Recreation & Attractions
CENTRAL OREGON COAST ATTRACTIONS AND RECREATION
OREGON COAST AQUARIUM, 2890 Ferry Slip Rd, Newport, Or. 97365 (541) 867-3474 Features 2 1/2 acres of rocky pools and plant topped cliffs, wave tumbled pools, and sandy shores. Glass tunnels thru indoor galleries provide an up close underwater view, where waves crash and fish dart in and out, the smells and sounds of Oregon’s coast are everywhere. Grey whales star in videos in the Qwest Theater. Outside, sea otters roll and tumble in a large pool in the rocks. Group rates are available in advance. Located in South Beach, just across the bridge from Newport. Open 10am-6pm daily. Adult admission $24.95 children 3-12 $14.95.
HATFIELD MARINE SCIENCE CENTER, South Beach, Or. (1 mile south of Newport) (503) 867-0100 Oregon State University’s premier oceanographic research facility and aquarium. Have a close encounter with a giant Pacific octopus. Learn about current coastal and marine research through interactive diplays. Take a leisurely stroll along the self guided estuary trail. Educational programming offered. Free Admission.
YAQUINA BAY LIGHTHOUSE STATE PARK is Newport’s oldest wooden building. It was built in 1871 and operated only 3 years as a lighthouse. It was home to the crews of the U.S. Lifesaving Service, now known as the U.S. Coast Guard for 37 years. Once scheduled for demolition, local residents rallied to save it, and the lighthouse is now considered an historical landmark. Admission is free and features a 20 minute video. The lighthouse is open Mon.-Thurs. from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. Tours and weddings can be arranged upon request. Join the Friends and be a keeper of the light as a $10 supporting member. 846 SW Government, Newport, Or. 97365.
OREGON DUNES NATIONAL RECREATION AREA 855 Highway 101, Reedsport. 541-271-3611. The Oregon Dunes Park features 30 lakes, 14 hiking trails, 13 campgrounds, 11 beach parking areas, 9 day use areas, 3 off-highway riding areas, 1 dunes overlook, and a visitor center. Fee is $3 per vehicle per day. Stretching along Hwy 101 from North Bend to Florence. 32,000 acres of shifting sand dunes up to 385 ft. high in a Sahara like atmosphere. Includes ghost forests, lakes, and ocean beaches.
SALISHAN GOLF LINKS, Gleneden Beach 541-764-3632 With old-growth timber or seaside vistas throughout the course, each hole provides a spectacular backdrop. The golf course reopened in June, 2004 after a multimillion-dollar restoration overseen by Oregon golf legend and PGA Tour Pro Peter Jacobsen and his design firm, Jacobsen-Hardy Golf Design. The restoration preserves the layout and the spirit of Salishan’s fabled links while enhancing playability and opening the golf course to captivating ocean views. Recently ranked as one of the 5 best golf courses in Oregon on msn.com, 9 hole green fees $29-49, 18 holes $39-79.
FLYING DUTCHMAN WINERY, Each fall the Dutchman's grapes are carried from the vineyards over the coastal mountains to its clifftop winery where they are crushed and cajoled into fine wines. The winery's speciaties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The red wines are aged an average of 3 years in oak barrels before being bottled. All of the Dutchman's wine making is truly handcrafted, resulting in many awards over the years. The winery is located in the coastal village of Otter Rock (915 First St.). This is 8 miles north of Newport. It is open every day from noon to 5:00 pm. Call 541-765-2553.
SILETZ BAY in South Lincoln City has many recreational, lodging and restaurant opportunities with sheltered sandy beaches, shallow water access, fishing, clamming and crabbing. 3 large hotels and Mo’s restaurant overlook the bay.
NEWPORT’S HISTORIC BAYFRONT has easy access docks to view the busy waterfront with fishing boats, whale watching and charter fishing boats, restaurants, galleries, fresh seafood shops and many other activities.
NYE BEACH in Newport is a home to galleries, restaurants, the Performing Arts Center and is a great place to walk and browse thru dozens of shops. Located west of Hwy 101 from the center of Newport, take Olive St west. Several fine hotels and restaurants are within easy walking distance in the Nye Beach area.
