5 FREE THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS THIS SUMMER IN SEASIDE, OREGON
Seaside has always been one of Oregon's go-to family beach towns because of its legendary promenade. There's enough going on to keep kids of every age genuinely entertained, and you don't have to spend much to have a great time here.
Whether you're visiting for a weekend or lucky enough to be living here (or thinking about it), these five experiences are free, easy, and genuinely fun for kids, and for the adults who come with them.
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Seaside's Promenade, known locally as "The Prom" runs 1.5 miles along the oceanfront, and walking it is one of those simple pleasures that never gets old. It leads directly to the beach at multiple access points. Kids can run ahead, ride bikes or scooters, stop and watch the waves, dig in the sand, splash in the surf, and fly a kite off the beach without you spending a single dollar.
The beach itself is wide and flat, some of the most beginner-friendly sand on the Oregon Coast, great for sandcastle building, beach volleyball, and summer bonfires at the end of the day. Bring blankets and firewood for the evening, gather around the fire, and roast marshmallows under the sky.
The Turnaround at the foot of Broadway is the traditional gathering point, the Lewis and Clark monument marks the end of the Corps of Discovery's journey to the Pacific, and it's a genuine piece of American history.
The Lewis & Clark salt works, about a mile south of downtown Seaside, tucked into a residential neighborhood near the beach, sits a small but genuinely fascinating piece of American history: the reconstructed salt cairn where members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition boiled seawater continuously for about six weeks in the winter of 1805 - 1806 to produce salt for preserving meat on the return journey.
It's a simple site, a small cairn, a historical marker, and the context that makes it a meaningful and important place to visit. The site is maintained by the National Park Service as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. Entry is free, and parking is available nearby.
Some advice we can give you when you visit this place is to pair this with a stop at Fort Clatsop, about 20 minutes away near Astoria, for a full Lewis and Clark afternoon. Fort Clatsop does charge an entry fee, but the Salt Works itself is always free.
This one is also free and is one of the most engaging free activities for kids anywhere on the Oregon Coast: tide pooling. The rocky areas near Seaside Cove offer some genuinely excellent tide pools. Purple sea urchins, hermit crabs, sea anemones, starfish, small fish caught in shallow pools, the variety and abundance of life in an Oregon Coast tide pool is something kids will be really excited about.
All you need is timing (a low tide chart, which is free online), good rubber boots or shoes that don't mind getting wet, and a reminder to look but not touch, the animals and plants in tide pools are living ecosystems, and leaving them undisturbed is both good practice and the respectful thing to do. It’s important to keep face to the waves and be alert for sneaker waves. Looking at the surf report and understanding the tides is an important step in staying safe.
In this one, you have to bring your own wood. Oregon beaches are public, bonfires are allowed on Seaside's beach (check current local regulations, as rules can change seasonally), and a summer evening fire on the sand with kids, it’ll be a great time with the family.
You can bring marshmallows, hot dogs, blankets, and a willingness to stay later than you planned. The sunset over the Pacific from Seaside's beach in summer, at around 8:30 - 9 pm, and it’s spectacular
The Necanicum River runs right through the middle of Seaside before emptying into the Pacific at the south end of the beach, and its banks offer a completely different, quieter outdoor experience than the oceanfront. Watch for great blue herons, ducks, and otters along the banks, and explore the Necanicum Estuary Natural Area park on the river's edge.
The estuary area is part of the broader Necanicum Estuary Natural Area, a protected wetland park that offers walking paths, wildlife observation, and a genuine sense of natural Seaside
For families staying in Seaside for several days, the river and estuary provide a calm counterpoint to the beach's energy, and kids who are interested in nature tend to find them endlessly engaging.
Seaside is one of the reasons we love what we do. It's a real community, not just a tourist destination, and the things that make it special for families visiting are the same things that make it extraordinary for families who live here.
If you've spent time in Seaside and found yourself thinking "I could live here", and want to do something about it.
→ Find out what life in Seaside actually looks like: saltairehomes.com/neighborhoods/seaside
→ Browse current Seaside homes for sale: saltairehomes.com/properties
→ Read our Seaside 2026 Market Report: saltairehomes.com/blog/is-now-a-good-time-to-buy-a-home-in-seaside-oregon-2026-market-report
→ Talk to our team: saltairehomes.com/contact
Q: What are the best free things to do in Seaside, Oregon, with kids?
A: The best free experiences for families in Seaside include walking the 1.5-mile Promenade and playing on the beach, visiting the Lewis and Clark Salt Works historic site, tide pooling at Seaside Cove at low tide, building a beach bonfire at sunset, and exploring the Necanicum River and estuary for wildlife watching and fishing.
Q: Are bonfires allowed on Seaside beach?
A: Bonfires are generally allowed on Seaside's beach, but regulations can change seasonally. Always check current rules with the City of Seaside before your visit. Bring your own dry firewood; don't collect driftwood from the beach.
Q: When is the best time to go tide pooling near Seaside?
A: Tide pooling is best at low tide, specifically at a tide level of +1.0 ft or lower. Check a tide chart or the NOAA Tides & Currents app for accurate low tide times before your visit.
Q: Is the Lewis and Clark Salt Works free to visit?
A: Yes. The Lewis and Clark Salt Works is maintained by the National Park Service as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park and is free to visit year-round. It's located about a mile south of downtown Seaside near the beach.
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