Free things to do in Ocean Shores

Several years ago, my husband and I came to Ocean Shores to visit friends. We stayed.

Sure, the weather stinks most of the time and sure, it is almost impossible to find sustainable work in the winter time, but I love it here anyways. You just have to know how to go with the flow.

What's funny is when people say there is nothing to do. Or that everything costs money. The bumper boats cost too much. The rental carts and scooters cost too much. The mini golf costs too much. Sure they do! It's a tourist town! If you don't want to pay tourist prices, well...

That doesn't mean there isn't anything to do in Shores; you just have to be creative and (heaven forbid!) get back to nature. Isn't that what going to the beach is all about? Having worked here for, lets see, about five years now, I see it time and time again. Well I am here to say that there are many things to do in Ocean Shores and other beach communities that don't cost a dime!

1st option: The Ocean Shores Interpretive Center. It's a great place that is especially nice when the weather turns bad. It has all kinds of great information for kids and adults. There are numerous rooms designated to different sciences including geology and seafaring (the seafaring room is fantastic and has relics from shipwrecks that everyone loves). The Interpretive Center is free, but donations are greatly appreciated since it is a non-profit organization. Starting April 1st they are open daily from 11-4.

2nd option: The Weatherwax. This series of beautiful trails is fun for the family, yet not a serious hiking expidition. Just watch out for the hornet nests on occassion. They are usually marked and an alternative route is available.

3rd option: Do you have sulky teenagers with you? By chance did you let them bring their skateboards? If so, we have a new skate park right on Chance A La Mer near the Shiloh beach approach. Drop them off and come have a Petron Cadillac Margarita over at Las Maracas and you should be just fine.

4th option (and I know this sounds crazy but....) Go to the beach! No really, there are people walking around with their kids whining about NOT wanting to go down to the beach. If you worry about your children getting bored, here are some facts about Ocean Shores beaches as we locals see them.

• Beachcombers & Romantics: the main beach entrances are usually not your best bet. Most of the shells along the ocean side of Shores are crushed sand dollars. Plus, these are the first places that fill up when the town gets busy. Your best bet? Either Damon Point or the Jetty. They are both in a beautiful area away from the main drag and at the far south end of the penninsula. Hints for Damon Point: take a picnic basket and a basket for rocks and shells. You have to hike a bit because the main road down Damon Point was washed away but walking in isn't to terrible (though those that are disabled may have a harder time). If you are looking for shells, look on the bayside (left) and if you are rock hunting look on the ocean side (right). The bay side has beautiful cockle shells the ocean side has wonderful agates, carnelian, Oregon opals and more.
• Watch for our numerous festivals. We have an international kite contest every June and you don't have to be a contestant to have fun. Last year the sky was full of huge beautiful sea creatures that the children (and adults), will talk about for ages. We have the Five Star Sand & Sawdust Festival with sand sculpture and chainsaw competitions. In July we have the Harley riders and our Fourth of July celebration (our two busies weekends of the year). Hint: though the casino has a Fore O'er the Water several miles down, we always have a huge turnout of out fo staters with fireworks willing to put on quite a show between our two main beach approaches (between the Shiloh and Best Western off of Ocean Shores Blvd.)

And while it's not free, I am going to give my two cents on the best places to stay if you don't want to put up your mortgage for it. My two pics for best economy stays are the Weatherly and the Sands. The Weatherly gets extremely overshadowed by its neighbor, the Shiloh. It is a small one story place (look for the giant shark head) that has many of the rooms looking out over the main beach approach. All of them have hot tubs, many in the main living area and they all have full kitchens with ammenities. Not bad for under $100 during the off season. The Sands is a little less expensive and I really recommend the lodge rooms. They are ultra cozy and no matter where you are at the Sands you have access to the pool and private hot tubs (though the tubs do have a 20 minute time limit.) Oh yes, and if you plan on doing any cooking, clamming, barbeque or what have you, stop down at Stone Soup & Green Living, your local neighborhood spice shop where everything is fair trade, organic, and guaranteed fresh, located on the Boardwalk!

Finally; just walk around and relax people! You are on vacation! Make nice with the locals and it will get you everywhere. Window shop at one of our beautiful little shops and talk with the locals. We won't bite!