Hit the Road: Funky Family Road Trips From Seattle

Distance from Seattle: 224 miles one way, 4 hours of driving time

Washington’s northern, rugged Olympic coast gets most of the attention, but the southern coast has its own charms for kite-flyers, kayakers, beachcombers and clam diggers. Sandy beaches, large estuaries and lots of funky beach towns line the stretch of coastline from Westport to Ilwaco, with chowder and ice cream pit stops to fuel your journey.

Stops along the way

Mile 123: Bottle Beach State Park (Ocosta): A nice boardwalk trail through wet riparian woods takes you to Gray’s Harbor’s south bay. At low tide, expansive mudflats host thousands of migrating shorebirds in spring and fall (sandpipers, plovers, godwits and more).

Mile 131: Bennett's Fish Shack (Westport): Detour off the highway for some fried clam strips and chowder on Westport’s maritime working waterfront.  

Mile 134: Grays Harbor Lighthouse (Westport): The state’s tallest lighthouse was first lit in 1898, helping to curb the number of shipwrecks while guiding mariners to safe harbor, as it still does today. 

Mile 136: Twin Harbors State Park (Westport): Hit the beach! It’s easy to get a kite in the air here — just hold it up in one hand with the spool in the other, break into a run on the sand then let it go! During designated dig days, razor clammers dot the beach with their buckets and shovels.

Mile 167: Northwest Carriage Museum (Raymond): You’ll know you’re in Raymond when you start to notice steel sculptures of birds, trees and people scattered everywhere. But you won’t fully understand the uniqueness of this town until you visit its museum dedicated to old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages, sleighs, buggies and wagons. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and those younger than 5 years old enter for free.

Mile 202: Ellsworth Creek Preserve (Naselle): Part nature preserve and part outdoor art exhibit, this mile-long loop on boardwalk in the Willapa Bay National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect leg-stretcher with a side of whimsy. Kids, keep an eye out for cool amphibians!

Mile 214: Scoopers Ice Cream (Long Beach): Are you in the mood for a huge banana split, or a towering hot fudge sundae? Keep it simple and get a double scoop, but you’ll still have to decide from more than 40 flavors.  

Mile 214: Marsh’s Free Museum (Long Beach): This curiosity shop is just the sort of place you’d expect in a quintessential beach town - browse their seashells, sunglasses, and several dozen varieties of saltwater taffy. Don’t miss the quirky arcade. 

Mile 215: World Kite Museum (Long Beach): Buy a kite here or bring your own for the beach just steps away. The Museum features exhibits about kites from around the world, from China to California. The museum has a kids’ table where your little ones can assemble their very own kite, that will really fly!

Mile 216: Discovery Trail (Ilwaco): Pack the bikes, scooters and helmets! At 8.5 miles long, this mostly paved path takes you past a massive gray whale skeleton, over windswept sand dunes and through a lush wetland.

Mile 221: Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center (Ilwaco) Set in Cape Disappointment State Park, this museum tells the story of the expedition’s historic journey. Its interactive exhibits were designed for kids: follow a treasure hunt, pack a canoe without tipping it and learn how members of the expedition survived the stormy winter.

Mile 224: Salt Pub (Ilwaco): This is the family-friendly spot to unwind and nosh on fish and chips and burgers with a water view, set right on Ilwaco’s bustling marina. 

Where to stay

Adrift Hotel (Long Beach): Popular with families, this refurbished modern inn right on the beach has no-frills décor, a heated pool and colorful cruiser bikes to rent. 

Cape Disappointment State Park (Ilwaco): The campsites don’t have water views, but the a spectacular beach and two vintages lighthouses are just short hikes away. Keep it toasty by skipping the tent and renting one of their cozy yurts or cabins. Note: Camping at Cape Disappointment will temporarily close in the fall of 2024 until the spring of 2025. Check the park’s website for updated information.

Next up: The Columbia Gorge