If you’re wondering what to do in Newport Oregon, I have SO many recommendations after our recent weekend on the coast! We spent a few days eating our way through Newport, riding e-bikes on the beach, watching sea lions argue with each other, exploring some incredible viewpoints, and staying right on the ocean.
We made the roughly 2.5-hour drive from the Portland metro area, and this ended up being one of our favorite Oregon Coast trips so far.
There is seriously so much to do and see in Newport. You have the Historic Bayfront, miles of beaches, lighthouses, amazing restaurants, and, of course, the iconic sea lions.
So if you’re planning a Newport Oregon itinerary, here is everything we did during our weekend, including our favorite things to do, where we stayed, and the best places we ate!
Our Newport Oregon Trip Itinerary
If you just want the quick version, here’s how we spent our weekend:
Day 1: Drive from Portland → Depoe Bay → Check into The Allred → Dinner at Bites + Bar → Nye Beach sunset walk → Sauna + fire pits
Day 2: Blue Pig Bakery → Yaquina Bay Bridge → Historic Bayfront + sea lions → Fat tire e-bikes on the beach → Dinner at Clearwater → Yaquina Head Lighthouse → Cobble Beach
Day 3: Nye Beach Cafe → Devil’s Punch Bowl → Beverly Beach → Coffee in Depoe Bay → Drive home
And somehow, we STILL have things we want to do next time.
What to Do in Newport, Oregon
If you’re wondering what is there to do in Newport Oregon, there is honestly such a great mix of activities. You can spend your morning exploring the Bayfront, ride e-bikes down the beach in the afternoon, and end your day at a lighthouse.
Here were our favorite things we did!
Visit the Newport Sea Lion Docks
The famous docks are located at 325 SW Bay Blvd., Newport, OR 97365 behind Clearwater Resturant.
One of the most iconic things to do in Newport is visiting the sea lion docks along the Historic Bayfront.
Now you might be thinking, “What’s all the hype about? They’re just sea lions.”
But let me tell you…
They are SO entertaining.
They were barking at each other, climbing all over each other, flopping around on the docks, and seemingly arguing about who was allowed to sit where.
In my head, they were complaining about being squished and asserting dominance over their tiny pieces of dock space.
Meanwhile, there was one guy who seemed to be completely unbothered by all the drama and was just enjoying his day. I loved watching him.
You also get a gorgeous view of the bay and bridge from this area. If you’re looking for something unique, free, and entertaining to do in Newport, put this toward the top of your list!
You can learn more about the sea lions and view their live cam here!
Explore Newport’s Historic Bayfront
While you’re visiting the sea lions, spend some time exploring Newport’s Historic Bayfront too.
This is Newport’s working waterfront, so you’ll see fishing boats and docks mixed in with restaurants, shops, and gorgeous views of the bay.
It feels completely different from Nye Beach, so I definitely recommend experiencing both areas during your trip.
Ride Fat Tire E-Bikes on the Beach
Okay, THIS was one of my favorite things we did.
We rented fat tire e-bikes from EZ E-Bikes and took them right onto the beach!
It was such a foggy day that our visibility was pretty low, but instead of ruining the experience, the fog made everything look almost otherworldly.
We rode from Nye Beach all the way toward Agate Beach, which was around five miles, and then headed back.
Riding on the sand was SUCH a blast. The e-bikes made it really easy to cover more of the coastline than we could have on foot, and riding down this giant open beach surrounded by fog was unlike anything else we’ve done on the Oregon Coast.
If you want something a little more adventurous than your typical beach walk, I highly recommend trying this!
Explore the Historic Nye Beach
We spent quite a bit of time around Nye Beach during our trip, and I loved this area of Newport.
There are restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and little shops all within walking distance of the beach.
One evening, we walked down to the beach to enjoy the sun’s final moments, and it was such a peaceful way to end the day.
I also loved how easy it was to walk around this area. Since we were staying nearby, we could walk to breakfast, grab coffee, explore the shops, and head down to the beach without needing to get in the car.
See the Yaquina Bay Bridge
We also made a point to stop and see the Yaquina Bay Bridge.
This bridge is SUCH a cool sight in person.
