One Of Oregon's Captivating Coastal Cities Is A Hub Of Outdoor Fun And Quirky Charm

Though there are a lot of cute beach towns on Oregon's Central Coast, Newport is unique. Of course, it has windswept beaches, historic lighthouses, and delicious seafood restaurants. If you are feeling ambitious, you can go fishing, hiking, kayaking, and whale watching all in one day. But there is a funky side to Newport, as well. Quirky museums compete with barking sea lions for your attention along the harbor. Plus, a creative hotel and a craft brewery lure people who are not focused on outdoor activities. Put together, this makes Newport the rare destination on the coast that truly offers something for everyone.

Newport sits at the end of U.S. Route 20. Covering 3,365 miles between Boston and Newport, U.S. Route 20 is the longest road in America and a stunning cross-country road trip. It is also a stop along U.S. Highway 101, the road that runs down the beautiful Pacific Northwest coastline from Tumwater, Washington, to Los Angeles, California. It does not take an extended road trip to reach Newport, though. Portland International Airport (PDX) is less than three hours away by car.

The Central Coast of Oregon is known for its year-round mild weather. So, except for the rainy winter months, you can expect to find a lot of people outside in Newport. The city sits on Yaquina Bay, a coastal estuary into which the Yaquina River empties. The south side of Newport is a neighborhood known as South Beach. It is home to the interactive Oregon Coast Aquarium, where you can take a behind-the-scenes tour to touch moon jellies or octopuses, and the Newport Discovery Zoo, which rescues exotic animals. The district is bordered by a lot of parks and trails, including South Beach State Park and the Yaquina Bay Estuary Trail. Deep-sea fishing trips from Yaquina Bay Charters and kayak tours at South Beach Surf Shop both start in South Beach, as well.

The Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site and the Newport Historic Bayfront are across the arched Yaquina Bay Bridge. The decommissioned Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, where you can tour the one-of-a-kind living quarters, stands in the Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site. The land is bordered by the Bayfront, which is where you will find Marine Discovery Tours and the biggest commercial fishing fleet in Oregon. Art galleries, gift shops, and restaurants with ocean views line the harbor. So do California sea lions, which live in Newport 11 months of the year.

A trip to Newport would not be complete without some beach time. The best stretches of sand lie north of the Bayfront. Nye Beach has an artsy vibe and historic homes. It connects to Yaquina Beach in the south and Agate Beach to the north to form a nearly 5-mile stretch of sand. The Yaquina Head Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Oregon, is perched on the edge of the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, which overlooks the beaches. Meanwhile, Beverly Beach State Park, one of the best West Coast spots for beach camping, is just a few miles farther north.

While Newport's big playground atmosphere is obvious, there's another, subtle undertone in the city. If you look closely, you will find truly unique spots along this part of Oregon's coast. Two kitschy museums are on Bay Boulevard. Ripley's Believe It or Not! has hundreds of rare and unusual artifacts on display. Next door, Louis Tussaud's Waxworks shows off life-sized wax figures of movie and rock stars.

Then there is Hotel Sylvia. The boutique hotel, which overlooks Nye Beach, has a literary vibe, noticeably different from the expected ocean vibe. It features author-themed rooms, such Agatha Christie and Ernest Hemingway, as well as a book-filled espresso bar. Elsewhere in Newport, Rogue Ales & Spirits, a craft brewery that has been making beer for more than 30 years, is famous for its Dead Guy line of beers. The artwork on its cans of ales, IPAs, and pilsners is easily recognizable all over the country. It seems like it is time for a road trip to Newport!