This is one of the fun things to do in
Newport
that is fun for the whole family. The Kite Company is the largest kite store on the Pacific Coast. If they don't have what you want, they'll get it for you. The store is staffed with five very knowledgeable kite flyers that can help you choose the right kite for you. Newport's beaches are the perfect place to try it out. The store is located at 407 SW Coast Highway, Newport.
Buy Fresh Fish
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At Oregon Oyster Farms you can buy fresh oysters in the Shell, oyster meat, oyster cocktails, smoked oysters, and steamer clams. The store is open every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is located on Yaquina Bay Road six miles east of the
Embarcadero.
Pacific Shrimp is where you can buy fresh shrimp, Whiting, groundfish, crab, salmon, Herring, Tuna, and Swordfish. You can
also buy whole cooked crab. The store is located at 213 SW Bay Blvd, Newport.
Go Fishing
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Another one of the fun things to do in Newport is to go fishing. You can charter a fishing boat and go crabbing, fish for bottom fish, Halibut, Salmon, or Tuna. Crabbing and bottom fishing can be done all year round. The season for Chinook Salmon us usually April through October. For Coho Salmon it is usually in July. The season for Tuna is July through October or when the warm water moves in. Halibut dates can vary. You can also hire a charter boat to go
whale watching.
When you are down at the beach,
clamming
is also great fun and when you are back at your lodging you can cook them for dinner.
Fishing Charters in Newport:
Yaquina Bay Charters--Telephone: 541-265-6800 or 1-866-465-6801
Captain's Reel Deep Sea Fishing--Telephone: 541-265-7441 or 1-800-865-7441
Newport Tradewinds--Telephone: 541-265-2101 or 1-800-676-7819 This one is highly recommended by locals.
The Best Clam Chowder
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Mo's Clam Chowder is the best known chowder in the Pacific Northwest. I have known Oregonians that wouldn't even drive through Newport on their way to somewhere else without stopping for a bowl. I know a man who drove 60 miles roundtrip just for a bowl of Mo's Clam Chowder. In Oregon when you say clam chowder, you mean Mo's.
Sadly, Mo has passed on but her legacy still lives. The original Mo's is at 622 SW Bay Blvd., Newport. You can get your chowder by the bowl, cup, or order it family style. There is a complete lunch and dinner menu if you aren't in the mood for soup. Mo's Annex is located across the street. Here you can watch the activity on the bay.
On the South Beach Side of Newport
All of these fun things to do in Newport are on the south side of the Yaquina Bay Bridge and are close together.
Sealife and Nature
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TheOregon Coast Aquarium is one of the top ten aquariums in the country. If you only have time for seeing one thing in Newport, this is the one you should choose.
You can walk through four different acrylic tunnels for fantastic views of the fish including sharks. At the Jelly
Exhibit you will see jelly fish from all over the world. This is a mezmerizing exhibit with the jellies swimming around the tank. The aquarium has outside walking trails where you can see
coastal birds up close. Look for puffins, pigeon guillemots, and rhinoscerus auklets.
Newport Aquarium coupons and special deals are available from several hotels in Newport. Newport Aquarium Coupons.
The Hatfield Marine Science Center has exhibits of sea life that are touchable and interactive. When you enter the building you are greeted by an octopus. The whole tank is open so you can reach in and touch it. When we visited the center, the octopus on reception duty was trying to climb out of its tank. It was about half way out and with just a little more effort it would have fallen on the floor. The woman at the reception counter walked over and pushed it back in the water. You can watch the octopus being fed on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday at 1:00 pm.
There are lots of other exhibits to see. The Visitor Center showcases marine research by Oregon State University scientists.
From here you can access the Yaquina Bay Nature Trail. The trail provides year round access to the estuary. There is an observation shelter about half way. It is handicapped accessible.
Do You Like to Watch Glass Blowing?
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You can see it done every day at Pyromania Glass Studio and Galleries. The studio is located near the Oregon Coast Aquarium at Aquarium Village. You can drop in between the hours of 11:00 am and 5:00 pm and watch them work. They have glass floats, vases, paperweights, bowls, and goblets. If you like, they will blow a float for you as you watch and then you can take it home.
I just found out they have moved. They are now on Highway 101 next to Gracie's Sea Hag Restaurant.
It's All in the Hops!
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Another of the fun things to do in Newport is take a tour of the Rogue Brewery and see how they make their award winning ale. Tours are given every day at 3:00 pm. All you need to do is check in with the bartender at the bar inside the brewery. If you have a large group, they would like you to phone ahead of time at 541-867-3664. Located at 2320 OSU Drive Newport.
You can also visit Rogue Ales Public House across the bay at 748 SW Bay Blvd. Kids are welcome and there is a children's menu. They have a huge menu including appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches, hamburgers, fish, dinner entrees, and
pizza. You can also buy Rogue Creamery Cheese to take home. They have two apartments upstairs for rent by the night that are fully furnished and equipped with everything you could possibly need. Now if that isn't enough for you, they have a casino with video poker machines and blackjack tables. Dinner is served from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm Monday through Friday and all day on weekends.
