Head to Oregon’s Central Coast to Newport, a small town with much to offer to tourists and locals, from the surrounding magnificent beaches and parks to the unique brew pubs, restaurants, and museums. You will find uninhibited access to whale watching tours, Dungeness crabbing, and a plethora of options to satiate all of your seafood desires.
See the exhibits at Hatfield Marine Science Center
The visitors center showcases a large assortment of exhibits, some with live marine animals and others with educational displays about weather, ocean resource management, fishing, tidepool creatures, and other ocean-related topics. Go on a tour of the Hatfield Marine Science Center which offers many public programs and is open all year round, and admission cost is through donation.
Address: 2030 SE Marine Science Drive Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 541-867-0100
Breathe in fresh air as you hike in South Beach State Park
Open to the public all year round for general access as well as camping, South Beach State Park covers approximately 500 acres of land and has many facilities to please visitors. Go hiking, access different viewpoints, wildlife watching, biking and fishing on your trip. There is also beach access, kayak launching, and hot showers.
Address: 5580 SW Coast Hwy, Newport, OR 97366, Phone: 800-551-6949
Enjoy scenic views from Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site
Overlooking the mouth of the Yaquina Bay and its merging with the Pacific Ocean, the Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site was given to Oregon State by the U.S. Lighthouse Service in two sections, the first in 1934 and the last in 1971.
Address: Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 800-551-6949
Purchase fresh fruit and veggies at Newport Farmer's Market
Depending on the time of year, guests to the Newport Farmer's Market will either find the summer market or the winter market, both specializing in various fruits, vegetables, and other items that are primarily seasonal. One of the best ways to feel like a local while visiting Newport is to spend a Saturday morning at the Newport Farmer’s Market and enjoy all the local community has to offer.
Address: P.O. Box 1633, Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 541-961-8236
Head to Newport Historic Bayfront
The Newport Historic Bayfront has been entertaining visitors and locals alike for generations, and there are a few specific things that are considered a must-see when in the area.
Address: 250-300 SW Bay Blvd, Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 401-845-5300
Take the kids to the Oregon Coast Aquarium
Presented as a living classroom for nearly all learning styles and ages, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is one of Oregon’s top tourist attractions and is visited annually by over 440,000 guests on average. The aquarium showcases some very special exhibits, such as their Passages of the Deep tunnel, which takes guests through a large exhibit containing sharks, rays, rockfish, and more.
Address: 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 541-867-3474
Explore local stories and history at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center
Known as a center that celebrates history and diverse culture while focusing on scientifically researching the ocean, the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center is located in an historic Bayfront building that was purchased in 2004 by the Lincoln County Historical Society.Many of the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center’s exhibits tell the stories of folks who live and work on sea, on land, and along local rivers and other waterways.
Address: 333 SE Bay Blvd Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 541-265-7509
Have an adventure in Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Featuring Oregon’s tallest lighthouse and much more, the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is aptly named considering the range of adventure that can be had inside the area. The natural area is a piece of land that extends for a mile from the rest of the coast toward the ocean, a detail which makes it particularly important to have a bright light atop the 93-foot tall lighthouse, which has been in service since August 20th, 1873. There is also an interpretive learning center that showcases exhibits on marine life, sea birds, and human history within the area. The interpretive center can be explored during any open hours, but to visit the lighthouse guests must participate in a park ranger-led tour.
750 NW Lighthouse Dr Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 541-574-3100
Relax in the sun in Beverly Beach State Park
Head to the beach in the 135-acre Beverly Beach State Park, a local treasure that remains popular for a variety of reasons. With the appropriate weather, guests may find kites flying, sand castles being built, and surfers enjoying the waves of the North Beach, while other guests search for fossils on the South Beach. Near the beach itself lies the campground, fully equipped with a visitors center that offers campsite registration and firewood purchase, and a large variety of campsite and RV hookup stations to suit the needs of any visitor.
Address: 198 NE 123rd St Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 800-551-6949
Visit Burrows House
The modern-day Burrows House now stands as a museum, however this Queen Anne Victorian style building has not always been an establishment focused on educating the public.
Address: 545 SW 9th Street Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 541-265-7509
Take in ocean views from Cape Foulweather
Located approximately 9 miles north of Newport, Oregon, on Route 101, Cape Foulweather was originally named by Captain James Cook in 1778 after he experienced particularly bad weather in the area. Noted as a popular tourist destination for its beautiful scenery and ocean views, Cape Foulweather consists of an open overlook and a gift ship very near to the coast. During inclement weather, visitors are invited to seek refuge in the gift shop, which features a cliff-side panoramic view of the water and kelp beds. There is a small parking lot to serve visitors, and the gift shop is open all year round.
