Traveling While Black: Newport, OR
We headed to Newport, Oregon! It’s our 2nd stop on our TWB Across America Roadtrip Series Vol 2: Oregon Coast! It was definitely a different vibe than our first stop in Coos Bay, Oregon!
Newport, Oregon, is a coastal town with over 150 years of history in the tourism industry, making it one of the most well-known destinations on the Oregon Coast. Home to a thriving fishing and maritime industry, Newport is considered the Dungeness Crab Capital of the World and boasts a strong connection to the ocean, both economically and culturally. The city’s historic Bayfront highlights its roots as a working dock while also serving as a lively tourist hub. Landmarks such as the Yaquina Bay Bridge and the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse showcase Newport’s deep history, with the latter being the oldest standing wooden lighthouse in Oregon. Despite Newport’s small-town charm, it offers big attractions, including the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Nye Beach, and the renowned Newport Seafood & Wine Festival.
With all these features, we were eager to explore Newport and see how it compared to Coos Bay, our previous stop. Would the energy of this tourist-friendly town make it even more fun than Coos Bay? Let’s find out!
The Drive: Coos Bay to Newport
For this road trip series, our Drive Grade rating considers five key elements: (see more about our drive grade breakdown on our YouTube episode here).
Quality of Views: 2/2 – Dramatic cliffs, endless ocean views, and powerful waves made this an incredible drive. The coastal scenery never ceased to amaze us, proving that Oregon’s landscape is one of the most beautiful in the country.
Roadside Attractions: 2/2 – We had some great stops, including the Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, offering stunning ocean overlooks, and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. Whether you’re hiking or off-roading, the dunes offer a one-of-a-kind experience.
Roadside Amenities: 1/2 – While there were stops along the way, we noticed long stretches with no gas stations or food options. If you're making this drive, be sure to fill up when you get the chance.
Route Difficulty: 2/2 – The drive was relatively straightforward, but some winding roads and elevation changes required more focus. Overall, it was a straight shot up Hwy 101.
Parking: 1/2 – Newport had very limited free parking options, and the city had recently raised its parking prices. As you all know (or maybe you don’t), we like FREE parking options. So we had to take one point away here.
Final Drive Grade: 8/10!
Level of Fun: Newport, Oregon
For this road trip series, our Level of Fun rating considers five key elements: (see more about our Level of Fun breakdown on our YouTube episode here):
Quality of Activities: 2/2 – Newport has an impressive mix of things to do, from the bustling Historic Bayfront to the serene Nye Beach. At Newport’s Bayfront, you can watch seals, shop, and eat. There’s also opportunity to visit the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, which you can tour (but we heard it was haunted so we didn’t go in). You definitely don’t want to miss the Oregon Coast Aquarium. It is one of the top-rated aquariums in the country, offering interactive exhibits showcasing marine life.
Demographic Applicability: 2/2 – Newport has something for everyone. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with friends, or as a family, there are plenty of activities to enjoy. The variety ensures that visitors of all ages and interests can find something that appeals to them.
Quality of Restaurants: 2/2 – Newport’s seafood game is strong, with plenty of spots serving fresh catches from the Pacific. Newport is the self proclaimed Dungeness Crab Capital of the World! We didn’t eat any while in town, but we recommend you do! We had an amazing experience at Myrils Restaurant, where we enjoyed an upscale seafood dining experience that highlighted the region’s culinary strengths. We also tried Moe’s Seafood for the first time. The clam chowder was amazing! This is coming from Marlie who isn’t the biggest fan of clam chowder.
Special Events: 2/2 – Newport hosts one of the largest annual festivals on the Oregon Coast, like the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival. With amazing seafood and local wines, it’s an event worth planning a trip around.
Affordability: 1/2 – Newport was noticeably more expensive than Coos Bay. While still more affordable than larger West Coast tourist destinations, the price increases were something we took note of and thought to mention it to you as well.
Final Level of Fun Score: 9/10!
Comfortability for Black People: Newport, Oregon
For this road trip series, our Comfortability For Black People rating considers five key elements: (see more about our Comfortability For Black People breakdown on our YouTube episode here):
Personal Comfort: 2/2 – We had an overall positive experience in Newport. The people were friendly and we felt comfortable while touring the town. We would return to this destination.
Black People Seen: 2/2 – Unlike in Coos Bay, we actually saw quite a few other Black visitors in Newport. By quite a few, we mean at least 20… which is a lot compared to Coos Bay. Two of those Black visitors we saw were Marlie’s uncle and aunt, long-time Portland residents who visit Newport annually.
Access to Local Cultural Resource Groups: 1/2 – Newport is home to the Arcoiris Cultural Center, which primarily supports Latinx, Guatemalan, and Indigenous Mesoamerican populations in Lincoln County. While this is great for representation, there were no specific Black cultural resource groups in the area.
Artifacts of Inclusion: 0/2 – We didn’t see the usual signs of inclusion, such as BLM posters, “All Are Welcome” signs, or pride flags. Personally, we believe the city would benefit from more visible markers of diversity.
Diversity in Destination Marketing: 0/2 – From what we could see, Newport’s tourism marketing lacked diversity. More representation would help reflect the full range of travelers who visit the area.
Final Comfortability For Black People Score: 5/10!
Final Thoughts: Newport Delivered!
Newport held its own as the second stop on our Oregon Coast road trip. With an 8/10 drive grade, a 9/10 level of fun, and a 5/10 comfortability score, it proved to be a dynamic and enjoyable destination.
While it had some setbacks, like parking costs and a lack of diverse marketing, the wealth of activities and incredible coastal scenery made it well worth the visit.
Next stop - Cannon Beach, OR!
What do you think? Would you visit Newport?
Let us know in the comments!
