Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, Oregon

What: Hatfield Marine Science Center
Where: South end of Newport, Oregon. Follow signs from Hwy 101.
When: August 2009
Why: It's right next to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, but it's cheaper.
How much: Free, but donations of $4/person or $10/family requested.

Outside:

They have 3 tidepool tanks to touch. Very colorful! We found sea urchins, more kinds of sea stars, and a sea cucumber. Also some skates (sorta like sting rays) and fish.

Hi Mr. Crab in a tank. Are you glad the octopus has a cover on its tank now so it can't get out at night and come climb in your tank and eat you? (true story!)

They have lots of interactive exhibits for kids and adults alike about all aspects of marine science. You can also watch a movie. We didn't have time for the 45 min Blue Whale movie, but on a rainy day or when your little ones are tired, that would be a great idea!

There's restrooms, a small gift shop, and very nice volunteers and students who will tell you all kinds of cool stuff. Especially the lady with the German accent, who told us about escaping octopuses and messy seagulls. As long as your weird kid doesn't come over and roughly grab the sea anenomes, because then she'll yell at him and push his hand away repeatedly. :) (That wasn't us, by the way!)

Fun place. Great stop for an hour or two, or maybe longer if you watch a movie. Definitely worth it!