Things to Do in Newport Oregon: A Fun Beach Town

If you’re planning an Oregon road trip this summer, don’t miss the chance to explore the best things to do in Newport, Oregon while enjoying the stunning Oregon Coast aesthetic. I share my decades of travel experience to help you make the most of an Oregon road trip to this charming coastal town. From charming seaside strolls to hidden local gems, an Oregon travel adventure along the coast is perfect for soaking up the sun, sea breeze, and all the highlights of Oregon summer. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, Newport offers the perfect mix of relaxation and exploration.

Here you’ll get insider tips on fabulous things to do and see. From quaint, tasty eateries to excellent places to stay, this guide has what you need to help you make the most of your visit. Ready to pack up your favorite beach bag with fun beach items and go on an adventure? Let’s get started!

My Newport, Oregon Backstory

I’m so fortunate to live in Oregon, which has a variety of fantastic, fun beach towns along its coast. When my dad was growing up, his family always journeyed to Neskowin. One of my cousins calls Yachats her go-to Oregon beach town. For my family, it has always been Newport, located on the central Oregon coast.

Food to Eat In and Around Newport

There are many delicious options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Here are some of our family favorites.

Depoe Bay and Ainslee’s

The route we travel from our home takes us through Lincoln City on Highway 101. As we continue south, we pass through another one of my favorite fun beach towns, Depoe Bay. Famous for its role in the old movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Depoe Bay is also the home of Ainslee’s Homemade Salt Water Taffy shop.

In addition to the saltwater taffy, our family loves to purchase bags of their mouth-watering caramel corn. A couple of years ago, the shop started selling a unique treat called Riptide (not available in the online shop), which is cheese popcorn covered in caramel. It might seem strange, but it’s delicious! It’s now my favorite beach treat, and on our most recent beach trip, we just had to grab a large bag for the road. Yum!

Nye Beach and the Chowder Bowl

When in Newport, a must-see area is historic Nye Beach, filled with quaint shops and a cute restaurant, the Chowder Bowl. Although the chowder and other menu items are good, that’s not the reason I return again and again. The real reason? The bread pudding is amazing! I look forward to the bread pudding even more than the seafood at this establishment. If you are a fan of bread pudding, please put this restaurant on your list of places to eat if you are ever in Newport.

Mo’s Clam Chowder

Lunch at Mo’s Annex is a favorite stop. Located next to a charter fishing company on Newport’s historic waterfront, diners at the restaurant can enjoy panoramic views of the harbor. Charter fishing boats arriving and departing provide added interest. The highlight of the visit is the clam chowder. If you like delicious chowder filled with chunky clams, this restaurant is for you.

I have always ordered the shrimp salad sandwich with the chowder on the side. The sandwich is loaded with a delicious shrimp mixture on a perfectly toasted, buttery bun. The prices are quite reasonable. You may find, as we did, that your most tasty restaurant meal in Newport is also the least expensive. An added bonus? On our most recent visit, I discovered that Mo’s offers a Chowder Club Card. After twelve bowls of chowder, you earn a free family-size chowder, which serves four. This card is good at any Mo’s location. Hooray for Mo’s!

Luna Sea Fish House

Now with two locations, the original in Yachats and the new location in Seal Rock, the best fish and chips I’ve ever had are even closer to Newport. Just head south from Newport on Highway 101 and Seal Rock is just a few miles down the road. The Luna Sea Fish House will be on your left. Bring your appetite (I usually get the fish and chips), and if you want a special treat, stop in on a Tuesday when the chef concocts delicious tacos using a variety of fillings from the sea.

Indulge Sweets

After our most recent visit to Luna Sea Fish House, we were just getting ready to pull out onto the highway when the sign for Indulge Sweets caught our eyes. We stepped inside and were greeted by the friendly staff as we struggled to choose from the many decadent offerings. Of course, we had to try their signature pecan-topped, caramel-filled chocolate brownies along with some other treats to take with us. I vaguely recall enjoying some chocolate-covered huckleberry sticks in my chocolate-induced euphoria as we drove along. This quaint shop will definitely be a regular stop from now on!

Places to Stay

There are many lodging options in Newport, from vacation rentals to popular hotel chains. Here are a few of our favorite options.

Hallmark Resort

Driving through Newport on Highway 101, we pass through the historic Deco District to reach our accommodation of choice, the Hallmark Resort Newport. This family-friendly lodging includes amenities such as an indoor pool and spa. If you’ve visited the Oregon coast before, you likely know that the weather can be changeable and chilly at times. When our boys were younger, we spent quite a bit of time in the pool when the weather was not at its best.

