Looking for a charming riverfront town packed with history, quirky sights, and plenty of kid-friendly fun? Look no further than Astoria, Oregon! It’s one of our family’s favorite day trip destinations from Portland, Seaside or Cannon Beach.
Astoria offers just the right mix of outdoor adventure, local flavor, and history to keep the whole family entertained. We put together this 1-day itinerary that’s perfect for families who want to explore, eat well, and enjoy Astoria’s maritime magic.
What can families do in Astoria in one day?
We’ve done several day trips to Astoria with our six kids and teens, and it’s perfect for a fun day out. You can easily explore a unique museum, enjoy some delicious and quick bites, take in the river views or beach walk, and more, all within a short walk or drive.
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Table of Contents
8:00 AM — Breakfast at Coffee Girl
The first stop is a scenic breakfast at Coffee Girl, perched right on Pier 39 at the edge of the Columbia River. This quirky coffee shop used to be part of a working cannery, and it still retains a lot of the charm.
This is my personal favorite spot to start a day in Astoria. It’s the perfect place to watch ships, pelicans, and sea lions while sipping a marionberry mocha or eating a breakfast bagel. I prefer to sit out on the back of the pier, but if it’s raining the inside seating is also adequate.
- Cost: $10–20 per person
- Time to spend: 45 minutes
- Parking: limited
8:45 AM — Explore the Hanthorn Cannery Museum
Right next door to Coffee Girl, this free museum is a local secret. Learn about Astoria’s deep roots in the salmon canning industry and peek at antique equipment. Tours are self-guided, which in my husband’s case meant we spent an hour and a half looking at everything. 😆
- Cost: Free (donations welcome)
- Time to spend: 30 minutes -1 hour
- Parking: limited
9:30 AM — Climb the Astoria Column
Next, drive up Coxcomb Hill to one of Astoria’s best-known landmarks: the Astoria Column. This gorgeous monument shows scenes from Oregon’s history, including John Jacob Astor and the Corps of Discovery.
It’s 164 steps to the top, and I have to admit that I WAS NOT READY! We still made it to the top though, and the views of the Columbia River, Pacific Ocean, and even into Washington state were stunning.
Be sure to buy a glider from the gift shop and let the kids launch it from the top! Most kids and adults in good health can make the climb to the upper observation deck.
The Column itself isn’t wheelchair accessible, although the rest of the grounds are. The spiral staircase to the top of the Astoria Column is indoors, so if you struggle with enclosed spaces, it’s better to skip this.
- Cost: $10 parking (good for 1 year), $1 for gliders
- Time to spend: 1 hour
- Parking: easy
11 AM — Experience the Columbia River Maritime Museum
Head back toward downtown for a visit to the Columbia River Maritime Museum, right on the river. It’s packed with interactive exhibits, real boats, and fascinating displays about the Coast Guard, storms at sea, and the history of the Columbia River.
You’ll want to reserve time to explore the Lightship docked outside as well – it’s essentially a floating lighthouse! The mouth of the Columbia River was once known as the “graveyard of the Pacific“, and the Lightship helped make it safer.
There’s so much to see at this museum, it could easily be a half-day excursion by itself! Our kids especially loved the massive Coast Guard boat display and the weather forecast exhibit. They got to practice giving weather reports just like the TV forecasters.
The Museum is committed to helping families with sensory challenges enjoy the museum. Download a free social narrative booklet to preview the museum ahead of time. Once you’re there, the comfort cart offers sensory backpacks as well as other helpful tools for differing abilities.
- Cost: $15-20 per person
- Time to spend: 1-3 hours
- Parking: easy
1 PM — Lunch at The Bowpicker or Custard King
The Bowpicker
No trip to Astoria is complete without a stop at the Bowpicker, a landlocked fishing boat turned fish-and-chips shop. The beer-battered albacore tuna and thick-cut fries are legendary, and everything is fresh caught the day it’s served.
The line is often long, but it’s worth it – they usually sell out for the day by mid-afternoon. Brian and I make a point to enjoy at least one lunch here when we’re visiting.
- Cost: $15–20 per person
- Time to spend: 30 minutes
- Parking: limited
Alternative lunch suggestion: Custard King
Custard King is a popular burger and soft-serve custard stand that locals adore. The marionberry custard is highly recommended, as are the bacon cheeseburgers.
Both the Bowpicker and Custard King only offer outdoor seating, so if there’s inclement weather, Mo’s Seafood and Chowder is a great alternative. We’ve eaten at multiple Mo’s locations (including Astoria), and it’s consistently good food in a kid-friendly setting.
All of these eateries are a short walk or drive from the Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Bonus: Astoria Nordic Heritage Park
Right across the street from Custard King is a tribute to the rich history of Nordic culture in Astoria. This park is full of interpretive signs and whimsical troll statues. Enjoy your lunch on one of the benches and take some fun photos.
1:30 PM — Ride the Astoria Riverfront Trolley
The historic Astoria Trolley gives you a scenic ride along the Astoria Riverwalk. The guides share fun facts while you enjoy unique views of the riverfront. The trolley operates seasonally, and closes if it’s raining.
