12 Best Things to Do in Ocean Shores, Washington

I’ve been coming to Ocean Shores my whole life. My parents brought me here as a kid, I came back solo on a Toyota media trip, I’ve been with my own kids, and I even squeezed in a day trip from Seabrook a few years ago. Every single time, it feels like exactly the right place to be. It’s a small beach town that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s the whole point.

Ocean Shores sits on a narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and a series of lakes and canals, giving it a geography you don’t find anywhere else along the Washington Coast. You can rent a house and barely leave, or spend a few days working through every restaurant, beach, and quirky shop in town. Either way, you’ll feel relaxed doing it. There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular spots to vacation in the Pacific Northwest.

This is my personal Ocean Shores guide based on all those visits. These are the places I keep going back to when I want a weekend trip from Seattle.

Top 12 Things to Do in Ocean Shores

Here are some of the best things to do in Ocean Shores, Washington.

1. Walk Through a Giant Shark Mouth

If you’re on a family vacation and looking for what to do in Ocean Shores, you’ll want to stop at this gift shop. The entrance alone to Sharky’s Gift Shop will make you stop, as you’ll notice there are giant shark jaws surrounding the door. Get a few photos of yourself in it, and then head inside to buy everything shark-related.

They have everything from clothing to toys to swimsuits, and I found their prices affordable for a “touristy” place. I loved getting my toddler some shark toys (since we’re in that “Baby Shark” phase still) and a comfy sweatshirt to wear for chilly nights. Whether or not you buy anything, it’s a free thing to do in Ocean Shores that’s worth stopping at and one of the more unique things to do in Washington State.

2. Take a Stroll on North Jetty

Sometime during your Ocean Shores vacation, you’ll want to head to the very south end of the strip of land to visit the Washington Coast. North Jetty is a large beach where you can walk out in the water, sit on driftwood, and people-watch, or watch fishermen try their luck.

You can also bring your own blankets or chairs to create your own activities in Ocean Shores. I ended up sitting on a log and watching the waves, which was very mesmerizing.

If you’re physically able, I recommend climbing the rocks on the left side of the beach to see the ocean there. Since it’s not as protected, it produces much larger, more impressive waves. You’ll also want to bring your camera for this part of your Ocean Shores weekend.

Want to explore more? Here are the Washington bucket list items to check off.

3. Play Mini Golf at Pacific Paradise

Whether you’re looking for things to do in Ocean Shores with kids or are spending an adults-only weekend in town, stop at Pacific Paradise during your trip. The most popular activity here is mini-golf, as it’s a game everyone can enjoy. I loved the personal touches on the “buildings” throughout the course with Washington cities on them.

When you’re done with that, head inside to play the arcade games (my kids’ favorite part on our rainy day visit). From air hockey to video games, it’s one of the best family things to do in Ocean Shores. They also have bumper boats and laser tag if you want to spend a few hours here.

If you want to play on a real golf course, there’s also an Ocean Shores golf course you can visit nearby.

If you have time to extend your trip, check out my guide to things to do in Seabrook, another planned beach town just 30 minutes north on the same stretch of coast.

4. Listen to Live Music at an Authentic Irish Pub

As someone who is half-Irish and has been to the country numerous times, I almost fell over when I walked into Galway Bay Irish Pub. This restaurant is the closest I’ve ever seen to replicating an Irish restaurant, from the decor to the music to the food.

Many “Irish” restaurants just have fish and chips, but this had an extensive menu full of food I recognized from Ireland and is one of the best Ocean Shores attractions. I last came here in February in Seattle and loved how cozy it was during the winter.

I got the veggie pasty with mashed potatoes and Irish soda bread. As a proper Irish person does, I also ordered a Guinness to go along with the meal. This pub has a bar section that’s 21 and over but also has a family-friendly area you can visit during your weekend to Ocean Shores.

When you’re done with your meal, you’ll want to head to their gift shop next door. Once again, instead of slapping “Ireland” all over their shirts, they’ve imported a variety of items like socks, jewelry, and more from the country.

My favorite section was all the food and drinks they had that I hadn’t seen since I was in Ireland, including my favorite Taytos (Irish potato chips). Visiting is one of the things to do in Ocean Shores in the winter, as nothing feels better than warming up in a cozy pub.

