Newport Oregon is a small coastal city that has a rich history, scenic beauty, Newport dunes and year-round adventure for young and old alike. It's a great family destination and serves as a getaway for all economic classes. The population is around 10,000 most of the year, but goes up by a few thousand during spring and summer months as people come to stay or come to work for the tourists.
Oregon beaches are becoming a popular family vacation destination, Newport has been the place to go since the late 1800's. In 1890 the 'summer people' began arriving in large numbers by train as far as the tracks went, then by ferry to the bay-front and finally by the boardwalk that was built in 1891. Ever since, the public has come from near and far to rejuvenate, heal and relax.
Newport Makes it an Easy Oregon Visit
The city has public transportation that runs daily through the length of town and it's free to visitors that stay in commercial lodging. Hotel and motel offices will give out passes, if asked. There's so much to see and do in Newport. Most interesting are the two lighthouses, the Yaquina Bay State Park Lighthouse and Yaquina Head Natural Area and Lighthouse. They Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is the second oldest, in service only from 1871 to 1874, and is now a museum..
The historic bay-front is where one can find all the shops, restaurants and the historic docks where fisherman bring in their catch every day. Also at the bay-front is the largest US gathering of California sea lions. They gather on the wooden docks and rock jetties off Bay Boulevard, and the best place to see them up close is between the Undersea Gardens aquarium and the Port Dock One Restaurant.
There’s a Lot to Learn About Oregon Beaches
Aside from the historic bay-front district is the Mark O Hatfield Marine Science Center where there are aquariums and interactive exhibits. There's also the Oregon Coast Aquarium where one can see sea otters, sea lions, puffins, octopus, jelly fish, sharks, bat rays and more. The Oregon Coast History Center is a plethora of coastal history exhibits, research library, museum and store.
There are three golf courses nearby with Agate Beach Golf Course right there in Newport. Its regulation 9 hole public par 36 has a restaurant on site. Boat rentals, charter fishing, whale watching, indoor mini golf, recreation centers, sand boarding, surfing, sun bathing, sandcastle building, wave watching, storm watching and there's RV resort camping available, too.
Newport sports four candle companies, a rock shop and lapidary and several toy stores with artisan made inventories. There are many annual events that take place at this beach town, such as Jazz at Newport; a culture shock festival that draws thousands every year, Newport Microbrew Festival, the Seafood and Crafts Festival in October and the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival the last weekend in February.
Newport Holds 41 Fun Family Annual Events
One of the many annual events in Newport is the Paper Arts Festival on the last weekend in April. Celebrating paper arts and book arts, the entire weekend is filled with galleries, displays and workshops. In 2010 there's thirteen instructors offering everything from making paper from plants to felting paper to make a durable material and basket weaving.
Visitors can find 11 parks in the city of Newport and most of them consist of more than two acres. One acre of them is Agate Beach Neighborhood Park which is dog-friendly with covered picnic areas, playing field, BBQ grill, play structure and restrooms. Most of the parks have great amenities.
This is a city that participates in Geocaching - the newest rage for gamers of all ages. It's an electronic treasure hunt for people with a GPS and access to the Internet. They try to find several caches hidden in and around Newport. Learn more at www.geocaching.com.
Newport Lodging is Easy and Abundant
Lodging is not only abundant, but people can get ocean views at most of them. Prices range for those with a family budget and those who live luxurious lives, there’s something for everyone. Most of them have a restaurant on site or there is one within walking distance.
Plenty to do on the Oregon Coast, and even more to see. It's a great family destination and is quickly becoming a surfer's getaway. From sea lions, anemones and tide-pools to antiquing and a haunted lighthouse, Newport on the central Oregon coast is the place for vacationers young and old alike.
More information on Newport, Oregon can be found here:
- The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center
- 555 SW Coast Hwy
- Newport, Oregon 97365
- 1.800.262.7844
- NewportChamber.org
- DiscoverNewport.com
Sources:
Newport Oregon Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 3pm PST
Newport Oregon Visitor's Center, Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 4pm PST
Sandy McCollum - Did you hear about the woman in Oregon who had four kids of her own, fourteen foster kids, two large dogs, three cats and a man? She sold ...
Join the Conversation