For many the town of Astoria, Oregon is best known as the setting of the popular 80s movie The Goonies. Fans still flock to Astoria, nearly 40 years after the movie was filmed here. But Astoria’s history goes way back. It’s the oldest city in Oregon, established in 1811, and it’s the first permanent American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.
In spite of its rich history, there’s always something new here, too. That’s why we’re repeat visitors to this coastal town. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Astoria, many of them are free!
1. Walk Inside a Shipwreck
This area has a history of tragic shipwrecks, hundreds of them, which is why it’s referred to as the Graveyard of the Pacific. There’s something about shipwrecks that capture the imagination, but it’s not often that you get to walk inside of one. The Peter Iredale ran aground in 1906 (everyone survived!), but the ship’s remained on the beach ever since. Over time, it’s been broken up by waves and wind, but a significant part of the ship is still on the sand.
There’s a parking lot at Fort Stevens State Park. From there, it’s a short walk down a sandy embankment. Come at low tide if you want to be able to walk right up to the shipwreck.
2. Explore the Remains of Battery Russell
While in the Fort Stevens area, be sure to explore what’s left of Battery Russell. My kids like wandering into the many empty rooms wondering what it was like when it was an active military site.
Although decommissioned in 1944, the battery still has historical significance. In WWII, it was the target of a surprise Japanese Naval attack. The Japanese fired nine shells on Fort Stevens, and it became the first U.S. mainland military base to be fired upon by a foreign power since the war of 1812. That’s a distinction held to this day.
There are several military sites and memorials at the Fort Stevens historical site, and you can explore them by taking a self-guided tour.
KidTripster Tip: We recommend staying at the KOA Resort in Hammond. If you don’t have an RV or tent, that’s ok! You can sleep in a cozy, furnished cabin. The deluxe cabins include a bathroom, kitchenette, bedding, and towels. Our family of four had a comfortable stay here. Our cabin had a queen bed and a bunk bed for the kids. The kitchenette (fridge, microwave and sink) came equipped with basic supplies including coffee. Each cabin site has an outdoor grill and a fire pit with chairs.
Just a heads up when booking, there are also camping cabins, which are less expensive. They’re more rustic and guests utilize the shared restroom facilities.
Resort amenities include an indoor and outdoor pool, playground, bounce pad, and more.
The location is great. The KOA is just across the street from Fort Stevens State Park and it has easy access to the many hiking and biking trails nearby.
3. Follow in the Footsteps of Explorers
The Lewis & Clark National Historical Park (92343 Fort Clatsop Road in Astoria) commemorates the heritage of the native peoples and the area where famous explorers Lewis & Clark built a winter encampment. The Corps of Discovery lived here from December 1805 to March 1806. The replica of of Fort Clatsop was based on a sketch done by William Clark. It’s interesting to walk through the different rooms to see what life was like for the 32 men, one woman and a baby who lived here for four months. There’s also an historic canoe landing, hiking trails, and you might even see costumed rangers doing historic recreations. Kids can earn their Junior Ranger badge here.
Admission is $10 per adult. Kids under 15 are free.
[ Related: Visit National Parks for Free in 2023 ]
4. Climb a 125 Foot Column
For our family, no visit to Astoria is complete without a stop at the Astoria Column (1 Coxcomb Drive in Astoria). It’s easy to find, given that it’s the tallest landmark in the city. The column stands 125-feet tall. Completed in 1926, the column’s adorned with unique art that tells the story of the Pacific Northwest. If you aren’t afraid of heights, climb the 164 steps to the observation deck for a panoramic view of Astoria.
KidTripster Tip: Take a balsa wood glider to the top and toss it down. They’re available for sale at the gift shop. It’s an inexpensive and fun activity that my kids really enjoy.
Admission is free. Parking costs $5, but the pass is good for the calendar year so hold onto your ticket if you think you might make a return visit. The column is open daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
5. Get a History Lesson at Local Museums
There are a lot of rainy days in Astoria. If you’re in need of an indoor activity, or just want to learn more about the city’s history, there are several interesting museums:
The Columbia River Maritime Museum (1792 Marine Drive in Astoria) dives into the history of the Columbia River beginning with dugout canoes, to the age of sail, to modern day. The Columbia River Bar is notorious as one of the most dangerous passages in the world, referred to as the Graveyard of the Pacific due to the number of ships that have gone down in the area.
Admission is $16 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-17, and free for kids 5 and under. Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Flavel House Museum (714 Exchange Street in Astoria) is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a beautifully preserved example of Queen Anne architecture. The home was completed in 1885 for the family of Captain George Flavel, one of Astoria’s most prominent citizens in the 1800s. The home is over 11,000 square feet and includes a tower built for Captain Flavel to watch the ship traffic. Visitors can walk from room to room, which are accurately restored and decorated to reflect the time period. The self-guided tours start in the carriage house.
Admission is $7 for adults or $2 for kids 6-17. and free for kids 5 and under.
The Oregon Film Museum (732 Duane Street in Astoria) celebrates the legacy of film and television in Oregon. A long list of movies have been filmed in the state, many of them in Astoria. That, of course, includes The Goonies. The old Clatsop County Jail, which was a working jail until 1976, houses the museum. The jail’s been used as a set in three movies. Although this is a small museum, it has a large Goonies collection and interactive exhibits.
