Newport, Oregon is one of our favorite places to visit on the Oregon Coast.  There is much to see and do there on an ordinary day. But this weekend, in particular, there are a great many special things going on. Below is a listing of all the weekend happenings in Newport.

We love the Embarcadero Resort Hotel for accommodations. It is smack on the bay where there is so much to see. Coast Guard Research ships, sea lions on the rocks, and Saturday sailboat races. Plus this fella who wanted to be our buddy all weekend long.

That’s the Yaquina Bay Bridge in the background. There is a lot to see from this second story room with a kitchen! It is just as beautiful at night with so many lights around the bay.

If you just wander around town, don’t miss the huge, 2-story antique mall where great bargains abound. Newport is home to many beaches, the most famous of which is in the antique district of town, Nye Beach. The gulls hang out there and enjoy anything you want to feed them. Watch for more about the beaches here following the list of weekend activities. There is something for everyone here this weekend.

Friday, Aug. 3

“From the Heart”   Newport Visual Arts Center

An opening reception for this new exhibit of works by Rick Bartow, featuring 17 seldom-seen sketches of prominent authors in watercolor, pencil and pastel. 5-8 pm, 777 NW Beach Drive. Show runs run through Saturday, Sept. 29, available to view from noon to 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday.

“Sylvia” Theatre West • Lincoln City

The arrival of a new dog puts a marriage in jeopardy in this stage comedy, with the husband seeing the pooch as an escape while his wife views her as a rival for affection. 7:30 pm, 3536 SW Hwy. 101. Tickets, $15 for adults and $13 for seniors and students, available by calling 541-994-5663.

Shop at the Dock  Port Dock 5 • Newport

Get a grounding in how to buy seafood right off the boat in this free workshop from the OSU Sea Grant Extension Service. Tours leave at 9:30 am, 10 am, 10:30 am and 11 am. FMI, call 541-574-6534.

Coastal Arts Guild lunch  Newport Visual Arts Center

Fabric artist Janet Webster talks about her work, which has evolved from weaving to quilting to fabric manipulation. 11 am to 1:30 pm, 777 NW Beach Drive. FMI or an invitation to attend, call Mary Holt at 541-765-4599.

Seabird Science Hike  Oswald West State Park • Manzanita

An easy two-mile round-trip journey focusing on the recent community effort to monitor nesting seabirds within Oregon’s Marine Reserves. 10 am to noon. FMI, call 541-231-8041.

“Young Marx”  Newport Performing Arts Center

See what was going on in Karl Marx’ life before the days of “Das Kapital” in this new comedy from Richard Bean and Clive Coleman, screened as part of The National Theatre: Live in HD. 7 pm, 777 W. Olive Street. Tickets, $16 for adults, $13 for seniors and $11 for students, available at newportpac.com or by calling 541-265-ARTS (2787).

Quilts by the Sea  Newport Recreation Center

Browse some 300 quilts at this annual show from the Oregon Coastal Quilters Guild, including the 2018 raffle quilt, “Ocean in Motion.” $6. 9 am-5 pm, 225 SE Avery Street. Continues Saturday.

Community Luau  Oceanview Senior Living • Newport

Enjoy a free, island-themed feast and multicultural traditional drumming from Chandler Davis at this outdoor get-together. Noon-2 pm, 525 NE 71st Street. FMI or directions, call 541-574-0550.

On the south side of the bay, we discovered access to a vast expanse of beach where you can hike for miles. And we did. And came across this fella skimming along the shore.

Don’t miss out on the tide pooling at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. It is unique. And stop in and say hello to us at http://www.umpquahaven.com on your way north to Newport. We are just 87 miles on a beautiful drive up the coast from Newport.