25 of the Best Things to Do in Newport Oregon
What is there to do in Newport, Oregon?
From multiple beautiful beaches, to a bustling fishing bayfront, to fresh local seafood restaurants, to fascinating attractions like the Oregon Coast Aquarium, there are recreational activities for all ages and interests.
Newport has everything you come to the coast to do.
This small town is the gem of the Central Oregon Coast and makes a great base to stay while you explore the area.
Whether you’re here for a day or a week, Newport has so many things to see and do, you’ll never get bored. (But make sure you allow time for relaxing on the beach or lingering over an oceanfront meal).
One of the best things to do around Newport Oregon is EAT! But I’ll save that for a future post in which I’ll share all my favorite local restaurants.
Here are 25 (and more) Newport Oregon things to do.
1. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (Yaquina Head Lighthouse)
When you visit the Oregon Coast, you HAVE TO go to a lighthouse. And take photos of course! Yaquina Head is one of Newport’s top things to do.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse is the focal point of the 100-acre park. Walk around the lighthouse and gaze out to sea for miles. Oregon’s tallest lighthouse (93 feet), Yaquina Head Lighthouse was lit in 1873 and is still operating today.
The interpretive center teaches about the historic lighthouse as well as the history of Yaquina Head and the wildlife that live here. There is a full-size replica of the lighthouse lantern that is pretty interesting.
Inside the visitor center there is also a small giftshop run by Friends of Yaquina Lighthouses.
You can find some sheltered picnic tables behind the visitor center if you’re looking for a picnic spot on a windy day.
Hike the scenic trails or walk down to the interesting cobble beach and nearby tide pools.
When the lighthouse is open for tours, you can climb the 114-stair spiral staircase to the top. Call or check the website for tour times.
There is a $7 fee (per car) valid for 3 days. If you have an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass, it’s valid here. (And you can use your America the Beautiful Pass at Cape Perpetua too).
2. Devils Punchbowl/Otter Rock
When the tide is in, at high tide, watch the waves swirl and crash in this unique rock formation. The Devil’s Punchbowl is the result of a collapsed sea cave. It can be viewed from a viewing area right above the punchbowl.
When the tide is low, hike down to the beach and climb inside to see the rocky sea cave from below. (Check the tide tables and keep one eye on the ocean. You don’t want to be trapped in the rocks when the tide comes in!)
The Devil’s Punchbowl overlook is easily accessible from Highway 101, about 8 miles north of Newport. From the south, turn at the sign for Otter Rock and Devil’s Punchbowl.
I recommend going a few miles further north and adding Otter Crest Loop to this route.
3. Otter Crest Loop and Cape Foulweather
Driving north from Newport, turn left at the sign for Otter Crest Loop. (It’s about 10 miles from Newport. It’s one way, so you have to drive it north to south).
Otter Crest Loop is a section of what was once the original Highway 101. This winding road hugs the mountainside high above the Pacific, offering fantastic views of the ocean around every turn.
Pull over to look back at the beautiful Rocky Creek Bridge (Ben Jones Bridge), part of the original route of Highway 101.
Stop at Cape Foulweather for some of the best views of the Pacific coast. Look south to Otter Rock and see the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
Cape Foulweather was named by Captain James Cook in 1778. It seems Captain Cook was particularly unimpressed with the Oregon Coast weather that day.
The road continues on to Otter Rock and the Devil’s Punchbowl.
4. Tidepools
At low tide, tide pools can be found at several locations near Newport, such as Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, Otter Rock near the Devil’s Punchbowl, and at Seal Rock, about 10 miles south of Newport.
Grab a tide guide from local businesses, or check the tides online. The lower the tide, the better for viewing tide pools. Minus tides are best time to visit tidal pools. But if you’re here during a “regular” low tide, there will still be plenty to see.
View sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs, tiny fish, snails, and other tiny sea life.
5. Agate Beach
Because Yaquina Head blocks the wind, Agate Beach can be a little warmer than other nearby beaches and a little less visited.
Stroll on the beach, fly a kite, build a sandcastle, or try your hand at surfing.
Ossie’s Surf Shop, right across Highway 101 from Agate Beach, offers surfboard rentals and surfing lessons.
Contrary to the beach’s name, this isn’t the best place to find agates. (You will probably have better luck finding agates at Moolack beach, north of Newport).
6. Beverly Beach State Park
Beverly Beach north of Newport is a great place for camping, walking the beach, and picnics.
It’s an ideal place to set up base camp in the forested campground if you’re camping or RVing. You can easily walk to the beach or drive into Newport 4 miles away.
Be sure to check out the cliffs along the beach to look for fossils. We’ve found fossilized clams that are supposedly millions of years old.
7. Nye Beach and Nye Beach Historic District
Nye Beach has that little beach town vibe you’re looking for in an Oregon Coast town. Stroll through this walkable district to visit a variety of shops, art galleries and restaurants. Walking around Nye Beach is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon in Newport.
And play on the expansive Nye Beach itself. Walk along the water’s edge and watch the waves crash in. Stay late to watch a fantastic Oregon Coast sunset.
