Astoria, OR

Address:Astoria, Oregon

Oregon has the wildest stretch of coastline in the 48 states. Astoria is located at the northern tip of the coast, and is known for the excellent walking, surfing, biking and nature viewing opportunities it provides. The area's beauty is in the coastal rock formations, dunes and dense inland forests. The entire coast is open to the public, protected by a string of State Parks.

As the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies, Astoria offers a rich history for your exploration. The Lewis & Clark National Historical Park is made up of 12 park sites located on a 40-mile stretch of the Pacific coast from Long Beach, Washington to Cannon Beach, Oregon. Part of the Lewis & Clark expedition, Fort Clatsop National Memorial features history, live and cultural exhibits. There are picnic area and hiking trails nearby.

For a fee you can enjoy all that Fort Stevens State Park has to offer. There are camping areas and several miles of nearby beach, as well as a variety of historical and recreational activities. Coffenbury Lake provides two swimming areas, a restroom, a picnic area and a boat ramp. Fort Stevens has over six miles of hiking trails and nine miles of bike paths, and is the beginning of the Oregon Coast Trail, traversing south all the way to California.

The Fort Stevens Military Reservation, located one mile north of the campground, guarded the mouth of the Columbia River from the Civil War until World War II. Explore the fort's abandoned gun batteries or climb to the nearby commander's station for a scenic view of the Columbia River and South Jetty. The Military Museum contains many military artifacts and interpretive displays depicting the history of the fort from the Civil War era to the shelling of Battery Russell by a Japanese submarine during World War II. The museum is open daily from June through September and Wednesday to Sunday during the remainder of the year. Take guided tours of one-of-a-kind underground Battery Mishler and a restored 1954 "deuce-and-a-half" army truck. Group tours may be arranged but due to the popularity of this tour, allow two weeks notice. Also in the park, near the beach parking area, is the rusting wreck of the Peter Iredale, an English sailing ship that ran aground during a storm in 1906.

There are several interesting museums in Astoria outside of the park. At the Columbia Maritime Museum you will learn about the Columbia region's rich maritime history. It is home to one of the nation's finest displays of model ships and nautical artifacts.

Take a tour of the Flavel House Museum, an elegant Astoria home built in 1885 by Captain George Flavel, Columbia River bar pilot and the area's first millionaire. A magnificent example of Queen Anne style architecture with period furnishings and artwork, the Flavel House rests on park-like grounds covering an entire city block. The Uppertown Firefighters Museum houses an extensive collection of fire-fighting equipment and memorabilia dating as far back as the 1880s.The kids will love the hand-pulled, horse drawn and motorized vehicles. The Astoria Children's Museum is located on the second floor, and offers interactive and educational play experiences for children with permanent exhibits that include a child-sized grocery store, sail boats for climbing, and an inspiring arts & crafts project area. A variety of programs are scheduled for toddlers on weekdays and school-age children on Saturdays.

Astoria's many piers and docks offer a taste of the area as well. South Jetty on Clatsop spit has platforms so you can see the beautiful waves and boats crossing the Columbia River. There are also wildlife platforms from which you can enjoy bird watching. You can stop along the 6th Street Viewing Dock and the 14th Street Riverpark, which offers interpretive panels depicting and explaining river activity. The 17th Street Pier gives you a chance to tour visiting ships. Ride the 1913 trolley that runs beside the Riverwalk and discover the bustling business district with its many unique shops and galleries where you can buy antiques and art and visit the gift shops. Every Sunday from May to October you can enjoy Astoria's Sunday Market downtown, with over 200 vendors selling goods from fresh fruits and vegetables to arts & crafts. With the Columbia River running alongside the market you get to enjoy the views as you shop!

Those in good shape may want to climb the 125–foot-high Astoria Column, patterned after Trajan's Column in Rome by architect Electus Ritchfield. One hundred and sixty-four spiraling stairs lead to a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River, and Saddle Mountain and the Clatsop Plain. Also check out the mural created by Italian artist Atillio Pusterla that spirals up the outside of the column. The scenes and figures of the frieze depict the westward expansion of the settlers and Oregon's early history.

For more exercise, visit the Astoria Aquatic Center on the east end of town, with four pools including a lap pool, a 105-foot slide, a lazy river and spa pools for adults and children. The center also has a fitness room.

Astoria is known for its excellent fresh seafood. It also has many bars, pubs and a brewery, and many local eateries have beautiful water views. Spend the night in one of several bed & breakfasts, inns, hotels and motels, and hostels.

Astoria can be seen on film in several movies, including The Goonies, Free Willy, Kindergarten Cop, Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles 3 and Short Circuit.

It is located on the northwestern tip of Oregon, off scenic Route 101.