Family Trip to Seaside, Oregon: What to Do, Eat & Know Before You Go

Planning an Oregon Coast family vacation?

If you’re looking for a doable, kid-friendly destination, look no further than Seaside, Oregon!

This walkable beach town has everything we love when traveling as a family: ocean views, low-key, family-friendly eats, arcade fun, and easy access to nearby spots like Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park.

During our family trip to Seaside, we had a perfect mix of downtime and adventure—and best of all, we didn’t have to load our kids in and out of the car constantly.

Here’s everything we loved about Seaside, Oregon with kids, plus helpful tips to plan your own Oregon Coast trip.

Why Seaside Is a Great Oregon Coast Destination for Families

✅It’s one of the most walkable beach towns in Oregon—from the oceanfront Promenade to lively Broadway Street, you can explore almost everything on foot.
✅ You’re just minutes from Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park
✅ There’s plenty to do with kids—beach time, arcades, treats, and tide pools
✅ It feels fun and lively without being overwhelming

We used Seaside as our home base for exploring the coast, and it made our entire trip feel simple, relaxed, and fun.

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Where We Stayed in Seaside

We booked a vacation rental right on the Seaside Promenade, and it worked perfectly for our family of six.

We were:

• Just steps from the beach

• A short walk to restaurants, coffee shops, and the arcade

• Close enough to Cannon Beach and Ecola for quick day trips

Looking for a place to stay in Seaside?
We loved having ocean views and being right on the Promenade—it made everything walkable and easy with kids. If you’re planning a family trip, check out family-friendly Seaside vacation rentals on VRBO. Be sure to read reviews carefully to make sure the layout and location work well for your family—and to find out about any potential downsides you’d want to avoid.

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Things to Do in Seaside, Oregon with Kids

Beach Time at Low Tide

We started our mornings with beach walks during low tide, and it was always a hit. The kids searched for sand dollars and small shells, and we watched people dig for razor clams.

Mom Tip: Bring a bucket for collecting beach treasures—and dress in layers. My kids always end up getting wet, even when it’s chilly.

Stroll Broadway Street

We walked up and down Broadway Street and hit all the fun spots:

• Took photos at the Seaside Turnaround and Lewis and Clark statue

• Rode the carousel at Seaside Carousel Mall ($5 cash per ride)

• Explored Schwietert’s Cones & Candy Seaside

• Browsed plenty of souvenir shops

Funland Arcade & More

Our kids loved the Funland Arcade, which is connected to Fultano’s Pizza—a super convenient combo for dinner and play.

The arcade is large, spread out, and packed with classic games and a quirky game called Fascination (a mix between skee-ball and Bingo). I could’ve stayed there for hours!

Note: The bumper cars, Tilt-a-Whirl, and mini golf are located at a different spot in Seaside—not inside Funland. You’ll find them nearby, just a short walk away, making it easy to fit in more fun after the arcade.

Climb the Driftwood

There’s usually a collection of giant driftwood logs on the beach that kids can climb on or play around. It’s simple fun but gives them a chance to burn off energy.

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Family-Friendly Places to Eat in Seaside

We had several casual, kid-friendly meals while in Seaside. Here were some of our stops:

Beach Day Coffee

• Caramel latte for me
• Macarons for the kids (our first time trying them!)

Dundee’s Donuts

Fun stop for breakfast or a sweet treat—and a great incentive for early risers. We went every morning!

Sea Star Gelato

Delicious flavors and a must-visit for a mid-day treat—the line was out the door!

Tsunami Sandwich Company

We stopped here for lunch. The food was just okay, but it’s in a great location and convenient for a quick bite.

Fultano’s Pizza Seaside

This counter-service spot is attached to Funland Arcade, so it’s an easy dinner choice—just know what you’re getting into. After pizza, your kids will want to go play games.

Seaside Slushies & Dogs

Highly recommend!

• Footlong hot dogs with classic toppings for just $5
• Great service and fun slushie options for the kids
• Small indoor space, but we had no trouble finding a table

Sisu Brewing Company (Times Theatre)

This was such a fun and unique spot for dinner.

• It’s located inside a theater, so the kids were entertained watching a game on the big screen
• There’s even popcorn as an appetizer, which was a hit
• They do have a kids’ menu even though it’s hard to find online

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My Top Tips for Visiting Seaside with Kids

• Check the tide chart before planning your beach time

• Dress in layers—even in summer, mornings can be chilly

• Bring cash for carousel rides

• Plan for arcade time—and maybe set a budget!

• You can park once and walk to nearly everything

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Easy Day Trips from Seaside

One reason we loved staying in Seaside is how close it is to other family-friendly Oregon Coast stops:

• Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock – 15 minutes
• Ecola State Park – 15 minutes
• Astoria (including the Column & Film Museum) – 30 minutes

These day trips added even more variety to our Oregon Coast family vacation!

Is Seaside Worth Visiting on an Oregon Coast Trip with Kids?

Absolutely! Seaside felt like a place where we could relax, explore, and just enjoy time together.

Whether you’re walking the Prom, chasing sand dollars at low tide, watching your kids go wild in the arcade, or eating popcorn before dinner at a movie theater-turned-restaurant, Seaside, Oregon has that special blend of fun and doable that makes a trip with kids actually feel like a vacation.

Need Help Planning Your Oregon Coast Trip?

Grab my free Travel Itinerary Planner to keep things simple—or grab the full version for a printable vacation planner that helps you map out every stop, activity, and packing list with ease.

May you love your adventure! KW