Central Oregon Coast Recreation & Attractions
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.
HECETA HEAD LIGHTHOUSE is said to be one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world and has been in operation since1894, it's also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse is a working lighthouse, from a height of 205 feet above the ocean, it casts it’s beams some 21 miles out to sea. The Heceta Lighthouse B&B, in the Light Keeper’s home, is perched on a cliff with a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean and the beach below. Photo by Chuck Forinash.
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.
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.
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.
NYE BEACH in Newport is a home to many shops, restaurants and the Performing Arts Center and is a great place to walk and browse . 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.
FLYING DUTCHMAN WINERY, Three miles south of Depot Bay in Otter Rock (541) 765-2553. 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 winemaking is truely handcrafted, resulting in many awards over the years.
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 and reptiles including toucans, African parrots, birds, crested porcupine, ostrich, marmoset, baby red kangaroo, monkey and 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.
LINCOLN CITY is one of the most visited cities on the Oregon Coast, home to 7 miles of sandy beach, many high quality restaurants, 40 hotels, hundreds of vacation rental properties, shops, galleries, kite festivals, a casino and more.
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.
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 COAST BRIDGES are gateways to new adventures and iconic in design. Photos by Chuck Forinash.
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.
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, the Edge Art Gallery & Ocean Beaches Glassblowing
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