Favorite free and cheap activities around Lincoln City?

[~Megan~]

We are going to the coast for 4.5 days next week and I need some ideas. We go to the coast frequently enough but only for 1-2 days.

It will be my newborn, 3 yr old, 6 yr old, me, husband, mom, grandparents.

We will drive to other places but less than an hour because of the baby vs. carseat battles.

Gotta go right now because of a baby vs. mommy getting things done with two hands battle!

Ok! I'm back now.

I have some obvious things in mind like the casino for grandpa (not me though!), the Marine Science Center and lunch at the Brewery (yum!), our favorite beaches, the outlet mall, Newport Wharf, and the antique stores for grandparents and mom.

What about the lighthouses? Have you done a tour before and was it worth it?

My mom really likes architecture. Anywhere cool we could go?

[Dena]

The marine science center in Newport is nice. It is by donation, so you can pay what you can afford.

And old Newport - Fisherman's Wharf - is a fun walk, plus you can stop to watch the sea lions. And my four year old was fascinated by the guy with the crab nets. Go figure.

Here is another list of things to do in Lincoln City - haven't tried most, but maybe it will give you a place to start.

[AlbertaJes]

We've been going to the Alder House since I was probably about 6.