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Coos Bay, Oregon: Where Fun and Adventure Collide – Best Places to Visit and Things to Do!

Coos Bay is a working port, and the coastline out here is rock. The beaches sit at the bottom of the cliffs, not beside the road. The Cape Arago Highway runs 11 miles and does most of the work. The lighthouse stairs are steep enough that they will genuinely matter to you. Wind comes off the Pacific all year, so you bring a real jacket.

Are you planning a trip to Coos Bay, Oregon and wondering what to do and where to go? Look at the map and the tide table first. Coos Bay is a small coastal town with more going on in it than the size suggests. From the rock formations to the beaches themselves, Coos Bay rewards anyone who stops rather than drives through.

If history is your subject, take a stroll down history lane and visit the Coos History Museum & Maritime Collection. For anyone who came for the outdoors, Coos Bay has the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Cape Arago State Park. If you want the town instead, head to the downtown area for the shops and the eating. And for something in the evening, check out the Mill Casino or the Egyptian Theatre.

Key Takeaways

• Coos Bay offers a wide range of activities and attractions for everyone.
• From exploring nature’s spectacles to unleashing the beach bum within, Coos Bay has something for everyone.
• Whether you’re a history buff, outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for some fun and games, Coos Bay has got you covered.

A Stroll Down History Lane

Coos Bay is a city with a real history, and there are plenty of ways into it. Here are a couple of places to start if you want to take a stroll down history lane:

Coos History Museum

The Coos History Museum is where to start the historical run through Coos Bay. With exhibits covering the area’s Native American history alongside its logging and maritime past, you will come out knowing something you did not.

One exhibit worth the time is the collection of artifacts from the area’s logging industry. You’ll see old saws and axes alongside steam engines and logging trucks. It’s a clear look at how the industry changed across the years.

Oregon Coast Historical Railway

If trains are your thing, do not drive past the Oregon Coast Historical Railway. This museum exists to keep the area’s railway history, and it is the stop for anyone who cares about them.

One of the strengths of the museum is the collection of old steam engines and railcars. You can climb aboard and work through these trains yourself. It’s the clearest way to understand what travel was in the early days of railroads.

Whether the interest is history, artifacts or simply the past itself, Coos Bay has the material. So put the walking shoes on and take the city’s history at your own pace.

Unleashing the Beach Bum Within

If you want a day that is nothing but sand and water, Coos Bay, Oregon can supply it. With its sandy beaches and its picnic areas set behind them, you will be in no hurry to leave. Here are two beaches not to drive past:

Bandon Beach

Bandon Beach is the one to make time for if you are in Coos Bay. This beach is known for its rock formations and its sunsets. It’s where you go for a long walk or simply to sit in the sun. And if the conditions suit, you can try surfing or kiteboarding here.

Bastendorff Beach

Bastendorff Beach is the other one in Coos Bay worth your time. This beach suits picnicking, with plenty of tables and a wide view out. You can also walk the length of it in the cool air off the ocean. And with some luck, you might see whales or dolphins out in the distance.

No matter which beach you pick, bring plenty of sunscreen and something to read. And do not leave without getting into the cold ocean water. After all, you came here to be a beach bum, so do it properly.

When you have had enough of the sand and surf, head over to Shore Acres State Park. This park holds some of the better gardens in the state along with a long view out to sea. And with some luck, you might catch sea lions lying out on the rocks.

If you want more beach options, Sunset Bay State Park is the next choice. This park has two sandy beaches along with picnic areas and hiking trails. So pack a lunch and give the day to what this park holds.

In Coos Bay, you will find plenty of beaches to walk and sit on. So grab the sunscreen, pack the picnic and let the beach bum out.

