While many towns along the Oregon Coast boast jaw-dropping views, uncrowded sandy beaches, and fresh-from-the-boat seafood, Newport is special because of the diverse ways visitors can spend their time; this makes it especially well-suited to families. Kids will love exploring the Oregon Coast Aquarium, home to a large number of well-curated exhibits, including giant Pacific octopus, seals, a seabird aviary, and even the ecosystem of shipwrecks. They might also enjoy visiting Mariner Square, home of a Ripley's Believe It or Not! and a wax museum. A visit to the home of Rogue Brewing, dinner at one of Newport's upscale bistros or seafood markets, or a stroll through the galleries of the artsy Nye Beach neighborhood will suit more grown-up tastes.

For the outdoorsy types, Newport is surrounded by some of the region's best parks and recreation sites. South Beach State Park offers guided kayak tours along Beaver Creek; Yaquina Head Outstanding National Area is home to one of the coast's most photographed lighthouses, plus hiking trails and tide pools; and the razor clamming and surfing are superlative at Agate Beach.

Newport is just over two and a half hours from Portland, an hour and a half from Salem, and just one hour from Corvallis. A number of the region's top attractions are within an easy drive from Newport: the whale-watching capital of Depoe Bay (15 minutes), the beaches and nightlife at Lincoln City (25 minutes), and the picturesque villages of Waldport and Yachats are within an hour's drive. No trip to the Central Oregon Coast is complete without a trip to Newport!