Location: Charleston
Top Things to do in Charleston
The 10 Best Things to Do in Charleston, United States
Charleston (Coos language: Milukwich ) is an unincorporated community in Coos County, Oregon, United States. Home to a large commercial fishing fleet, it is adjacent to the ocean entrance to Coos Bay. Charleston is the site of the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology and the United States Coast Guard Charleston Lifeboat Station.
Restaurants in Charleston
1. Shore Acres State Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 664 reviews
The park has created a "garden for all seasons" and an observation building which offers spectacular views of seascapes and migrating whales.
Reviewed By TravelerCory - Salem, Oregon
After looking for some pf the best Christmas Lights in Oregon, we came across several lists that listed Shore Acres as one of the places to go. Looking at the website, it opened at 5:00 pm. Not knowing how limited parking was, we didn't line up until right at 5:00 pm. Once we got to the pay station, they told us to wait for about 15 minutes as they needed to try to get some more spots open. Once we got the ok to head to the parking area, we were able to find a spot moderately quick.
Once we were parked, we walked a little bit to the Christmas lights display. It is very evident that this display DOES belong on those lists that listed Shore Acres as one of the top 15 places to visit to see the lights in Oregon. There were many displays of moving lights such as whales jumping or frogs in a pond. It is easy to walk through the park and take your time to look at each display. There is room enough to let others go around you if you would like to take a few minutes to take some pictures.
Cost for parking is $5.00. The lights display are open each year until New Year's Eve. They try to add more lights each year so even if you saw it last year, it may have changed. If you go, make sure to arrive early (before 5) to get parking.
2. Betty Kay Charter
Overall Ratings
5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By 316rosemarys - Murphys
Wonderfully crew..helpful captain stayed fishing until all got their limits. Left on time. Fish cleaner/fileter after trip is a bonus and worth the extra.
3. Cape Arago State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 262 reviews
Reviewed By Linda C - Moorpark, California
The 20 mile-long winding drive, often through canopies of tall trees, is lovely. We stopped at a few lookouts and walked around at Simpson Beach. Simpson Reef and Shell Island are home to various types of seals and birds that create quite a ruckus. We also saw a whale spout in the distance. From one of the lookouts, we could easily see the lighthouse, which makes for a great photo using a zoom or telephoto lens. It's the newest lighthouse along the coast (first illuminated in 1934.) The beautiful scenery at the Cape makes it well worth the drive.
4. The Mill Casino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 254 reviews
The Mill Casino • Hotel is owned by the Coquille Indian Tribe. We are located on Highway 101 in North Bend, Oregon on Coos Bay. Our casino overlooks a beautiful bay and has over 200 waterfront rooms, bay view dining, over 700 slot machines and Vegas style Table Games. We offer nightly entertainment as well as special events such as concerts and community functions. We employ 600 team members in various full and part-time positions.
Reviewed By RickCrescentCity_CA - Crescent City, CA
We neither gamble nor drink. Offered in abundance here. But taking the grand kids for a couple of days was still a welcoming experience. There is a game room, pool, hot tubs and pit fire place where kids can still hang out. We cooked our meals in the rv but restaurants are very good here from past experience. Got a good blended mocha and smoothies for the boys on the way in to the pool at a coffee wagon. Bay Brew.
5. Charleston Marina Complex
Overall Ratings
4 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By neilglomoss - Coos Bay, Oregon
Charleston Marina is the place to go ,if you love fishing or walking around the pleasure boats and Commercial Fishing Boats. Bring your fishing rods and Crab Nets. Salmon , Halibut and Crab are seasonal fish, check with the local fishing Boats, to see whats being caught. If you like to sit back or walk, you can walk down the ramp to the Marina and see the commercial fishing Boats getting ready to leave the Harbor, or see the private Boats , with their owners getting ready to leave Charleston Harbor to fish, and some just relaxing on their Boats, and enjoying the Weather. There are a few restaurants, check their menus first, some serve excellent seafood and others sell frozen Fish, don't forget to check out the Gift shops and the newly opened State Marine Center and Aquarium. Bring the children and have fun for the day.
6. Cranberry Sweets
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By jcnmac - Seattle, WA
Really cool and unique shop. Sure cranberry sweets, buts of popcorn flavors, taffy, chocolates. Best though were the unique jelly candies. Try the IPA flavored. And don't miss the peppermint dark chocolate cookies and blueberry flavored popcorn. Choices for sizes were good and pricing was fair.
7. South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Ron R - Spring, Texas
Nice moderate effort hike through several different terrains. Good option when it is too windy on beaches. We didn't see much wildlife, but could just have been unlucky.
8. Cape Arago Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By Alan H - Rexburg, Idaho
Cape Arago Lighthouse is one of the more picturesque lighthouses on the Pacific Coast...OK, let's agree to disagree and say that it's picturesque and leave it at that.
This white lighthouse stands on Chief's Island at Point Gregory. The lighthouse is no longer in operation, but it retains it's commanding presence and charm. It's visible from multiple vista points from the south and the north.
Visitors are no longer allowed on the island since it was given back to the local Native American presence. A bridge that once went over to the island from the mainland has been removed.
On an aside, you can access a fantastic tide pooling area just below the lighthouse from the beach to the north.
If you are visiting the Coos Bay area you really need to take a drive down Cape Arago Highway and stop at view points that feature this lighthouse.
5 star.
9. Egyptian Theater
Overall Ratings
5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By twostrongwomen - Myrtle Creek, Oregon
Silly Plot...but funny from beginning credits right through to the suspenseful ending. If, you have ever been a passenger on a commercial airline....this will tickle your funny bone without frightening you like JAWS:) Watching this from the front row of the beautifully restored Theater's Balcony seating...total fun ! The familiar smell of popcorn wafted around me as a couple giggled and munched, in turn a few seats away. A few words to acknowledge interestingly Egyptian-Art-Style decor: Elegant & Posh!! This movie house is a class act... A world class cinema spot is NOW IN COOS BAY, OR. Easy to peruse online, see their website for more details, calendar & a little history of this local gem.
10. Bastendorff Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Partsman999 - Coos Bay, Oregon
A wild and direct face off between land and ocean. The world is majority ocean and wins. Here the battleground is different a long sandy beach face to face with the King of water, Pacific, the waves are always big, so if you love water where a wet suit and play, watch out for sneaker waves, they can knock you over and be hurtful. Lots of bull kelp and logs as big as containers get washed up and disappear when next storm passes through....
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