A Budding Coastal City

Newport is a small beach town during the off season. During the summer months, the town is bristling with tourists. Newport itself is surrounded by beautiful pristine beaches and natural formations. In 1855, Lincoln County became a reservation of 4,000 Native Americans from 20 tribes. Soon, however, the government took most of the land back and gave to settlers. Newports Nye Beach area was settled in 1866 but gained its popularity in the early 1900s. Since then, the town has survived on its crabbing and fishing industries. Whale watching is also a big draw in the area, with gray whales being visible most of the year.

Quick Tips:

Don't miss out on the Nye Beach area. It is perfect for walking around in and features art galleries, bookstores, cafes, and other little shops. If you are into the "tourist" areas, check out the Bayfront area. It has a Ripley's Believe It or Not and a wax museum alongside an Undersea Gardens. Aside from those distractions, that area has some great fish markets and small but interesting stores. Stop into the Whales Tail restaurant for a hearty meal while you are down there.

Remember, all of Oregon's beaches are public. You can access any beaches you like.

A good aquarium is housed in Newport. It is called the Oregon Coast Aquarium and is a nice place for families, but if you are more interested in the science behind it all, visit the Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center.
To learn more about Newport, go to www.coastvisitor.com for information and links on what to do and see. Other links include www.visitorschoice.com, www.newportchamber.com, and www.visittheoregoncoast.com.

Best Way To Get Around:

Anywhere along the Oregon coast you will need a vehicle. I never saw any public transportation or taxi services.

Although the Vikings Cottages cost $150 per night, and are very small, they have one of the best views in town. They are just a few feet from the beach access, and are very cozy during a stormy night. Various people would not be happy to spend $150 per night for a shack that was built in the 1920s and is so small you have trouble turning around in—I found it quaint. Unfortunately, these cottages will be ripped down at the end of the year in order to build condominiums. The fact that Newport is growing has good and bad consequences for the town. It will lose such colorful little cottages, but it will bring more people and more business to this beach town.These cottages are very small with the bedrooms being about 7 foot by 10 foot. Just barely big enough to move around the bed. I like cozy places, but this is not the place for large groups or families. There are better deals in town, but none that are so close to the water. I loved it and am sad to see them go.

Although not in the city of Newport, it is just north of it by less than 5 miles. The Alpine Chalets are a series of A-frame chalets like the kind that you would find in the Swiss Alps. These chalets are fantastic! They are small, but romantic. They have a full kitchen and most have 3 bedrooms. There are also 2 bedrooms available, but they don't use the full space of the A-frame. These chalets look out over the Pacific Ocean, and are far enough off the main road to instill peace and quiet combined with one of the best vistas available on the Oregon Coast. I absolutely love these chalets! They have cable TV and a video library is available for no extra charge.There is also a secluded beach that is easily accessible from a small path that passes a nice little park on the way down to the water. This beach never has a soul on it! I like walking it in the early morning and then at sundown, watching from the cliffs above. This is a magical place! I debated whether I should even write this review, as I don't want to spoil this place, but I think that people should be able to benefit from the natural beauty that surrounds this little piece of heaven. I would recommend these chalets to couples who want to get away. Families are welcome, but are rarely spotted staying here. Maybe because they don't have much to entertain children. Try these chalets out when you travel to Newport and you will not be disappointed. I promise you.

Well, during my trip, I stayed at places that I loved, and I stayed at places that weren't so great, but were cheap. This place was cheap. The sofa and chair was made of foam and was probably purchased for $20 at a Wal-Mart. The bed was firm, but that is the way that I like them. The room was equipped with a kitchenette. I travel with a Pug and I look for places that accept pets. This motel does, and my room reflected that complete with wallpaper peeling off the places that they had patched. That did not bother me. I knew that it was a budget motel by looking at the outside. I knew what I was walking into. The room was not dirty or anything, but it was cheap. I would recommend this motel to families travelling with pets. Neither the pets nor the kids will have an easy time tearing up these rooms. For the night that I stayed there, it was perfect.