Mariner Square, Newport

Nestled on a causeway on Newport's bayfront, Mariner Square provides visitors with a seaside getaway to a trio of otherworldly attractions.

Oregon Undersea Gardens

Myriad colors are on display at Oregon Undersea Gardens. Housed within a 150-foot-long ship, clusters of translucent alabaster and ruby sea anemones sit alongside an intimidating charcoal-colored wolf eel. An enormous coral octopus and countless schools of fish add to the rainbow of hues. Guests can learn more about the underwater creatures during dive shows, which feature a diver and narrator who detail how starfish move, help coax the octopus out from hiding, and answer visitors' questions.

The Wax Works

Locals and tourists alike can wander through a forest of lifelike celebrity sculptures at The Wax Works. Each of the more than 100 sculptures begins with a clay base, followed by a wax and fiberglass mold, then intricate painting and hair threading. As a result, the ensemble—which includes Marilyn Monroe along with sci-fi legends such as Frankenstein and Spock—are created meticulously and often force guests to do a double take.

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Since Robert Ripley’s produced his original cartoon strip in 1918, Ripley’s has been collecting pieces of peculiarity from around the world. As a result, Ripley's Believe It or Not! at Mariner Square features nearly 100 years' worth of oddities, ranging from shrunken heads to a magic harp. The exhibit also invites visitors into its deep-space hall of mirrors and a live stage performance filled with little-known facts and bizarre sights.