Visitors to the Oregon Coast Aquarium will find a little more to love at the popular attraction this summer.
The Newport aquarium unveiled a new play area, amphitheater, water feature and an updated lobby last week, finishing the first of a three-phase renovation project that will cost an estimated $18 million.
Found on the south shores of Yaquina Bay, the aquarium draws some 420,000 visitors each year, it said, making it one of the busiest attractions on the coast. This marks the first major remodel of the aquarium since it opened to the public in 1992.
“We have anticipated this for years,” Carrie Lewis, president and CEO of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, said in a news release. “We are elated to offer these new experiences to our guests, and we’re so grateful for the support we have received along the way.”
Kids play in the new outdoor play area at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The play area, which is designed to mimic the natural environment, opened in 2022 as part of an $18 million renovation project. Oregon Coast Aquarium
Trees line a new outdoor amphitheater at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The attraction opened in 2022 as part of an $18 million renovation project. Oregon Coast Aquarium
A new water feature at the Oregon Coast Aquarium shows the relationship between watersheds and the Pacific Ocean. The feature opened in 2022 as part of an $18 million renovation project. Oregon Coast Aquarium
One of the main attractions of the new renovation is a natural play area, inspired by both the coastal habitat and the former timber mill that once operated at the site of the aquarium. The play area includes climbing structures and slides that mimic the natural environment, as well as giant logs to clamber over.
The renovation also included a new outdoor amphitheater, where the aquarium will host educational presentations, as well as a water feature that shows the relationship between the local watershed and the Pacific Ocean.
All visitors to the aquarium will get a chance to see the renovated lobby, which has been moved to a more central location in the 40,000-square-foot facility. The new lobby design includes a view of the neighboring estuary, an updated cafe and a new moon jelly exhibit that’s expected to be completed this summer.
“These additions make a huge impact on our guests,” Lewis said. “They’re more than just attractions–they’re experiences, they’re places where families make memories, where inspiration is sparked and a love for nature is fostered.”
The renovation project, first announced in 2019, is expected to occur in three phases. Phase two, which will improve the aquarium’s indoor galleries, will begin this fall. Phase three, which includes construction of the new Marine Rehabilitation Center, is expected to start in 2023.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Road, Newport, Oregon; tickets are $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors and young adults, and $14.95 for kids; 541-867-3474; aquarium.org.
–Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB
