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Astoria Column
2199 Coxcomb Drive, Astoria, OR 97103
In a wooded park and towering above Astoria, Oregon’s highest hill, the Astoria Column presents a spectacular view of the city and surrounding rivers, bay, forest, mountains and Pacific Ocean. The first words of most visitors are, “Oh, Wow!” The Astoria Column commemorates the westward sweep of discovery and migration. Built in 1926, it is 125 feet high and has 164 steps winding to the top. Follow signs up 16th or 14th streets.
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Liberty Theater
1203 Commercial Street, Astoria, OR 97103
http://www.liberty-theater.org
(503) 224-4400
The Liberty Theater in downtown Astoria, Oregon, is one of the best examples of the 1920s vaudeville-motion picture palace in the Pacific Northwest. Liberty Restoration, Inc., a private, non-profit organization is restoring this magnificent structure to its original elegance and equipping it to be a state-of-the-art performing arts center. Our institutional partners are Portland State University and Clatsop Community College.
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Flavel House Museum
441 8th Street, Astoria, OR 97103-4620
http://www.cumtux.org
(503) 325-2203
This historic 1885 Queen Anne Style Victorian Home and its period furnishings enable visitors to imagine what life was like in Astoria at the turn of the last century. Its decorative exterior, with hipped roof, balconies and verandas and its three-story octagon tower, has been restored to original form and the mansion’s large rooms with their elegant woodwork are accented by furnishings and decorations of a century ago.
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Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
92343 Fort Clatsop Rd, Astoria, OR 97103
http://www.nps.gov/lewi/index.htm
(503) 861-2471
Explore the timeless rainforests and majestic coastal vistas. Discover the rich heritage of the Native people. Unfold the dramatic stories of America’s most famous explorers. The Park encompasses sites along the Columbia River and the Pacific Coast. Follow the explorer's footsteps and have an adventure in history.
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Astoria Aquatic Center
1997 Marine Dr, Astoria, OR 97103
http://www.astoriaparks.com
(503) 325-7027
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Heritage Museum
1618 Exchange Street, Astoria, OR 97103-3615
http://cumtux.org
(503) 338-4849
Features permanent exhibits interpreting Clatsop County’s history, including natural history, geology, Native American artifacts, early immigrants and settlers of the region, and important nautical events. The building contains over 10,000 cataloged historic photographs.
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Astoria Riverfront Trolley
http://homepage.mac.com/cearl/trolley
(503) 325-6311
A restored 1913 trolley runs for 2.6 miles along the Columbia River in Astoria while the conductor provides interpretation of the area’s history and attractions. Catch it anywhere on the riverfront between Basin and 39th streets. Roundtrip ride is $1, an all day pass is $2. The round trip takes about an hour.
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Goonies Never Say Die
111 West Marine Drive, Astoria, OR 97103
http://www.thegoonies.org
(503) 325-6311
The Goonies is a favorite movie from the 80s and many of its scenes were filmed in and around Astoria. We see many fans of the film visiting our community each week, some making the journey just to see the “goondocks” themselves and others adding it on to a trip to the Northwest or Astoria.
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Astoria Sunday Market
12th Street Downtown
(503) 325-1010
Every Sunday from May to October, a 3-block stretch of 12th Street in downtown Astoria says goodbye to cars, and hello to fresh fruits and vegetables, other farm products, garden goods, art, crafts, wood works, music and food of all descriptions. The Astoria Sunday Market features well over a hundred vendors, all of whom have grown or made what they are offering for sale. The market operates every Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM, and many downtown shops are open as well to add to the lively and festive atmosphere. The Astoria Sunday Market is a great place to mingle with the natives before your stroll on the RiverWalk or your ride on the Astoria Riverfront Trolley.