Even if you’re not normally someone who gets excited about bridges, this one is worth seeing. It adds so much character to Newport’s waterfront, and you can get some gorgeous views of it from around the Bayfront.
Visit Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Another must-see is Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area and its iconic lighthouse. It’s $7 for a day pass to see the lighthouse and the beaches in the area.
The weather was definitely not cooperating with our plans when we visited.
It was foggy. It was windy. And honestly? We just embraced the moody Oregon Coast vibes.
Even in the fog, it was beautiful. The lighthouse combined with the dramatic cliffs and ocean views made this one of the most memorable places to visit in Newport Oregon during our trip.
Walk Down to Cobble Beach
While we were at Yaquina Head, we also made our way down to Cobble Beach.
This was one of the most unique beaches I’ve seen!
Instead of sand, the beach is covered in smooth cobblestones. As the waves recede, the water pulls back across the rocks and creates the coolest sound.
With the heavy fog surrounding the cliffs and water, the entire area felt so dramatic.
If you’re hoping to explore the tide pools here, make sure to check the tide tables before your visit.
Visit Devil’s Punch Bowl
On our last morning, we headed north toward Otter Rock to see Devil’s Punch Bowl.
This is such a cool natural formation where you can watch the ocean surge into a large sea-carved bowl.
It’s one of those Oregon Coast stops where you can easily just stand there and watch the waves for a while.
It’s also just a short drive outside Newport, so it’s really easy to add to your trip.
Take in the Views at Beverly Beach
But what REALLY caught our attention during this part of the trip was Beverly Beach.
It was easily a 100/10 Oregon coast beach!
After spending so much of the previous day surrounded by fog, we suddenly found this perfect pocket of sunshine.
The water looked SO blue, there were surfers out in the waves, and the entire beach looked incredible.
We were mesmerized.
It was such a beautiful way to end the trip and one of my favorite scenic stops from the entire weekend.
Stop in Depoe Bay
If you’re driving to Newport from the Portland metro area, I also recommend stopping in Depoe Bay along the way.
We stopped here on both ends of our trip.
On the way to Newport, we got out to stretch our legs and enjoy the view. On our way home, we stopped at Left Coast Coffee before continuing the drive.
It’s an easy little addition to your Newport Oregon travel plans and a great excuse for one more coastal view!
Where to Stay in Newport, Oregon
The Allred Hotel
We stayed at The Allred Hotel, right by historic Nye Beach, and we were absolutely blown away when we arrived.
Our stay at The Allred was hosted in exchange for content, but all opinions are my own, and we genuinely loved staying here!
We knew it would be nice, but it was even more beautiful in person. Their rooms are gorgeous and thoughtfully designed, and every room has an ocean view. Our room had its own balcony, private fireplace, and kitchenette, and you could even see the lighthouse in the distance! They really thought of everything, from filtered water in our rooms to popcorn for movies!
The hotel also has a pool, hot tub, gym, sauna, fire pits overlooking the ocean, an espresso bar, and its own lobby restaurant, Bites + Bar. It’s also dog friendly!
One of my favorite parts was the location. We could walk just a few minutes to restaurants, coffee shops, and Nye Beach. You could also technically walk to the Historic Bayfront if you’re feeling ambitious.
During our stay, they even hosted a live jazz event!
It really felt like the hotel was part of the experience rather than simply somewhere we went to sleep. This was definitely one of our favorite stays on the Oregon Coast!
Best Places to Eat in Newport Oregon
One thing we weren’t expecting was just how impressed we’d be by the food!
We tried several places during our weekend and genuinely enjoyed everything we ate.
If you’re searching for the best places to eat in Newport Oregon, these were our favorites.
Nye Beach Cafe
Nye Beach Cafe may have been my favorite restaurant we tried in Newport!
It’s such a cozy little cafe in the heart of Nye Beach.
We started with fresh scones and coffee and then ordered their grilled loaded hash browns and April’s Chile rellenos.
Both were AMAZING.
It was definitely busy when we visited, so I’d recommend coming earlier if you can.
If you love finding great breakfast spots while traveling, this is a must-try!
Clearwater Restaurant
If you’re looking for a restaurant in Newport with amazing food AND an amazing view, you need to check out Clearwater Restaurant.
It’s located along the Historic Bayfront and overlooks the sea lion docks.
