Oregon Dunes
40 miles of dunes, many over 300 feet high begin in
Florence and stretch to the North Bend area. Plenty of
recreational activities can be found on these massive
dunes, from horseback riding to dune buggy tours. Take a
walk on the many trails through the dunes or view the
wavelike mounds, that sit among little forested islands,
through enclosed viewing platforms at the Dunes Overlook
south of town.
Sea Lion Caves
The
Guiness Book of World Records has recently confirmed
Sea Lion Caves
as the largest sea caves in the world. It is the only
known remaining home of wild stellar sea lions on the
North American mainland and has attracted people from all
over the world since its opening 65 years ago to the
public. 11 miles north of Florence, open 9:00 am,
(541) 547-3111
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Found at Devil's Elbow State Park, this is a popular beach
and picnic area north of Florence. Tide pools and tiny
sea caves are filled with shells, sea anemones, star fish
and mussels. A trail leads to the lighthouse and keeper's
house with daily tours during the summer and on weekends
the rest of the year.
On Dec 5th
2007 the
Three Rivers Casino
opened its new casino and hotel in the picturesque coastal
sand dunes in Florence
Oregon. Now, the Casino has over 650
slot machines to choose from and 11 gaming tables. Four
restaurants to choose from, including a buffet open 7 days
a week. At the Players Club guests can sign up for a free
club card to receive mailers with tasty offers,
invitations to special events, tournaments and promotions.
Our guests also enjoy the new event center for headline
entertainment such as The Coaster, Herman’s Hermits and
the Smothers Brothers. The New hotel has 93 rooms, each
with a 42’’ plasma screen TV and beds fit for royalty.
Old Town
This quaint fishing village is situated on the banks of
the Siuslaw River and has been beautifully restored in
colorful themes reminiscent of the Victorian era.
Numerous restaurants, art galleries, clothing and
specialty shops; candies and T-Shirt shops are mixed
among Gazebo Park and the new Boardwalk overlooking the
fishing docks.
Siuslaw Pioneer Museum
"Come now and enter through a door that leads to
yesteryear..." and experience our coastal heritage at the
Pioneer Museum. Included are an old Indian Dugout canoe
in the center of the main floor, an old kitchen cook
stove, blacksmith's bellows, and steam engine. Docents
explain the use and significance of the variety of
artifacts of coastal Native and Pioneer history on
display. Maple & 2nd Old Town Open 12:00 - 4:00, Tuesday
- Sunday $3.00
Fly Fishing Museum
Thousands of hand-tied flies dating back to the 1800's and
collected from over 20 countries are featured at the
museum. Located in Old Town, this is a fascinating
private fishing collection which also includes beautiful
paintings and carvings. (541) 997-6349.
Siuslaw River Bridge
This magnificent span of beautiful architecture crosses
the Siuslaw River just south of Florence. Built in the
1930's, it is another example of a McCullough bridge of
which there are many up and down Hwy 101.
Darlingtonia Botanical Wayside -
SLIDESHOW
This roadside area was created to preserve and show a rare
carnivorous plant which grows in Southern Oregon and
Northern California coastal areas, known also as the
Pitcher Plant or Cobra Lilly. Located 5 miles north of
Florence on Hwy. 101, the 18 acre park has a loop trail
overlooking patches of brilliant green Darlingtonia. The
plant traps the insects with their fragrant smell, where
the insect then falls to the bottom of the plant stem and
is digested.
Cape Perpetua
The highest point on the Oregon Coast, with a spectacular
view, is at
Cape Perpetua. The Visitor's Center is open
daily from May until October and weekends during the
winter, and features movies, exhibits and an observation
area for whale-watching. The Child And Parent
Environmental (CAPE), are two-hour-long nature programs
and range from hikes to identify edible plants to
bird-watching. You can drive or hike to the top of
Cape Perpetua and walk the Trail of the Whispering Spruce
or Devil’s Churn where mighty waves are driven into a
narrow fissure.
Within An Hour
Mariner Square
You can see hundreds of marine creatures through 112
windows at the Undersea Gardens, the wild presentations at
Ripley's Believe It or Not and the lifelike images at the
Wax Works. All located along the Historic Newport
Bayfront, 250 SW Bay Blvd (541) 265-2206
Mark O. Hatfield Marine
Science Center
Visit this fascinating research and educational
institution that promotes the wise use of the ocean and
coastal environments. The public wing displays an array
of exhibits and hands-on activities including an octopus
tank, tidal pool, eye-level exhibits of the ocean floor
and coastal habitats, and interactive computer displays.
Admission is free, donation requested.
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Named one of the top 10 aquariums in America by Parade
magazine, there are over 190 species of marine life to
see. Open daily, hours vary 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Road
Newport 541-867-3474
Umpqua Discovery Center
Explore this fascinating hands-on center that includes a
working weather station, scale model of the Gardiner Saw
Mill, interpretive displays of the areas dunes and
landscape, and an operational periscope for a fascinating
view of the Umpqua River. See the seismic traveling
exhibit this summer, on loan from the Oregon Museum of
Science and Industry. Reedsport 271-4816
Shore Acres
This once private estate of pioneer lumberman and
shipbuilder, Louis B. Simpson. Simpson brought flowering
plants from around the world to fill five acres of gardens
including a Japanese style garden built around a lovely
lily pond. Due to the mild climate of the Oregon coast,
interesting and unique flowers bloom nearly all year.
Christmas finds Shore Acres a-glow with over 175,000
holiday lights. Coos Bay area |
Call
541 991-6139
