SURROUND YOURSELF WITH HISTORYAstoria, the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, is an enticing place to visit. It has more buildings on the National Historic Register per square foot than anywhere else in Oregon, and numerous theaters, art galleries and unique restaurants, Astoria is becoming a tourist destination for ship cruises, train travelers and vacationers driving the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Whether you’re strolling through the extensive Sunday Market with its farm-fresh vegetables and crafts or walking on the Riverwalk, you’re sure to enjoy the ambiance of this former “Salmon Capital of the World.”

The future looks bright, with extensive riverfront improvements and building renovations grounding the city in its colorful history.

Astoria is a friendly place and provides easy access to major recreational areas on Oregon’s North Coast and the Long Beach (Wash.) Peninsula. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Columbia River from numerous points in the city along with river cruises, walking and driving tours, wildlife viewing, shopping and dining.

The trolley’s bell, the ships’ whistles and the sea lions’ barking add to the maritime ambiance of this enchanting town.

Historic Astoria WaterfrontExplore Astoria’s historic waterfront. Observe barges and freighters navigating the river in the course of their duties. Watch commercial fishing vessels delivering their daily catches to waiting fish markets and processing plants.

Wear comfy shoes and stroll the paved Astoria Riverwalk for a close-up look at the waterfront.

Astoria Riverfront TrolleyLORI ASSA Photo

The Astoria Riverfront Trolley is a big hit with visitors. It travels along the Columbia River on Astoria’s waterfront.Ride Old 300 for an up-close look at Astoria’s canneries, sea lions and boat traffic on the Columbia River.

A beautifully refurbished 1913 streetcar, Old 300 carries passengers between the Port of Astoria and the East Mooring Basin. An all-volunteer group of motormen and conductors guide passengers along the four-mile ride, regaling them with tales of the area.

During the summer season, Old 300 runs 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Monday.

Weather permitting, the trolley runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September through May. During spring break in March, visitors will probably enjoy week-long transportation.

Just $1 will let you board Old 300. Seasonal passes are available for $25 and the $2 All-Day Fare allows passengers to get on and off multiple times.

For more information, call (503) 325-6311.

Columbia River Maritime MuseumThe Columbia River Maritime Museum, where the region’s rich maritime legacy comes alive, is a “must see” for visitors to Astoria. The official maritime museum of the state of Oregon, it is the first nationally-accredited maritime museum on the Northwest Coast. It houses one of the most extensive collections of nautical artifacts on the West Coast.

Examine marine transportation from the days of dugout canoes to the present. Walk the bridge of a World War II vessel. Board the Columbia, a lightship that once guided ships to safety at the Mouth of the Columbia River. Participate in a Columbia River Bar Coast Guard rescue.

New exhibits and the architectural beauty of the updated museum captivate visitors. One of the most dramatic exhibits is a 44-foot Coast Guard motor lifeboat in the glassed-in expansion on the building’s south side.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum, 1792 Marine Drive, is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (65 and older) and $4 for children ages 6 to 17. Children age 5 and younger are admitted free. A family package is available for $20. This admits two parents or grandparents and children. For more information, call (503) 325-2323.

The Liberty TheaterWhile strolling downtown Astoria, it’s hard to miss the landmark Liberty Theater, located at Commercial and 12th streets.

LORI ASSA Photo

The Astoria Riverwalk attracts walkers, joggers and bikers.Dating from 1925, the Italian Renaissance-style building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Silent films, plays, vaudeville performances and lectures have a history on the stage. It is undergoing a complete renovation and is now used as a regional performing arts center and houses the Astoria Music Festival in July. Look for the Grand Reopening of the theater in June.

Astoria Aquatic CenterGet in the swim of things at the Astoria Aquatic Center. It offers something for people of all ages. Swim in the recreation pool while a huge sprinkler sprays sheets of water on you; fly down a 100-foot open water slide with a 20-foot drop and lazy river current; work out in the six-lane 25-yard lap pool; relax in the adult hydro-spa pool; or watch your children splashing and playing in the kiddies’ wading pool. There is also a snack bar and weight room.

The Astoria Aquatic Center, 1997 Marine Drive, is open 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday. It is closed to the public between 1 and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, but available for rentals. Admission is $3.25 for resident youth (2 to 17 years), $3.50 for nonresident youth; $4.25 for resident adults (18 to 59 years), $4.50 for nonresident adults; $4 for resident seniors (age 60 and older) and $4.25 for nonresident seniors.

A family package is available for $10 for residents and $10.50 for nonresidents. Children younger than 8 must have an adult accompany them in the water.

Astoria ColumnEast Oregonian Publishing Group

The Astoria Column stands high atop Coxcomb Hill and gives vistitors a view of the lower Columbia River region, including the Pacific Ocean.No visit to the North Coast would be complete without a stop at the Astoria Column. Plus, the views from the 125-foot monument are some of the best in the area. Ralph Budd, the president of the Great Northern Railway, paid for the Column to be built in 1926 as a monument to the arrival of the railroad in the Northwest.

The Column’s 14 25-foot-long scenes represent the history of white settlers, in chronological order, with the earliest event at the bottom and the most recent at the top.

As for vistas, the Column has them. The ambitious visitor should climb the 164 steps to the top of the Column and get a spectacular, 360-degree gander at Washington, across the Columbia River, Saddle Mountain and the Pacific Ocean. At the top, you can throw a glider purchased from the concession stand.

You can treat the Column’s stairs as a warm-up for several of the hiking trails that meander through Astoria, including the 1.5-mile-long trek to an old-growth giant known as the Cathedral Tree. The trail is next to the Column.

