Astoria, OR Road Trips

1 Astoria Warrenton Chamber of Commerce/ Visitor Center, 111 W Marine Dr (On Hwy. 30), toll-free: +1-800-875-6807, [email protected]. (updated Oct 2016) The history of Astoria begins with the Clatsop Indians who lived there for thousands of years. In 1792, Captain Robert Gray located the mouth of the Columbia River and sailed up the river. In 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter near the current site of Astoria at Fort Clatsop. The city of Astoria itself was not settled until 1811 when John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company established a fur trading post, making it the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. With the start of the War of 1812 between the United States and England, Astor's fur traders sold the post to the British Northwest Company so that from 1813 to 1818, the British owned Astoria and it was known as Fort George. The 1818 treaty with England established the Oregon Country, although the fur trade largely remained under British control until the mid-1840s.

1 Astoria Column, 1 Coxcomb Dr (Atop Coxcomb Hill. Follow signs from 14th St or 16th St), ☏ +1 503-325-2963. Park: 5AM-10PM, daily. Gift shop: April-Sept 9AM-6PM, Oct-March 10AM-5PM. Registered in the National Register of Historic Places, the 125-foot-high column sits 600 feet above the town of Astoria, providing spectacular panoramic views. A spiral staircase leads to an observation deck at the top of the tower. You can buy a wood glider at the gift shop and launch it from the top. The paintings of the side of the column depict scenes from the settling of the area. Parking $5/vehicle (1-year pass). (updated Mar 2026) 2 Columbia River Maritime Museum, 1792 Marine Dr, ☏ +1 503-325-2323. Daily 9:30AM to 5PM. Explore interactive activities that show different aspects of life and work on the Columbia River. The building has been renovated and has huge windows that showcase the beautiful views of the Columbia River. Take a tour of the historic Lightship Columbia, which served as a floating lighthouse 5 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River from 1951-1979. (updated Oct 2016) 3 Oregon Film Museum, 732 Duane St, ☏ +1 503-325-2203, [email protected]. Celebrates film making in the state of Oregon. Located in the former Clatsop County Jail, where the opening scene of the Goonies was filmed. Make your own short film on one of three sets. Adults $6, Youth $2. (updated Feb 2022) 4 Flavel House Museum, 714 Exchange St (at 7th St), ☏ +1 503-325-2203, [email protected].

Drive around town and spot filming locations for various movies filmed in the area. These include: The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, Short Circuit and Free Willy. A free guide is available at the Astoria Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Center, Flavel House and the Heritage Museum. Astoria Riverwalk. Walk, bike, or take the restored trolley along the riverfront past many historical sites. (updated Aug 2025) 1 Liberty Theatre, 1203 Commercial St, ☏ +1 503-325-5922 ext 55. Box office: W-Sa 2-5:30PM and 2 hr prior to curtain. (updated Jun 2019) 2 Astoria Underground Tours, 1125 Marine Dr, ☏ +1-415-713-4141. Guided tour of underground tunnels in Astoria displaying the history of the region. (updated Jan 2024) Astoria Aquatic Center, 1997 Marine Dr, ☏ +1 503-325-7027, [email protected]. Lap pool, recreation pool with water slide and lazy river, a hot tub, and a kid's wading pool. Also has cardio and weight rooms, and electric vehicle charging stations. Adults $8, Youth (3-17) and Seniors (62+) $6, Family (up to 5 people) $20. Vehicle charging $1.50/hr. (updated Mar 2025)

1 Bowpicker Fish & Chips (Corner of 17th & Duane St, across from Maritime Museum), ☏ +1-503-791-2942. A popular "food cart" serving Albacore tuna fish and chips, with thick steak fries, from a converted gillnet boat. Expect a line. They can close during poor weather, especially high winds. (updated May 2021) 2 Fulio's Pastaria & Tuscan Steak House, 1149 Commercial St, ☏ +1 503 325-9001. Has a wide variety of entrees and appetizers to choose from. A bit of an upscale feel, but very casual. (updated Jul 2021) 3 Silver Salmon Grille, 1105 Commercial St, ☏ +1 503 338-6640. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. While you are waiting for your food the table is covered with paper and is supplied with crayons for your enjoyment. Brings you back to feeling like a kid again. (updated Jul 2021)

1 Fort George Brewery and Public House, 1483 Duane St., ☏ +1 503-325-7468. This brewery located in the middle of town just up the hill has huge windows that give a sweeping view over the harbor and observe the ships passing through on their way upriver. (updated Jul 2021) 2 Astoria Brewing Company, 144 11th St, ☏ +1 503-325-6975. Brewery along the waterfront downtown with American food and locally themed desserts. 3 Buoy Beer Co. Restaurant/ Taproom, 1 8th St., ☏ +1 503-325-4540, [email protected]. Brewery with a great location on the waterfront where you can get an excellent view of the river from your seat. Peek through transparent glass floor in the lobby to see if there are any seals or sealions on the rocks below! (updated Jul 2021) 4 WineKraft, 80 10th St (in Pier 11 Mall), ☏ +1 503-468-0206, [email protected]. M 1-7PM, Tu W closed, Th 1-7PM, F Sa 1-8PM, Su 1-6PM. Wines from the Pacific Northwest and a few small food plates on an old wooden pier overlooking the Columbia River. Also has six rotating taps for local beer and cider. (updated Apr 2026) 5 Blaylock's Whiskey Bar, 433 13th St, [email protected]. Su 4-10PM, M Tu 5-10PM, W Th 4-10PM, F Sa 4-11PM. (updated Jul 2021)

1 Rose River Inn Bed & Breakfast, 1510 Franklin Ave, ☏ +1 503-325-7175, toll-free: +1-888-876-0028. The rooms are clean, nicely decorated, and comfortable. The owners are super attentive, from wonderful breakfasts, advice, and even freshly dipped chocolate strawberries in the evening. They seem to like nothing better than cracking open a beer (or uncorking a bottle of wine) in the afternoon with their guests. $90-150. (updated Oct 2016) 2 Hotel Elliott Astoria, 357 12th St, ☏ +1 503-325-2222, toll-free: +1-877-378-1924. In downtown Liberty District, hotel with views of Astoria and the Columbia river. The hotel combines historical elegance with modern amenities. (updated Oct 2016) 3 Cannery Pier Hotel, 10 Basin St, ☏ +1 503-325-4996. A luxury hotel built on 100-year-old piling in the Columbia River, at the former site of a fish cannery. Sauna, hot tub, and spa services are available. $450-500 per night. (updated Jul 2021) 4 Astoria Crest Motel, 5366 Leif Erikson Dr, ☏ +1 503-325-3141, toll-free: +1-800-421-3141, [email protected]. (updated May 2021) 5 Best Western Columbia River Waterfront, 3420 Leif Erikson Dr, ☏ +1-503-325-2000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Mid-range hotel located near the East Mooring Basin along the Columbia River. It has an indoor pool, hot tub, and includes breakfast. (updated Jan 2024)

& U.S. Route 101 runs north-south through the city; the Astoria-Megler Bridge to Washington terminates near downtown (at W Maine Dr). U.S. Route 30 provides access from the east, including Portland. If you are coming from Longview/Kelso, Woodland or anywhere north (such as the Puget Sound Area) you can also go through take Exit #39 from I-5 in Longview and cross over the Columbia River to get on US Route 30. Astoria is the western terminus to US 30 after spanning 3,073 miles (4,946 km) across the country from Atlantic City. It is the third longest U.S. highway, after US 20 (Florence, OR) and US 6. Another way from Portland is to go 77 mi (124 km) northwest of Portland on U.S. Route 26 (Sunset Highway) to its western terminus at U.S. Route 101, south of Seaside, and continue north on U.S. 101 into Astoria. Likewise, one can leave US 26 at OR-103 (turn-off from side of the road, 25.7 miles from US 101) and go north to Jewell. Then take the scenic OR-202 north to Astoria. There are observation points along Highway 202 where it is common to see wild elk relaxing in a meadow. Highway 202 is known as a particularly enjoyable road to take if you happen to be driving a motorcycle or high-performance car. OR-202 enters into the southside of town as Cherry Ave, alongside Youngs River, which ends at US 101 in Smith's Point. Likewise travelers can go north on 7th Ave into town from Cherry. U.S. Route 26 leaves Portland as a six lane freeway (3 lanes each direction) and narrows down from a four lane freeway to a two lane road at the OR-6 ("To Banks, Tillamook").

The Astoria Riverfront Trolley runs along the Riverfront between Basin St & 39th St (Pier 39 Retail complex), $1 for a round trip, $2 for full day. Schedule changes seasonally and is subject to weather. The 9th Street stop is the nearest stop to the transit center (central bus station).