Are you looking for a cute girls’ getaway in the Pacific Northwest? Check out how to spend a weekend in Astoria, Oregon!
This list of the best things to do in Astoria, Oregon was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
I’m a big fan of girlfriend getaways. Since I have little kids, I don’t get to do them very often. But, I think it’s so important to get away from my #momlife every once in a while and recharge.
When I was invited on an Astoria, Oregon girls’ getaway, I didn’t think twice.
Keep scrolling to find out exactly what we did on a Seattle weekend getaway to Astoria, Oregon.
Where is Astoria, Oregon?
Astoria is located about 3.5 hours South of Seattle and about 2 hours West of Portland. If you are driving up the coast, Astoria makes a great Oregon road trip stop.
The Astoria, Oregon history is very PNW. It started out as a salmon cannery town and still has much of that charm. You’ll find a lot of historic homes, small businesses, and an unbeatable view of the Columbia River. There are so many things to do in Astoria, Oregon that it’s totally worth a weekend trip.
The Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa
We were lucky enough to stay at the upscale Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa. This is one of the premier Astoria, Oregon hotels and has an impressive view of the Astoria-Megler Bridge.
They also offer pet-friendly rooms complete with dog beds, treats, and a toy. My friend brought her dog, Lili, who was quite a happy camper!
What makes the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa extra cool is that they have an on-site spa, that is fabulous! They also offer complimentary bicycles and chauffeur service. It’s truly a top-notch Astoria, Oregon accommodation.
If you’d like to know more about the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa, read my full review. Or check the latest rates and availability.
Astoria, Oregon Things To Do
If you’re wondering about Astoria, Oregon attractions, I’ll tell you what we did in our weekend getaway.
We walked around downtown Astoria, Oregon a few times. It’s quite a small area, but it’s filled with quirky shops and little restaurants.
It’s awesome that our hotel had bikes because it’s a very bike-friendly area. We could walk everywhere we wanted to see from our hotel.
OREGON FILM MUSEUM
Have you seen The Goonies? This is a must-stop on any Astoria, Oregon Goonies tour. The opening scenes of that movie are filmed right there at the Oregon Film Museum.
When we walked around town on our first day, I hadn’t seen the movie yet. My friend was absolutely giddy about seeing the jailhouse!
So, that night we rented The Goonies and I’m so glad we did! It made exploring the Oregon Film Museum that much more fascinating!
For fans of The Goonies, this is a must-visit attraction. Located in the actual jail cells of the old Clatsop County Jail, the Goonie Gallery contains all the Goonies information you’ll ever want, including the Corey Connection, Goonies Memorabilia, the Goonies Jailcam, and even Data’s Jacket.
Guests are encouraged to leave a message for the Goonies and vote for their favorite Goonies character. There are also fun cutouts of the characters.
The Oregon Film Museum invites visitors to explore the films and production behind making movies in Oregon.
Besides The Goonies, it features memorabilia from Kindergarten Cop, among other movies filmed in Astoria, Oregon. Fun fact: the elementary school from Kindergarten Cop is also easy to see in Astoria.
Astoria-Megler Bridge
The Astoria-Megler Bridge towers over the western end of Astoria, Oregon. It was right outside our window at the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa. You really can’t miss it.
This Astoria, Oregon bridge is an attraction of its own and you can see it from some of the top spots around town. I love bridges, so this was one of my favorite attractions in Astoria.
The sturdy bridge is designed to withstand some of the toughest forces of nature, including wind gusts of 150 miles per hour. Another cool thing about this bridge is that it’s the final link in the Mexico-to-Canada highway system.
Astoria Riverfront Trolley
If you walk along the riverfront, you can’t miss the Astoria Riverfront Trolley. This Astoria, Oregon trolley runs Memorial Day to Labor Day Noon-6 p.m. daily.
It takes about an hour to ride round-trip. You can ride all day long for just $2. The trolley runs from the Astoria Red Lion Inn to the foot of 39th Street.
If I come back with my kids, I know we’ll be riding this trolley up and down all afternoon! There’s also the Uppertown Firefighter’s Museum and Astoria Children’s Museum, which would be perfect for Astoria, Oregon with kids. And playing at the beach, of course!
Flavel House Museum
Another Astoria, Oregon museum is the Flavel House Museum. Built in 1884, the Flavel House was the home of Captain George Flavel and his family. He was Astoria’s first millionaire and employed many of its residents.
His home is one of the best-preserved examples of Queen Anne architecture in the Northwest. The house is massive.
It’s more than 11,000 square feet and features 5 bedchambers, 12-foot ceilings, a flushing toilet, and an enclosed tin-plated copper bathtub.
