throughout the day, and year-round.
Go hunting for agates
If you’re not having luck finding a glass float, you might have luck finding agates instead!
Agates are translucent, lustrous rocks you can find along the Oregon coast. We love looking for them! Check out this beachcomber guide for some tips for finding these beach ‘gems’. Jy biggest tip: look for areas where lots of rocks have washed up on shore.
Never turn your back on the surf!! Keep an eye out for “sneaker waves” while beachcombing, and always go with a buddy.
Enjoy tide pooling
Other parts of the Oregon coast are better known for their tide pools, but Lincoln City still has some good options! I recommend checking out the pools at Roads End Point (Roads End State Recreation Site). Make sure to check the time of low tide first, and read about tide pool tips and safety here.
Never turn your back on the surf!! Keep an eye out for “sneaker waves” while tidepooling, and always go with a buddy.
Watch glassmaking at Lincoln City Glass Center
If you’d like to get a hands-on glass blowing experience, visit the Lincoln City Glass Center. Here, you can create your own blown glass float with the help of experienced instructors. Classes are offered most days of the week, but you’ll want to reserve your spot in advance. The gallery also has a wide selection of handcrafted glass floats and other locally made glass art available for purchase.
Walk along the beach
With nearly 7 miles of sandy shoreline, one of the best things to do in Lincoln City is simply take a walk on the beach. Many beach access areas throughout the city offer free parking just steps from the sand. The beach is relatively flat and expansive, making it perfect for a stroll, flying a kite, beachcombing, or packing a picnic and enjoying the view.
Attend the Lincoln City kite Festival
One of the most iconic things to do in Lincoln City, Oregon is attend the Lincoln City Kite Festival. Held twice each year, with events in both summer and fall, the festival fills the sky with enormous colorful kites, professional demonstrations, and family-friendly activities. Some of the kites are over 30 feet long! Best of all, it’s free to attend and takes place right on the beach.
Grab an east-coaster approved bagel at Grumblefish
I grew up on the east coast in the Philly area and I have high standards for my bagels, and Grumblefish blew me away! They’re freshly made and open Wednesday – Monday. I’m a big fan of a toasted everything bagel with chive cream cheese. Arrive early before they sell out!
Browse the art at the many coastal art galleries
Lincoln City is home to a surprisingly vibrant arts community, with galleries showcasing everything from blown glass to pottery and fine art. One of our favorite stops is Freed Gallery, an elevated coastal gallery featuring beautiful work from Pacific Northwest artists. It’s a wonderful place to browse paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and other handcrafted pieces inspired by the region.
Enjoy beverages-for-all-ages at Pelican Brewing Co’s Siletz Bay location
Pelican Brewing was born on the Oregon Coast, and the Pelican brewing Co. Siletz Bay location is 100% a must-visit while in Lincoln City. The building is gorgeous, with huge windows and a deck overlooking the bay. Plus, they have excellent beer, craft sodas made in-house, and delicious food with vegetarian and vegan options!).
They don’t take reservations, so arrive early during the busy season if you want to sit quickly.
Relax by the water
Make sure to set aside some time during your trip to relax by the water! Our hotel, The Coho Oceanfront Lodge happens to sit on the ocean, so we enjoyed wine and tea from their deck chairs. And we stayed warm and cozy with their gas-powered firepits. Bring layers and blankets for the best time, as the coast can be chilly! You can also have fires on the beach. See the rules for beach fires here.
Attend the Lincoln Sunday Market for art, produce, coffee, and more!
Running May through October, the Lincoln City Sunday Market is a must-visit. The vibe is craft fair meets farmers market, with produce, art, and plenty of good food (including coffee, donuts, pastries, and more!). Dog and family friendly.
Where to stay, what to eat, and how to get to Lincoln City, Oregon
Below, I share where to stay in Lincoln City, and what to eat when you visit. I also share tips on how to get there (we flew from Spokane to Portland and then drove to the coast), and what time of year to visit!
Where to stay in Lincoln City, Oregon
On our most recent trip (fall 2026), we stayed at The Coho Oceanfront Lodge is a cozy beachside hotel that offers free breakfast, ocean views, and a variety of rooms for just about any need. They have family friendly accommodations and basic rooms, as well as more romantic suites (ours had a big soaking tub and cozy fireplace).
My favorite part of our stay were the grounds, which overlook the ocean. There’s a large grassy patio with lawn chairs and gas firepits. It’s the perfect place to relax with some wine or tea.
Where to eat in Lincoln City, Oregon
Lincoln City has no shortage of great food, but a few spots stand out as must-visits. For breakfast, head to Grumblefish Bagels, where you’ll find fresh, house-made bagels that are honestly some of the best I’ve had anywhere on the West Coast. Arrive early because they do sell out! Another local favorite is Otis Cafe, famous for its platter-sized sourdough pancakes and “The Original” German potatoes, which are house-made fluffy hashbrowns smothered in Tillamook Cheese. We also love Salt for their coffee.
For lunch or dinner, you can’t beat Pelican Brewing’s Siletz Bay location. The beer is fantastic, and the waterfront setting right on the bay is stunning. I recommend asking for a seat by the windows or on the deck. If you’re looking for a date night spot, don’t miss Hearth & Table, a wood-fired bistro serving excellent pizzas, creative seasonal dishes, and some of the best homemade ranch I’ve ever had.
What time of year to visit Lincoln City and the Oregon coast
Take it from me, a former state park ranger stationed on the Oregon coast: the Oregon coast is great to visit ANY time of year!
Lincoln City, in particular, is great for fall because inland hikes like Drift Creek Falls have lovely seasonal colors, and there is a late September kite festival that’s fun to attend. In winter you’ll benefit from off-season pricing, fewer crowds, and moody weather. This is also the best time for agate hunting on the Oregon coast! Spring brings whale migration, flowers, and mild weather.
Finally, summer is the peak visitation season on the coast! You’ll enjoy the warmest weather (perfect for cool-but-not-cold beach days!), and more sun. But you’ll also encounter higher prices and more crowds, especially on weekends.
How to get to Lincoln City and the Oregon coast
Lincoln City is just a two hour drive from Portland, Oregon (PDX), making this a great spot for a regional getaway! We flew in from Spokane, Washington (GEG), which took less than an hour. We got a rental car, and then made the short two hour drive to the coast. If you’re flying into Portland, Alaska Airlines has a strong presence in the region. You can look for flights here.
Need a rental car to get around? We find that booking.com usually has the best prices on rental cars.
More epic Oregon adventures
Looking for more fun things to do in Oregon? See below for a few suggestions! And don’t miss our other destination guides to the Oregon coast!
