Old Town and the Siuslaw in Florence
Florence grew up where the Siuslaw River meets the Pacific. Old Town is on the riverfront, and most of what is described here is within walking distance of it.
The Siuslaw River
According to Wikipedia, the Siuslaw is about 110 miles long. It rises in the mountains of southwestern Lane County, west of Cottage Grove, and enters the Pacific at Florence. The river is part of the homeland of the Siuslaw people, for whom it is named. Its estuary is surrounded by wetlands that are important habitat for migratory birds.
Old Town and the bridge
Wikipedia places Old Town on the Siuslaw riverfront, with the Port of Siuslaw marina to the east and the 1936 Art Deco Siuslaw River Bridge to the west. A boardwalk promenade runs along the marina. The City of Florence has an Explore Florence section on its official site.
Port of Siuslaw
The Port of Siuslaw is a public port district run by elected commissioners whose meetings are open to the public. Its site describes a campground and marina next to the river and adjacent to Historic Old Town.
Siuslaw Pioneer Museum
The Siuslaw Pioneer Museum describes its mission as collecting, maintaining and exhibiting the history of life in the Siuslaw Region. It is run by a nonprofit association and is housed in the former Siuslaw High School building, built in 1905, in Historic Old Town Florence at 278 Maple Street. It also has a research library. Hours change, so check the museum's own site.