VERDICT: We gave 4 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!
Day 1: Canada to Astoria ✅
Day 2: Astoria to Cannon Beach ✅
Day 3: Cannon Beach to Portland
Day 4: Portland to Mount St. Helens and Union
Day 5: Union to Canada
Exploring Astoria’s Waterfront & Riverwalk
A relaxing waterfront walk filled with history, river views and Oregon coastal charm. The Astoria Riverwalk is one of the best ways to see the Columbia River & Astoria’s working waterfront without ever getting in a car.
We were staying fairly centrally in a hotel & the nearby trail runs about 5 miles end-to-end along the river, following part of the old Astoria & Columbia River Railroad. It’s mostly flat, paved, with some wooden boardwalk sections toward the industrial area.
Starting at the end near downtown & the Astoria-Megler Bridge, you pass hotels, shops, breweries, and a two-story viewing platform that’s especially great at sunset. If you head east, you’ll go under the 4-mile-long bridge, past the Columbia River Maritime Museum, Pier 39 with museums, antiques & coffee, and the Nordic Heritage Park with its troll sculptures.
Keep an eye on the water, it’s common to spot sea lions, herons, eagles & cormorants. Apparently you can often hear the sea lions under the boardwalk, but all we heard were seagulls when we were there
If your feet get tired, the historic 300 Trolley runs seasonally along the same route that you can hop on by waiting at one of the little stops.
It’s a popular, family-friendly walk that gives you Astoria’s mix of maritime history, small-town shops, & river views all in one easy stroll. It was very well kept with lots of plants & greenery & the stores all looked very nice.
Visitor Information
- River Walk: Easy access from anywhere in the downtown. Watch for parking restrictions. Many are two hours.
- Astoria to Cannon Beach: From the Columbia River Maritime Museum to Cannon Beach via the US 101 S – drive 30 miles until you see the signs for Cannon Beach (it takes about 45 minutes)
- Parking tips: Astoria – has lots of street parking but beware of the time limits. After 4:30pm you can park there all night until 9am, but during the day it’s only 2 hours at a time.
- Museum admission: Adults 18+: $18, Seniors 65+: $15, Children 6-17: $8, Kids 5 & under: FREE
- Best time to visit: The Maritime Museum is open 9:30am-5pm every day except Thanksgiving & Christmas Day. Any day is good because it’s extremely efficiently run. We would suggest allowing 2–3 hours for the museum. It’s so worth it.
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