Outdoor Enthusiast’s Paradise

Are you here for the outdoors rather than the town? Coos Bay, Oregon is built for exactly that. With the country it sits in, you will not run short of places to walk. Here are the outdoor spots to work through in Coos Bay:

Mingus Park

Looking for somewhere quiet after the road? Head to Mingus Park, which sits in the middle of Coos Bay. This park has heavy greenery, still ponds and enough picnic tables to make lunch easy. Take the winding paths slowly, breathe the air and let the day drop a gear.

Cape Arago State Park

If long views are what you came for, Cape Arago State Park is the one. This park gives you the Pacific Ocean, the cliffs below and the rock formations off the coast. Take one of the hiking trails and give the view the time it deserves. Don’t forget the camera, because you will want it here.

Elliott State Forest

Looking for somewhere to camp and be properly outside? Elliott State Forest is the answer. This forest has miles of hiking trails, long views and campgrounds where you can put a tent up for the night. It’s the place to go when you want the phone to stop working.

So what are you waiting for? Pack the bags, grab the hiking boots and head to Coos Bay, Oregon for the outdoor half of the trip.

Exploring the Urban Jungle

If you want a break from the country around Coos Bay, take the town instead. Here are a few places to work into the afternoon:

Coos Bay Boardwalk

Take a walk along the Coos Bay Boardwalk and let the noise of it work on you. With shops, restaurants and bars along the way, most tastes are covered. Stop by the North Bend Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays for fresh produce and handmade crafts.

Egyptian Theater

Step back a century at the Egyptian Theater, a restored Art Deco house. Catch a movie or a live performance in this venue and look properly at the detail in the room. Don’t forget a photograph in front of the marquee.

Coos Art Museum

Get the culture in at the Coos Art Museum, which shows local and national work. From paintings and sculptures to ceramics and textiles, the range covers most tastes. Check their website for what is coming up.

Whether you live here or are passing through, these town attractions add something to a Coos Bay trip. Don’t take our word for it either, because the reviews from other visitors say the same.

Culinary Adventures

You may think Coos Bay is only about the country around it, but wait until you eat here. From local pubs to food from further afield, Coos Bay has more range than the size suggests.

If you want a good pub, head to 7 Devils Brewing Co. They keep a strong selection of craft beers. And if you are hungry with it, order the loaded fries. They’re a meal on their own.

But if you want something more considered, check out Black Market Gourmet. This restaurant is known for dishes built on locally-sourced ingredients. And if wine is your interest, the list here is a long one.

For whiskey, head to Coney Station. This pub keeps a strong selection of whiskey and other spirits. And if you want to learn something, order the whiskey flight. You’ll taste your way across several and find one that works.

But if you want something from further away, check out Himalayan Restaurant. This restaurant serves Indian, Nepali and Tibetan dishes. Try the momos, a filled dumpling the locals order more than anything else.

No matter what you feel like eating, Coos Bay can meet it. So go out and eat properly here, because the town rewards it.

Retail Therapy

You’ve walked the country around Coos Bay, and now the shops get their turn. Lucky for you, Coos Bay has enough of them to fill an afternoon.

First, head over to the Gift Shop at the Coos History Museum. Here you’ll find gifts and souvenirs worth carrying home to people. From locally made jewelry to books on the history of Coos Bay, this gift shop covers it.

If you have a sweet tooth, then Cranberry Sweets is where to go. This candy store works entirely in cranberry, from chocolate-covered cranberries to cranberry taffy. You will not find these anywhere else, so stock up before you leave.

But if you want still more cranberry, head over to Cranberry Sweets & More. This store carries the treats along with cranberry wine and other cranberry products. You’ll leave knowing more about cranberries than you expected to.

So go ahead, work through the shops and take a piece of Coos Bay home with you.

People picture the Oregon coast as one single long postcard beach somewhere. Coos Bay corrects that almost as soon as you have arrived in it. This is a logging town and a working port before it is ever scenery. The saws in the museum are the actual point, not a sideshow. Take it as a working coast and the whole place improves at once for you.

Fun and Games

Coos Bay is not only about the country and the outdoors. There are plenty of ways to fill an evening as well. Whether it is friends, family or your own company, the town has an answer.