5. Stay at Ocean City State Park

Ocean City State Park is one of the best camping spots on the Washington Coast and a great base if you want beach access without paying resort prices. You can camp in a tent or RV, and the beach is right there. I brought my kids here, and it worked really well since they had so much space to run around.

Dogs are welcome, too, with plenty of room to roam, making it the perfect dog-friendly vacation in the Pacific Northwest. If you’re up early enough, you might catch surfers out on the water. You can also drive on the beach from here, which my kids thought was great.

If you get there at sunrise, you might see some early-morning surfers, as the area is one of the best places to surf in Washington State. After taking surf lessons when visiting Huntington Beach earlier in the year, it was a blast to watch the pros here. You can also drive on the beach if you want a thrill.

Want to keep going along the coast? Continue south on a road trip down the Oregon Coast.

6. Grab a Pint of Local Beer

Ocean Pours Taproom is a mix of locals and tourists alike and has a wide variety of Pacific Northwest beers to choose from. When it’s dry out, there’s a large outdoor beer garden to sit at and even cornhole to play if you want to try your luck.

Visiting here is also one of the best things to do in Ocean Shores with dogs, as they allow pups on their leashes outside. I was solo on my last trip here but enjoyed spending an hour sipping my beer and getting to know some of the friendly dogs who were there and wanted to give me company.

During the rainy season, you can move inside and watch the latest sports game during your weekend at Ocean Shores. I loved that the bartender was friendly and seemed to know many people coming in.

Another good option for beer is Elk Head Tap Room, just a few minutes away. This is in downtown Ocean Shores, so you can have a few pints and then walk around to the stores if you want.

7. Walk Out to Damon Point

Damon Point is worth a stop while you’re already down at North Jetty. It’s free, and the whole experience is just walking out on a long, narrow strip of land with water on both sides for about a mile. You can go as far as you want and turn around whenever you want. I’ve seen people picnicking, swimming (brave in the Pacific), and just wandering.

It’s also a good spot for bird watching since the area is being restored as a habitat, and if you’re visiting at the right time of year, you might catch grey whales at the end of the point.

Unfortunately, this is currently closed due to erosion. You can check WTA for any future updates.

8. Try the Local Seafood

You can’t be near the ocean without having fish for at least one meal. Bennett’s Fish Shack is a restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating, so you can eat here year-round. They also have a bar if you’re traveling by yourself or just want to watch a sports game on TV (I loved watching the Mariners play while I had my beer and sandwich!).

This is great for things to do in Ocean Shores when it rains if you need to wait for the storm to pass.

While they have a variety of options on their menu, I highly recommend the crab and cheddar melt for one meal during your Ocean Shores weekend. Combined with their thick fries and a local beer, this is the best place to eat in Ocean Shores, in my opinion.

This restaurant does get crowded around prime meal times, so go early or late if you can. If you can’t get in, Mike’s Seafood just down the road is a solid backup.

9. Bike Around Town

Biking is one of the best things to do in Ocean Shores with kids since the whole town is flat and easy to navigate on two wheels. I rented a bike on my solo trip, and it turned out to be one of the best ways to see the town. You cover a lot more ground than you would on foot, and it never feels like a workout.

Electric Bike Beach Rentals has bikes all over town, which makes it easy to spot and rent one when you’re ready. For families, the pedal bikes that fit up to six people and have a cover are a great option, and they even have pet trailers if you’re bringing a dog. Affordable Mopeds is another way to get around if bikes aren’t your thing.

10. Grab a Scoop at Peppermint Parlor

There’s no better way to end an afternoon at the beach than to get a giant scoop of ice cream. Peppermint Parlor has several dozen flavors of ice cream to choose from. I’m not even embarrassed to admit I came here twice on my last trip because it was that good! In addition, they have candy, donuts, espresso drinks, and more.

11. Race Go-Karts

Peppermint Parlor is more than just ice cream. They have go-karts, bumper cars, and virtual reality, making it one of the best rainy-day options in Ocean Shores. My kids had seen this on our last trip here, and my oldest was finally tall enough to ride it when we visited, so he had a blast racing around with my husband.

12. Fly a Kite on the Beach

One of the best places to fly kites is anywhere on the Pacific Ocean, as it’s generally always windy, and places like Long Beach and Ocean Shores are always full of people flying kites, making it one of the more popular things to do at Ocean Shores. On my day trip from Seabrook, I bought a kite in town and flew it with the kids on the beach, and it was one of the highlights of the day.

