Top 11 Romantic Things To Do In Newport, OR

Alecsandra
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 6 min read
romantic things to do in newport oregon

Whether you are looking to start a new relationship, rekindle an old one, or strengthen your bond with your present, Newport coast is the place to be. No matter the season or event such as Valentine’s day or your anniversary, Oregon’s coastline has the perfect atmosphere for hand-holding, cuddling, and romantic photos that display your love and affection. The area’s beaches and landscapes prove to be the real attraction and bring to you all things romantic. There are also a variety of eateries that provide plenty of soothing and delicious food that would suit you or your date’s taste, and there are even lovely lounges where the both of you can just talk and enjoy each other’s company. If you don’t know where to stay just yet, check out the top hotels in Newport. To help you plan your next romantic getaway, here is our list of romantic things to do in Newport, OR.

Why Trust Trip101?


Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team

Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles

Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)

Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform

Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts

Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more

Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content

Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.

Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.

1. Admire the views from Oregon's tallest lighthouse

romantic things to do in newport oregon | admire the views from oregon's tallest lighthouse

One of the best Newport, OR romantic activities is sightseeing. Go on an exploratory date to Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, see its tide pools and adore Oregon’s tallest lighthouse. The lighthouse stands at 93 feet (28.34 meters) and serves as Yaquina’s watchtower for their ships and supplies. It is at present the oldest existing structure in Newport. You can also visit the area’s interpretive center that displays exhibits on seabirds, marine life and human history. See the wheelhouse of their historic ship, gaze upon their recreated rocky island and its inhabitants, and a replica of the lighthouse lantern.

Visited this place?

2. Engage in various activities at South Beach State Park

South Beach State Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Visitor7 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Clean bathrooms, spacious campgrounds and friendly park hosts, South Beach State Park may be the ideal place for a date with their paved jetty trail perfect for jogging or cycling, a playground area, a golf course near the campground area, guided hikes and horseback riding. If you would need the rent out bicycles or look for directions, the park’s Hospitality Center allows you to rent bikes and helmets for a fee and lets you trace your way through the park with their maps. This is also the place to acquire some other rental items and shop for souvenirs to take home. The park, which is regarded as one of the romantic places in Newport, also offers kayak tours where the paddles and kayaks are provided, and you will be able to go on a peaceful 2.5-hour expedition with your loved one up the gorgeous freshwater marsh. Other water-based activities around the park are fishing, surfing and beachcombing.

South Beach State Park

Address: 5580 SW Coast Hwy, Newport, OR 97366, United States

Website: South Beach State Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: From 8 USD

Visited this place?

3. Have a romantic dinner at Local Ocean

Local Ocean restaurant
Source: Photo by user Jim Rhodes used under CC BY-ND 2.0

You’ll get ample choices at Local Ocean Seafoods, with their regular menu and wine list, vegetarian and gluten-free menus. The famous restaurant has become a premier destination for fresh seafood in Newport and you can fix your seafood craving with their famous fish tacos and fish and chips. Their bayfront location is comparable to a sophisticated fish market and grill as you can buy the day’s catch fresh off the boat. The market-style dining that they introduced is accented with a central open kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows that shows the outstanding views of the fishing boats in the harbor, and a cozy beer and wine bar.

Local Ocean Seafoods

Address: 213 SE Bay Blvd, Newport, OR 97365, United States

Website: Local Ocean Seafoods

Opening hours: Mon - Thu; Sun: 11:30am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 8:30pm

Price: From 5 USD

Visited this place?

4. Tour the underwater walkways at Oregon Coast Aquarium

romantic things to do in newport oregon | tour the underwater walkways at oregon coast aquarium
Source: www.viator.com

Oregon Coast Aquarium has gorgeous collections of flora and fauna native to Oregon. The aquarium has four main areas where you and your date can peruse and enjoy the sights. Their main building houses Sandy Shores, Coastal Waters, and Rocky Shores exhibits, which are the aquarium’s continuing displays. They also have one exhibit area that changes as per the theme of the month or season. There are also exhibits focusing on small marine life in the state, and a tidepool exhibit where you may gently touch sea stars and anemones. Take your date in the underwater walkway of the aquarium, which is the largest exhibit called “Passages of the Deep”. Created in Keiko’s former tank (the orca from the movie Free Willy), the exhibit features walk-through acrylic tubes where you can interact with sea creatures such as stingrays and sharks. There is also an aviary that exhibits sea and shorebirds, such as the tufted puffin, common murre, and shorebird black oystercatcher. The aquarium also includes a coastal cave that houses a giant Pacific octopus and a nature trail.

Visited this place?

5. Admire the craft at Oregon Coast Glassworks

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Oregon Coast Glassworks on Thursday, May 19, 2016

One of the unique things to do on your romantic outing in Newport is paying a visit to Oregon Coast Glassworks. It could be the new art trip you’re missing out on. This glassblowing company features intricate glass art, glassblowing demonstrations, and a gift shop filled with the most beautiful creations. You may even schedule a glassblowing class of your own and make your own memorabilia from your Newport trip. Bring down your partner and make cute glassy memories together!

