What to do in Astoria Oregon! The Columbia River is one of the largest rivers in the Pacific Northwest. It spills into the Pacific Ocean in the northwestern tip of Oregon. Nestled here is the town of Astoria.
Columbia River Astoria Oregon
Hey
There’s so much to see and do!
Today I wanted to share another adventure from my neck of the woods!
I grew up in St. Helens, Oregon and if that name sounds familiar, the little town of St. Helens was named after Mount St. Helens and yes I was there when the mountain blew! I will save that story for another day.
Anyway…. when we go home, one of my favorite things to do is take a drive to the coast and we always stop in the little town of Astoria.
What is Astoria known for?
Astoria is a port city that sits at the mouth of the Columbia River. It was the first permanent U.S. settlement in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a beautiful little town, especially on a bright sunshiney day!
Where is the Goonies house located?
The Goonies house is located in Astoria and was filmed in this sleepy little town. In fact there have been several movies filmed in Astoria – Kindergarten Cop, Free Willy and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III to name just a few!
How far is Astoria from Portland Oregon?
Astoria is just over 70 miles from Portland Oregon, located in the northwest corner of the state.
How long is the bridge in Astoria Oregon?
That beautiful bridge you see spanning the mouth of the Columbia River is 4.1 miles long. It connects Astoria to Point Ellice, Washington. Erected in 1966 the main span of the bridge is 1,232 feet in length and still the longest “continuous truss” in the nation, quite the feat!
What to do in Astoria Oregon
If you do make it to my beautiful home state I hope you make time for a drive along the coast.
Astoria Column
One of my favorite places to visit when we are in the area is Astoria Column located on Coxcomb Hill. The column is 125 feet tall and you can climb the stairs all the way to the top where it offers stunning views of the area!
The entire column is decorated with murals depicting Astoria’s role in the Lewis & Clark Expedition and the discovery of the Columbia River by Captain Gray in 1792.
Other great places to visit are the Maritime Museum and the Museum of Whimsy! You can visit the
The Fort Clatsop National Memorial is an easy hike and offers stunning views. It’s a great place for kids too
Where to eat in Astoria, Oregon
There are several note-worthy restaurants in Astoria like the Bridgewater Bistro or the Astoria Brewing Company but that’s not where I’m going to send you.
When I go to Oregon it’s all about the seafood, so my favorite meal will take you to a hole-in-the-wall favorite. There’s no seating, the line wraps around the block and it’s not unusual to wait for over an hour!
Bowpicker Fish & Chips is actually a land-locked tugboat that makes the BEST fish & chips I’ve ever eaten. Hands-down!
If you have a hankerin’ this is the place to go. Be sure and check the website for their hours and arrive early. They are open for lunch and when the fresh fish is gone… they close for the day!
Worth the drive and totally worth the wait!
Columbia River, Astoria Oregon
So if you’re wondering what to do in Astoria Oregon my favorite thing is to grab some fish & chips and walk over to the waterfront and watch the huge ships navigate thru the channel as they travel up the Columbia River!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse of Astoria – we love to visit and hope you have a chance to also!
If you’d like to see more of our fun and adventures, I’d love it if you would visit the blog – Bowl Me Over Travel, Fun
Thanks for joining me and I hope you really enjoyed the tour of Astoria and the views of the majestic Columbia River!
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