Newport, Oregon - Getaway on the Central Coast

If you look past the Oregon Coast's reputation for soggy weather and hypothermic waters, you will be pleasantly surprised to find a weekend getaway that offers something for everyone. Families will find ample activities to keep their children happy, couples will enjoy a variety of romantic settings, and those you are just looking to escape for a few days can bask in salty breezes and vivid sunsets while sipping a local microbrew.

The beach is the main attraction anywhere on the Oregon Coast, and thanks to former Governor Tom McCall, all 363 miles of Oregon's beaches are accessible (and free) to the public. There are many spots in and around Newport where you can access the beach, including historic Nye Beach, a cluster of shops, galleries, and cafes. Bibliophiles will love the Sylvia Beach Hotel, where each of its 20 rooms is decorated in honor of a different author and is sans television, radio, and telephone.

Further south, the historic Newport bayfront is a mile-long stretch of shops, eateries, tourist attractions, and gorgeous seaside scenery. From the pier, you can watch the boats sail in and out of the bay, observe the sea lions and other wildlife, and watch the sun set over the ocean through the Yaquina Bay Bridge. When souvenir shopping and seagull-dodging has tired you out, enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafes along Bay Boulevard. Brave the crowds at Mo's for a bowl of its famous clam chowder, or partake of some melt-in-your-mouth fish at Sada's Sushi Restaurant. Tired of eating out? Venture out into the Pacific on a charter fishing boat to catch your supper.