Coastal Interpretive Center

Tucked in Ocean Shores is the Coastal Interpretive Center - there's parking out front and a couple cute spots for pics and to check out pieces of shipwrecks around the building. Admission is $5 ($10 for a family) which sort of appears steep when you drive up but we were really pleasantly surprised by how informative and entertaining the Center is.

Kids (1,6,7) enjoyed the taxidermied animals, the kids area, and some of the educational exhibits. Adults liked the exhibits and just wandering around.

We lasted here a little over an hour, and I thought the stop was well worth it on our cloudy and wet morning.

Hidden Gem of Ocean Shores! Lots of fun facts and information. Cool things to look at and touch. Kids will really enjoy looking around and will learn something cool.

11/10 stars if I could. Very family and young kid friendly. The staff was so welcoming, explained each exhibit to us, and shared their revamp story. During the Covid Shutdown, they redid and expanded making their center bigger, fun for all ages, and add lots of historical references. Really amazing to walk through, learn about ocean shores, the indigenous tribes of this area, &and the animals of course. My 1 year old son had a ball and didn't want to leave. Extremely affordable too ($10 for 3 adults). Very clean and kept great.

This place is a little gem of local history and botany. The whole center has been re-done with carved woodwork and nice lighting. The volunteers are very helpful.

Great stop, spent about 90 minutes looking and touching. Cool videos to watch. The kids enjoyed (all above 10 years).

The last time my Darling Husband and myself were in Ocean Shores, Washington state we drove to the Coastal Interpretive Center. I bought my Husband a book of ghost stories during one visit. The last time I bought my Husband a Tie Dye T Shirt with the name of the Interpretive Center on the back. I had to wait a few minutes for the Clerk at the register to notice that I was standing there ready to make my purchase, though. There were a few Tourists already here... so I waited to enter. Some of the exhibits are newer. The animals have been updated. And there is an area where there are animal pelts up on the wall so that visitors can feel certain animals furs. On the side of the Interpretive Center is a buoy from Japan. In front of the Interpretive Center is a small garden with markers. Most of the animals inside aren't alive... so if looking at dead things creeps you out... you should avoid that back room. I was looking at a few items from a Shipwreck... and my Husband said that he wanted to go back outside. There were books for children mostly. I didn't see anything that I wanted during this last day trip.

We spent about 1 1/2 hours here expecting to be learning just about the local area. Instead, we learned about the entire west coast, forestry history, ocean currents, Coast Guard severe storm rescues, and geological facts that showed how the western coast and mountains were formed. I am over 70 and I learned a lot during my visit. Very well displayed for self learning at your own pace. They also have much that is kid oriented for them to discover and learn for themselves. I do recommend this center for family visits!

A hidden treasure well worth the hunt.

We arrived at 9:35 on a Sunday morning and saw that they didn't open until 10:00. Some was inside just turning on the lights. He unlocked the door and welcomed us in to explore. This is a non-profit interpretive center run without any government funding or assistance with free admission (recommended donation of $5).

Unlike most museums and interpretive centers, this is a hands on place. In the first room we entered, there were animal pelts on the wall and for the first time anywhere, I got to touch beaver, fur seal, coyote, weasel, and many more furs (Protected species pelts were donated by game wardens, confiscated from poachers.) In another room, I got to touch baleen from a whale. In other rooms there are shells, native basketry, glass floats, pieces from wrecked ships, and much more.

The all-volunteer staff have built something special here and are happy to inform, instruct, or just chat.

We stopped here on our way home to learn a little bit about the area. Ocean Shores definitely has a rich history.

The set up however is a little odd. You sort of feel like you are in your Grandmother's house and she loves faux wood paneling. Looking past the decor, the substance here is great. Any science or history nerd will be happy learning here. Plenty of cool history on shipwrecks and great marine life specimens.

And for those that like action, they have some great stuffed animals and a wheel from a shipwreck to play with.

The little gift shop has incredible beach and marine life books for all ages. I was very impressed and found an incredible tide pool book that's already been put to good use.

If you are visiting the Washington Coast this place is a must!

Located at the South end of OC, you'll see the blue sign for the interpretive center, it's easiest to take Ocean Shotes Blvd. all the way south from the center of town.

Once here you will see many displays of old whale harpoon gear, fossilized whale teeth, plant & flower identification charts, numerous books on gems etc....

Check in with Steve, he runs the center and is a wealth of information. He will give you helpful tips about what to look for, the best places and techniques to make the discoveries waiting on the shore.

I also noticed that there a quite a few locals who come to "shoot the breeze" with visitors and offer their personal stories of treasures and experiences.

It is free of charge (a 5$ donation requested but not necessary. )

Kids will enjoy seeing the shark jaws and hearing Steve tell of his ancient shark tooth he found at Damon Pt., a massive mega shark shark type tooth!!!

Ocean Shores can be fairly crowded, the north end is full of go carts & crap food. Go south and save yourself. This is where it's at.