By Caroline Tamer
Lincoln City, Oregon overlooks the Pacific Ocean on the central Oregon coast and boasts seven miles of warm, welcoming
beaches perfect for beachcombing, whale watching, kite flying, fishing and surfing. Though considered a small town, it offers endless recreational and artistic opportunities and miles of beautiful scenery. The forests, beaches and marshes around Lincoln City are home to a large population of wildlife.
Chinook Winds Casino
Located right on the beach, the 157,000-square-foot Chinook Winds Casino resort is a Las Vegas-style casino with more than 1,200 slot machines, keno, blackjack, poker, roulette, craps and bingo. The Concerts by the Sea showroom features headline acts monthly, while the six on site restaurants offer a variety of menus and price points. Parents can safely drop their kids at the Play Palace for up to four hours of supervised childcare.
Chinook Winds Casino Resort
1777 NW 44th Street
Lincoln City, OR 97367-5094
Tel: (541) 996-5825
www.chinookwindscasino.com
Alderhouse Glassblowing Studio
Visit the oldest glassblowing studio in Oregon and watch the masters of the ancient art turn molten glass into vases, glass floats, witch balls and bowls-also available for sale. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the artisans and touch the merchandise to experience the various textures.
Alderhouse Glassblowing Studio
611 Immonen Road
Lincoln City, OR 97367
Tel: (541) 994-6485
www.alderhouse.com
Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center
Thousands flock to the Oregon coast to watch the Pacific Gray and Humpback Whales as they migrate to and from the waters off of Alaska and Mexico. Visitors will find information and viewing help at the Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center. The Center includes exhibits on the history and behaviors of whales and a free theater showing whale movies. It is located on U.S. 101 along the seawall in scenic Depoe Bay, about 10 miles from Lincoln City.
Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center
119 SW Hwy 101
Depoe Bay, OR 97341
Tel: (541) 765-3304
www.whalespoken.org
Connie Hansen Garden
Open dawn to dusk everyday, the Connie Hansen Garden is a lush, urban, coastal garden that has been featured in national magazines. Developed between 1973 and 1973 by Constance Hansen, a collector and respected botanist, it has been lovingly maintained and filled with picturesque paths that wind around a showcase of more than 300 varieties of rhododendrons, as well as irises, azaleas, primroses and hardy perennials.
Connie Hansen Garden
1931 NW 33rd Street
Lincoln City, OR 97361
Tel: (541) 994-6338
www.conniehansengarden.com
Tanger Outlets
Head to Tanger Outlets, with over 65 top brand-name factory outlets, for a fun-filled day of shopping where there is something for everyone. Aeropostale, Gap, Nike, Harry & David and Carter's are among the popular outlets open for business.
Tanger Outlets
1500 SE East Devils Lake Road
Lincoln City, OR 97367
Tel: (541) 996-5000
www.tangeroutlet.com/lincolncity
Fall Kite Festival
More than 20,000 people come to view the Fall Kite Festival-an annual colorful beach parade filled with displays and competitions.
Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival
www.oregoncoast.org/kite-festival/kites-fall.php
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Located in neighboring Newport but worth the short trip, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is considered to be the foremost coastal aquarium in the world. At one time it was the home of Keiko, the Killer Whale, who made his film debut in the movie, "Free Willy." Passages of the Deep, which boasts acrylic tunnels surrounded by several feet of sea water, is a unique, popular attraction. Visitors feel as if they are walking into the open ocean and are able to come face to face with large sharks, rockfish and bat rays swimming above and below.
Oregon Coast Aquarium
2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd
Newport, OR 97365
Tel: (541) 867-3474
www.aquarium.org
Resources
About the Author:
Caroline Tamer has more than 20 years of experience in the communications industry. Her work has been published in national magazines and local newspapers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
