Tucked alongside the picturesque Pacific Ocean in Oregon is the coastal town of Newport. Although Portland is typically the gay destination in Oregon, when you want access to the beach, queer-friendly accommodations, and a welcoming environment fostered by LGBTQ+ locals within the city government — Newport has you covered.
This is why my girlfriend and I chose Newport to spend our second anniversary, and I wanted to share our experience with this guide to gay Newport.
Are you looking for an LGBTQ+-friendly Pacific Coast getaway?
Keep reading to learn how Newport, Oregon, could be a perfect, LGBTQ+-friendly location for your next vacation.
Hallmark Resort
We stayed at the Hallmark Resort, which overlooked the stunning Pacific Ocean and had access to the sandy beach below. We visited Newport at the end of August, and the weather was beautiful! Even though the Oregon Coast is known for being overcast for most of the year, the climate is temperate and sunny during the summer.
When booking the hotel, my partner informed the staff that it was our anniversary, and we were pleasantly surprised to find a cold bottle of champagne in the room’s kitchenette waiting for us, a card, and these romantic swan towels. The Concierge Staff was kind and welcoming, and we felt safe walking around the resort holding hands.
We stayed in the accessible queen bedroom with an in-room spa and balcony, and the accommodations couldn’t have been better. We knew we wanted to get the most out of our hotel stay and avoid sharing the on-site spa with anyone else — although the resort also offers adult-only hours! It was the best possible decision to have the jacuzzi in-room that not only comfortably fit two people but had a view of the sun setting into the ocean.
The resort is also home to the award-winning Georgie’s Beachside Grill. Although reservations were booked, we still got to experience the delicious meals through room service, which was the perfect move.
While Newport offers a range of ocean-front hotels for travelers looking for a more luxurious experience, the Hallmark Resort doesn’t disappoint.
Seafood and Wine Festival
Newport is perhaps best known for the annual Seafood and Wine Festival every February. The four-day event draws thousands of visitors to Newport and features over 150 vendors and more than 80 wineries — including LGBTQ+-owned wineries and vendors.
Rogue Ales & Spirits
Newport is also home to Rogue’s flagship brewpub for beer and spirit lovers. Beyond creating a wide array of craft beers, Rogue is a large supporter of the local LGBTQ+ community. This year they partnered with Newport Pride to create an exclusive beer for pride — Anything Gose. This fruit sour is a brewed Gose with a touch of guava.
Newport pride
This year, Newport also held its first annual Pride event in September. In a conversation with Queer City Councilor C.M. Hall, she shared that it was well received and attended by the community, and her goal is to make Newport a destination pride event.
If you want more information about traveling to Newport on the Oregon Coast, schedule a consultant with Rainbow Getaways, and we’ll help you with everything you need to know.
Rainbow Getaways proudly help travelers of the LGBTQ community (and our allies) research, plan, and book incredible vacations where you feel confident and comfortable enjoying and exploring your destination. We plan each vacation to meet your specific needs, so you'll have an experience just as unique as you.