The northernmost city on the Oregon Coast is an interesting town of about 9,000 people located near the mouth of the mighty Columbia River. With it’s museums, ship traffic and culture, Astoria is the perfect place for an Oregon Coast adventure. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a couple of vacations in Astoria (partially because one of my favorite hotels on earth is here), and our son loves the allure of giant passing ships from countries far, far away.

If you haven’t spent any time in the Oregon Coast’s northernmost town, now is the time to plan a trip!

Why I love Astoria

Let me count the reasons that I love Astoria…

History

There are a number of museums and historical landmarks around the Astoria area that will entertain kids and adults alike – no matter what your interests are.

Columbia River Maritime Museum

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is any maritime buff’s dream. This large facility teaches visitors the history and stories of the Columbia River Bar – long considered one of the most dangerous water passages on earth. You heard me…the WHOLE EARTH! Exhibits in the museum explore the role of the U.S. Coast Guard in keeping bar crossings safe, as well as the fascinating work of Columbia River bar pilots, who assist vessels from all over the world in crossing the bar. (These guys and gals are badasses!)

A display at the Columbia River Maritime Museum

For anyone with an interest in maritime operations, this museum is well worth the price of admission. And for kids with an interest in boats, there is lots to see and do up close. Outside the museum, and included in the price of admission, is another floating museum in its own right.

Visitors to the Columbia River Maritime Museum have the opportunity to also tour the lightship Columbia. This floating lighthouse was moored at the mouth of the Columbia River to assist in navigation of the dangerous bar, often referred to as the “Graveyard of the Pacific.” Decommissioned in 1979, the lightship is now moored outside of the maritime museum and on the National Historic Register. A walk through conjures up images of what it must have been like to live and work on this important vessel as it provided guidance to Columbia River mariners. It’s so cool! Then again, I geek out over this kind of thing.

The lightship Columbia moored outside of the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is open everyday except Thanksgiving and Christmas from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Admission costs range from $5.00 for children to $14.00 for adults. Plan to spend about 2 hours here; there’s a lot of interesting history to soak in!

Oregon Film Museum

The Oregon Film Museum, located inside of the old Clatsop County Jail, celebrates the history of film in Oregon. However, there’s one film in particular that steals the spotlight in this small museum. I’ll give you one hint: “Hey you guuuuuuuuuys!” You guessed it, The Goonies! Filmed in Astoria, the impact of this 1985 film is still obvious in Astoria today.

The museum itself was used as a set for the film, so followers of The Goonies will be able to walk through the familiar jail. Individual cells house collections of Goonies memorabilia, along with photo ops and cardboard cutouts of the staff, there is not much more museum to see beyond that. For folks with an interest in filmmaking, the museum also features three hot sets where you can film your own scenes. These scenes can then be edited by you and will be sent to you after via email.

I’ll be honest, this is a pretty small museum (displays on the first floor only) and the main attraction is the hot set. If making your own movie scenes isn’t appealing, you might skip this one. Admission is $6 for adults, $2 for kids and the museum is open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm or 11:00 am – 4:00 pm depending on the time of year.

Many folks also ask about the house where The Goonies was filmed. This, too, is located in Astoria – however, it has long since been purchased by private owners who ask that you respect the privacy, as well as the peace of the neighborhood and stay refrain from coming to gawk. The Jeep from the film, however, is located outside of the Oregon Film Museum and free to see & take your picture with!

The Oregon Film Museum

Fort Stevens State Park

This former military base is a great visit for anyone with an interest in military history, and for kids who will love the open spaces to roam and explore as they learn. In service for 84 years from the Civil War all the way through World War II, Fort Stevens was one of the three defense forts positioned near the mouth of the Columbia River.

Today, the multi-thousand acre park offers opportunities for day use recreation, beach access, camping and an opportunity to get a glimpse into the threats to the Oregon Coast of days gone by. When we visited Fort Stevens last year, our son loved climbing up the large concrete structures and imagining what it may have been like to man one of the large artillery during World War II. Another special treat available at Fort Stevens is the opportunity to take a tour of the grounds in a “deuce-and-a-half”, best described as a large military truck.

Campgrounds are also available at Fort Stevens, including cabins and yurts. For more information on this Oregon Coast historical landmark, visit the Oregon State Parks website.

The Astoria Column

If you’re looking for some good, cheap fun, the Astoria Column is a great option. Located high on a hill above the city, an annual parking pass for this attraction costs only $5. So, what is it? This 125-foot column monument was erected in 1926 and offers a stunning view at 600 feet above sea level high atop Coxcomb Hill. The history behind the Astoria Column is rooted in celebration of the explorers and pioneers that first ventured out toward the Pacific, including the famed William Clark & Merriwether Lewis.

