Astoria
Astoria, Oregon
Photo by David Grant
Astoria, Oregon, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, as seen from the top of the Astoria Column.
Astoria, Oregon
Photo by Linda Tanner
The bridge from Astoria, Oregon to the state of Washington. A beautiful sight in the glow of a colorful sunset.
Astoria is that little town that could, a city of 10,000 people on the Columbia River, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. Founded 200 years ago at the beginning of Oregon’s North Coast, Astoria has been through boom and bust times more than once, weathering the collapse of both the Columbia River fishery and Oregon timber industry. It has risen once again as a cultural haven, often referred to as “little San Francisco.” Astoria is an old place that is newly hip. Here, Victorian mansions and maritime relics live in harmony with chef-driven restaurants and tattoo parlors.
Astoria is gritty, and likes it that way. But that rustic exterior is just a cover for the many enchanting dichotomies you’ll find waiting around the next corner. Here, fisherman are poets, loggers drink espresso, and Main Street welcomes both nouveau gallery and five n’ dime. For Astoria, it’s about character, and it’s also about characters: the people who call this place home with a passion that borders on evangelical. The skipper who challenges the same mighty river his great grandfather once fished. The artist who migrated here in search of a new palette. The hotelier who resurrected a once-bustling pier.
Once you come here and learn these stories, you’ll want to share them with others, and hope they’ll tell others, too. And, it’s a place to which you’ll want to return, to see what other stories you might have missed.
Featured activities
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Columbia River Maritime Museum
Six galleries, the Great Hall, and the Lightship Columbia interpret the Pacific Northwest's rich maritime history. Visitors of all ages can experience what it's like to pilot a tugboat, participate in a Coast Guard rescue on the Columbia River Bar, and live in Astoria during the height of salmon fishing. Explore marine transportation from the days of dugout canoes, through the age of sail, to the present. Watch a dramatic 12-minute film introducing the history of life and commerce on the Columbia River, including the dangerous work of the Bar and River Pilots. Walk the bridge of a World War II warship, marvel at the 44-foot motor lifeboat plowing through a wave in a rescue mission. Participate in interactive and hands-on exhibits. You can board the Lightship Columbia, a National Historic Landmark, that once guided ships to safety at the mouth of the Columbia River.
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Astoria Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce
Slow down in a place where 14 knots is considered speedy. It's amazing what passing freighters, fishing vessels, and sailboats will do to relax and refresh your spirit. So help yourself to the maritime heritage, historical sites, restaurants, shops, and natural splendor at the mouth of the Columbia.
Featured accommodations
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Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa
Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa, named "one of the top 25 hotels in the West" by Sunset Magazine, is a luxury boutique hotel built on the historic site of the former Union Fish Cannery 600 feet into the Columbia River Estuary. Waterfront balconies offer unparalleled views of a real working river and special amenities such as breakfast, wine & hors d'oeuvres, chauffeur driven vintage cars and a full-service Spa with authentic Finnish Sauna and Mineral Therapy Hot Tub make a stay here an extraordinary experience.
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Hotel Elliott
In the heart of downtown Astoria, the hotel Elliott provides historic charm with an urban feel. Within walking distance of restaurants, shops, the Columbia Riverfront and multiple museums, experience what downtown Astoria has to offer. Featuring 32 uniquely restored rooms and suites, this historic five-story hotel weds early 20th Century elegance and contemporary amenities. Our "Wonderful Beds" are just one feature that makes our hotel unique and inviting to the traveler looking for an experience to remember. Enjoy our rooftop terrace with its extraordinary views of the downtown and surrounding areas. Rediscover the pleasures of classic lodging and leisure in the heart of historic downtown Astoria!
Featured Events
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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association 15th Annual Buoy 10 Salmon Challenge
$100 per angler includes entry fee, T-shirt & dinner
Teams of two to six battle each other and the elements. Fish in the morning, celebrate in the afternoon. This event includes an awards dinner including a silent auction, bucket raffle and Dutch Auction – participants usually leave with some sort of prize! There are also cash prizes for the biggest fish. The fish run forecasts by the Oregon and Washington departments of fish and wildlife say that 1.6 million fish will be returning this fall, so this is sure to be a great year on the water. Sign up now to save your spot!
The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration and enhancement of sport fisheries and the businesses dependent upon them in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
For more information about the event, contact the NSIA at 503-631-8859 or www.nsiafishing.org.
For more info
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Astoria Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce
111 West Marine Drive
Astoria, Oregon 97103
503-325-6311 or 800-875-6807
Email: visitors@oldoregon.com
website: TravelAstoria.com
