Located where the Coos River flows into the Pacific Ocean, Coos Bay is a maritime-rich city on Oregon’s south coast. It was the homeland of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, Siuslaw and Coquille tribes for thousands of years before survivors of the “Captain Lincoln” shipwreck established Camp Castaway here in 1852.
Things to do in Coos Bay
To learn about the people and events that have shaped the city, head to the Coos History Museum & Maritime Collection, which was originally established in 1891 as the Coos County Pioneer Association. In addition to cultural artefacts dating from prehistoric times to the 1970s, the museum exhibits old photographs and documents related to the maritime history of south coastal Oregon.
Housed in an Art Deco-style former post office, the Coos Art Museum hosts regularly changing exhibitions by local artists, as well as a permanent collection of more than 500 works. You can coincide your visit with one of the art classes or lectures that are held here or attend one of the community events designed to promote an appreciation and understanding of contemporary art.
Want to stretch your legs? Enjoy a stroll along the Coos Bay Boardwalk, which follows the banks of the Coos River. Alternatively, you can walk along one of the lakeside trails that meander through Mingus Park, which was laid out almost 100 years ago. It’s home to children’s playgrounds, a skate park and an outdoor swimming pool, as well as the Japanese-inspired Choshi Gardens.
Getting around Coos Bay
Southwest Oregon Regional Airport is a 15-minute drive from Coos Bay and has flights to destinations across the United States. Long-distance buses connect from Eugene to Coos Bay and local buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Coos Bay can easily be explored on foot.