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There are things to do around every corner on the Long Beach Peninsula, but here’s a list of our favorite picks.
1. Savor some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste.
The Long Beach Peninsula is chock full of acclaimed restaurants serving up outstandingly fresh Pacific Northwest seafood, including Willapa Bay oysters, Dungeness crab and Chinook salmon. Try the mouthwatering crab roll at Captain Bob’s Chowder in Long Beach; or go for the Captain’s Platter at OleBob’s Seafood and Gallery in Ilwaco, a generous portion of fried cod, oysters, scallops and prawns.
Local chefs also specialize in dishes using other super-fresh ingredients harvested on the peninsula, including more than 20 varieties of mushrooms, cranberries and an assortment of greens. Discover more delicious restaurants.
2. Connect with your inner beach bum.
One of the most cherished Washington beaches, the Long Beach Peninsula’s 28-mile stretch of sandy paradise attracts horseback and bicycle riders, sand-castle builders and wave watchers. Several beach entry points are available along the peninsula’s entire western coast, including access from the cities of Long Beach, Seaview, Ocean Park and Oysterville. Catch a sunset for a truly unforgettable experience.
3. Let the kids loose at Funland Arcade.
With old-fashioned pinball, laser tag and much more, Funland Arcade offers hours of entertainment. Located on the city of Long Beach’s picturesque main drag, the arcade is within walking distance of other kid-friendly fun, like The World Kite Museum and classic carnival rides, including a carousel, bumper cars and go-carts.
4. View two functioning lighthouses at Cape Disappointment State Park.
North Head Lighthouse illuminates the way for ships approaching from the north, while Cape Disappointment Lighthouse in Ilwaco guides sailors into the mouth of the Columbia River from the south. The oldest functioning lighthouse on the West Coast, black-and-white-striped Cape Disappointment has complemented the park’s dreamy seascape since 1856.
If you’re curious, English explorer John Meares named Cape Disappointment after his failure to discover the Columbia River in 1788. With a diverse landscape that includes old-growth forest and ocean beaches and opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping and much more, the state park and its cape are far from disappointing.
5. Celebrate one of Long Beach’s most cherished traditions at the historic Razor Clam Festival.
Razor-clam-digging lessons, chowder tasting and a clam-fritter cook-off in the world’s largest frying pan are just a few happenings at Long Beach’s most iconic annual festival, a tradition established in 1940. Find more festivals and events on the Long Beach Peninsula.
6. Immerse yourself in southwestern Washington history.
Long Beach Peninsula museums supply insight into the area’s rich history and heritage. Admire more than 1,500 kites from 26 countries at The World Kite Museum in Long Beach, the only U.S. museum dedicated to kites; discover the significance of the area’s 145-year oyster-hunting industry at Willapa Bay Oyster House Interpretive Center in Nahcotta or learn about the area’s earliest inhabitants at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco.
7. Bag an epic catch in Washington waters.
Ilwaco, known as the “fishing capital of the west,” has excellent Pacific Ocean and Columbia River salmon fishing. The village has a bustling port, where you can hook up with a fishing charter company and embark on the angling adventure of a lifetime. Other creatures worth hunting for include crabs, oysters and razor clams. Learn more about the area’s parks and ports.
8. Trace the footsteps of the nation’s most famous exploration duo on the Discovery Trail.
The lovely 8-mile trail, established to commemorate Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s journey from Ilwaco to north Long Beach during their historic expedition, is a favorite for hikers and bikers. For more background, stop at Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Cape Disappointment State Park for mural-sized timelines, hand-on exhibits and a glassed-in observation deck overlooking the confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean.
9. Marvel at “Jake the Alligator Man” at Marsh’s Free Museum.
In addition to the mysterious half-man, half-alligator, other displays at the wild museum in Long Beach include a giant taxidermy collection, eight-legged lamb and antique gaming machines.
10. Gawk at breathtaking views of Pacific from the Long Beach Boardwalk.
Windswept grassy dunes and seemingly endless ocean vistas make the boardwalk a haven for photographers, hand holders and those simply seeking an idyllic escape. The half-mile wooden walkway is especially mesmerizing during the annual Washington State International Kite Festival in August, when a symphony of colorful kites fills the sky above.
11. Browse Long Beach Peninsula shops for masterpieces by local artists, antiques and other one-of-the kind souvenirs.
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