Pool and Billiards

If you want to shoot some pool, head over to Sharky’s Billiards. This local spot has 12 pool tables, dartboards and a full bar. Grab a drink, take on your friends and see how the evening goes.

Activities

For something that makes you think, check out Escape Quest. This escape room will test how you solve problems under a clock. It’s a good hour for a group or a family.

Nature’s Spectacles

Oregon’s Coos Bay is where the wildlife does the work. With the coast it sits on, there is a long list of things to go and see. From tide pools to waterfalls, the range is wide. Here are the places where the country puts on a show:

Simpson Reef

Located just off the coast of Cape Arago, Simpson Reef is the stop for anyone who came for wildlife. Here you can see hundreds of seals and sea lions lying in the sun. The low tide is when to come, because the reef is fully exposed then. You can also take a guided tour and learn how these animals live.

South Cove

South Cove is the other one that gives you the Pacific Ocean in full. This quiet cove suits fishing, picnicking and working through the tide pools. You can also walk the beach slowly and let the place do the rest.

Coquille Point

If you want somewhere to sit and do nothing, Coquille Point is it. This park holds a Japanese garden and a rose garden. You can walk the gardens, take the view out to sea, or simply sit and let the noise drop away.

Coos Bay holds more natural country than one visit covers, and these are only some of it. Whether wildlife is your subject or you simply want a good day out, Coos Bay will fill it. So pack the bags, grab the camera and go and watch the country work.

The Lighthouse Trail

If lighthouses are your thing, Coos Bay, Oregon has them. The Lighthouse Trail is the run to do if that is what brought you. You’ll work through some of the oldest lighthouses standing in the area.

Cape Arago Lighthouse

One of the lighthouses on the Lighthouse Trail is the Cape Arago Lighthouse. This lighthouse has stood since 1866 and has earned its reputation. The lighthouse sits on a cliff above the Pacific Ocean, with the coastline running away on both sides.

You can tour the lighthouse and learn its history and the part it played keeping ships off the rocks. But be warned, the climb up the spiral staircase is not for everybody. You’ll need to be in decent shape and untroubled by heights to make it up. But once you are there, the view pays for the effort.

If you get the day for it, you might see whales or sea lions from up there. So bring the binoculars and keep watching the water.

Overall, the Lighthouse Trail is a good way to take Coos Bay, Oregon at walking pace. So put the walking shoes on and work through the oldest lighthouses in the area.

Festive Vibes

Coos Bay is known for what it does at the end of the year. If you want the festive season done properly, this town delivers it. Here are the ways to take the festive side of Coos Bay:

Holiday Lights

Nothing marks the festive season like lights on a dark street. Coos Bay has plenty of festive light displays to work through. Take a drive around town and look at what the homes and businesses put up. You can also head to Shore Acres State Park for their annual Holiday Lights event. The park goes over to lights entirely, more than 325,000 of them. It’s the kind of evening people come back for.

Christmas Parades

Coos Bay likes a parade, and the Christmas ones are no exception. You can catch the Coos Bay Holiday Parade in early December. The parade runs floats, marching bands and Santa Claus at the end of it. It’s an easy afternoon with the whole family.

Festive Food and Drink

Coos Bay has plenty of restaurants and bars that mark the season. You can get festive cocktails, seasonal beers and special seasonal menus. Plus many restaurants put on festive desserts worth ordering.

Overall, Coos Bay is a good place to be when the year turns. Whether you came for the lights, the parades or the food and drink, Coos Bay carries all of it.

Road Tripping

You’re on an Oregon Coast road trip and you have reached Coos Bay. Congratulations. You’ve chosen well. Coos Bay is a good place to stop, get out of the car and look at what the area holds.

