These days the hottest thing in town is the Chinook Winds Casino, 1777 NW 45th St. (tel. 888/CHINOOK or 541/996-5825; www.chinookwindscasino.com), a massive casino run by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and located right on the beach at the north end of town. The casino offers blackjack, poker, slot machines, keno, and bingo. There's plenty of cheap food, as well as a video-game room for the kids. Big-name entertainers help attract folks who might not otherwise consider visiting a casino.
You can catch live jazz at Eden Hall, 6645 Gleneden Beach Loop Rd., Gleneden (tel. 541/764-3826; www.edenhall.com), a big club and restaurant just south of the Salishan Lodge.
The casino may actually be second in popularity to the Tanger Outlet Center, 1500 SE East Devils Lake Rd. (tel. 541/996-5000; www.tangeroutlet.com), which is on the corner of U.S. 101. Among the many expected name-brand shops here, you'll also find the Chateau Benoit winery tasting room.
Lincoln City has a surprising number of interesting art galleries and artists' studios. At the north end of town, the first gallery you'll come to is the Ryan Gallery, 4270 N. U.S. 101 (tel. 541/994-5391; www.ryanartgallery.com). Right in the heart of Lincoln City's main business strip, watch for the Earthworks Gallery, 620 NE U.S. 101 (tel. 541/557-4148), which emphasizes ceramic and glass art, but also carries a variety of other fine crafts.
South of Lincoln City proper, you'll find the impressive Freed Gallery, 6119 SW U.S. 101 (tel. 541/994-5600; www.freedgallery.com), which has an excellent selection of art glass and ceramic work, as well as sculptures and paintings in a wide variety of styles. Just off U.S. 101, north of Salishan Resort, you'll find Alder House III, 611 Immonen Rd. (no phone; www.alderhouse.com), the oldest glassblowing studio in Oregon. The shop and studio are open daily from 10am to 5pm between mid-March and Thanksgiving weekend. Nearby, you'll also find Mossy Creek Pottery, 483 Immonen Rd. (tel. 541/996-2415; www.mossycreekpottery.com), with an eclectic selection of porcelain and stoneware by Oregon potters.
