Oregon’s Tillamook Coast: Sweet Family-Fun Destination Any Time of Year

No trip to the Oregon Coast is complete without a look-see (and taste!) at the newer Tillamook Creamery, previously called the Tillamook Cheese Factory, and located in the city of Tillamook. After a several-million-dollar renovation, this popular tourist attraction reopened in the summer of 2018. Don’t worry, it still serves the smooth, creamy ice cream everyone loves. They've even added more queues, so you can get scoops of Marionberry Pie, Oregon Hazelnut Salted Caramel, Udderly Chocolate and French Vanilla with less of a wait.

Before her ice cream reward, my granddaughter practiced milking a cow, sought out the six peephole hiding views of Tilly the Cow and watched cheese being made from floor-to-ceiling windows. Sampling Tillamook’s famous cheeses at the end of the self-guided tour had us heading straight to the open-concept gift shop for some wedges to take home. 

Museum aficionados, take note: Tillamook has several including the Tillamook Air Museum where blimps were built during World War II, the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum where you’ll step back in time with Lewis and Clark and one of my personal favorites, the Tillamook Forest Center (temporarily closed, scheduled to reopen March 1, 2023). There, kids can try on fire gear, operate a firehose and climb the lookout tower outside. 

The lovely Cape Meares Lighthouse, although inactive, is worth the drive.
 
Where to stay: Twins Ranch Covered Wagon Campground (between Bay City and Tillamook) or Ashley Inn.

Where to eat: Pacific Restaurant or Werner Beef & Brew.

More ideas: Visit Tillamook Coast.

Next stop: Manzanita and beyond