18 Free Things You Can Do on Oregon's Adventure Coast This Summer

We get it; budgets are tight at the moment. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a great Oregon Coast vacation! Everyone loves a great deal, and Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston is the perfect destination for a fantastic getaway that won’t break the bank.

From free festivals and outdoor adventures to complimentary access to local museums , there is no shortage of budget-friendly experiences waiting for you here. Join us as we explore some of our top picks for enjoying Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston for free (or on the cheap):

**Please note: All events scheduled in this blog post are liable to change at any time. Please call ahead or check out our Events Page and Calendar for the complete list.**

What’s Free This Summer on Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston?

Music & Entertainment

#1 FREE concerts and educational workshops presented by the Annual Oregon Coast Music Festival (OCMF)! This two-week festival is the largest of its kind on the Oregon Coast, attracting thousands of music lovers to our area each year. Many of the events are completely free and open to the public. Tickets for other OCMF concerts are available now.

• Friday, July 18 @ 2:00 pm – Afternoon Music Café featuring Just Jensens and Tree‑O. North Bend Public Library
• Saturday, July 19 @ noon – Family Mystic Marcelo Guitron (Guitar/Vocals), Matthew Serino (Bass/Vocals), Tommy Serino (Drums/Vocals), Love Covington (Keys/Vocals). Shore Acres State Park Gardens, Charleston. The concert is free. Parking at Shore Acres costs $10 unless you have your Oregon State Parks pass.
• Monday, July 21, at noon – Lunch & Learn. Bring your lunch and learn about Tuesday night’s Opening Orchestra concert. Umpqua Hall, Room 109, Southwestern Oregon Community College
• Wednesday, July 23 @ noon – Lunch & Learn – Preview of Thursday’s Orchestra Pops concert featuring Adam Stern and Aaron Johnson. Umpqua Hall, Room 109, Southwestern Oregon Community College
• Friday, July 25 @ noon – Lunch & Learn – Join us for insights into Saturday’s Final Orchestra concert. Umpqua Hall, Room 109, Southwestern Oregon Community College

#2 Music on the Bay Free Concert Series – Thursdays, August 7 – September 11, 2025. Enjoy live music for free at the Mingus Park Amphitheater every Thursday evening in August and through mid-September. Bring a picnic, come dance, and relax with friends and family! Visit theMusic on the Bay Facebook Page for information on this season’s schedule and lineup.

#3 Catch local musicians in and around the area. Guests can usually hear live local and regional music at various entertainment venues in and around Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston such as the 7 Devils Brewery, Back Alley Pub & Grill , The Captain’s Cabin , Coney Station , Front Street Food Trucks , Ko-Kwel Casino Resort (formerly The Mill Casino • Hotel & RV Park), NoBe Taphouse and Food Cart Pod , North Forty Brewing in North Bend and Wildflour Public House (just to name a few!). There is typically not a cover charge for most performances; please contact the venue in advance to confirm.

#4 Hear live organ music onThe Mighty Wurlitzer at theEgyptian Theatre ** ** onWednesdays from 12 pm - 1 pm ! ** ** In addition to the free organ concerts on Wednesdays, Coos Bay’s landmark Egyptian Theatre offers affordable entertainment, as well as classic and family-friendly movies. The best part? Enjoying the historic interior restored to its former glory by The Egyptian Theatre Preservation Association.

#5 Attend a local festival; most are free, and there’s no shortage of them on Oregon’s Adventure Coast! You can see the complete list on ourEvents Page andCalendar .

• Annual July Jubilee , a three‑day festival in North Bend to celebrate the city’s “birthday” with live music, classic car shows, a 5K run, family activities, food, and community events, July 18–20, 2025.

• Blackberry Arts Festival featuring original works of art, crafts, food, drink, music, family-friendly activities, and more, August 23 - 24, 2025.

• Annual Mill-Luck Salmon Celebration , celebrating Native American heritage with plenty of free cultural activities, including traditional canoe races, dancing, hands-on demonstrations, and an optional ticketed salmon bake at the Ko-kwel Casino Resort Coos Bay (formerly named The Mill Casino), September 13 - September 14, 2025.

• The Bay Area Fun Festival in Coos Bay features a vibrant lineup of events, including a parade, live music, a vendor market with arts, crafts, and local food, theAnnual Cruz The Coos ,the Prefontaine Memorial Run , family-friendly attractions, and entertainment on September 20–21, 2025.

   

Free Outdoor Fun

#1South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (South Slough NERR). There is no charge to explore this beautiful 5,000-acre natural area, located in the Coos estuary on the south coast of Oregon; yet, the experience is priceless. This natural treasure features hiking trails, open water channels, tidal and freshwater wetlands, riparian areas, and forested uplands as well as an Interpretive Center.

#2 Have a Beach Day. Your visit to Oregon’s Adventure Coast would not be complete without a trip to one of ourbeautiful, undeveloped beaches ! Pack a picnic and spend a few hours on a local beach like Horsfall Beach, Bastendorff Beach, Sunset Bay State Park, Seven Devils State Recreation Site, Whiskey Run Beach, and more.