Oregon Coast Glassworks

Address: 616 E Olive St, Newport, OR 97365, United States

Website: Oregon Coast Glassworks

Opening hours: Mon: 11am - 3pm; Thu: 11am - 3pm; Fri - Sun: 11am - 5pm

Visited this place?

6. Stroll and swim at Nye Beach

Nye Beach & Yaquina Light
Source: Photo by Flickr user Mark Gunn used under CC BY 2.0

Sometimes it’s nice to just slow down and take a moment to enjoy the times you’ve spent with your loved one. Your next romantic outing in Newport doesn’t have to break the bank. Come down to Nye Beach, hold your love’s hand, and take a walk along the shore. The district is one of the well-known vacation sports and is home to institutions like Writers on the Beach and Oregon Coast Council for the Arts. It is also a famous surfing spot and is frequented by water hobbyists.

Nye Beach

Address: Newport, Oregon

Visited this place?

7. Be in awe at Ripley's Believe It or Not! World of Adventure

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Following advice from state and health officials, Ripley’s World of Adventure will be closed Thursday, December 17,...

Posted by Ripley's Believe It or Not - Newport, Oregon on Friday, December 18, 2020

Have you been waiting to surprise your special someone with the quirkiest date yet? Your trip to Newport could be your chance to do so! Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! World of Adventure is one of the top attractions in the city. With over 10 themed galleries, you’ll get to see eccentric artifacts and oddities, pop culture relics, games, and flamboyant stories. Allow yourself to be taken back in time and feel like a curious kid all over again. After all, Ripley’s is where curiosity lives!

Ripley's Believe It or Not! World of Adventure

Address: 250 SW Bay Blvd. #4535, Newport, OR 97365, United States

Website: Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World of Adventure

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

Visited this place?

8. Explore the beautiful Newport's Historic Bayfront

Promenade The Promenade
Source: Photo by user Ian Sane used under CC BY 2.0

One of the best date ideas in Newport, OR is perhaps the simplest: taking a quiet stroll along the bay. From friendly shopkeepers to delicious seafood fresh off the boat, there’s more to Newport’s Historic Bayfront than just its history. The Bayfront’s diverse shops have various potential gifts you can give to your partner, and enjoy a soundtrack of barking sea lions while you shop. Support the area’s local artists by visiting their cooperative store and check out their pieces up for sale. Pick a memorial bench to sit and have a heart-to-heart chat with your loved one.

Newport's Historic Bayfront

Address: 250-300 SW Bay Blvd, Newport, OR 97365, United States

Visited this place?

9. Indulge in a lovely picnic at Lost Creek state park

USACE Lost Creek Lake and Dam
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bill Johnson, U.S... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Located 7 mi (11.3 km) south of Newport, Oregon, Lost Creek State Recreation Site is a state park developed for picnicking and easy beach access. This place is fit for those looking to go whale watching or cuddle while watching some incredible sunsets. There are five picnic tables along the path of the beach, which you can use without paying any fees. Like other Oregon beach viewpoints, the beach has a wooden fence on the edge of a low bluff that makes a seated view obstructed. However, you can step on the fence line, admire the view, and take photos with your partner before you leave the park.

Lost Creek State Recreation Site

Address: US-101, South Beach, OR 97366, United States

Website: Lost Creek State Recreation Site

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

10. Camp under the stars at Beverly Beach State Park

Camping in a Yurt at Beverly Beach State Park
Source: Photo by user Rick Obst used under CC BY 2.0

Open year-round and located in a forest between Cape Foulweather and Yaquina Head, Beverly Beach State Park’s forest-sheltered campsite is one of the state’s largest. There is a majestic walkway that goes under the highway and emerges to the lovely sandy beach, where you can see a lighthouse from afar. Be kids-at-heart with your loved one by flying kites and building sandcastles. You can also go surfing on the north beach or look for fossils on the south end. Spending a night at the state park is one of the best romantic getaways in Newport, OR.

Beverly Beach State Park

Address: 198 NE 123rd St, Newport, OR 97365, United States

Website: Beverly Beach State Park

Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)

Price: From 7 USD

Visited this place?

11. Watch an amazing show at Newport Performing Arts Center


Widely known as PAC, Newport Performing Arts Center is the premiere performance venue in Oregon and houses a group of resident companies called “PACRATs”. The resident artist team includes theater, community music, and dance producers who run the facility and activities year-round. The center has two performance spaces. The Silverman is a 328-seat theater while The Studio is an 80-seat black box space.

Newport Performing Arts Center

Address: 777 W Olive St, Newport, OR 97365, United States

Website: Newport Performing Arts Center

Price: From 11 USD

Visited this place?

Take your partner on a romantic adventure to Newport

Every day should be a romantic day with your loved one. Celebrate those happy days while traveling to new places and trying out new food and experiences. Go on an adventure with your partner to Newport, Oregon, and explore all of the beautiful sights and lovely restaurants the place has to offer.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Alecs is a coffee-driven, matcha-loving writer and journalist from the Philippines, whose experience roots from business writing to music and pop culture articles. She dreams to be busy travelling...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Register Here
0 Comments
Explore Newport
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.
yurts in newport oregon

11 Best Yurts Near Newport, Oregon - Updated 2024