Plan your visit
See our site menu and FAQ page for general information about hours, location, how to get here and places to eat and stay while visiting Newport.
VISITOR GUIDELINES
Although we do not have many rules, a few are necessary to ensure the safety of our visitors, the health of our animals and the comfort of all. We ask that you observe the following guidelines while visiting the Center:
- Handle animals in the touch tank gently and with the respect due any living creature.
- Please refrain from running, shouting or other horseplay that could be dangerous or might interfere with other visitors' experience.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Please help keep our Visitor Center clean. Food, drinks and gum are not permitted in the Center.
- Pets are not allowed in the Visitor Center.
GROUP VISITS
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS
Our staff and volunteers strive to provide every visitor with a friendly, informative visit. If you're bringing a group, we can provide special services including introductory talks and tours - but we need at least seven days advance notice for groups of 12 or more. Contact us at 541-867-0159 to reserve your group tour.
Read more about the tours we offer.
Although admission to the center is free, we charge a fee for large-group tours to cover the cost of extra staff.
YOUTH and SCHOOL GROUPS
(For groups of 12 or more)
Chaperones:
- Please bring one chaperone per five students
- Ensure that chaperones stay with students at all times
- Provide chaperones and students with name badges, if possible
- If you don't bring enough chaperones, your group may be divided into sub-groups for tours.
For your group's greater enjoyment, please read our guide for youth and school groups, which includes printable learning guides in English and Spanish designed to help specific age groups get the most out of what they see and experience here.
We also offer marine education classes and field trips for young people; all require advance planning and registration. Please see our education pages for:
For more information or to set up a class, contact Maureen Collson, 541-867-0159.
TAKE US HOME
The HMSC Visitor Center Bookstore has gained a reputation as one of the finest resources in the Pacific Northwest for natural history, marine education and related educational or reading materials. We also offer gifts and apparel with an ocean theme. Now you can shop from the bookstore online, too!
Adult and family groups are welcomed in the bookstore, but space is tight, so please, no more than five shoppers at a time. Children must be under adult supervision at all times.
The bookstore cannot accommodate youth groups; see the pre-visit guide for information about how teachers can order souvenir bags for their classes.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
