Sightseeing Astoria Column, Coxcomb Hill - Known as the symbol of Astoria, the 125 foot tower has 164 spiral stairs that you can climb for a grand view of the Columbia River, the volcanic cone of Mt. St. Helens and the Pacific Ocean. Astoria Children's Museum - 11th and Exchange Streets The Museum offers families an opportunity to explore and play in a comfortable indoor setting. 541-325-8669. Uppertown Firefighter's Museum, 30th and Marine Drive - An extensive collection of fire fighting equipment makes this museum fun for kids of all ages! Heritage Museum - 16th Street and Exchange Ave Features regional history, natural history, geology, Native American artifacts and important nautical events. Captain George Flavel Museum- 8th Street and Duane Ave Elegant Victorian home built by Captain George Flavel. Columbia River Maritime Museum, 17th Street and Marine Drive Seven galleries display and interpret the region's maritime history. Ft. Clatsop National Memorial - six miles south of Astoria, off Hwy. 101 Winter quarters for Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, this replica has a living history program. Fort Astoria - 15th and Exchange Streets A small park is located at the intersection of 15th and Exchange streets, where John J. Astor's fur traders originally constructed a small fort.
The Astoria Aquatics Center - The Astoria Aquatic Center is located on the east end of town at the juncture of 20th Street and Marine Drive. The Aquatic Center has four pools and almost 200,000 gallons of water. The center is open seven days a week. Call 503-325-7027 hours.
Camping - Fort Stevens State Park Fort Stevens State Park (503-861-1671) features camping and day use areas located near several mile of ocean beach and a variety of historical and recreational attractions. Park Attractions The camping area at Ft. Stevens provides 9 yurt sites, 253 tent campsites, 128 water/electrical sites and 215 full-hook up sites. Yurts (circular domed tents with plywood floors) are available for nightly rentals. Furnished with a space heater, lights and beds, they are reservable up to 11 months in advance, as are the campsites, by calling 1-800-452-5687. A recreational vehicle waste water dump station is located 400 feet east of the registration booth. Freshwater Lakes - Coffenbury Lake provides two swimming areas, restroom, picnicking and a boat ramp. The speed limit on the lake is 10 mpg. Creep, Crawl and Crabapple Lakes are small, but each does have a boat ramp for fishing or canoeing. Hiking Trails and Bike Paths - Fort Stevens has over six miles of hiking trails and nine miles of bike paths, and is the beginning of the Oregon Coast Trail traversing south to California. Other Camping Sites - 1100 Ridge Road (Astoria Warrenton Seaside KOA) The 310 sites include 54 Kamping Kabins. 503-861-2606, or 1-800-562-8506 Kampers West - 1140 NW Warrenton Drive 503-861-1814 or 1-800-880-5267 Historic Areas - Abandoned Fort The Fort Stevens Military Reservation guarded the mouth of the Columbia River from the Civil War until World War II. Shipwreck Remains - Near the beach parking area is the rusting wreck of the "Peter Iredale". Military Museum - The Military Museum contains many military artifacts and interpretive displays depicting the history of the fort from the Civil War era to the shelling of Battery Russell by a Japanese submarine during World War II. Guided Tours - During the summer months, guided tours of one-of-a-kind underground Battery Mishler and a tour in the back of a restored 1954 "deuce-and-a-half" army truck are also available. (503) 861-2000 between 10 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday. South Jetty on Clatsop Spit - South Jetty was built in the late 1800's by the Corps of Engineers. An observation platform located near the jetty is a good spot to watch waves breaking and see big ships crossing the Columbia River bar. Wildlife viewing platforms, located on the Clatsop Spit overlooking the Columbia River and near Swash Lake, are excellent spots for bird watching.