What if I told you that there was a town on the Oregon coast that has the perfect combination of plenty of things to do for the whole family yet still has the laid-back charm of a small getaway?
Finding the perfect family destination can be hard. While the thought of heading to the beach to play in the sand every day can sound nice at first, it can start to get a little old after building your 15th sand castle.
That is what makes this town so great. The beaches are right there (and they are amazing), but there is so much more to do that will keep your days so busy that the kids won’t have time to say I’m bored.
That town is Newport, Oregon.
Newport is hands down one of our favorite weekend getaways on the coast. With plenty of lodging, the aquarium, beaches, forested trails, and more, we always have a great time during our visits.
Here are 8 reasons why Newport should be on your list for the ultimate family getaway in Oregon.
Perfect Sandy Beaches
Both to the north and south of town, Newport is home to miles and miles of perfect sandy beaches. That means there is plenty of room to spread out and find your own slice of sand.
We love heading to South Beach State Park as the jetty that extends out into the Pacific creates a calmer area along the beach for smaller kids to play. The dunes and driftwood here make for fun areas to explore and offer a break from the relentless coast winds as well.
The Aquarium
The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport punches well above its weight with its exhibits. While not the largest aquarium you’ll ever visit, the variety of sealife and displays are very impressive.
We loved the tunnels that take you through three different marine environments. They include a fish, halibut, which is very rarely seen in aquariums but is very relevant for an aquarium on the Oregon coast.
The playground within the aquarium is also top-notch, but it is exposed to the elements, so if you’re looking forward to it, you may want to save your visit for a sunny day.
Fossil Hunting
Just to the north of town, there is a long stretch of beach with thousands of ancient fossils littering the ground.
Beverly Beach is just a 10-minute drive north of Newport, and the bluffs that tower over the beach are home to millions of fossils of ancient sea life. Here, you can easily see fossils like clam shells and snails, and with a little exploring, you may even be able to uncover other rarer finds like fish or plants.
Just remember that digging is not allowed in the bluffs. You can only take what has already naturally eroded away and is lying on the beach.
Mountain Biking Trails
The Newport area is home to two separate impressive and rarely publicized mountain bike trail networks.
Just to the north of town, you’ll find the Big Creek trail network. This small but sweet network of trails offers a little something for everyone, with flow lines, jumps, and plenty of climbing to earn those downhill runs.
The second network of trails is on the south side of town within the Wilder Range area. With nearly 20 miles of trails, this impressive network of fire roads and single-track will keep you coming back for more. The rolling hills through this towering forest of alder, Douglas fir, and Sitka spruce create challenging, rooty trails.
The local mountain biking group NEWTS (Newports Trail Stewards) builds and maintains these trails, so give them a shoutout for their impressive work.
Sea Lions
Most locals in Newport have a love/hate relationship with sea lions. They are loud, can be aggressive, and often help themselves to more fish than they should probably be eating.
However, for visitors, they are a fun sight, and one of the best places to see them is right in downtown Newport. The sea lion dock sits next to a working pier, and visitors can gaze directly down on top of the dozens of these marine mammals that haul themselves out of the water and onto this narrow strip of floating comfort.
Watch as they bark, jostle for space, and snooze the day away.
Fishing Charters
Newport is both a tourist town and a working fishing town. This is very evident on a walk through the downtown core, where, in one minute, you’ll be walking by a candy shop and, the next, past a working cannery processing locally caught shrimp.
This offers a glimpse into the bounties that the sea offers just outside the jetty that separates Yaquina Bay from the mighty Pacific Ocean.
If you want to head out to sea and catch your own dinner, then there are numerous fishing charters that leave every day and are surprisingly affordable.
Granted, these aren’t one-on-one fishing experiences as you’ll be on the boat with quite a few other people, but on almost every trip, you’ll come home with your limit of fish and a great story to tell.
Lighthouses
The Newport area is home to two very different but fun lighthouses.
The Yaquina Bay lighthouse sits right next to downtown and is the only historic wooden lighthouse still standing in Oregon. This small lighthouse has been meticulously restored and is open to visitors who want a glimpse into what life was like for the lightkeepers who made it their job to keep mariners safe as they navigated the entrance to Yaquina Bay.
The second lighthouse is on the north side of town and is the type of lighthouse you probably picture in your mind. Standing tall on a bluff jutting out into the ocean, the light from Yaquina Head Lighthouse can be seen for miles.
At 93 feet tall, this is the tallest lighthouse in the state and is a must-visit.
Amazing Seafood
Newport, with its rich fishing industry, is not surprisingly home to some of the best seafood restaurants on the entire Oregon coast. Our personal favorite is Local Ocean Seafood.
With its stunning views of the bay, creative menu that features locally caught seafood, and working seafood market on the ground floor, this is a must-visit on any trip to Newport.
Another favorite is The Fish Peddler, which operates out of the same building that processes locally caught shrimp. With large plate glass windows in the dining area, you can watch as workers sort through thousands of shrimp as they are prepared to be sent to grocery stores around the country.