NEWPORT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 777 W. Olive PO Box 1315 Newport, OR 97365 The Newport Performing Arts Center is home to the
Newport Symphony and live performances by touring theater and dance groups
PREHISTORIC, 1425 NW Hwy 101, Lincoln City, Or. 541-614-1294. Explore the past at Prehistoric, view an incredible animated Life Size Baby T Rex Dinosaur exhibit, see the worlds’ finest fossils, minerals, geodes and meteorites and shop a great selection of educational toys. Open10 am to 9 pm daily during summer.
NEWPORT INTERACTIVE ZOO, 3101 SE Ferry Slip Rd. Newport (in Aquarium Village) 541.961.6371. Open Daily Interact with Pet & Feed a Variety of Animals, Reptiles and more. Toucans • African
Parrots • Birds • Crested Porcupine • Ostrich • Marmoset • Baby Red Kangaroo • Monkey • Baby Goats.
NEWPORT TRADEWINDS - 653 SW Bay Blvd. Newport Oregon 97365. Located on Newport’s Historic Bay front. 24 Hour phone:1-541- 265-2101 or 1-800-676-7819. 12, 18 & 31 Hour Tuna Trips. Year round Bottom fishing, 5 or 8 hour trips. Salmon Fishing (in season) 5,6 or 8 hour trips.
DEPOE BAY, “The Smallest Harbor in the World”, is a center of activity for charter boat trips, whale watching and the famous “Spouting Horn” where incoming waves create a huge fountain when funneled through the shoreline rock formations. Located midway between Newport and Lincoln City, call 1-877-485-8348 for more
information.
YAQUINA HEAD LIGHTHOUSE OUTSTANDING NATURAL AREA, you can tour the Oregon Coast’s tallest lighthouse, visit the incredibly diverse tide-pool areas, experience some extraordinary bird-watching opportunities, and visit the Interpretive Center and Store.
SEA LION CAVES, a privately owned wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary located 11 miles north of Florence on a beautiful and rugged stretch of the Oregon Coast. Sea Lion Caves is America's largest sea cave and the year-round home of the Steller sea lion. Adult admission $14 children 5-12 $8.
OREGON STATE PARKS are among the best and most scenic in the world, with hundreds of campgrounds, picnic sites, day use areas, hiking and more.
OREGON COAST GOLF COURSES offer a huge selection of choices, from some that skirt towering sand dunes to others bordering scenic Pacific coast beaches or inland river valleys. The Central Oregon Coast has a number of courses including The Salishan Golf Links, ranked as one of the best courses in the state. On the southern Oregon Coast Bandon Dunes provides several world class level courses.
GLASSBLOWING is a popular activity when visiting the Oregon Coast and there are several shops in the Newport-Lincoln City area to choose from including Oregon Coast Glassworks and the Edge Art Gallery
TOLEDO, situated 6 miles east of Newport on Hwy 20 has many historic buildings, art galleries, antiques shops and outdoor recreational opportunities. For more information call (541) 336-3183.
OREGON COAST HISTORY CENTER – 545 SW 9th St, Newport, OR 97365 (541) 265-3992
SOUTHERN OREGON COAST RECREATION AND ATTRACTIONS
SHORE ACRES STATE PARK, located 12 miles west of Coos Bay is part of a spectacular state park threesome, which includes CAPE ARAGO and SUNSET BAY ST. PARK. Three of the most scenic parks on the Oregon Coast, all within a few miles of each other, each with something unique to offer. Sunset Bay St. Park is a sheltered bay with a nice beach for swimming or sunning and also has overnight camping. Cape Arago St. Park is situated on a rugged headland with some of the most scenic picnic sites you will find anywhere. The plantings at Shore Acres have been designed to take advantage of the area's mild climate to create a garden for all seasons. Featuring an oriental garden and pond, a greenhouse, Rose Gardens and the largest Monterey Pine. HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT SHORE ACRES draws more than 50,000 visitors each season and features 200,000 lights. Open from 4-10 pm every night after Thanksgiving through New Year's, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.