The column itself if part of a twelve monument project extending from Minnesota to Oregon that was championed by the president of the Great Northern Railroad. Initially planned to be a giant flag pole displaying a big ol’ American flag, the project took a different direction with the help of its designers and ended up as a 125-foot column. The exterior of the column is adorned with stunning artwork that tells the history of the settlement of the area, while the inside houses a daunting spiral staircase that leads visitors to a viewing platform at the top of the column.

The Astoria Column. It’s straighter than this awful photo makes it appear!

A close up of the artwork on the outside of the Astoria Column

So what do you DO at the Column?

a. Admire it.
b. Buy a wooden glider airplane from the gift shop for $1 or scour the forest around the area for gliders people have lost
c. Go inside, stare at the stairs, give yourself a pep talk
d. Climb the stairs
e. Stop halfway. Wonder how you’re possibly only half way.
f. Keep climbing.
g. Arrive at the top & enjoy a stunning, unique view of Astoria & the Columbia River
h. Fly your glider off the top!

Cam flying his glider at the base of the Column

This is a cool monument well worth the $5 and the kids will love flying gliders. Even if you’re not up for the climb to the top, there view from the top of Coxcomb Hill is still breathtaking.

A view of the Columbia River from Coxcomb Hill

For more information on the Astoria Column, check out Friends of the Astoria Column.

Ship Traffic

For me, a big part of Astoria’s personality comes from the enormous ships that pass by, and anchor near, the city as they make their way up the Columbia river to Portland, or back out to sea. Large freighter ships carrying everything from massive amounts of timber to cars, food exports and more make their way right past Marine Drive, one of the city’s main drag by the water.

I don’t know why, but my entire family has a fascination with these sea-going behemoths. The very idea that something has made its way from different parts of the globe to travel right before your eyes is a humbling thought. You can see these big ships from a variety of places in town. In fact, many of them anchor in the area of the river near the local Safeway as they await orders…making even a trip to the grocery store a chance for awesome views.

A cargo ship and fishing vessel on the Columbia River.

A car carrier at night under the Astoria Megler Bridge.

Lodging

There are some absolutely great hotels in Astoria, a few of which are located directly on the Columbia River. In fact, my very favorite Oregon Coast hotel, the Cannery Pier Hotel and Spa is in Astoria. I assure you beyond my couple of stays, these people don’t know me and aren’t paying me to say this…But you should stay there. It. Is. Awesome.

The Canner Pier Hotel and Spa is located on an old pier right next to the Astoria Megler Bridge. Every view has a breathtaking view of the Columbia River – and those ships that go by! With a small balcony on each room, you can stand outside and enjoy the view as the ships roll by. They even offer a daily ship schedule at the front desk. Now there’s an amenity you won’t find at many places!

Aside from the views, the accommodations themselves are also wonderful. Rooms come with a gas fireplace, an enormous bathroom with a tub and shutters then open into the sleeping room to let you soak and take in the view all at once. Every evening a wine tasting with snacks is hosted in the lobby, and each morning brings a yummy selection of what they call “expanded continental breakfast” options; including some of THE best donuts I’ve ever had. My kid ate a maple bar every morning and declared they were heaven.

The spa also offers a variety of services, including a whirlpool tub and the entire place smells like…lemon verbena maybe? I don’t know, but it’s relaxing and welcoming and amazing. But wait…There’s more! The Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa has a couple of vintage cars parked out front. Which is great. But, wouldn’t it be the greatest if they would allow you to reserve a time in the evening for a vintage car & a very friendly driver to drive you to dinner and pick you up later in the evening at no charge? That would be great – and they do!

While there are other lodging options in Astoria that have great reviews, the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa has me hooked. If you’re ever in the area and have the opportunity, I highly recommend a night or two here to relax your cares away.

A sunset view from the hotel room balcony at the Cannery Pier Hotel.

The Bridge

Bridges of the Oregon Coast are a tour worth taking all on their own. From the Art Deco stylings of Florence’s crossing on the Siuslaw River to engineering feats like the Astoria-Megler Bridge, Oregon Coast bridges are just plain cool. Cited as the longest continuous truss bridge in North America, the Astoria-Megler bridge is the iconic image of Astoria that will stick in your head.

Spanning from Astoria, over the Columbia River to Point Ellice, which is located near Megler, Washington the sheer height of the bridge is breathtaking. Constructed in 1966, the bridge provided the final 4-miles of connection needed to complete Highway 101 to create a continuous route from Olympia, Washington all the way to Los Angeles, CA.

The Oregon side of the Astoria-Megler bridge

Even if you don’t need to go to Washington, I can’t help but recommending taking the time to drive over the Astoria-Megler bridge if you’re in the area. And as an added bonus, if you hang a left an continue to follow 101 on the Washington side, you can explore the adorable fishing town of Ilwaco, or the breathtaking views of Cape Disappointment. (Turns out, Washington by the Ocean isn’t half bad, either!)

If you haven’t found yourself spending time in this funky Oregon Coast town, find some time for Astoria on your calendar. With lots to do and see, this active little city will let you explore life near the Columbia River bar.