Imagine settling in with your favorite book on the Oregon Coast, watching the waves roll in from your third-story room. This isn’t just any cozy nook — the J.K. Rowling room at the Sylvia Beach Hotel is made for Harry Potter fans, complete with velvety drapes, Gryffindor scarf, sorting hat, plush Hedwig owl to cuddle and the whole magical book series in your personal library.
It’s just one of 21 author-inspired rooms at this historic literary-themed hotel, perched high on the bluff at Nye Beach — a charming neighborhood district of Newport with a personality all its own.
Two miles north of the Oregon Coast Aquarium and other attractions, Nye Beach is a 12-block haven of coastal eateries, boutique shopping and easy beach access. Yet it’s also a quieter hideaway, especially in the wintertime. Whether you choose the Sylvia Beach hotel or another place to stay, there’s plenty to do on your next weekend getaway. Here are a few ideas:
See a show
The Newport Visual Arts Center & Performing Arts Center, (in the Nye Beach turnaround) and Newport Performing Arts Center (at the bottom of Olive Street) are great spots to catch a film, theater, musical performance or even a live opera. You can also stop in to see local artists’ works, including the annual PushPin Show (works have to be hung with just four pushpins) — a celebration of local creativity, showing through Dec. 31, 2017.
Go shopping
It’s easy to shop local here. More than 40 locally-owned businesses and shops line the streets, with some reduced hours in the winter, so check before you go. Stock up on handcrafted art, jewelry, antiques, toys and home decor at shops like Peerless Puffin, Jovi, Tu Tu Tu, Illingworth’s and the Nye Beach Wine Cellar (with wines by the taste, glass or bottle — one for you, one for a friend).
Indulge
Satisfy your sweet tooth and need for caffeine at Panini Bakery, Nye Beach Sweets, BJs Ice Cream or Carl’s Coffee, where fresh, homemade treats abound. Recharge with a rejuvenating facial or body treatment at one of three spas in town: The Dancing Masseuse, Earthbound Beauty or Wellness Massage Center.
Eat and drink
Warm up with a heaping serving of comfort at the Chowder Bowl, where the coastal classic is served with a large pat of butter in a local bakery’s sourdough bread bowl. For breakfast or lunch, try the cheery Cafe Stephanie, a secret hot spot where the quiches, scones and French toast keep hungry diners coming back. Before you leave, settle into a cozy corner at Nana’s Irish Pub for a hearty pot pie, a hot toddy or an Irish Nudge — a fortifying nip of brandy with creme de cacao, coffee liqueur, coffee and whipped cream. Finally, the new Taphouse at Nye Creek is a happy addition to the neighborhood, with crave-worthy burgers, wood-fire pizzas, happy-hour favorites, 28 rotating beer and wine taps and playful cocktails like the Nye Beach Sunset, with coconut and mango rum.
Story by Jen Anderson