Rent a Fat Bike from Bike Newport http://bikenewport.com/fat-bike-rentals-and-tours/ and bike on the sand!
A variety of lodging and dining options make Nye Beach a great place to stay for your Newport visit.
8. Newport Visual Arts Center
Check out the latest exhibits in the 3 art galleries, located right on the turnaround in Nye Beach. The Newport Visual Arts Center is maintained by the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.
Admission and parking are free.
9. Newport Performing Arts Center
The Newport Performing Arts Center is a venue that hosts a variety of performing arts events, including theater productions, musical performances, dance shows, and other entertainment events.
The center has two theaters: the Alice Silverman Theatre, which seats 328 people and features a proscenium stage, and the Studio Theatre, which seats up to 80 people and is used for more intimate performances.
The Newport Performing Arts Center hosts a diverse range of events throughout the year, including performances by local and regional theater companies, symphony orchestras, dance troupes, and touring musicians.
Newport Performing Arts Center is a vital part of the cultural landscape in Newport, providing opportunities for residents and visitors to experience and engage with the performing arts.
10. Newport Saturday Farmers Market
In the summer and fall, Newport’s Saturday Farmer’s Market offers a variety of fresh produce, flowers, and other local foods like eggs, honey and salsa.
You are likely to also find local art, photography, crafts and often live music. The Newport Saturday Market is adored by locals and visitors alike.
11. Newport’s Historic Bayfront
The Historic Newport Bayfront on Yaquina Bay is the bustling center of Newport’s fishing industry and also includes shopping, lodging, restaurants, and kitschy attractions like Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and The Wax Works Wax Museum.
The historic bayfront district is the place to go for fishing charters and whale watching tours.
You can buy fresh seafood such as fish (tuna, halibut, rockfish) and Dungeness crab directly from the fishermen who just pulled it from the ocean.
The bayfront has a variety of seafood restaurants, some with waterfront views of the bay, the fishing boats and views of the stunning Yaquina Bay Bridge.
The original Mo’s (famous for her clam chowder) is on the bayfront and you’ll find a lot of other tasty choices such as Local Ocean Seafood and Ocean Bleu Seafoods at Gino’s.
If you want a waterfront view and wildlife viewing, check out Clearwater Restaurant which overlooks the bay and the sea lion docks.
Check out a variety of shops, including 6 candy stores!
You don’t have to buy anything here to enjoy the bayfront. Just walk around, watch the fishing boats come and go, marvel at the hulking NOAA research vessels, and observe the barking Newport sea lions sunning on the docks.
(The sea lions migrate to California for mating in mid-July and August, so their docks and rocks might be empty during this period). I guess their biological urges don’t care that it’s tourist season.
Parking can get a little crowded and hectic along the bayfront. If you keep going east on Bay Blvd., you can usually find parking along the street. It’s a lovely walk along the docks to get to the shops and restaurants, with plenty of benches to rest and watch the goings on.
12. Kayak tours of the Bay
Take a guided kayak tour with the Oregon Boating Foundation. Tours launch from Port Dock 7 and explore Yaquina Bay for 2 hours.
Tours include the kayak and paddle, jacket and pants, and life jacket.
13. Crabbing
Rent a boat or just drop your crab ring or crab pot from one of the crabbing piers to catch the local delicacy: Dungeness crab.
Buy gear from Englund Marine, or rent from the Newport Marine Store at South Beach Marina.
14. Pacific Maritime Heritage Center
This museum and interactive center features maritime-related exhibits and art. Learn about Newport history and local fishing.
Located in the Bay Front district. And the views of Yaquina Bay are fantastic from here!
The Pacific Maritime Heritage Center also runs the historic Burrows House, but it is temporarily closed.
15. Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and Yaquina Bay State Park
Don’t confuse this with Yaquina Head. Yes, Newport has 2 lighthouses. The Yaquina BAY Lighthouse is adjacent to the Yaquina Bay Bridge, just outside Yaquina Bay.
Yaquina Bay Lighthouse operated only from 1871 to 1874 but was relit in 1996 and is still in use today. The lighthouse is thought to be the oldest structure in Newport.
Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site has picnic areas, beach access, and hiking trails.
Walk a path through the dunes to the beach. From here you’ll have excellent views of the spectacular Yaquina Bay bridge and the north jetty. Watch waves crash on the rocks and watch the fishing boats cross the bar heading to the open sea. It’s common to see seals and sea lions from here.
16. Yaquina Bay Bridge
A Newport landmark, this soaring art deco bridge opened in 1936 and spans 3223 feet. It was designed by Conde McCullough, who designed many of the Oregon Coast’s stately bridges.
Walk across the bridge and enjoy spectacular views of the jetty and Yaquina Bay. There is a high pedestrian sidewalk on each side of the roadway, but no railing between you and the cars.
You can often see harbor seals and sea lions eating in the waters under the bridge or lounging on the floating buoys in the jetty. Seabirds nest under the bridge and you can see them close up, darting in and out of their nests.
