Location: Newport
Top Things to do in Newport
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Top 10 Things to do in Newport, United States
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. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
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 Steve C - Toledo, Washington
Super cool spot with SPECTACULAR views! Super EASY access right off the main road, just outside of town. Amazing views and we were fortunate enough to see whales. Absolutely Beautiful!
2. Hatfield Marine Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 611 reviews
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 SDCooks - Spearfish, South Dakota
We decided to check out the Hatfield Marine Science center on a cold, rainy February day. what a great place...for the entire family! The octopus was fascinating as it moved around the tank, the fresh water fish display and information was very interesting. Our almost 4 yr old granddaughter split her time between the sand box and the touch tanks. The sand box was engaging for adults, too...making mountains and valleys, making rain...not just fun for kiddos. The docent at the touch tank was patient and very pleasant, instructing on the correct way to touch the sea life in the tanks. She answered questions about the water (from the bay) and how the critters were fed. Display on tsunamis were also interesting. Most activities are interactive. Nice gift shop and the clerk there was helpful. Looks like there are new displays in the works. A well done educational facility. Donations are suggested ($5.00 per adult or $20.00 per family); the time we spent there was more than worth that. Easy access off Hwy 101 - good signage to point the way. Great for kids 3 and older and curious adults.
3. Yaquina Bay Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
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 Ali K - Ashland, Oregon
Very nice visitor center filled with information and fun for the kids as well. We didn't go into the lighthouse. It was sold out for tours. We walked the deck and enjoyed the views.
4. Yaquina Bay Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 368 reviews
Reviewed By brifd1 - Everett, Washington
An iconic bridge that connects Newport from the north to Waldport and the Oregon Coast Aquarium to the south, where Keiko, the killer whale star of the movie Free Willy lived for a couple of years. To the east, such as from Newport's Historic Bayfront, one gets a great view of sunsets over the bridge as well as the boat traffic entering and exiting the bay.
5. Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 828 reviews
Reviewed By Igivetlcinob - San Francisco, California
We stopped and took pictures from the lookout on top during high tide and it was amazing. During low tide we walked down the stairs to the beach and my husband went inside from an opening on the side. It is a natural wonder and worth stopping to check it out.
6. Cape Foulweather
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By watravelinggal - Port Orchard, Washington
This is a place where you can see forever and forever...if it is clear! This is cliff top viewing at its best. There is substantial parking and an incline/decline to the viewing area.The views are spectacular. The wind can be fierce.
There is a nice gift shop there which also has spectacular views.
A volunteer named Larry helped us today. He has a great sense of humor; and, he gave us the information we needed. Thank you, Larry.
7. Newport's Historic Bayfront
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By brifd1 - Everett, Washington
I took a friend of mine here recently, not to see the stores, which are pretty much the usual fare, though coastal style, of touristy places...but rather the harbor seals, who perform daily. One doesn't have to know exactly where they are, all one has to do is open your window and listen (hint: it's at the eastern edge of the bayfront, about where fresh catches, e.g. crab, are being sold from the boats, another highlight). The seals bark from the dock as well as from the rock they claimed long ago, they don't need a cue! As for the rest, the bayfront is a short, flat, comfortable stroll, and for those who like to check out the stores, there's plenty of variety. Hint: the two Mo's restaurants along here are amongst if not the smallest of the ones I've seen. For a more spacious version: the one in Florence to the south lies along the river, while the one to the north on the south edge of Lincoln City is along the bay, both are much more comfortable. Hint 2: during the tourist season, parking rules were being strictly enforced the last time I was there during that time of year.
8. Oregon Coast Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
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 Hardly B - Port Angeles, Washington
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a complex of buildings, water features, and tanks, including a glass tube in which you walk through the underwater world. Outside sections allow viewing of sea life in the open air, with volunteers available to help explain what you are seeing. Inside sections provide views of sea life and displays to further add to your knowledge.
A visit here demands at least two hours, and there are sufficient displays to keep you busy for a half day if you take the time to understand what you're seeing, or include a fish feeding by a submerged diver.
Somehow, even in the summertime, the layout keeps people moving, avoiding the feeling of being trapped by the crowd.
9. Nye Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 768 reviews
Historic beach along the Oregon Coast that has been a favorite recreational area for more than 100 years.
Reviewed By bendwriter - Bend, Oregon
Nye Beach is a tightly packed little community off the main part of Newport proper, with little shops and restaurants. It's a very small area, and it's difficult to drive around in or to park, especially during the busy times of the year. It's tight with a car, and virtually impossible with our small (25') rv. There's a great beach there that I do recommend.
10. South Beach State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
Reviewed By nobodysmama - Vancouver, Washington
I stayed one night in a pet-friendly yurt (with no pet). It had a slight mildew odor, otherwise it was a 5 star stay for the money. This was due to the back end of the yurt facing thick trees and brush, which shaded the back of the yurt and prevent it dying out properly in the wet season. It also gave you a window that you could open without staring into someone else's camp site.
The floor was some kind of poured slab, obviously easier to clean than some of the non-pet yurt floors. The heater worked well, the yurt had standard lighting, bunks, futon and table with chairs. The mattress on the futon seemed nearly new, and I actually slept quite comfortably on it. The site had two picnic tables, one next to the fire pit and one on the elevated deck attached to the yurt. There were at least two wall sockets in the yurt to plug in your whatevers, one on each end of the yurt. First yurt I've stayed in with more than one place to plug in your stuff.I slept so soundly on the futon that I barely got checked out on time the next day.
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