The small Alsea Bay Bridge Historical Interpretive Center (620 NW Spring St., 541/563-2002, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily summer, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Tues.–Sat. fall–spring, free), operated by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Waldport Chamber of Commerce, stands along the highway on the south side of the river.
Exhibits here tell the story of how the sleek 1991 bridge replaced the aging Conde McCullough span across the bay, which has since been demolished. Displays about transportation methods along the central coast since the 1800s, information on the Alsea Native American people, and a telescope trained on the seals and waterfowl on the bay are worth a quick stop.
In addition, Oregon Parks and Recreation guides lead bridge tours daily at 2 p.m. and give clamming and crabbing demonstrations during the summer (locations and times vary according to the tides).