Address: 4905 Otter Crest Loop Depoe Bay, OR 97341, Phone: 541-765-2270
Dine at Chowder Bowl at Nye Beach
Nestled into Nye Beach since its inception in the 1980s, Chowder Bowl has been serving their milk-based award-winning chowder with local ingredients to customers from around the world. Featuring not only chowder, but also fish and chips, certified Angus burgers, salads, seafood dishes, and handmade desserts, Chowder Bowl is sure to have an option to please everyone in the family.
Address: 728 NW Beach Dr Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 541-265-7477
Visit Devil's Punchbowl
Slowly acquired and pieced together between 1929 and 1971 through various donations and purchases, Devil's Punchbowl eventually became the park that it is today. Devil’s Punchbowl covers approximately 8 acres of land and has an annual average attendance of around 580,000 guests. The park is best known for surfers and surf watchers, whale watching, and tidepool exploration.
Address: Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area Otter Rock, OR 97369, Phone: 800-551-6949
Dine with a view at Georgie's Beachside Grill
Built to accentuate the striking ocean views offered by its location, Georgie's Beachside Grill features a large number of tableside windows that showcase its finest asset, the Pacific Ocean.Although the menu has an emphasis on seafood, that doesn’t mean that it is the only option, as Georgie’s features vegetarian, gluten-free, and full kids menus as well.
Address: 744 SW Elizabeth St Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 541-265-9800
Go on the Marine Discovery Tour
Endorsed by the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, the Marine Discovery Tour offers a variety of tour options for groups, individuals, and adventure seekers of all types. Operating daily between the months of March and October, guests can partake in whale watching and sea life cruises with an experienced crew and captain to guide them.
Address: 345 SW Bay Boulevard Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 541-265-6200
Have an adventure with Ossie's Surf Shop Kayak Tour
Known regionally as a credible surf shop, Ossie's Surf Shop has been serving the community and tourists for over 15 years. Although Ossie’s Surf Shop primarily focuses on all things surfing, they have also branched into kayak tours and offer five separate guided kayak tours for guests to choose from.
Address: 4860 North Coast Hwy Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 541-574-4634
Pick up dessert at Panini Bakery
A short stroll from the ocean and even closer to Nye Beach, the Panini Bakery has been a local favorite since it was founded and often draws large crowds during its peak hours. They offer a variety of pastries, pizza, sandwiches, and breakfast options for guests to enjoy throughout the day.
Address: 232 NW Coast St Newport, OR 97365-3605, Phone: 541-265-5033
Taste unique flavors at Rogue Nation Brewery & Spirits
When the owner of the Rogue brewpub in Ashland, Oregon, traveled to Newport to seek out a new location for Rogue, he encountered an unfortunately powerful snowstorm that temporarily trapped him in the town. While wandering the snow-covered streets, he came across Mohava Niemi, founder of Mo’s Restaurant, and she extended her hospitality through a bowl of her famous clam chowder. Over that bowl of chowder, it was agreed upon that the next location of Rogue Ales Brew Pub would be in a building Mo owned and, thus, Rogue Nation Brewery & Spirits in Newport was founded and opened in May of 1989, the same location it exists at today.
Address: 2320 SE Marine Science Dr, Newport, OR 97365, Phone: 541-867-3660
Have fun with kids at Ripley’s Believe it or Not! World of Adventure
Anyone who loves all things unique and obscure is sure to enjoy their visit to Ripley’s Believe it or Not! World of Adventure in Newport. There are 11 mind-blowing galleries filled to the brim with oddities of all kinds. Expect outrageous art, animal exhibits that are hard to believe, pop-culture memorabilia and the weirdest stories of people and places that you could wish can find anywhere under a single roof.After your tour of the galleries you can visit the most unique outdoor Art Garden. Children will love the many interactive displays.
Address: Ripley’s Believe it or Not! World of Adventure, 250 SW Bay Blvd, Newport, OR 97365, 541 265 2206
Test your skills at Escape Rooms Newport
Escape Rooms Newport invites you to come and find out why so many people are becoming obsessed with escape rooms. In case you are new to the concept, an escape room experience is a fully immersive live-action game where you and your team or family will be locked into a themed room from which you need to escape within 60 minutes.
Address: Escape Rooms Newport, 3101 South Slip Ferry Road, Newport, OR 97365, 541 867 2988
Have dinner at Local Ocean Seafoods
There are few greater pleasures in life than dining on the freshest fish and seafood as you gaze out onto the ocean and the fishing boats that produced your food. This is exactly the experience you can have when you book a table at Local Ocean Seafoods in Newport.
Address: Local Ocean Seafoods, Newport Historic Bayfront, 213 SE Bay Blvd, Newport, OR 97365, 541 574 7959
