Hey Salem,

Last Tuesday, my girlfriend and I cut out of work early and drove 90 minutes west. 

Best decision we made all week. Newport, Oregon doesn't get talked about enough as a date night spot with the ocean on one side, Yaquina Bay on the other, walkable neighborhood, exceptional food, and locals who actually want you to have a good time. 

Most people in Salem still don't know what's sitting right there. 

We do now.

Here is your guide to doing it right, and a gentle push to taking a little mid-week escape.

Newport is built for this. The historic Nye Beach neighborhood,  where we spent most of our time, is completely walkable. Boutique shops, galleries, cozy restaurants, salty air. It's the kind of place that makes you slow down a little. And with everything I have going on right now, taking time to slow down was much needed.

The city got all the romance of a coastal escape but closer (and less expensive) than Cannon Beach price. The food is exceptional because this is a real working fishing town, nothing is frozen, nothing is shipped in. 

And the locals actually want you to have a good time.

Nye Beach Neighborhood

Start here. Hotel Sylvia isn't just a place to sleep, its one of the coolest hotels in Oregon. 

Think about if Offbeat coffee had a hotel on the beach…

Right on the cliffs of Nye Beach overlooking the Pacific. It was originally built in 1909, but has been reimagined as a 22-room literary boutique hotel where every room is themed after a different author or literary genre. We stayed in the Agatha Christie room with an ocean-view wraparound balcony. 

No TVs. We put our phones away (not something I do often enough), and just enjoyed the ocean views and each other.

Downstairs, Café Sylvia does breakfast with floor-to-ceiling views of Nye Beach. And the outdoor fire pit in the evenings? That's your nightcap spot.

The staff immediately set the tone. Warm, knowledgeable, and they pointed us toward everything on this list.

Historic Bayfront · A Newport Institution

We went on a quick walk on the beach and then stopped at the Chowder Bowl, which is only a couple of blocks way, to refuel. The clam chowder here is now my favorite. (If you know of some lace better, please let me know because I haven’t found it yet.) 

My advice, get the fish and chips and chowder on the side.

This is one of Newport's most iconic food stop and it absolutely earns the reputation.

Grab a bowl right off the beach, eat to the sound of waves, and fuel up for the rest of the day. Simple, casual, and delicious.

Just Steps from Hotel Sylvia

Zurita is the kind of place that feels like a discovery. It's a Spanish tapas bar tucked into Nye Beach, literally a block from Hotel Sylvia. Go before dinner, after dinner, or just make it the whole evening with small plates.

The vibe is warm and funky, and right now they have live music on Tuesday nights. We ended the night here and the rain falling on the tin roof absolutely added to the ambiance. 

This is a distinctly Newport experience and you're going to love it.

The menu has Spanish-inspired tapas, including scallops and duck mousse. We got the Tortilla de Patatas, it’s a classic Spanish potato tortilla that you have to order. 

For drinks, get the Carajillo. It's espresso and Licor 43, rich and warming, and it's the perfect coastal evening cocktail.

An added bonus, Hotel Sylvia is two blocks away, so you can walk back and pour yourself a glass of wine by the fire pit.

Historic Bayfront

Local Ocean Seafoods is the date night restaurant option in Newport. Full stop.

It's on the Historic Bayfront with views of the harbor and the Yaquina Bay Bridge, and the upstairs dining room is gorgeous. It's the kind of dinner that reminds you why going out to eat can actually be an event.

The seafood is as fresh as it gets, sourced directly from the fishing boats you can literally see through the window. We had the crab cakes (exceptional) and ordered a whole Dungeness crab to share. Technically not on the menu, but the staff made it happen without hesitation. Shout out Local Ocean for coming through for my girlfriend’s request!

And here's what surprised us most: the prices are genuinely reasonable. If you're used to Portland's nicer restaurants, you're going to be pleasantly surprised.

Afternoon |  Arrive and check into Hotel Sylvia. Walk Nye Beach and visit galleries, shops, the beach stairs. Plus call in your reservations for Local Ocean and Zurita if you are visiting on the weekend.

Late Afternoon |  Head to the Historic Bayfront. Grab a bowl of clam chowder at the Chowder Bowl. Catch the sea lion docks while you're there.

Evening |  Dinner at Local Ocean Seafoods. Order the crab cakes and a whole Dungeness to share. Ask for upstairs seating.

Nightcap |  Walk over to Zurita for a Carajillo and Tortilla de Patatas with live music and rain on the tin roof.

Late Night |  Walk two blocks back to Hotel Sylvia. Pull up a chair at the oceanfront fire pit. That's the finish line.

Newport is the kind of place that earns a return trip before you've even left. Beautiful on a clear day, cozy and atmospheric on a rainy evening. The food is exceptional, the walking is easy, and Hotel Sylvia gives you a home base that's an experience all on its own.

90 minutes from Salem. Worth every minute of the drive.

Jacob

Interested in connecting with our audience and supporting the growth of this publication? Simply reply to this email and we can help you get started.

Thanks for keeping up with Salem this week!

Spotted something interesting in town? Drop us a note at [email protected] We love hearing from you.

See you next Thursday,

Ernie