The wind on the Pacific Coast is always there, so you don’t need to time it right or get lucky. You can pick up kites at Ocean Shores Kites or Cloud Nine Sportswear and Kites in town, or bring one from home. In summer, the beach fills with colorful kites along the waterfront, making for really good photos.

Ocean Shores Travel Tips

Here are a few things to know before planning your Ocean Shores vacation, which you’ll want to put on your Pacific Northwest bucket list.

How to Get to Ocean Shores

Ocean Shores is on the west part of Washington on the Pacific Ocean. Depending on traffic, it takes about three hours to drive from Seattle to Ocean Shores, making it an easy weekend getaway near Seattle.

While the drive from Seattle itself is fairly straightforward, there are several parts where you’ll lose service, particularly after Aberdeen.

For this reason, I recommend having the map open on your screen with the route open so you can see your GPS even when you don’t have service. That will make it easier to start your weekend at Ocean Shores when you know where you’re going. This is also one of the most beautiful drives in Washington, so make sure you enjoy it!

What to Bring for a Weekend in Ocean Shores

While Ocean Shores is technically a beach vacation, anyone in the Pacific Northwest knows this doesn’t necessarily mean sunny and warm. There are plenty of beautiful summer days in Seattle, but it’s essential to know that the weather by the ocean is unpredictable. (Regardless, it’s still a fun place to put on your Pacific Northwest road trip itinerary any time of the year!)

When I was last there, I enjoyed a beautiful day the first day, followed by rain and heavy fog the next day where I couldn’t even see the ocean. That’s why I was glad I packed warm and waterproof clothes!

Here are a few items I recommend bringing:

• Rain jacket – Have a lightweight jacket with you with a hood in case you get a sudden downpour.
• Rain boots – These make it easy to walk in the sand without worrying about getting dirty.
• Camp chair – You’ll appreciate being able to sit down on the beach when you need a break.
• Sunglasses – The glare can be strong when it is sunny, so bring a good pair of sunglasses with you.

Where to Stay in Ocean Shores

There are some hotels to stay at, as well as a handful of vacation rentals for trips to Ocean Shores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ocean Shores good for a girls’ weekend?

It’s one of my favorite low-key girls’ trip ideas in Washington. The vibe is completely relaxed, and there’s no pressure to do anything on a schedule. Good seafood, beach walks, cozy pubs, and the kind of town where you can sit somewhere for two hours and nobody rushes you out. It’s not a bachelorette destination, but it’s perfect for a group that wants to recharge. Check out my weekend getaways near Seattle for more ideas.

Can you bring dogs to Ocean Shores?

Yes, and it’s one of the reasons I keep coming back with friends who have dogs. Dogs are welcome on the beach as long as they’re leashed. Ocean Pours Taproom lets leashed dogs hang out in the outdoor area, and Ocean City State Park has so much open space that dogs love it. Many vacation rentals are pet-friendly, making it easy to spend a long weekend with your dog.

Is there anything to do in Ocean Shores when it rains?

Quite a bit. Galway Bay Irish Pub is my first call on a rainy day; it gets really cozy in there, and the food is good. Pacific Paradise has indoor mini golf, bumper cars, go-karts, and arcade games that can easily eat up a few hours. Peppermint Parlor is entirely indoors and perfect for kids. If you want to make a whole evening of it, the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino has dinner and entertainment all under one roof.

How far in advance should you book hotels in Ocean Shores?

For summer, I’d book 3 to 4 months out. July and August fill up fast, and the good properties go first. Spring and fall are much more forgiving, and you can find something a few weeks out if you’re going over a holiday weekend like the Fourth of July. Book as early as you can.

Is Ocean Shores worth a day trip from Seattle?

I actually tried this once when I was staying at Seabrook and drove over for the day. It’s about an hour from Seabrook but around three hours from Seattle, which means you’re spending most of your day in the car. You can do it, but you’ll feel like you barely scratched the surface. Even one night changes things completely. Check out my weekend getaways from Seattle for inspiration on building a proper trip around it.

I hope you now have a few ideas of things to do in Ocean Shores for your next visit! This area is fun to visit any time of the year, whether you’re here on a sunny summer weekend or spend a cozy, rainy winter weekend inside with a view of the ocean.