It gets windy up there so wear a jacket! (Even when it seems warm out). I always wear a knit hat to keep my ears warm.
At the very least, drive across the bridge for stunning views of Yaquina Bay to the east and the jetty to the west.
17. Crabbing/fishing pier
Even if you’re not fishing, take a walk out on this long pier for amazing views of the Yaquina Bay Bridge and of Yaquina Bay itself.
There’s usually someone crabbing or fishing there, so it’s interesting to watch.
The fishing pier is just west of the Rogue Brewery, in the South Beach area.
18. Oregon Coast Aquarium
One of the main attractions of the Oregon Coast, this premier aquarium features a variety of marine life native to the area, such as sea lions and seals, all types of fish and an aviary full of sea birds.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium often shows up on lists of best aquariums in the United States.
Watch the frolicking sea otters and try to spot the giant pacific octopus in her sea cave tank. Walk through the giant tanks of Passages of the Deep, where fish and sharks swim all around you.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium has one of the largest seabird aviaries in North America, with 7 seabird species including tufted puffins, horned puffins, and common murres.
Take time to linger around the mesmerizing jellyfish tanks and enjoy the touch pools where you can pet a sea cucumber and touch an anemone.
The gift shop at the Oregon Coast Aquarium is one of my favorites, with a nice little selection of books for adults and children alike.
19. Hatfield Marine Science Center Oregon State University
Learn about the local sea life in this family-friendly and educational aquarium. The interactive exhibits provide lots of fun hands-on activities. It’s like an aquarium and science museum in one.
If you had trouble spotting the octopus at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, you’ll be pleased to see the octopus at the Hatfield Marine Science Center is much easier to view.
The Hatfield Marine Science Center is just down the road from the Oregon Coast Aquarium, so add it on to your aquarium day.
20. Yaquina Estuary Trail
The Yaquina Bay Estuary Trail is a family-friendly interpretive trail along the Yaquina Estuary, a protected area of wetlands and mudflats that is home to a variety of wildlife.
The trail is approximately .9 miles long and is an easy walk, suitable for all ages and abilities.
Along the way, visitors may spot a variety of birds, including sandpipers, herons, and bald eagles, as well as other wildlife, such as seals.
The Yaquina Estuary trail runs from the Hatfield Marine Science Center to just north of the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
21. Aquarium Village
After a day of aquarium fun, check out the gift shops and activities at Aquarium Village. A lot of the most kid friendly things to do in Newport Oregon are in the South Beach Area, and Aquarium Village is focused on family entertainment.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy poking around in the giant Pirate’s Plunder store, which features souvenirs, shells, and booths full of vintage finds.
Aquarium Village also has a restaurant (Fishtails Café) and a restaurant/bakery (Mollie’s Food Follies and Bakery).
22. Newport Discovery Zoo
Located in Aquarium Village, Newport Discovery Zoo is a petting zoo full of a variety of rescue animals.
Visit with pigs, goats, sloths, and kangaroos. Jonathan the tortoise is over 150 years old!
Newport Discovery Zoo also has special encounters such as a private visit with the sloths or bottle-feeding a kangaroo. Call 541-961-6371 for more details and to make an appointment.
23. South Beach State Park
This popular state park lies just south of Newport. Beach access is just over a small sandy dune from the parking lot.
Explore miles of beaches and camp in the park campground. The park has over 200 sites with electrical and water, tent sites, and yurts.
Even if you’re not camping you can use the playground, horseshoe pits and 9-hole disc golf course. Check out discs or horseshoes at the Hospitality Center.
24. Whale Watching
Keep your eyes out for whales whenever you’re looking out at the vast Pacific Ocean from the Central Oregon Coast. Every year in December and January over 20,000 whales pass by here on their way to their breeding grounds in Mexico. Then in late March through May the whales pass by again on their way north to Alaska.
But there are also about 200 resident grey whales who hang around year-round. You can sometimes see them when you’re whale watching from the sea wall in Depoe Bay, just 12 miles north of Newport. The sea wall is a good spot to pull over and watch for whales or just enjoy watching the waves crash off the rocks.
My favorite place to spot whales is from Cape Foulweather, 6 miles north of Newport. Because the viewing area at Cape Foulweather is so high up, you can see for a great distance. Sometimes you can see the shape of the whales in the water, not just a spout or a tail.
If the Lookout gift shop is open, you can look for gray whales from the viewing area, protected from the elements.
You can book a whale watching tour out of Yaquina Bay.
Try the Sea Life Cruise with Marine Discovery Tours that leaves right from the Bayfront.
25. Check out the surrounding areas
From Newport, it’s easy to take day trips to Yachats, Cape Perpetua, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Tillamook and even inland to Corvallis.
Things to do in Newport Oregon
Newport, Oregon is a fantastic destination that offers a wide variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. From exploring historic lighthouses and beautiful beaches to sampling fresh seafood and experiencing the local culture, there’s something for everyone in Newport. If you’re looking for a memorable vacation spot on the Oregon coast, be sure to add Newport to your list!
