Take your pick. Are you a nature lover, a history buff, or a sports enthusiast? Do you like to either watch, catch, or eat fish? Or, do you simply wish to walk on the sand with the kids or the dog? Newport and the surrounding areas have it all.

Around the corner from Beach Retreat, you will find the Newport Performing Arts Center. Check for current shows. Walk into the Nye Beach Historic District for a meal, boutique shopping, a good book, or to catch a glimpse of Newport as it was promoted at the turn of the 20th century.

Newport has two faces. Beach Retreat faces the Pacific Ocean, making it an excellent location for whale watching, which you can do either from the deck or at many of the turnouts along the Coast Highway 101. Newport also includes Yaquina Bay, housing one of the largest fishing fleets in Oregon. The Bay Front, also known as the Embarcadero, boasts numerous fresh fish markets, restaurants and deep sea fishing services. Google "fishing Newport” and you will be amazed at the companies listed.

Rather see the fish up close? Check out the Oregon Coast Aquarium for fascinating fish and fish facts, then drive to the Hatfield Marine Science Center, run by Oregon State University, for a look at their octopus. Research at this facility includes studies on wave power to generate electricity and models to simulate the destructive nature of tsumamis (In fact, OSU is a leader in tsunami research).

If you run out of things to do in Newport, the Coast Highway 101 going either north or south will take you to lighthouses, sea lion caves, sand dunes, casinos and more. Inland, the Coast Range, which runs parallel to the sea, is home to vineyards, farms, and some of the most productive logging in the country.

Whatever you do in the area, there is not enough time to eat all the Dungeness crab you would like or breathe enough salt air to last until your next trip to the Coast. We hope Beach Retreat provides a good home base so the photos and stories you take away will remind you of all the fun you had while staying with us.