We thought we could just enter the house since we had bought tickets at the Oregon Film Museum. However, we were instructed to head to the Carriage House to pick up a Victorian-style calling card and watch a 13-minute film about the house and the Flavel family.
We were running short on time, so we saw about 5 minutes of the film (which was quite interesting) and then headed back to the house.
While walking through the house, it reminded me a lot of Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, B.C. Both homes are set up in a way that really allows guests to feel like they have stepped back in time. I was most surprised to find an old high chair in the kitchen.
A really cool feature of the Flavel House Museum is that they have a room for children. They offer an assortment of Victorian-style dress-up clothes for kids, books, and toys. They actually encourage kids to play and explore.
In a museum like this (that has roped-off areas) it’s really refreshing to cater to small children. I know my kids would hang out and play a bit here.
Another feature of the Flavel House Museum is the garden. Head to the back of the house for really beautiful stops to take photos. Or just sit on a bench and soak up the scenery. We were there in the Spring and it was really pretty!
Bridgewater Bistro
When I told some friends that I was visiting Astoria, they highly recommended Bridgewater Bistro. Lucky for me, it was mere feet away from the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa!
As I said before, we didn’t drive anywhere during our girlfriend getaway in Astoria, Oregon. Having restaurants like this one so nearby was really helpful!
Since my friend had her dog with her, we requested outdoor seating. We really lucked out with the weather because it was sunny and we had an undisturbed view of the bridge.
Between the sun, the view, and the food, it was an awesome lunch! It was quite windy, though.
As soon as I opened the menu, my eyes zeroed in on my three favorite words: Cougar Gold Cheese.
For those who don’t know, I’m a proud Washington State University graduate. Our mascot is the cougar. WSU Creamery makes Cougar Gold Cheese that is tangy and absolutely incredible. But, it’s hard to find!
So, I knew I needed to try their cheeseburger! It was one of the best burgers I’ve experienced!
Astoria Column
The Astoria Column is a definite must-do attraction in Astoria, Oregon! There are tons of signs to direct cars up to the parking lot at the top of a hill. It is $5 for an annual parking pass.
The lady who sold me my parking pass also recommended I purchase a glider for $1. She said that people throw them from the observation deck. I thought that sounded like such a fun idea so I bought one!
The park itself is gorgeous. There are stunning views of the water and lush greenery. It features an unrivaled view of Young’s Bay, the Coast Range, the mighty Columbia River, and the Pacific Ocean.
Going up in the column was surprisingly exhausting. There are 164 steps in the spiral staircase to climb to the top. Thankfully, there are several areas to rest on the way up.
When I got to the observation deck, I couldn’t believe how gusty the wind was. It was perfect for flying my glider! It was absolutely exhilarating to see my glider take off and soar beyond the trees! There were a few other people up there and we cheered each other on.
This was the best way to end my Astoria, Oregon weekend getaway!
Other Astoria, OR Things To Do
If you have more time, check out some of these other Astoria attractions and activities:
MUSEUM OF WHIMSY
The Museum of Whimsy in downtown Astoria is a museum like no other. It’s located in a neo-classical bank building from 1934 that has been refurbished. It’s two floors filled with a collection of oddities and quirky objects you’ve never seen before.
Some of the exhibits include Iroquois beadwork, masks from around the world, a canal narrow-boat cabin replica and even a tiny taxidermy horse. I bet it would be fun to go wine tasting and then come here!
LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK
This is the number one thing I wished we had time to do. If you’ve ever played the epic game Oregon Trail, you’ll want to come here. This is where the Lewis and Clark Expedition team spent the winter.
This park has a replica of the 50-foot square fort, a visitor center, hiking trails, kayaking, and more. Come in the summer to experience living history programs, ranger-led hikes, and a canoeing program.
Doesn’t that sound cool?
COLUMBIA RIVER MARITIME MUSEUM
Take a turn steering a tugboat in one of their four interactive and hands-on exhibits. Plus, you can watch a film about Bar and River Pilots as they worked on the Columbia River. It covers the gamut of boats, from early canoes to sailing vessels to modern boats.
Oh, and they have a new 3D theater!
PACIFIC COAST CRANBERRY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Ok, I love quirky tourist attractions and this is something I really want to do. Here, you’ll find a demonstration cranberry farm.
They have a self-guided walking tour of the cranberry bogs, a gift shop filled with cranberry products (including cranberry ice cream!) and a museum about everything cranberry. And if you come the second weekend of October, you can see the cranberry harvest.
GOONIES DAY
Back in 2010, June 7th was declared āGoonies Dayā in Astoria, Oregon. It usually takes place on the weekend closest to June 7th and features trivia events and Truffle Shuffle opportunities. Plus, there’s a screening of The Goonies film.