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Astoria-Megler Bridge
(503) 325-6311
The Astoria-Megler Bridge, which was formally dedicated August 27, 1966, stretches 4.1 miles from Astoria, Oregon, across the mouth of the Columbia River, to Point Ellice, Washington. Its construction was an impressive feat. The bridge’s main span is 1,232 feet in length, the longest “continuous truss” in the nation. North and South traffic across the mouth of the Columbia River was a problem for many years. In 1921 a scheduled ferry service from Astoria, to Megler on the Washington side, was established. The operation of the ferry system was taken over by the State of Oregon in 1946, with operational control being assigned to the State Highway Department. For many years, the idea of a bridge across the Lower Columbia River simmered in people’s thoughts, and in 1961, Senator Dan Theil (of Astoria) successfully headed a crusade for the bridge, “a bridge,” critics said, “to nowhere.”
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Birding On The Lower Columbia
111 West Marine Drive, Astoria, OR 97103
http://www.oldoregon.com/visitor-info/entry/birding-on-the-lower-columbia
(503) 325-6311
The lower Columbia River has long been a favorite destination for birders and nature watchers. 356 species of birds have been recorded in Clatsop County and many of these are unique enough to attract birdwatchers from around the world. Every season attracts its own assemblage of birds making for an attractive year-round destination for observing birds. ~ Read the rest of the article on Bird Watching by Mike Patterson on the Astoria Warrenton Chamber of Commerce Website
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Columbia River Maritime Museum
1792 Marine Drive, Astoria, OR 97103
http://www.crmm.org
(503) 325-2323
The Columbia River Maritime Museum was founded in 1962 when Rolf Klep, a native Astorian, returned to his birthplace after retiring from a successful career as a graphic artist on the East Coast. On his return, Klep – a longtime collector of maritime artifacts – and a group of his colleagues sought to establish a museum to preserve the rich maritime heritage of the entire Columbia River region. They envisioned a museum of national distinction. Today, the Columbia River Maritime Museum’s reputation for the quality of its exhibits and the scope of its collections makes it one of the finest maritime museums in the nation. It was the first museum in Oregon to meet national accreditation standards, and has been designated the official state maritime museum of Oregon.
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Fort Stevens State Park
100 Peter Iredale Rd, Hammond, Oregon 97121
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_179.php
503-861-1671
The original fort was constructed during the Civil War. Visitors can learn its history at the Museum and explore abandoned gun batteries. A large and lovely state park with picnic facilities, nature trails, miles and miles of Oregon beaches, lakes, boating, camping, swimming and more than nine miles of paved bicycle paths. The campground is open year-around with over 600 campsites for campers, recreational vehicles and tents. Visitors can view the remains of a shipwreck at Peter Iredale beach and watch oceangoing ships navigate the bar from the viewing platform at the South Jetty.
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Victorian Homes On Astoria’s Hillsides
111 West Marine Drive, Astoria, OR 97103
http://www.oldoregon.com/visitor-info/entry/victorian-homes-on-astorias-hillsides
(503) 325-6311
Named after John Jacob Astor, the City of Astoria, on Oregon’s North Coast is the site of the oldest permanent American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, dating back to 1811. Often referred to as the “Little San Francisco of the Northwest,” Astoria, Oregon is renowned for its picturebook Victorian homes and its steep hills. A walking tour allows visitors to see scores of beautifully preserved 19th century and early 20th century structures – private homes and public buildings, many of them listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One day of strolling through town will take you past more than 74 historical buildings and sites. You can step back in time with a visit to the elegant Astoria home built in 1885 by Captain George Flavel, Columbia River bar pilot and the area’s first millionaire. A magnificent example of Queen Anne style architecture with period furnishings and artwork, the Flavel House Museum rests on park-like grounds covering an entire city block.
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Astoria's Waterfront
1 11th Street, Astoria, OR 97103
http://www.oldoregon.com/visitor-info/entry/waterfront
(503) 325-6311
There are excellent places along the Astoria Waterfront to see the sweep and scope of the Columbia River. These include Maritime Memorial Park, the 6th Street Viewing Platform, 14th Street Pier and 17th Street Dock.