Admission is $6 for adults or $2 for kids 6-17. and free for kids 5 and under.
KidTripster Tip: Consider purchasing an “Adventure in History Pass” which grants entrance to the Flavel House Museum, the Heritage Museum, and the Oregon Film Museum. It will save you a few dollars if you plan to visit more than one museum.
Pier 39 Hanthorn Cannery Museum (Pier 39, 100, 39th Street in Astoria) documents 130 years of the fishing and canning industry, a very important part of the history of Astoria. The museum is located inside three former industrial freezer rooms that were once packed full of frozen tuna. You can see old canning equipment and you can touch most of the fish boats, nets, machinery on display. Four fishing boats are also on display.
Admission is free, although donations are appreciated. It’s open daily.
KidTripster Tip: Take a trip back in time on the Astoria Riverfront Trolley. Like most things in Astoria, there’s some history here. Trolley service started back in the 1880s, first horse-drawn, then electric. Nowadays it’s more of a novelty for tourists. The trolley generally operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The average round-trip ride takes about an hour. It costs $1 to board, or pay $2 for an all-day, hop on/hop off ride.
6. Be a Goonie
As previously mentioned, The Goonies play a big role in Astoria’s identity. Fans of the movie, love to visit the locations where the movie was filmed. The jail isn’t the only must-see location. You can find other locations seen in the film listed here.
A Goonies super fan recently bought Mikey’s house, which is located in a quiet neighborhood at the edge of town. The home is on private property and has long been off-limits to fans, but the new owner hopes to find a way to allow them to get up close to this piece of movie history.
Several shops sell Goonies merchandise. Two good places to find movie merch are the Oregon Film Museum and the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce (111 West Marine Drive in Astoria).
7. Shop Downtown
Astoria’s downtown historic district is easy to walk, and fun to explore. There are dozens of shops and galleries.
If you’re here between May and October, check out the Astoria Sunday Market. 200 vendors take over several blocks of downtown for the weekly event featuring produce, arts & crafts, entrainment and more.
8. Fill Your Belly
For a small town, there are plenty of delicious and affordable dining choices in Astoria. Here are a few places that we enjoy:
Buoy Beer (1152 Marine Drive) is one of several local breweries with family-friendly pubs. The taproom allows kids. There’s lots of of locally sourced food items on the menu. You’ll find favorites like soft pretzels and fish-and-chips.
Custard King (1597 Commercial Street in Astoria) is a roadside classic. It serves up burgers and fries, and custard with a range of toppings. At the very minimum you should stop for a cone, but the food here is good, too. Outdoor seating only.
Frite & Scoop (175 14th Street in Astoria) serves just two delicious things, ice cream and fries. The ice cream is made from scratch, and fries are made to order. The fries are served hot with a variety of house-made dipping sauces. The Pickle Sauce is so popular that they sell to-go bottles.
Mo’s Seafood & Chowder (101 15th Street in Astoria) is a legacy on the Oregon Coast, established in 1946 in Newport, now with several other locations. Growing up, we always had at least one meal at Mo’s when we visited the coast. It’s a tradition I still keep with my kids. The chowder is famous.
[ Related: What to Do in Newport, Oregon ]
SEA Crab House (1 12th Street Pier 12 in Astoria) offers a Cajun seafood boil with an Asian flair. When ordering the boil, you pick your seafood, then your sauce (ranging from a simple garlic butter to a spicy chili sauce), then sides (like corn on the cob, potatoes, and bread). Seafood is served on a platter on the middle of the table. It can get messy, so guests are provided a bib.
KidTripster Tip: Need some entertainment while you dine? There are two arcades in Astoria that service up food and fun. Galactix (254 9th Street in Astoria) is an underground sci-fi lounge serving light snacks and drinks. Minors are allowed in the early evening only. A better bet for families is Gizmo’s Arcade & Eatery (1084 Commercial Street in Astoria). The menu includes hot dogs, pizza, pretzels, and nachos, as well as an extensive beer menu. There are plenty of retro arcade games here, as well as a place for parents to sit and sip while the kids play.
9. Show Your Love
Many cities have love locks, and it turns out that Astoria has them, too. Visitors can purchase Love Locks kits at locations around Astoria for just $15. The kit comes with a padlock and marker. Just write a message on your heart, then lock it up in a designated area at Pier 39. We left two hearts, one for each kid, who look forward to returning here in the future to find their hearts.
KidTripster Tip: Pier 39 is the oldest waterfront building in Astoria. It’s also home to The Hanthorn Cannery, the oldest fish processing and canning plant remaining on this part of the Columbia River. Visitors can walk through its free, open-air museum (mentioned above). Grab a beverage while you’re at Pier 39. You’ll find some of the city’s best beer at Rogue Ales & Spirits and fresh coffee and pastries at Coffee Girl. There are a few cute shops here, too.
[ Related: Driving the Oregon Coastline from Top to Bottom ]
While we have our favorite places to return to, we’re always discovering new things in Astoria. We can’t wait to see what we find on our next visit.
Astoria is located about 2 hours from Portland, Oregon or 3 hours from Seattle, Washington.
Travel Astoria-Warrenton hosted the author, providing accommodations and meals. All opinions are those of the author.
