Attractions

For many Cannon Beach visitors, shopping is the town's greatest attraction. In the heart of town, along Hemlock Street, you'll find dozens of densely packed small shops and galleries offering original art, fine crafts, unusual gifts, and casual fashions. Galleries worth seeking out include Northwest by Northwest, 232 N. Spruce St. (tel. 800/494-0741 or 503/436-0741; www.nwbynwgallery.com), which features works by established Northwest artists; White Bird Gallery, 251 N. Hemlock St. (tel. 503/436-2681; www.whitebirdgallery.com), a good gallery for colorful contemporary art and fine crafts; Icefire Glassworks, 116 E. Gower St. (tel. 888/423-3545 or 503/436-2359), a glassblowing studio south of downtown; and Cannon Beach Gallery, 1064 S. Hemlock St. (tel. 503/436-0744; www.cannonbeacharts.org), which is operated by a local arts organization and mounts shows in a wide variety of styles not usually seen in other Cannon Beach galleries (which tend to be heavy on beach landscapes). On the surface, Cannon Beach may not look as though it has much history, but from Lewis and Clark's visit to the story of the cannon that gave the town its name, there is a bit to learn about this town's past. Visit the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum, 1387 S. Spruce St. (tel. 503/436-9301; www.cbhistory.org), where modern, well-designed exhibits tell the story of the town's past, including the history of tourism here.

Want to turn a Cannon Beach getaway into a truly relaxing escape? Book a massage or a skin or hydrotherapy treatment at the Cannon Beach Spa, 232 N. Spruce St. (tel. 888/577-8772 or 503/436-8772; www.cannonbeachspa.com). Prices run between $65 and $85 for an hour-long massage.