Walking along the beach, with the sound of the ocean in your ears, something gleams in the sand up ahead. A beautiful, multi-colored blown glass float is nestled there, amongst the beach grass and driftwood. Congratulations—you have found a Finders Keepers glass float. The best part? You found it, you get to keep it. Year-round glass floats are hidden along Lincoln City’s seven miles of beach. Grab your shoes and keep your eyes open for something sparkling in the sand.
Surrounded by flowers exploding with color in the spring and summer sunshine makes for gorgeous photo opportunities at the Connie Hansen Garden. While much of the Connie Hansen Garden is alive with color year-round, to catch it at its most stunning, stop by in the springtime. Connie Hansen was an avid collector of rhododendrons of all shapes and sizes, both species and hybrids. There are hundreds of rhodies in the garden, ranging from the tiniest varieties with appropriately dainty leaves to tree-like growers such as Cynthia, Sir Charles Lemon and Dame Nellie Melba, which are covered in a multitude of blooms.
Every story starts somewhere, and the tale of Lincoln City’s origins begins at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum. In the windows to the museum, Japanese glass fishing floats, donated from the spectacular collection of Jim Watson, gleam and twinkle. This display includes many unusual examples produced in Japan for the fishing industry that have made their way to the Oregon Coast at the whim of wave and wind, an art form still celebrated today through our popular Finders Keepers program.
Art and culture envelops you here, from the beautiful paintings and displays in the Chessman Gallery to the twirl of dancers on the main auditorium stage. The Cultural Center believes art is necessary to live well and provides the building blocks with classes, events, live performances, an artisan gift shop and the Farmers & Crafters Market. Classes in dance, yoga, Zumba, ceramics, painting, sculpture, weaving and the culinary arts are waiting to be discovered.
Lincoln City has a wide variety of art studios and galleries. You’ll discover glass art, sculpture, paintings and photography in our galleries. Experience something hands-on or watch a skilled artisan up close at one the popular studios. Find the artist in you and stop by the Lincoln City Glass Center where you can browse the gallery or watch glass blowing in action. The Freed Gallery is home to a wonderful collection and the Artist’s Co-op features works from talented local artists.
The forests and headlands surrounding Lincoln City offer beautiful and energizing hikes to explore. From massive headlands rising from the Pacific to forest groves and hikes to secret waterfalls, bring your hiking boots and your sense of adventure. Three miles north of Lincoln City, a gorgeous headland waits to be explored. Cascade Head offers out and back trails with breathtaking views of the Oregon coastline and the Salmon River Estuary. As a protected wildlife sanctuary, there are key ways to respect and protect Cascade Head’s natural beauty and wildlife—removal of foliage, hunting, camping, fires, bicycles and dogs are not allowed so this delicate environment may be preserved.