Visiting Astoria Oregon FAQs
Key attractions include the Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria Column, Fort Clatsop in the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, and the Oregon Film Museum.
Astoria offers numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and bird watching in Fort Stevens State Park, and fishing, boating, or kayaking in the Columbia River.
Astoria is known for its fresh seafood, especially Dungeness crab and oysters, as well as a thriving craft beer scene, with several local breweries to visit.
The best time to visit Astoria is between June and September when the weather is warmest and the days are longest.
Astoria is approximately a two-hour drive from Portland along U.S. Route 26 West and U.S. Route 101 North. There’s also a bus service operated by NorthWest POINT.
There are numerous hotels, inns, and bed & breakfasts to stay at in Astoria, ranging from historic buildings like the Commodore Hotel to modern accommodations like the Cannery Pier Hotel and Hampton Inn and Suites.
Absolutely, with attractions like the Columbia River Maritime Museum, Fort Stevens State Park, and the Astoria Riverfront Trolley, there are plenty of activities for families to enjoy.
Weekend in Downton Astoria Wrap-Up
Astoria, Oregon offers an ideal girls’ weekend getaway with its rich history, picturesque surroundings, and cultural delights.
Start with a visit to the local museums, take a hike in the Fort Stevens State Park, and don’t miss the stunning views from the Astoria Column.
Indulge in the freshest seafood at local eateries, followed by sampling craft beers at the town’s renowned breweries.
Whether you’re antiquing in the charming downtown, catching a movie at the historic Liberty Theater, or simply strolling along the Riverwalk, Astoria ensures a memorable weekend packed with laughter, bonding, and adventure.
Thank you to The Astoria and Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce and The Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa for hosting our 2-night stay and spa treatments. All opinions are my own.
You had me at complimentary bicycles!
I’m yet to watch The Goonies (I know, I know) but Kindergarten Cop was one of my favourite movies growing up (alongside Cool Runnings of course) so seeing some of the memorabilia and the school would be amazing for me! It’d be worth flying all the way over to the States just for that!
OMG Cool Runnings was our go-to movie in school! I’ve probably seen it 30 times and it’s still an epic movie! I hadn’t seen The Goonies until this trip, so no judgement š
I love the Goonies!! I had no idea this was here! It looks like such a fun trip with plenty of things to do. I love girls weekends too, they’re a great excuse to just get away and relax a bit, but see some awesome stuff at the same time.
The Goonies is set and filmed almost entirely in Astoria!
Ah amazing! I think getting away from mom life is important too! It helps you recharge and truly miss home and the kids. Glad you enjoyed yourself!
It was very recharging and I did miss my home and family!
I love spending quality time with my closest friends! You seem like you had a great time. Really love that open space living room, so full of light!
Yes, since having kids I don’t get to spend nearly as much time with my closest friends. This was a special treat!
This looks like such a great place to visit! May need to add this to my Bucket List! Thanks for sharing!
It was especially gorgeous in the sunny weather!
Astoria sounds like such a nice place to visit. I am all the way over on the East coast, so when I saw Astoria, I thought you meant the one in NYC until I started reading š
I was just talking about how I want to go to Portland! This is perfect. Thank you for these great details. I’m saving for my next girl’s trip!
Portland is an amazing city! You could do both in one trip!
I think getting away, without the kids is so important! I wish I had the chance to do it sometime. It looks like you had a great trip! So much fun!
Beautiful weekend trip with the girls in a beautiful place! I love the view and the hotel is really right up my alley. I think it’s awesome that you guys had a great time!
This place looks very beautiful. I would love to stare through the binoculars! The burger looks so yummy too!
That place is absolutely gorgeous! I’ve always wanted to see Oregon. It has such a neat coast. I love the trolley!
We had an absolute blast in Astoria when we stayed there 2 years ago! It is such a lovely little town and beautiful by the sea. Oregon is spectacular and has so many hidden gems!
The view from the Bridgewater Bistro looks so nice! I would love to sit and have lunch there. I would also love to visit the Astoria Column…that view. I have family in Seattle so a little trip to Astoria might be in my future.
You should definitely add to your itinerary if you visit Seattle!
I would love to have a girls only weekend trip. I’ve done one with my daughter and I’ve done one with my mom but I haven’t done one yet with friends .
The Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa looks like the perfect place to stay whilst visiting Astoria, OR. I have a friend who visits Astoria every year to see the house from the Goonies, although there was a rumour the house would be knocked down so I;m not sure if he still does. I didn’t know Kindergarten Cop was filmed in Astoria too, I’d love to see the school, it can’t still be the same? The burger with the Cougar Gold Cheese looks absolutely delicious, I’m glad it actually was delicious too!
