Astoria: Maritime Culture, Views and Trails

Astoria combines maritime history, distinctive viewpoints and waterfront trails with unusual insights into the culture of the Pacific Northwest. Those planning a trip with varied experiences can choose between views, local history, museums, a market visit and longer walks. This mix is also important when choosing a vacation rental: Depending on your priorities, downtown, the area around cultural attractions or a starting point for trails and viewing experiences may be a better fit for your travel plans.

History and Culture with a Distinctive Character

A prominent landmark is the Astoria Column on Coxcomb Hill. It was completed in 1926, is 125 feet high and leads up 164 spiral steps to an observation platform. From there, views extend west over the Pacific Ocean and north over the Columbia River. The Column was dedicated by the Great Northern Railway in 1926 and is considered a unique work of Pacific Northwest art. For your daily itinerary, a visit can therefore be combined with a viewing experience and a specific architectural destination.

Flavel House also adds a historic accent. The building was constructed in 1884–1885 for Captain George Flavel and his family and is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Queen Anne architecture in the Northwest. At the same time, it is regarded as a landmark of local and national significance. The Garden of Surging Waves explores the Chinese heritage of Astoria and the Lower Columbia River Basin. Those interested in different cultural perspectives will find two distinct themes for their travel planning.

Astoria’s maritime side includes Brix Maritime Hall and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. At Brix Maritime Hall, visitors can operate the controls of a functioning model of a Columbia River tugboat and learn about the tugboat industry. At the museum entrance, an interactive exhibition map of the Graveyard of the Pacific shows where more than 200 large ships and 700 people lost their lives at sea. The Oregon Film Museum is located in the former Clatsop County Jail, which operated as a prison from 1914 to 1976 and served as a filming location for The Goonies, Short Circuit and Come See The Paradise.

Waterfront Trails, Views and Nature Experiences

For exercise, the Astoria Riverfront Trail offers a more than six-mile-long waterfront route. It is suitable for walking and cycling and connects themes such as history, culture, art and food along the way with views of the river. At 0.9 miles, the Cathedral Tree Trail is considerably more compact and leads from the Astoria Column through the urban forest to the 2800 block of Irving Avenue. The two routes therefore represent different daily itineraries: The Riverfront Trail is a longer route option, while the Cathedral Tree Trail combines the views at the Column with a path through the urban forest.

The 6th Street Viewing Platform offers another perspective on the water. The two-story wooden viewing platform is located directly beside and above the water. The viewing area provides panoramic views, and local sea lions can also be observed there. Maritime Memorial Park honors people who worked in seafaring, earned their livelihood at sea or had a close connection to the sea.

Market, Tradition and the Right Location

The Astoria Sunday Market takes place on Sundays from May through October in downtown Astoria and spans three city blocks with vendors and food. If this market is an important part of your trip, downtown can serve as a reference point when searching for a vacation rental. If, on the other hand, you mainly want to plan longer trails, views or maritime exhibitions, you should choose the location of your accommodation according to your preferred daily rhythm, without automatically assuming that the various destinations are next to one another.

The Astoria Regatta is also part of the region’s history. The celebration of the maritime history and future of the Northwest has existed since 1894, is considered a family tradition throughout Clatsop County and was recognized by the Oregon State Historic Commission as a historic cultural tradition. Customs House is a small historic replica of an original customs building constructed in 1852. Astoria Pioneer Cemetery was transferred to Astoria by James Welch on April 22, 1865. Such places and traditions provide additional historical connections for your trip.

More Places for Your Travel Planning

If you would like to compare Astoria with other destinations or plan your trip across several places, you can also visit Seaside, Gearhart, Arch Cape, Warrenton and Cannon Beach. This allows you to connect your search for a suitable vacation rental with your interests in culture, water, trails and regional discoveries.

For the broader travel overview: Clatsop.