It can be an expensive ordeal to take a family to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, but once you are inside the exhibits are worth it. The shark exhibit is amazing, especially if you walk through at feeding time. There are great "touchy, feely" exhibits where you get to pet some of the marine life like star fish and sponges.
My personal favorite are the sea lions. They are so fat and slow on land, but amazingly beautiful and graceful in water. The inhabitants love to show off their swimming skills for all the visitors.
more