The Column is open daily from dawn until dusk. The Column concession booth is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May to September.

The rest of the year, the stand is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can purchase postcards, souvenirs and refreshments at the booth. Parking is $1. For more information call (503) 325-2963.

Capt. George Flavel House Museum, 441 Eighth St.Built in 1885, the Capt. George Flavel House is considered to be one of the best examples of Queen Anne architecture in the Northwest. The home’s interior features 14-foot-high ceilings, inlaid hardwoods and six fireplace mantels, made with materials imported from around the world. Capt. Flavel, an early Astoria millionaire, made his fortune as a river bar pilot and through real estate investments. Set on grounds covering an entire city block and including an 1887 carriage house, the estate was a triumph and a testament to what money could accomplish. A visit to the Flavel House begins at the Carriage House where tickets, exhibits, an interpretive video and a gift shop are found. Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for seniors, AAA members and students; and $2 for youth ages 6 to 17. Family tickets are $15. Clatsop County Historical Society members and children age 5 and younger are admitted free. The Flavel House is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week from May through September and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily October through April. For more information, call (503) 325-2203.

Uppertown Firefighters Museum, and Children’s Museum, 2968 Marine DriveThe museum houses an extensive collection of firefighting equipment dating from 1879 to 1963. Featured are hand-pulled, horse-drawn and motorized fire engines as well as firefighting memorabilia and photos. The museum is now home to the Astoria Children’s Museum, where children can create puppet shows, become a bank teller or join organized activities. The hours for both museums are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $3.

Clatsop County Historical Society’s Heritage Museum, 1618 Exchange St.Designed in 1904 by Portland architect Emil Schacht, the building housing the museum was originally built as Astoria’s City Hall. It is now home to the Clatsop County Historical Society’s archives and research library.

Two local economic engines since 1870, and for most of the 20th century, were logging and fishing, which are represented by an extensive display of tools, equipment and photographs.

Astoria’s colorful past, when it was known as a party town for sailors up and down the West Coast, is portrayed in the permanent exhibit “Vice and Virtue in Clatsop County.” The exhibit features the partial reconstruction of an infamous Astoria saloon.

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through September, and 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. October through March. Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for seniors, students and AAA members; and $1 for children 6 to 17. Free for children younger than 5.

For more information, call (503) 325-2203.

EVENTSCrab and Seafood FestivalDelight in the tastes of fresh crab, seafood and Oregon wines at the 2004 Astoria-Warrenton Crab and Seafood Festival, April 22 through 24, at a location to be determined.

Sample crab fritters, crab cakes, shrimp and crab cocktails, oyster shooters and crab melts. Still hungry for crab? The traditional crab dinner served by the Astoria Rotary Club promises to satisfy that hunger. Continuous entertainment, children’s activities, a petting zoo, 40 Oregon winery booths, 40 eateries and 80 booths of arts and crafts add up to a great time for the whole family.

There is free frequent shuttle service to the festival from your motel or campground. Day care is available. For more information, call (503) 325-6311.

Fisher Poets GatheringLORI ASSA Photo

Popular local writer Dave Densmore reads at the 2004 Fisher Poets Gathering.Every February, people with ties to the fishing industry gather to share stories, songs, artwork and food with others interested in fishing. The Fisher Poets Gathering features poets, writers, musical groups, art exhibits and workshops. The gathering got off the ground in 1998 and has grown each year. At the 2004 event, 50 performance slots were filled. This year’s gathering is held Feb. 25 to 27.

Astoria Sunday MarketTake advantage of your free time and check out Astoria’s Sunday Market. Stroll leisurely up and down 12th Street where vendors offer farm fresh produce, crafts and specialty foods. Live entertainment, along with an international food court, enhance the day’s experience. The market is open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 8 through Oct. 2.

Scandinavian Midsummer FestivalThe general goodwill of cheerful people is a vital part of this celebration. If you’re Scandinavian, the Midsummer Festival offers a chance for you to renew ties with the old country. One doesn’t need Scandinavian heritage, however, to get into the spirit of this event. Taste mouth-watering food, listen to beautiful music and shop for handmade crafts. The featured event on Friday evening is the selection and crowning of Miss Scandinavia. After the coronation, follow Miss Scandinavia and her court to the bonfire to burn hexes for good luck. Dust off your dancing shoes Saturday and polka, waltz, hambo or schottische the night away. The festival will be held at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds, 92937 Walluski Loop, June 17 to 19. For more information, call (503) 325-6311.

“Shanghaied in Astoria”This year marks the 21th season for Astoria’s own famous “Shanghaied in Astoria.” Local actors and actresses delight audiences with their portrayals of 19th century villains, heroes and heroines in this melodrama. The production opens July 7 and runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through mid-September. For more information, call (503) 325-6104.

Astoria Regatta FestivalThe Astoria Regatta has been a tradition since 1894. The year 2004 marked the festival’s 110th year, making it the oldest festival in the Northwest. This five-day celebration Aug. 10 to 14 on Astoria’s historic waterfront has something for everyone – sailboat races, concerts, classic cars, softball, ship tours and great food, featuring a pancake breakfast and salmon barbecue.

For more information, call (503) 325-6311 or write Astoria Regatta Association at P.O. Box 24, Astoria, OR 97103.

Great Columbia CrossingBe part of the Great Columbia Crossing 10K Walk/Run Oct. 2 across the mouth of the Columbia River on the 4.1-mile Astoria-Megler Bridge, which is open to pedestrians just once a year for this event. Registration fee includes T-shirt, shuttle service from Astoria to the start line in Washington and chowder feed at the finish line. For more information check out the Web site at (www.greatcolumbiacrossing.com)