- Cost: $1-2 per person
- Time to spend: 30 minutes (the full round trip is an hour)
- Parking: various locations near the river
2 PM — Downtown exploration and shopping
After the trolley, stroll through the Garden of Surging Waves, a peaceful Chinese garden honoring Astoria’s immigrant heritage. Our teen girls found the architectural features and poetry fascinating.
There’s plenty of cute shops full of local treasures and unique finds. Lucy’s Books is one of our favorites, a cozy independent bookstore just a few steps away from the Garden.
- Parking: street parking available, some requires a fee
Another idea: check out a different museum
If shopping isn’t your thing, you can substitute this plan with a visit to one of Astoria’s museums. The Oregon Film Museum is located in the old Clatsop County jail building, and has lots of hands-on exhibits about the many movies made in Oregon.
You can even check out the Oregon Film Trail online to see Astoria filming locations for movies like Free Willy, The Goonies, and Kindergarten Cop.
Other fantastic museums include the Flavel House Museum, Heritage Museum, or Firefighters Museum.
3:30 PM — Visit one of the forts
Fort Stevens and the shipwreck
Finish your afternoon with an adventure at Fort Stevens State Park, about 25 minutes outside town. Explore old military bunkers (and even Civil War ground works) while on the lookout for elk. It’s not uncommon to see a full herd of elk grazing the grounds.
Be sure to leave time to stroll along the beach to see the famous Peter Iredale shipwreck at low tide. Our boys especially love clambering over this skeletal structure. It’s especially incredible late in the day with the afternoon shadows and panoramic views of the Oregon Coast.
If the kids still have energy, there’s also a disc golf course and plenty of hiking trails.
- Cost: $5–7 per car for day use
- Time to spend: 2-3 hours
- Parking: limited
Fort Clatsop Interpretive Center
If you’re looking for an indoor option, we highly recommend a visit to Fort Clatsop, part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (review linked). The interpretive center shares the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s winter stay in the Pacific Northwest. You can learn about the local flora and fauna that the expedition catalogued, the lives of Native Americans in the region and more.
Outside the interpretive center lies a reconstruction of Lewis and Clark’s winter quarters, and there are often living history presentations. You can also hike several trails to explore further along the Fort-to-Sea Trail or to Netul Landing.
Our kids loved earning a Junior Ranger badge here (there are several sites nearby that participate in this National Parks program). You could easily spend a full day exploring Fort Clatsop and visiting Lewis and Clark sites in the Astoria-Seaside area.
- Cost: $10 (no cash accepted)
- Time to spend: 2-4 hours
- Parking: easy
- Stroller/ wheelchair: the interpretive center is accessible, but outdoor locations vary in accessibility
6 PM — Dinner at a family-friendly local brewery
Head back to downtown Astoria and enjoy a hearty dinner at Fort George Brewery. This family-friendly spot has wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and a relaxed vibe. Our kids were fascinated with the spiral staircase and classic car motifs throughout the brewery.
Check out Fort George’s Brewery calendar to see what events they have going on. Live music, maker’s markets and fundraisers for local charities are just a few of the community activities they regularly host.
- Cost: $25–40 per person
- Time to spend: 1 hour
- Parking: limited street parking
5-9 PM (depends on season) — Sunset at Astoria-Megler Bridge
Wrap up your day with a view of the Astoria-Megler Bridge as the sun dips below the horizon. You can’t walk on the bridge, but there are plenty of lookout spots around town for epic photos. The Riverwalk is one great option, as is Coxcomb Hill (Astoria Column).
Note that Oregon’s sunset time can be anywhere from 4:30 pm near the winter solstice to 9 pm in the summertime. Check your weather app ahead of time before making plans.
- Cost: Free
- Time to spend: 30 minutes
@dinkumtribe Crossing the Astoria-Megler Bridge is always fun, but especially when it’s such a gorgeous day! @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel #astoriaoregon #astoriabridge #oregoncoast #columbiariver #traveloregon #oregontravelguide ♬ original sound – DinkumTribe ADHD family travel
Where to Stay
If you’re staying overnight in Astoria itself, check into Hotel Elliott, a boutique hotel right in the heart of downtown. It’s walkable to shops, restaurants, museums, and the riverwalk.
Our family prefers to stay in Seaside and drive into Astoria for the day. If you’d like to try that, we suggest staying at the River Inn or the Kathryn – both are great for families.
Why Astoria, Oregon Is Great for Families
Astoria is the kind of place where history, nature, and small-town charm come together. It’s the perfect waterfront city for families who want to explore at a relaxed pace. For more things to do in Astoria, read our full Astoria post.
Is Astoria worth visiting with kids?
Absolutely. Oregon is family-friendly in general, and Astoria has plenty of things for kids and families to explore within easy walking or driving distance. Museums, playgrounds, beaches, and casual eateries make this a favorite day trip for families from Portland.
Can you do Astoria in one day?
Astoria is perfect for a day trip. Visitors can choose two or three attractions or activities, plus meals and still feel like they’ve gotten an in-depth look at Astoria’s cultural vibe.
What should you do in Astoria when it rains?
We recommend the museums, especially the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Oregon Film Museum or the Hanthorn Cannery Museum. The Fort Clatsop Interpretive Center is also a great rainy day option about 20 minutes drive out of town.
©️ Copyright Jennifer D. Warren 2026
