Astoria is a gorgeous seaside port town and the oldest city in Oregon. There is plenty to do during one day in Astoria or it is a great place for a weekend getaway or day trip from Portland. You will be amazed by the grandeur and beauty of this adorable little town.
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History of Astoria
The area of Astoria was originally settled by Native American tribes. It was a big trading area and part of the Columbia Plateau. 1805 saw the arrival of the Lewis and Clark expedition when they settled there for the winter. Astoria was founded in 1811 after British explorer David Thompson arrived in the area. It was the first permanent settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.
After that time, the Pacific Fur Company and the American Fur Company set up shop in Astoria and sparked the fur trading industry in Oregon. In 1818, a treaty was established giving control of the land to both the Americans and the British. 1846 saw the establishment of the Oregon Treaty further dividing the land between the Americans and the British.
Astoria continued to grow and became more popular as more settlers came on the Oregon Trail. In the 1900s, Astoria served as a port of entry and began to attract more tourists. Present-day, about 300,000 people now visit Astoria a year.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Astoria is during the summertime. The weather is cool year-round and can be quite rainy during the wintertime. However, keep in mind that summertime is the peak season, so hotels will be a bit more expensive than at other times.
How to get to Astoria
To get to Astoria from Portland, take the 5 north to the 30 west. This will take about 2 hours.
From Seattle, take the 5 south to the 30 west. It will take about 3 hours to drive to Astoria from Seattle.
Transportation Around Astoria
To get around during one day in Astoria you will need a car. Many of the sites are only accessible by car and a car is the easiest way to get to Astoria.
Where to Stay
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Astoria hotels here!
Although you can visit Astoria as a day trip from Portland, if you have more time, I recommend spending the night in order to help break up the driving and not feel rushed. Keep in mind that hotels can be very expensive during summertime (hence why we visited as a day trip). Book early to try and get the best deal. The following are some popular hotels in the area.
- Hampton Inn and Suites Astoria: A classic Hilton chain hotel that includes breakfast.
- Hotel Elliott: A mid-level historic hotel.
- Comfort Suites Columbia River: A budget hotel option.
What to See During One Day in Astoria
For a small town, Astoria has a ton of things to keep you busy for a weekend. I recommend spending at least one day in Astoria to see all of the main sites.
Day 1
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Cost: $10/person or free with the America the Beautiful Pass
Hours: Summer: 9am-6pm, Winter 9am-5pm
Start your morning with a visit to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. This park commemorates where Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1805-1806 during their expedition. They built Fort Clatsop in this area as a play to stay that winter. Present-day, you can visit a replica of the fort, listen to multiple ranger talks, see demonstrations, and explore what the fort may have looked like.
Kindergarten Cop School
Cost: Free
Hours: Anytime
Fans of the 1990 movie Kindergarten Cop will want to stop at John Jacob Astor Elementary School. This is where exterior scenes of the school were filmed. The actual movie takes place in Astoria as well. You can find the school at 3550 Franklin Ave.
The Goonies House
Cost: Free
Hours: Anytime (but be respectful of residents)
Another must-see stop during one day in Astoria is the Goonies House. This 1985 movie spot is where the infamous “truffle shuffle” scene was shot. The film also takes place primarily in Astoria. The Goonies House can be found at 368 38th Street, but keep in mind this is a private residence, so be respectful of the residents. You are not allowed to drive up to the house, but you may park on the street and walk up the small hill to it.
Bridgewater Bistro
Cost: $$
Hours: 11:30am-3pm, 4pm-Close
Next, grab lunch at Bridgewater Bistro. This cute little bistro offers gorgeous views of the Columbia River and the Astoria-Megler Bridge. They mostly serve soups, salads, and sandwiches which are perfect for a chilly afternoon.
Fort Stevens State Park
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies by Season
After lunch, spend some time exploring Fort Stevens State Park. Fort Stevens State Park is a 43,000-acre park and the site of a military fort from the 1800s. Visitors can partake in a variety of activities from hiking, camping, beach-going, and more. The park is most well known for the wreck of the Peter Iredale, the site of a shipwreck from 1906.
Visit Pilot House Distilling
Cost: $10 tasting
Hours: Mon-Sat: 12pm-6pm, Sun: 12pm-4pm
Pilot House Distilling mostly distills vodkas but also has several gin and spirit options as well. They have a fun atmosphere and have a build your own flight option where you choose three spirits to taste. You can also visit its location in Portland as well which is part of Distillery Row.
More Than One Day in Astoria?
You can easily spend a weekend exploring Astoria. If you end up staying for longer than one day in Astoria, opt to visit the following places.
Columbia River Maritime Museum
Cost: $16
Hours: 9:30am-5pm
The Maritime Museum explores the history of the Columbia River and the surrounding area. In the museum, you can view a ton of boats from different eras. It is located right on the waterfront and a perfect thing to do in Astoria if you have extra time. It has one of the largest maritime collections in the Pacific Northwest.
Oregon Film Museum
Cost: $6
Hours: 10am-5pm
The Oregon Film Museum is dedicated to movies filmed in Oregon. There have been over 400 movies filmed in Oregon throughout the years due to its picturesque backdrops and landscapes. The museum is housed in the old Clatsop County Jail and contains tons of information about the movies filmed in Astoria. This building was also used as a set in The Goonies.
Flavel House Museum
Cost: $7
Hours: 11am-4pm
The Flavel House Museum is another popular museum to visit during one day in Astoria. You may recognize the museum as the museum where Mikey’s father worked in The Goonies. The building was built in 1885, by George Flavel. He was one of the area’s first millionaires. Present-day the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside you can check out the decor and design of the house.
Astoria Column
Cost: $5 for Parking
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
The Astoria Column is one of the main features of Astoria. This 125-foot tower overlooks the Columbia River. It is part of a 30-acre park that has various walking and hiking trails. To get to the top, you can climb 164 stairs. The tower was originally built in 1926 to commemorate the city.
If you have more time, you can head out on a road trip along the Oregon Coast. Along the way, you can stop in Seaside or Cannon Beach for the infamous Haystack Rock. No matter what, one day in Astoria should be part of your Oregon trip.
1 thought on “One Day in Astoria, Oregon: Oregon’s Oldest and Gorgeous Seaside City”
Astoria looks so poetic and beautiful. I didn’t know that the Goonies house was located there. So cool! It was one of my favorite movies growing up. Looks like I have to head back to Oregon and visit Astoria. 🙂