Mist drifts through Astoria’s tree-lined avenues as early sunlight glints off the river’s surface . Under the pale light of the Astoria Column, you can almost feel the echoes of The Goonies, or hear the laughter from arcade pinballs at Galactix. Steeped in cinematic history and salt-air adventure, Astoria is a perfect Oregon escape — just two hours from Portland, yet a whole world away.
Evening arrival & waterfront flavors
Check into Bowline Hotel (on Marine Drive, featuring riverfront views, adrifthospitality.com/bowline-hotel) when you arrive in Astoria, then unwind with a cocktail at the Inferno Lounge — just steps from the hotel — and let the Columbia’s lights welcome you to this Pacific Northwest escape.
Day 1: Landmarked views & cinematic quests
Morning
Start with pastries and community ambience at The Coffee Girl (thecoffeegirl.com), thendrive or hike up to the Astoria Column (astoriacolumn.com). The 164-foot tower offers sweeping views of the Columbia River, coast, and city — it’s a photographer’s dream at golden hour.
Next, drive through Astoria’s weathered Victorian streets to the Goonies House — or arrive at the Uppertown residence immortalized in the 1985 film aboard the Filmed in Astoria bus tour, organized by the Oregon Film Museum.
Afternoon
Pop into the Oregon Film Museum (732 Duane St., oregonfilmmuseum.com), housed in the old Clatsop County Jail — where the Fratellis broke in during the opening chase scene of The Goonies. Inside, you’ll find props, interactive exhibits, and a real ORV parked with bullet-hole decals.
Close by, explore downtown treasures like Do & Arrow (vintage hard-to-find merch), the Cargo of Astoria curated marketplace, and the quirky Gypsy Apothecary and Vintage Hardware shops. Choose one or two to linger in — Cargo and Gypsy are the most photogenic and visitor-focused.
Late day / evening
Catch the Peter Iredale shipwreck on Clatsop Spit at sunset — its skeletal remains framed by sand dunes and sky — then zip to dinner.
Astoria offers a bounty of dining options. Bridgewater Bistro (bridgewaterbistro.com) is a good choice for upscale waterfront dining with Columbia views, while Carruthers offers refined, locally sourced Oregon fare. If you’re looking for something community-driven but special, try T. Paul’s Supper Club.
Day 2: Adventure, nostalgia, and toasting traditions
Morning coffee & riverfront stroll
Coffee Girl or pop over to Columbia River Coffee Roaster for strong brew and cozy vibes— before strolling along Astoria’s waterfront toward Seafarer’s Park at Hammond Marina: a quiet harbor with boats, tidal sounds, and sculpture-strewn viewpoints.
Midday fun
Brave a zip-lining escapade at High Life Adventures (highlife–adventures.com) —soaring through a treetop canopy with river views adds a thrilling contrast to Astoria’s Victorian-era charm.
For arcade nostalgia, check out Galactix Arcade (thegalactix.com), loaded with pinball, Skee-Ball, and vintage video games — especially great if the rain rolls in.
Afternoon in town
Fit in a stroll past the elegant Flavel House Museum (astoriamuseums.org), a restored Victorian next door to the Oregon Film Museum. It also had a cameo in The Goonies .
Beer & wine
In the evening, unwind with pours at Astoria Brewing Com- pany (astoriabrewingcompany.com), or sip at Buoy Beer Com- pany (buoybeer.com) just off the waterfront. For a relaxed wine bar atmosphere, head to WineKraft Wine Bar. All are walkable or a quick ride from the hotel.
If you’d like a more local hang with an older-town vibe, Bowpicker Fish & Chips is located across from the Columbia River Maritime Museum, in the converted gillnet boat
Goonies 40th Anniversary: “Goonies never say die”
This summer’s four-day Goonies Weekend (June 5-8, 2025) brought fans from around the globe for bus tours, an ’80s prom, art exhibits, costume contests, and sold-out panels featuring cast and crew—including Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, and Robert Davi—hosted by the Clatsop County His- torical Society.
Astoria lingers with you long after the weekend ends—in the misty river views, the echoes of film history, and the easy rhythm of a coastal town that welcomes both adventure and nostalgia. Whether you come for The Goonies, the food, or just a breath of salt air, you’ll leave with the feeling that Asto- ria is more than a stop on the map—it’s an escape you’ll want to return to again and again.
