Going up there in a couple of weeks for work. I should have evenings free. I understand that the Goonies house is there (never did understand why that movie is so popular) and the school from Kindergarten Cop. If I'm not mistaken, there is also some national site about Lewis & Clark? What else should I look for or where is there to eat?

If weekends are free, the Evergreen air museum in McMinnville is great. About a 2-hour drive from Astoria and you will want to spend pretty much the whole day in there.

We were on a motorcycle ride and were beat, found a shore side fish and chips that used Halibut for fish, great food, was close to a toffee making store if I remember.

I've only been to Astoria a couple of times. Thoroughly enjoyed myself... I'm fascinated by all of the large ships ( I'm from the Midwest, so that's new to me)

They have a maritime museum that was quite nice ! Also have a Lewis and Clark national park nearby ( Fort Disappointment, I believe).... Lot's and lot's of history of all kinds !

1. The Columbia River Maritime Museum and intepretation centre, and a real lightship right next door.

2. The electric street-car ride along the boardwalk.

3. The nearby Pier 39 eatery - a must.

4. Fort Clatsop NHS - Lewis and Clarke's winter camp - [they won't be here right now].

5. The nearby Fort Stephens SP and gun battery - actually fired on a Japanese submarine in WW2.

6. Fly a paper plane off the top of the Astoria Column.

7. Skateboard across the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Well, maybe don't, I got hauled over and cautioned that a. it was dangerous and b. wasn't I too old for that kind of thing? Mind you, using the bridge as a high point for the ride I'd gotten quite away across...

8. Somewhere in downtown there is a guy who makes wine out of everything you can imagine, from seaweed to saffron. mrs tac and our friends got totally blatzed on one of his concoctions that smole like a a bathroom freshener but must have been about 150 proof.

9. Also nearby are some of the best chocolates I've ever had the pleasure of putting down my neck.

10. Ja jos olet suomalainen, tai sinulla on suomen sukutaulu, on erinomainen suomalainen kulttuurikeskus sillan varjossa. Sinut tervetulleeksi!

tac

http://www.thegoondocks.org/

Drive over the Astoria Bridge, North to South. Hit Ecola State Park and go down to Cannon Beach.

In Astoria the Film museum was worth the time and then just walking the historic downtown, people watch, and find some good food.

I enjoyed my day doing pretty much all of that, it was a memorable exp.

Tacfoley and Rhino know what they're talking about !!

If you like craft beer, there is the Ft George Brewery and a Rogue Public House. Both have decent food as well.

Middle of old downtown there is an old established restaurant "Silver Salmon" or some such, that makes tremendously good seafood dishes.

ETA: http://silversalmongrille.com/

And directly under the S end of the Astoria Bridge is an old local restaurant that make awesome "Chopino" complex fish stew. Be HONGRY if you order it.

The new rebuilt Lewis & Clark campsite merits a visit for sure.

Don't miss the Maritime Museum.

Point Disappointment is across the river, their first view of the Pacific, so named by Lewis & Clark after their trek across the continent. And a motor tour of Ilwaco/Long Beach is entertaining if you have the time.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: signewt,

If you like history, Ft. Stevens which was built in 1863 to protect the mouth of the Columbia River is not far from there. It later became a Coastal Artillery fort and was active until the end of WW2. It's an interesting place.

I'm glad someone brought this up. I'm picking up a friend flying into PDX and were spending the first night in Astoria. Appreciate the restaurant advice!

I second the Maritime Museum and the Columbia Lightship but then again I'm biased.

OK well after you've eaten and drank a plenty
go take your shoes off and have a nice walk in the sand on the beach

Get your feet in the ocean for a good 10 minutes and breathe deep.

Welcome to the west coast!

cheers~

I heard you might see a sparkly vampire out there