Seniors Explore Newport

Newport was incorporated in 1882 and has been the county seat of Lincoln County since 1952 when voters approved a measure to remove the center of government from nearby Toledo to Newport. Newport is home to approximately 10,000 permanent residents and numerous weekenders, including senior visitors.

The city has been a playground for visitors since the late 1800’s. Nestled between the Coast Mountains, Pacific Ocean and Yaquina Bay, the natural beauty of the area draws senior travelers. Newport is a city of constant activity and major tourist draw and boasts the title of Dungeness Crab Capitol of the World.

Historically, the Bayfront was Newport’s economic backbone, housing a port for the commercial fishing and wood products industries. Today, the Bayfront is still home to one of Oregon’s largest commercial fishing fleets.

The Bayfront is a working waterfront on which senior visitors can enjoy shops, art galleries, chowder houses, restaurants, fish processing plants and family attractions in turn-of-the-century storefronts from a bygone era.

 Seniors Whale Watch And Charter Fish

Toss in the golf clubs as there are five courses in the area and whale watching and charter fishing are both highly popular in Newport.

Newport is home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium with many fascinating  exhibits including the “Passages of the Deep,” a 1.32 million gallon exhibit featuring 3 realistic ocean habitats connected by a 200-foot long underwater tunnel.

Newport features 2 lighthouses: Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and Yaquina Head Light. Yaquina Head is the site of Oregon’s tallest and second oldest active lighthouse. The 93-foot-tall structure was completed in 1872.

There is a five-mile stretch of uninterrupted sandy beach for senior visitors to enjoy. Nye Beach and Agate Beach are two of the popular stopping points along the Oregon coast. Keep an eye out for gray whales just off the shoreline.

Seniors Like Historical Bayfront and Nye Beach

PlanetWare’s site adds information on some of the major attractions with photos and what not to miss in Newport. The local Chamber of Commerce wants senior visitors to know that Newport has something for everyone…scenic excursions, aquariums, historical museums and lighthouse tours are just the beginning.

Additional highlights and attractions in and around Newport, Oregon include several state parks, historic sites and museums. TripAdvisor offers the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area and the Hatfield Marine Science Center.  I’d want to be sure and take in the Oregon Coast Aquarium ranked among the Top 10 aquariums in the country.

Newport’s beginnings shaped two distinct areas of town: the Historical Bayfront and Nye Beach. During the early 1900s, Nye Beach was the number one visitor attraction on the coast. Hot sea baths, taffy stores and agate shops entertained visitors from the Willamette Valley.

Nye Beach remains a  popular haven for the arts, with the Newport Performing Arts and Visual Arts Center amidst unique galleries, book stores, eateries, shopping and lodging. Enjoy all that Newport has to offer. -jeb