Best Attractions in Tillamook, Oregon: Cheese, Lighthouses, Beaches & More
Tillamook is a small town an hour and a half away from Portland. It’s best known for its dairy factory, and people also visit to kayak on the nearby rivers. Tillamook makes for a great day trip from the Oregon Coast or Portland, or as a weekend trip in its own right, with things to do year-round.
You don’t need to visit the coast to find Oregon’s hidden gems – some are tucked away in towns a bit more inland. Tillamook is one such town.
Whether you’d like to spend most of your time indoors or outdoors, there’s enough to do in Tillamook to create a busy day trip itinerary. To help you plan your trip, we’ve compiled a list of the best attractions in Tillamook.
Tillamook Creamery
Learn about the cheese-making process at this interactive dairy factory. As you walk through different parts of the exhibit, you’ll see cheese being made and packaged. Afterwards, grab some Tillamook ice cream from the onsite cafe. They carry classic flavors as well as regional favorites; iyou like berries; try my fave — the marionberry pie flavor!
Tillamook cheese and ice cream are available in stores throughout Oregon, but you’ll find some products in the factory’s gift shop that you won’t see elsewhere. Tours are self-guided and admission to the factory is free. However, you’ll want to bring some money for souvenirs, ice cream, and special cheese varieties.
Blue Heron Cheese Factory
I really loved visiting this cheese factory that is located right on a quaint farm complete with animals and picnic tables. Inside you’ll find a food counter selling their cheeses as well as other delicacies. There’s also a wine tasting area.
Cape Meares Lighthouse
Head to this historic lighthouse less than 30 minutes from the Tillamook Creamery for some gorgeous coastal views. The lighthouse was built in 1889 and is the shortest lighthouse in Oregon.
It is no longer used by the US Coast Guard as it was in the past, but you can still take a free guided tour of the lighthouse (backpacks and carrying children are not allowed). If the tour isn’t for you, just walk around the base of the lighthouse and soak in the views.
Cape Meares Lighthouse is located at Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint and Wildlife Refuge on Tillamook Bay.
Tillamook Air Museum
This museum displays blimps, planes from World War II, and a commercial plane from decades ago. You’ll also see exhibits that discuss World War II history, with dioramas and artifacts donated by locals. Some of the planes have space to sit in them, making for a great photo opportunity and hands-on experience for kids.
Since this museum has a healthy mix of fascinating planes and historical context, it’s a suitable attraction for both history lovers and those who just think aviation is cool.
Tillamook Air Museum is open every day except Monday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Admission costs $11 for adults, $7.50 for children ages 7-18, and $3.50 for children under six. Military discounts are also available.
Kayaking Near Tillamook
If you’re visiting Oregon during the summer, consider taking a kayaking excursion. From Tillamook, you can access the Miami, Wilson, Trask, Kilchis, and Tillamook rivers.
Taking a guided kayak tour with Kayak Tillamook is a great way to explore the area, especially if you can’t bring your own equipment with you or aren’t experienced at navigating rivers.
When kayaking in Tillamook County, be mindful of the weather forecast. If there is a weather watch or warning in the area, do not get in the water. Wearing a life jacket is also recommended, even on stretches of water that look calm.
Tillamook County Pioneer Museum
Head to this local history museum to learn more about the Oregon Coast. Since 1935, the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum has collected over 55,000 local artifacts, photos, and documents, some of which you can see in the museum’s 19 exhibition spaces.
Before you leave, be sure to check out the book shop to find diaries, pioneer stories, and works of fiction set in Tillamook County.
The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum is open on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10:00am-4:00pm. Admission costs $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $2 for visitors ages 10-17. Children under 10 years old enter for free.
Hoquarton Interpretive Trail
Close to downtown Tillamook, the one-mile trail Hoquarton Interpretive Trail is ADA accessible, paved, and easy to walk down. You can take a free walking tour to learn about the area’s plant life, culture, and more. If your trip itinerary is filled with exciting attractions, consider making room for a relaxing walk along the Hoquarton Interpretive Trail for a change in pace.
Goodspeed Park
The Hoquarton Interpretive Trail connects to Goodspeed Park, a green space with picnic tables, a playground, and a skate park. Those traveling with their skateboards will find the skate park suitable for both beginners and more advanced riders.
There is also a playground and picnic tables at Goodspeed Park.
Using the facilities at Goodspeed Park is free.
Tillamook Forest Center
The Oregon Department of Forestry maintains this educational outdoor attraction, which features exhibits, a suspension bridge, and a replica fire lookout tower. The tower is climbable, so make sure you bring your camera to take photos from the top.
While the Tillamook Forest has several trails, the Wilson River Trail connects to the forest center; just make sure you return to the gates before they close for the day.
This attraction is free to enter, but they recommend a donation of $5. Sometimes, the Tillamook Forest Center runs programs, and these are also typically free. The gates are open on Wednesdays to Sundays from 10:00am-5:00pm in the summer, closing an hour earlier in the spring and fall.
Cape Lookout State Park
Find even more trails at this state park in Tillamook. The hike to the top of the cape here is 4.8 miles with a moderate incline, and you can also hike to a beach at the base. On a clear day, you can see Haystack Rock from one of the park’s viewing points.
Cape Lookout State Park is open year-round, but you should check for facility closures before you visit. There are also special restrictions in place for nesting season at the beach – from March 15th until September 15th, you can only walk on wet sand.
Latimer Quilt & Tile Center
The Latimer Quilt & Tile Center in Tillamook teaches its visitors about how textiles are made. Here, you’ll see vintage pieces, modern works, and the tools used to make them. This educational center also hosts demonstration groups and classes, so if you’ll be in town for one, consider adding that activity to your trip itinerary.
This attraction has different hours for each season so double check hours before arriving. Admission costs $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and free for children under 13.
Bear Creek Artichokes
This seasonal farm offers a menu with soups, sandwiches, artichoke dip, and other delicious food items. Buy some from their on-site market or deli when artichokes are in season. During the fall, Bear Creek Artichokes turns into a pumpkin patch, making this a great place to stop on a trip through Oregon in October.
Day Trips From Tillamook, OR
Tillamook is close to several other destinations that are worth visiting. If you’re making Tillamook your vacation base point and have room on your itinerary for a day trip, consider visiting these spots that are less than two hours away from Tillamook:
Portland
While you could easily make an entire trip out of visiting this city, it’s also a good day trip option. Be sure to check out Powell’s City of Books, Voodoo Doughnut, the Rose Garden, and perhaps some local breweries.
Read More: Top 10 Free Things to Do in Portland, Oregon
Multnomah Falls
Not far from Portland is Multnomah Falls, a tourist attraction that’s part of the Columbia River Gorge. It’s a frequently visited natural site in the Pacific Northwest, offering several viewing points for the waterfall.
If you’re visiting in the summer, you can also grab some soft serve ice cream from the concession stand at the bottom.
Pacific City
This coastal town is about an hour away from Tillamook. During the summer, you can surf at Pacific City Beach, kayak on the Nestucca River, and even learn how to hang glide from Cape Kiwanda. If you’re up for a road trip, take the Three Capes Scenic Loop from Tillamook and along the Oregon Coast. On this drive, you’ll pass through Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City, where you can hike up a sand dune to catch some beautiful beach views.
Read More: 10 Best Weekend Getaways in Oregon
Enjoy Your Trip to Tillamook!
With great food, cool museums, and natural areas to explore, Tillamook can be an exciting trip destination for those visiting the Pacific Northwest. Even if you’re only visiting for a day trip, you’ll be able to see plenty of what this town has to offer.