Pacific Coast Scenic Byway - Oregon
Aquariums and Marine Centers, OR

This byway hosts two nationally important aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Mark O. Hatfield Marine Science Center. Interestingly, both of these aquariums are in the coast city of Newport.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium ranks among the top ten aquariums in the nation, and since its opening in 1992, it has offered an excellent collection of marine treasures. Its indoor exhibits feature marine life found in wetlands, sandy and rocky shores, and the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean. Outdoor exhibits are home to feature sea otters, seals, sea lions, and a giant Pacific octopus. The Aquarium also has one of the largest walk-through seabird aviaries in North America. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is dedicated to marine education and conservation and was home to Keiko the whale, star of the movie Free Willy, from 1996-1998.

The Mark O. Hatfield Marine Science Center was built in 1965 and is the hub of Oregon State University's coastal research. The center is dedicated to helping solve problems that affect marine life all over the world. It has recently gone through a five-million-dollar renovation and remodeling (it was closed for more than a year and reopened in 1997.) The newly renovated Center has a public wing that focuses on the research and findings of the Center's 300-plus marine scientists.

Their work is presented through interactive multimedia displays based on the theme, "Searching for Patterns in a Complex World." Through these displays, visitors can explore the geology of the ocean floor, learn about coastal hazards (such as earthquakes and tsunamis,) and find out about advancements made in whale tracking and research. The center's exhibits include a "touch" tank of tidal animals and a live octopus.