This looks like a beautiful place to visit….beautiful views with great food and good friends. Your pictures are amazing! Good for you for taking time off from #momlife because we all definitely need it more than we think.
Yes! I think people should take as many breaks as they can when they can!
I feel you on having kids and not getting enough girl time! It looks like you had a really great trip.
Looks like you had a very fun trip. Loved your photos. š
It was absolutely beautiful and peaceful!
i haven’t been to OR yet and still have to add that to my list of states to visit. I didn’t know there was so much to see. I didn’t know that Kindergarten Cop was filmed there. How cool and interesting. Gonna start using that as my fun fact to share with people.
Nice! Glad to help give you a conversation starter!
That’s so cool that some of The Goonies was filmed here, and it’s so good that you rented it to watch, I bet it meant so much more to you. Girls weekends are the best and such a good chance to c atch up x
You totally deserved a girls night away and I am so glad that you had a lot of fun! I like the sound of the museum where you can see memorabilia from the goonies and have photo opps too x
How had you never seen The Goonies before? I’m glad that’s rectified! Seriously, it looks like a great place to recharge your batteries after being so busy with the kids. I haven’t managed to get a trip away from mine yet, they’re still too young!
I have no idea how I never saw it as a kid!
Wow! This is such a stunning place! I’d love to visit Oregon soon!
Oregon is such a fun place to explore!
What a fun time! I love Victorian homes, that would have been the highlight of the trip. I love gardens, too, so bonus!! Thanks for sharing this with us!
That looks fun! I think eating will be my most favorite part. Love to have mouthwatering food.. plus, great view and great people around me. My dream vacation!
I was on a roadtrip to Oregon a month back. Really loved my time. It was “me time”. I am sure as a mommy you would be needing that real bad. I am glad you had fun with your friends.
Ah, a weekend get away! Something that every mom should try to squeeze in so she can recharge her batteries! I’m a big fan of the Goonies and Kindergarten Cop, too, so this would be a really fun place to explore! I also have done a lot of genealogy work and the ‘jail’ photo cracks me up….one day a zillion years from now will someone find that photo of you and think you’ve been to jail for real? LOL! Only a genealogist would think such a crazy thing. š
I’ve always loved Oregon, It’s such a beautiful state. It would be so much fun to explore Astoria and see where they shot The Goonies and other movies. I also wouldn’t mind sipping on a delicious drink while watching the water roll by.
This looks like such a fun destination!! I love when a trip has a bit of all the best things: Fun, food, history and amazing sites!
Oh my word, you were at the place where The Goonies opening scenes are filmed? That is beyond cool! I The jailhouse photo ops are just too funny to resist haha. So delighted that you enjoyed the girls night away.
Sounds like a fun time! I love the Goonies ( I think everyone did haha ) and it would totally want to visit the museum! The burger looked delicious and I laughed at the cougar gold cheese, I have never heard about it before. Definitely a perfect little getaway spot with friends š
Cougar Gold Cheese is amazing and if you ever see it on a menu, ORDER IT.
Looks beautiful and a fun time!!! I would love to visit here! A girls trip sounds like so much fun!
Looks like such a fun trip! Astoria is such a beautiful place!
I was impressed with how beautiful it was!
Wow, you fit in so many amazing sights and activities! Great!!
Yes, everything was so close which made it easy to do a lot while still keeping a leisurely pace š
I used to live in the Pacific Northwest and loved it! The weather was so perfect and I miss it all the time. I love all the different things you can do there too! Love it!
Wow, what a gorgeous place to see and explore. I have heard of Astoria and would love to visit. It’s so quant and pretty.
It would be so nice to spend the weekend here!!! I love the view and the place is just fantastic. You picked an awesome place to stay at with friends.
LOVE! I want to do this, it is now added to my list.
Awesome! Glad to help!
We’ve been wanting to visit Oregon for awhile. It looks like you had a wonderful time with friends.
My friends and I were just talking about taking a girls weekend…in three years. LOL. Isn’t it crazy that’s how far in advance we have to plan it?
I’ve never been to Oregon, but I’m planning my first trip there for this fall. I’m not sure I’ll have time to leave Portland, but this looks like an amazing place to visit! It’s so nice to hear of a museum that actually encourages young children to play and explore!
Yay! I’ll be back in Portland in August and September! It’s such a cool city!
This looks amazing!!! I need to make a trip there ASAP! Thanks for sharing Marcie š
It’s a really cute place to recharge!
Oooo sounds like you had one fabulous girls weekend!!! I just love getting away with the girls. Always a blast
Girls weekend looked like so much fun. I would be interested in taking that mug shot. I’m glad you are still able to make time for yourself especially because you’re a mommy.
Thanks! We had a blast and I highly recommend taking time away from kiddos to recharge.