One good way to take Coos Bay is the Cape Arago Highway. This 11-mile road leaves Newmark Avenue in Coos Bay and runs out toward the ocean. There’s plenty to stop for along the Cape Arago Highway. For anyone who came for the outdoors, there are hiking and biking trails as well as bird-watching. The area also holds several state parks, including Sunset Bay State Park and Shore Acres State Park.

But before you set off, make sure you have what the day needs. Here are a few things to sort out first:

• Pack a picnic: There are plenty of great spots to stop and enjoy a picnic along the Cape Arago Highway. Pack a blanket, some sandwiches, and a few snacks, and you’ll be all set.
• Bring a camera: You’ll want to capture all the beautiful scenery along the way. Don’t forget to bring your camera or smartphone to snap some photos.
• Plan your route: There are plenty of things to see and do along the Cape Arago Highway, so it’s a good idea to plan your route ahead of time. Check out some of the attractions online and decide which ones you want to visit.

So get on the road and take the Oregon Coast at your own pace. Just remember to go slowly, look at the country and enjoy it.

Camping Under the Stars

Looking for a night outside that you will actually remember? Coos Bay, Oregon can arrange it. With the country it sits in, it is no surprise so many people camp here. Here are the camping spots to look at.

Overall, Bay Point Landing is the choice for anyone who wants camping without the discomfort. It’s a fit for families, couples and people traveling alone alike. Don’t leave the booking late, because this place fills up fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you really have fun in Coos Bay, Oregon without spending a dime?

Absolutely. Coos Bay has plenty that costs nothing. Take a walk on the Coos Bay Boardwalk, visit the Coos Art Museum, or walk the paths in Mingus Park. You can also spend a whole day on any of the beaches without paying a penny. Who says you need money to have a good time?

What are the best spots to check out on the Coos Bay Boardwalk?

The Coos Bay Boardwalk is one of the better-known attractions in the area, and with reason. Make sure to stop by the historic Egyptian Theatre, eat at Sharkbites Cafe, and photograph the giant wooden fisherman statue. And do not leave without looking out over the bay and the hills behind it.

Are there any hidden gems in the Coos Bay area that tourists often overlook?

Yes, there are. For something different, head to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and take a dune buggy out. If you want quiet instead, visit the botanical gardens at Shore Acres State Park. And for the local history, check out the Coos History Museum & Maritime Collection.

Which restaurants in Coos Bay are worth checking out?

Coos Bay has a good spread of places to eat. For fresh seafood, head to Fisherman’s Grotto or the High Tide Cafe. If pizza is what you want, try the pies at Ciccarelli’s Restaurant. And for something sweet, stop by the Sugar Shack Bakery for the pastries and cakes.

Is Coos Bay really the coolest place on the Oregon coast?

Well, we may be biased, but we certainly think so. With the country around it, the history in it and the number of things to do, Coos Bay holds up against anywhere on this coast. Come and see for yourself why we rate Coos Bay the coolest place on the Oregon coast.

Frequently asked questions about Coos Bay, Oregon

How long does the Cape Arago Highway take to drive properly?

A morning out at the very least. It runs 11 miles from Newmark Avenue to the ocean, and the state parks strung along it are the reason to go slowly rather than straight through. Sunset Bay and Shore Acres both want a good stop of their own. Simpson Reef is where you will find the seals and the sea lions. You want the low tide for it, because the reef shows itself then.

Is Cape Arago Lighthouse a hard climb for older visitors?

It certainly can be, yes. The spiral staircase up is a real climb, and you want to be in decent shape and untroubled by heights before you start on it. The lighthouse itself has been standing right there since the year 1866. The views out from the cliff are the reason that people climb. Bring the binoculars along, because whales and sea lions pass by below it.

Is Mingus Park free to walk in Coos Bay?

It is free, yes. The ponds, the paths and the picnic tables cost nothing, and the same is true of the Boardwalk and every beach in the area. The museums and the escape room are the only paid items around here. That leaves you a full day out on almost no money at all. You plan the paid ones for the wet afternoons instead of the mornings.

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