**Your safety is paramount when visiting the Oregon Coast. Sneaker waves, undertows, and drifting logs can pose unexpected dangers, so always stay aware and never turn your back on the ocean.**

#3 Explore Cape Arago Beach Loop. This scenic 8-mile stretch along the Cape Arago Highway (Oregon Route 540), known as theCape Arago Beach Loop , is one of the most beautiful drives along Oregon’s Adventure Coast. Visitors can explore all three of our state parks: Sunset Bay State Park , Shore Acres State Park (note that a $10 parking fee applies), andCape Arago State Park . Hike the Sunset Bay to Cape Arago Trail , a 6.5-mile round-trip loop or take a shorter out-and-back segment between the three state parks, along beautiful cliffs and down to hidden beaches.

Be sure to swing by the Shell Island Interpretive Stop, where you can get a great view of the seals and sea lions onSimpson Reef and Shell Island , part of theOregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge .Download our Charleston to Bandon Scenic Tour Driving Map to help you on your route and choose your own experience. You may alsodownload our PDF Guide for the Cape Arago Beach Loop.

#4 Hike to Golden and Silver Falls. You can’t place a price tag on the experience of seeing the two magnificent waterfalls here on Oregon’s Adventure Coast up close. A hike through lush coastal forests toGolden and Silver Falls State Natural Area (not to be confused with Silver Falls State Park outside of Salem, OR) is not only a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, but it is also completely free!

#5 Explore the mysterious Oregon Dunes via the John Dellenback Trail. Everyone should see the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area at least once, but contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to rent or own expensive equipment to do so. You can explore the vast expanse of the Oregon Dunes by bike or on foot if you know where to go. As the only non-motorized portion of the Oregon Dunes, theJohn Dellenback Dunes Trail in Lakeside, OR, is a great place to experience the beauty of the dunes without the noise and for a fraction of the price (just a $5 day-use fee per vehicle, unless you have a Northwest Forest Pass).

Shopping & Exploring the Towns

#1 Visit theCoos Bay Farmers Market (CBDA), celebrating its 25th season in downtown Coos Bay! It’s free to take in the scenery as you browse local vendors selling unique handcrafted creations as well as locally grown produce, baked goods, eggs, honey, meat, and so much more. The CBDA is open every Wednesday through the end of October from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

#2 Spend an afternoonwindow shopping in downtown Coos Bay & North Bend. Explore the antique shops, local boutiques, galleries, and eateries that make our downtown communities unique. From one-of-a-kind vintage finds to handcrafted goods and locally-inspired art, there’s no telling what hidden treasures you might uncover. As you browse, you’ll also get to know the friendly merchants who bring so much life to our region!

#3 Stroll through theCharleston Marina. It’s completely free and a great way to soak in the local vibe of one of Oregon’s most authentic fishing villages as you watch working boats come and go as they unload the day’s fresh catch. If you’re lucky, you may spot a few sea lions lounging on the docks or gliding through the harbor on a morning swim.

#4 Take a walk on the Coos Bay Boardwalk . Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, taking in the views of the bay and surrounding scenery. While you’re there, be sure to take a look at the new interpretive signs recently installed along the boardwalk celebrating the indigenous, maritime, and timber roots of our region, complete with audio recordings featuring voices from the community.

FREE Historical & Learning Experiences

#1 Visit theMarshfield Sun Printing Museum , a unique printing museum located at the north end of Front Street on Coos Bay’s waterfront. This hands-on museum showcases vintage printing presses, typesetting tools, and the craftsmanship behind early newspaper production. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day, the museum offers free admission, with donations gladly accepted.

#2 Take aself-guided walking tour of Historic Coos Bay & North Bend and discover their rich history, including the logging and maritime industries that once thrived on the West Coast. Look for historic buildings, street murals, and plaques that share stories of the people who helped to shape this place, as well as the Indigenous peoples, such as theCoquille Indian Tribe and theConfederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians , who have inhabited the land for thousands of years.

#3 VisitThe Oregon Merci Train BoxCar ** ** - Restored and celebrated for its 75th anniversary in 2024, the Oregon Merci Train BoxCar in North Bend is a unique piece of American history, symbolizing France’s gratitude to the United States after World War II. One of 49 boxcars sent in 1949, this “forty and eight” model, used in both World Wars, is a tangible link to international friendship.

#4 Explore the Oregon Coast Historic Railway . A must-see for history buffs and train lovers of all ages! Located in the heart of Coos Bay, this hands-on museum invites you to climb aboard vintage locomotives, explore exhibits, and discover the rich railroad history that has helped shape our region. Kids will love the interactive play areas, including a fun train track game, while history buffs can marvel at the impressive collection of railroad memorabilia. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop for train-themed souvenirs and unique local finds. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm, admission is free, and donations are always appreciated.

Want more travel ideas and inspiration on Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston? Be sure to visit our Featured Adventures page and Trip Ideas page to find more travel ideas and inspiration. You can also followOregon’s Adventure Coast Facebook, @travelcoosbay on Instagram, and TikTok to find inspiration on the best spots to visit, eat, stay and explore any time of the year.