So you basically get dinner and a show!
We started with the miso Brussels sprouts, which were SO flavorful.
For our entrees, we had the local catch of the day, which was halibut. It came with handmade gnocchi, vegetables, and a lemon sauce.
We also tried the Wagyu burger with truffle fries. The burger was juicy, and we loved the garlic aioli.
And obviously we needed dessert.
We finished with their salted caramel bourbon bread pudding with ice cream, which was the perfect way to end the meal.
Everything we had here was amazing, and the view made it even better.
Bites + Bar
Bites + Bar is located inside The Allred Hotel, and this ended up being another one of our favorite meals of the trip.
We had dinner and mocktails here while watching the sunset over the ocean.
Their menu had a good mix of options, including tacos, sliders, and seafood, and they also have a full bar with a great drink selection.
Everything we tried was delicious!
Even if you’re not staying at The Allred, I think this would be a great spot to grab dinner or drinks with an ocean view.
Blue Pig Bakery
Blue Pig Bakery is another great stop in Nye Beach, especially if you want coffee and something sweet in the morning.
They make their baked goods in-house and are known for their cinnamon rolls, so naturally we had to get one.
We also tried one of their savory muffins.
Both were delicious!
It was the perfect little breakfast stop before heading out to explore Newport.
We were really impressed with the food in Newport, and there are already several other spots we’d like to try next time!
FAQs About Visiting Newport Oregon
There is SO much to do in Newport! Some of our favorite activities were visiting the sea lion docks, exploring the Historic Bayfront, riding fat tire e-bikes on the beach, visiting Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Cobble Beach, walking around Nye Beach, and taking a short drive to Devil’s Punch Bowl and Beverly Beach.
If you have more time, you could also check out the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, or South Beach State Park.
I’d recommend at least two nights for your first visit.
We spent a weekend here and were able to see quite a bit without feeling like we were constantly rushing from one attraction to another.
Two or three days gives you enough time to explore Newport’s beaches, Historic Bayfront, restaurants, and nearby coastal viewpoints while still leaving some time to relax.
The best time to visit Newport Oregon really depends on what kind of trip you’re looking for.
Summer gives you longer days and more opportunities to enjoy the beaches, but I wouldn’t rule out visiting during the shoulder seasons either.
And don’t automatically let a foggy forecast ruin your plans!
Our e-bike ride happened on an incredibly foggy day, and it ended up being one of my favorite experiences of the entire weekend. The fog made the coastline look completely different and created the coolest scenery.
The Oregon Coast is moody. Embrace it!
I’d pack layers no matter when you visit because conditions along the coast can change throughout the day.
Certain areas are very walkable!
Nye Beach was especially easy to explore on foot. We could walk from The Allred to the beach, restaurants, coffee shops, and other nearby businesses.
The Historic Bayfront is also easy to explore on foot once you’re there.
However, I’d still recommend having a car if you want to visit places like Yaquina Head, Devil’s Punch Bowl, Beverly Beach, and other spots outside the main areas of Newport.
Our favorite places to eat in Newport were Nye Beach Cafe, Clearwater Restaurant, Bites + Bar, and Blue Pig Bakery.
Nye Beach Cafe was probably my favorite breakfast, Clearwater was amazing for dinner with a sea lion view, Bites + Bar was perfect for an oceanfront sunset dinner, and Blue Pig Bakery was a great stop for coffee and pastries.
Is Newport Oregon worth visiting?
Absolutely!
This was easily one of our favorite Oregon Coast trips so far.
Between riding e-bikes down a foggy beach, watching the sea lions argue over dock space, eating some seriously good food, exploring the Historic Bayfront, seeing the lighthouse, and finding gorgeous beaches, we had SUCH a fun weekend.
Newport has a really fun mix of classic Oregon Coast scenery and actual things to do, which I loved. You can spend part of your day relaxing on the beach and then explore the Bayfront, grab an amazing dinner, visit a lighthouse, or hop on an e-bike.
If you’re trying to decide what to do in Newport Oregon, I hope this guide helps you plan your own trip!
We already have a list of things we want to do the next time we visit.
If you’re on the Oregon Coast and looking for a gorgeous hike, I recommene God’s Thumb!
