Things to Do in Tillamook, Oregon: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Tillamook, on the northern Oregon Coast, is famous for its cheese, dairy farms and dramatic headlands. The Tillamook Creamery, the Three Capes Scenic Route with Cape Meares, Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda, Munson Creek Falls, the giant blimp hangar of the Tillamook Air Museum and quiet bays for crabbing make it a perfect coastal escape.
This guide covers the best things to do in Tillamook, Oregon, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Tillamook, Oregon
Tillamook Creamery
Cheese factory and ice cream.
Cape Meares
Lighthouse and Octopus Tree.
Cape Lookout State Park
Headland trail and whales.
Cape Kiwanda
Sand dune and Haystack Rock.
Munson Creek Falls
Tallest waterfall in the Coast Range.
Tillamook Air Museum
WWII blimp hangar.
Netarts Bay
Crabbing and clamming.
Blue Heron French Cheese Company
Cheese and farm animals.
Tillamook, Oregon in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Cheese and town
Start at the Tillamook Creamery for a self-guided tour above the production floor, cheese samples and a big scoop of ice cream. Lunch at the creamery's food hall. In the afternoon, visit the Blue Heron French Cheese Company with its petting farm, then the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum downtown.
2Day 2 · Cape Meares and Oceanside
Drive the Three Capes Scenic Route to Cape Meares, with the short lighthouse and the strange multi-trunk Octopus Tree, and look for seabirds and whales. Lunch in Oceanside overlooking Three Arch Rocks. In the afternoon, walk the beach at Oceanside through the tunnel to Tunnel Beach at low tide.
3Day 3 · Cape Lookout
Hike the Cape Lookout Trail, about five miles round-trip to the tip of the headland, one of the best spots on the coast for watching gray whales in winter and spring. Picnic lunch. In the afternoon, try crabbing or clamming in Netarts Bay with a rented ring.
Tillamook, Oregon in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Pacific City
Continue to Pacific City to climb the giant sand dune at Cape Kiwanda for views of its own Haystack Rock, and watch the dory boats launch from the beach. Lunch at Pelican Brewing on the sand. Spend the afternoon on the beach and watch the sunset.
5Day 5 · Waterfalls and air museum
Hike to Munson Creek Falls, the tallest waterfall in the Oregon Coast Range at 319 feet, then visit the Tillamook Air Museum in a giant wooden blimp hangar from World War II. Lunch in town. Evening oysters in Bay City.
Tillamook, Oregon in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Manzanita and Cannon Beach
Drive north to Manzanita's long beach and hike Neahkahnie Mountain, then continue to Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. Lunch in Cannon Beach. Return along Highway 101 at sunset. Neahkahnie Mountain's summit offers one of the finest views on the entire Oregon Coast.
7Day 7 · Farewell
Morning stop at a local bakery, last cheese and jerky shopping, and a farewell dinner of fresh Dungeness crab or Pacific oysters on Tillamook Bay. Portland is about 90 minutes inland via Highway 6 through the Tillamook State Forest.
What to do in Tillamook, Oregon on a weekend
Things to do in Tillamook on a weekend? Saturday: Creamery and Cape Meares. Sunday: Cape Lookout and Pacific City.
Tillamook County Fair in August with pig-n-ford races.
What to do in Tillamook, Oregon in the evening
In the evening, sunset at Cape Kiwanda.
Oysters in Bay City.
Tillamook, Oregon for couples
For couples, Three Capes drive, Pacific City sunset and oysters.
Tillamook, Oregon with kids
With kids, the Creamery, petting farm, air museum and tide pools.
What to eat in Tillamook, Oregon
Tillamook cheddar
Famous cheese.
Ice cream
Creamery.
Oysters
Netarts and Tillamook bays.
Dungeness crab
Local.
Jerky
Local smokehouses.
Where to stay in Tillamook, Oregon: best areas
Tillamook
Central.
Oceanside
Views.
Pacific City
Beach.
Manzanita
Quiet.
What to do in Tillamook, Oregon when it rains
Things to do in Tillamook when it rains? Creamery, air museum, Pioneer Museum and cheese shops.
How much does a trip to Tillamook, Oregon cost?
Expect $130–250 per night.
Practical tips for Tillamook, Oregon
Best time to visit
June–September.
Getting around
Car essential.
Our practical tips
- Arrive at the Creamery early.
- Tide tables for Tunnel Beach.
- Whale watching season.
- Layers.
- Crabbing license.
- Check road closures.
Mistakes to avoid
- Sneaker waves.
- Climbing past fences at Cape Kiwanda.
- Summer Creamery crowds midday.
- Driving the capes in fog.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Tillamook?
Creamery, Three Capes and Pacific City.
Is the Creamery free?
Yes, the self-guided tour.
Best whale watching?
Cape Lookout.
Best time?
Summer.