The gift shop offers complimentary DVDs (two at a time) to guests, and there are spacious sitting areas and conference rooms located onsite for gathering with groups. Years ago, my family even held a reunion here, and had a memorable time. The hotel is located right on the beach with easy beach access via trails and stairs. The hotel is ideally situated between points of interest to the north and south reachable by road or enjoyable beach hikes.

Elizabeth Oceanfront Suites

Located near picturesque Nye Beach, the Elizabeth offers an indoor pool, hot tub, and an outdoor fire pit seating area that is sheltered from the wind. Complimentary cookies and warm smoked salmon chowder are on offer in the evenings in the lobby. Balconies provide a panoramic view of sunsets, and the beds are luxuriously comfortable. Since it is now part of the family of Choice Hotels, points may be accumulated and used if you’re a member. The underground parking garage is a plus, as well as the friendly, helpful staff. Highly recommended!

South Beach State Park

For those who wish to camp near Newport, South Beach State Park is an excellent option with a variety of sites, including yurt sites, available. Easy beach access is just a short walk from the camping area.

Things to Do Outside

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Traveling south towards Newport on Highway 101, there are landmarks such as Devil’s Punchbowl and Beverly Beach State Park. If you like to go camping, Beverly Beach is a terrific destination. Signs clearly mark the turn to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. For those who like to explore tidepools, the nearby Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is a must-see.

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and the North Jetty

About half a mile south of the hotel, you will find the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this building is believed to be the oldest building in Newport. Lying within Yaquina Bay State Park, the building is open for tours every day of the year, except for major holidays.

The park offers picnic areas, restrooms, and an excellent view of the Newport Bay bridge from the upper parking area.

The Historic Waterfront

On the final day of our stay, after checking out of our hotel room, it’s a family tradition to drive down to Newport’s historic waterfront. This attraction makes Newport one of the most fun beach towns. A walk along the public pier allows visitors a close-up view of the various vessels docked in the harbor as well as some close-up seal sightings.

Often, signs are posted offering up the latest fresh catch of the day for sale. On sunny days, you may observe sea lions lounging lazily on the walkways near the boats. Along the waterfront sidewalks, quaint shops abound.

Watching Ships From the South Jetty

For a fee, vehicles can park on the south jetty and walk out to get a spectacular view of ships entering and departing from Yaquina Bay. The sandy beach on the south side of the jetty is a great place to set up your beach headquarters for the day.

Things to Do Inside

Oregon Coast Aquarium

There are still more attractions that help to make Newport one of the most fun beach towns. The Oregon Coast Aquarium, site of many a school field trip, is a wondrous experience for kids.

Pacific Maritime Heritage Center

For those fascinated by ships, the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center is filled with exhibits, art, and interactive displays highlighting the area’s fishing industry. Open Wednesday through Sunday each week, the museum is located on the historic bayfront.

Other Attractions

Newport abounds with shopping opportunities like the Cheap Frills Antique Mall. There are also other attractions such as The Wax Works and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. When the weather keeps you inside, these options offer interest and fun.

Travel Essentials

The Oregon Coast can often be windy and chilly, even during the summer months. Some of my favorite choices for outerwear are a waterproof windbreaker and some colorful rubber boots. Here I am on a sunny, windy coastal Newport day wearing both, along with gloves, a hat, and other warm layers underneath.

Here are some handy general travel essentials, perfect no matter where your travels take you:

Keep track of all of your belongings (even your kids) with Apple air tags. These handy devices come with a battery and are even water-resistant. Just use a simple one-step process to connect the tag to your iPhone or iPad, then use the Find My app to locate your item. Get a 4-pack and use for tracking luggage, pets, and more.

Whether you are camping or staying in a hotel, be safe with a portable carbon monoxide detector. This one has an AC-adaptor with battery backup. It’s only 2.75 by 1.5 by 4.5 inches, and could save your life.

Might Newport be on Your Travel Itinerary?

I hope you’ve learned a little about my favorite, fun beach town, Newport, Oregon. Maybe the next time you’re on the Oregon coast, you might consider stopping by. Do you have a favorite, fun beach town? I always love to learn about new destinations for family travel.

Free Customizable Capsule Travel Wardrobe Packing List

Are you a chronic over-packer? I was until I started using this customizable capsule wardrobe packing list. It’s free to subscribers, and you can save new digital copies anytime you need to pack for a new adventure.

Wherever your journeys take you, I hope you make wonderful memories. Happy travels!

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Lisa Mitchell is a wife, mom, and school librarian who likes to cook, garden on her family’s small Pacific Northwest farm, and travel with her family, both internationally and domestically. To learn more about what this website has to offer, click on over to the Welcome page.

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