Top 10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Newport, Oregon (OR)

January 3, 2022 Esmeralda Fenner

With its ideal location on the magnificently rugged Oregon Coast, the entire city of Newport is a natural observatory that offers a number of fun and educational activities for the whole family. Spend the morning exploring tide pools, combing the beach for fossils and spotting marine life in their natural habitats. Then head over to the Oregon Coast Aquarium where you can pet an octopus and walk through a glass tunnel surrounded by sharks. Newport is also home to two lighthouses, one of which is the tallest on the Oregon Coast. Historic Nye Beach, with its colorful cottages and laid-back atmosphere, is the perfect spot for a picnic and a quick rest from all the sightseeing.
Restaurants in Newport

1. Escape Rooms Newport

3101 SE Ferry Slip Rd #226, Newport, OR 97365-5264 +1 541-867-2988 [email protected] http://www.escaperoomsnewport.com
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 19 reviews

Escape Rooms Newport

An escape room is a fully immersive live adventure game in which players of all ages can attempt to solve a series of puzzles and other challenges using clues, hints and strategy to complete the objectives at hand. Players are given a set time limit to unveil the secret plot which is hidden within the room. If you can accomplish this then you escape the room...Can you escape the room?

Reviewed By washington_wahine - Seattle, United States

Our family has done escape rooms throughout the West Coast. Some are better, some are worse. This one is a definite do. We went along with our Covid cohort, 4 of whom had not done escape rooms in the past and tbh were downright leery of the whole concept. The first one we did, the escape from jail, took teamwork and problem solving skills of many types. They enjoyed it so much that we did a more difficult one the next day, the pirate one, which we found inventive, rewarding, and challenging. Both we escaped from within the allotted time, but needed a hint or two to do so. What made these rooms great were the quality puzzles (everything worked ) and the different types of problem solving involved (everyone participated). The owner kept close tabs so that if we needed help he was immediately there and knew what the issue was. The rooms were clean and there was only one group allowed at a time. The pirate room was one of the top 3 we have ever done. Highly recommend.

2. Oregon Coast Aquarium

2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd, Newport, OR 97365-5269 +1 541-867-3474 [email protected] http://aquarium.org
Excellent
54%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,738 reviews

Oregon Coast Aquarium

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Newport, on the beautiful Oregon Coast. Our mission is to create unique and engaging experiences that connect you to the Oregon coast and inspire ocean conservation. The Aquarium is a living classroom for all learning styles and ages. As one of Oregon's top tourist attractions, the Aquarium is a vital educational resource for the state, with over 40,000 students visiting the Aquarium each year. The Aquarium strives to be a center of excellence for ocean literacy and plays an active role in conservation and animal rehabilitation efforts.

Reviewed By smashtown2012

Great Family Activity worth The 3hr Trip and Love the jelly fish tank and especially Love The Underwater Tunnels with The Sharks n Stingrays and School of Fish very very cool

3. Hatfield Marine Science Center

2030 SE Marine Science Dr, Newport, OR 97365-5296 +1 541-867-0100 [email protected] http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 697 reviews

Hatfield Marine Science Center

A series of informative exhibits at the Hatfield Marine Science Center gives visitors a glimpse of hot topics in contemporary marine science research.

Reviewed By travelgirlmel - Hillsboro, United States

Learned a lot fun! Great for people of all ages and is free which is a nice bonus they do ask for donations which makes sense

4. Nye Beach

Newport, OR
Excellent
50%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 887 reviews

Nye Beach

Historic beach along the Oregon Coast that has been a favorite recreational area for more than 100 years.

Reviewed By 944laurieg - Portland, United States

My favorite beach due to the small town feel. Beautiful beach, interesting shops, restaurants with excellent food. Historic bayfront just across the highway (101).

5. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

750 NW Lighthouse Dr, Newport, OR 97365-1347 +1 541-574-3100 [email protected] http://www.blm.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/yaquina
Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,801 reviews

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

From exploring tide pools teeming with life to witnessing Oregon's tallest lighthouse, there is something for every visitor at Yaquina Head. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area extends out from the Oregon coast, one mile into the Pacific Ocean. Standing 93 feet tall at the westernmost point of the basalt headland, the lighthouse has been a bright beacon of the night, guiding ships and their supplies along the west coast since the light was first lit on August 20, 1873. The offshore islands are a year-round refuge for harbor seals and a spring-summer home for thousands of nesting seabirds. Gray whales can be spotted during their annual migrations to Mexico (late fall-early winter) and Alaska (late winter-early spring). During the summer months some gray whales take the opportunity to feed in the shallow waters around the headland. Cobble Beach is compiled of millions of round basalt rocks that produce an applause-like sound as the waves roll in. When the tide is low a vibrant ocean floor is revealed—pools of colorful animals including orange sea stars, purple sea urchins, and giant green anemones. Rangers are at hand to answer questions and point out all of the amazing plants and animals that call the tide pools home. Visit the Interpretive Center and discover 140 years of lighthouse history and thousands of years of natural and cultural history. Friends of Yaquina Lighthouses, a non-profit organization, offers site-related books, maps, and postcards in their interpretive store. Whether you want to see raging winter storms batter the Oregon coast, learn about the role lighthouses played in the westward expansion of the United States, or watch peregrine falcons at play, visit Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area and experience something wild.

Reviewed By Mike_B52033 - Redmond, United States

Yaquina Head is a beautiful area with an interpretive center, cove, lighthouse, Cobble Beach and amazing waves. It is definitely worth the time.

6. Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

North End of Yaquina Bay, Newport, OR 97365-1347 +1 541-265-5679 http://www.yaquinalights.org/about-yaquina-bay-lighthouse
Excellent
61%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,210 reviews

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

Nineteenth-century lighthouse is one of a few on the Pacific coast that was built with the light-keeper's quarters in the same building.

Reviewed By JimHNewport_Oregon - Port Ludlow, United States

The best educational lighthouse on the Oregon coast....Bring the kiddos...they'll learn a bunch....and you'll be surprised at how well this is presented...the "man-made" tide pools a bit of a disappointment....an example of why you should not try to duplicate Mother Nature>

7. Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area

US Highway 101 Otter Crest Loop, Newport, OR 97369 +1 800-551-6949 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=156
Excellent
56%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,036 reviews

Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area

Reviewed By 007DAWG - Renton, United States

It's a nice simple little recreational area that doesn't really require a lot of walking. The views are spectacular, we were there on a nice sunny day and the waves crashing were impressive, can only imagine how incredible it would be on an a stormy day with a major tidal surge. Definitely make this stop!

8. Marine Discovery Tours

Excellent
81%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 170 reviews

Marine Discovery Tours

Welcome aboard Marine Discovery Tours - Oregon's #1 Whale & Sea Life Cruise! Whether you're traveling solo or with a group, we'd love to share our "Floating Adventure" endorsed by the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Teams of professional and friendly captains and naturalists tell stories that range from gray whales and other coastal sea life to the seasons of Oregon's largest fishing fleet! Fun activities await, as "volunteer deckhands" help with catch and release crabbing, plankton pulls with microscope viewing and navigation lessons. We are local experts who are passionate about delivering a fun, safe activity - you can count on our captain's seasoned knowledge to find the calmest routes on our ocean, bay and river ecosystems. We specialize in marine education field trips for over 7,000 students, annually. Tour groups love our "stretch limo" vessel with a heated cabin for all, seating and complimentary coffee and tea! We're happy to offer exclusive charters for Special Events from reunions to Celebrations of Life/Ashes at Sea - take over the Discovery as your own! Our cruise season is March - October - advance reservations are always a good idea!

9. Newport's Historic Bayfront

SW Bay Boulevard, Newport, OR 97365-4535
Excellent
49%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,441 reviews

Newport's Historic Bayfront

Reviewed By kimjA8105DQ - Eddyville, United States

Lovely scenery, loads of good restaurants, seals, fishing boats, salt air, lots of shops and a boardwalk you can sit and watch the boats coming in and going and see the bridge which is an amazing view.

10. Yaquina Bay State Recreation Area

North End of Yaquina Bay, Newport, OR 97365 +1 541-265-5679 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=148
Excellent
63%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 81 reviews

Yaquina Bay State Recreation Area

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