Ocean Shores Interpretive Center

We just went here with our two kids, 4 and 6, and we loved it! The staff was super friendly and the place was really accessible for the kids. They had so many awesome displays we could touch — tons of bones, shells, stuffed sea birds, fossils, and more. They had baleen from a whale! They told us about shipwrecks in the area, then gave us not only a shipwreck map, but also real coal that was from an 1800s shipwreck that washed up on the shore! Really just a hidden gem, and plenty for older kids and adults to learn from too. There was a play area and some outdoor trails that we didn’t have a chance to check out. Highly recommended. Limited winter hours.

Worth the visit! The staff is knowledgeable and friendly and they have some interesting stuff to see. It’s not big, but worth an hour of your time. We also love the fact that this is a hands on museum, so you can touch and feel lots of the stuff on display!

Very knowledgable staff about nature life and the goings on about town. Very good with directions and recommendations of what to see in the area. The exhibit was interesting. The books they sell are insightful and many on sale. Lovely staff and a must see when in ocean shores. A+++

This place rocks! The staff is so friendly and so freaking smart!!! The exhibits waaaaaaay exceeded my expectations. What was planned as a fifteen minute walk through turned into a two hour excursion.

You must visit the Interpretive Center in Ocean Shores. Absolutely wonderful. Helpful staff, Great exhibits and hands-​on activities for the kids. I really enjoyed visiting here. A+++++

The people who work here are incredibly friendly. They welcomed us, showed us around, pointed out the most interesting artifacts and told us the story behind it. This museum has lots of dead animals in dynamic poses.

A HAIKU REVIEW
Weird and wonderful
Bigfoot prints, rocks, shells, boat stuff
YOW — TAXIDERMY!

This place just blew me away. Sure, it’s not the Smithsonian, but that’s not the point. If you’re staying in Ocean Shores and are at all interested in learning a bit more about the natural surroundings, the native american history or the enormous financial optimism that made the place what it is (and is not) today, then this place is highly recommended.
For kids, they have a great selection of hands-​on activities where they can learn about Sand Dollars, whales, seals, pelicans and all the other wildlife that call Grays Harbour home. They also have the most knowledgable, patient and friendly staff working there who help you and your family get the most out of it.
For adults, there’s plenty of fascinating exhibits hidden away in the warren of rooms and passages.
All in all, it’s a wonderful demonstration of what can be achieved on a limited budget but with the enthusiasm and commitment of a dedicated community.

If you can get past the posters and handwritten signs that look like they came out of an elementary school or state fair display, you will get a lot out of this place.
I was so sure that my friend had turned the wrong way or had gone too far, but just as my doubts were increasing, there in front of us was the Interpretive Center!
We walked around for a few minutes outside, checking out the whaling cannon and the eagle display.
When we made our way inside, we signed the guestbook and one of the staff immediately brought us up to speed on what we should expect. She told us about the different rooms, a bit about the history of the Interpretive Center, and told us not to touch the mounted animals in the back.
All in all, there was a LOT to see. Various clam shells, old tourist brochures, stuffed bobcats, etc.
Make sure that you get out to this hidden history gem on your next trip out to Ocean Shores.

Excellent interpretive center with lots to do for kids! They were really friendly to our little guy and told us that basically the whole museum was hands-​on. There was also a sand table out front.
Tons of rooms filled with lots of interesting exhibits. Friendly, helpful staff.
The hours are limited, so make sure you check. We got there an hour before they opened, but they opened early when they saw us milling about in the parking lot. Bonus points :)

I love the interpretive center!
It is a little bit away from the main part of Ocean Shores, but oh so worth it. They have weekend only hours during the off season and usually open for 4 – 5 hours and run by volunteers.
Plus it is free! Lots of different things to look at, such as pictures and to learn about the local history and wildlife.
When you are in Ocean Shores and you have some time, come check this out.

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 décor, 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.

Being in Ocean Shores for an extended period of time, we were running a little short on keeping the kids busy. So we decided to check it out. I have to say, I was fairly impressed as were the kids. They house a lot of artifacts and have a lot of hands on stuff for the kids to explore. They ladies that were manning the day we went were so friendly and informative with the five kiddos we had in tow!
So if you are in Ocean Shores on a bad weather day give this place a try!

This place was waaaaaaaaaay better than I thought it would be. Not to sound mean, but 1^st off… the interpretive center? Sounds weird… but it is a natural-​history museum and just fascinating! The back room with all the «finds» from the beaches was awesome. Bottles from Russia, Japanese fishing floats… heck…they even have a Japanese Buoy that washed up on shore out here! They also have lots of pieces from the famous Catala shipwreck (which is no longer out here) like the windows, some galley doors, etc.
They have animal exhibits, rocks and minerals, etc. and they encourage you to touch!!! Yay… no yelling at my kid here!
A must for anyone visiting… plus, it is right next to Damon State Park which is awesome…

The only natural history museum on and about the coast of Washington, this place is fascinating. There’s a newer addition that has all sorts of modern interactive displays like videos and a ship wheel, but the old section is my favorite. Small rooms absolutely crammed from top to bottom with coastal treasures like stuffed bats, Japanese glass floats, an authentic message in a bottle that traveled all the way from Japan, sand dollars, ship models, old logging tools, whale skeletons… the list is endless and the displays are endlessly interesting. Kids walk away with a great map of local shipwrecks, and there have been a lot of them, pencils and sand dollars, and when I mentioned we homeschool, I was given a bag stuffed with educational materials, plus a fun tsunami evacuation sign. All for free. There’s no charge to visit and no visit to Ocean Shores is complete without stopping here.