cnamenek Posted December 27, 2012 #1 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Hi there, we are doing the Wine Country Coastal and did not see any shore excursions that sounded interesting. Has anyone done this port and have suggestions? Thanks Carmen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pizzalady1 Posted December 28, 2012 #2 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Hi there, we are doing the Wine Country Coastal and did not see any shore excursions that sounded interesting. Has anyone done this port and have suggestions?Thanks Carmen We took the Astoria sponsored $7 HOHO trolley and spent about 3 hours at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. The downtown also has some interesting areas. Check out this website: http://www.oldoregon.com/visitor-info/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coreopsis Posted December 28, 2012 #3 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Hi there, we are doing the Wine Country Coastal and did not see any shore excursions that sounded interesting. Has anyone done this port and have suggestions?Thanks Carmen We found it a bit of a sleepy port and weather was not on our side. We very much enjoyed the Columbia River Museum, walking distance to the pier. You might check tripadvisor and frommers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamchops Posted December 29, 2012 #4 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Being on a wine immersion cruise would beer interest you? Astoria is home to 3 craft beer breweries that may be of interest. http://www.everytrail.com/guide/north-coast-craft-beer-trail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccio Posted December 29, 2012 #5 Share Posted December 29, 2012 We did an all day ship sponsored excursion to Mt. St. Helens - it is a long (but very scenic) bus ride and once you get inside the blast zone the scenery on the miles and miles long ride to the visitors center is other-worldly. Make sure you see the movie in the visitors center - it is informative and touching and the end isn't to be missed. Being old enough to remember the eruption (we are:D) made it really special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted December 30, 2012 #6 Share Posted December 30, 2012 (edited) The Maritime Museum is very informative. Across the steet from the Maritime Museum is the Bowpicker. It is a bowpicker boat parked on a vacant lot. Some of the best fish & chips we have had. http://www.bowpicker.com/ Check out the Astoria Column. It was remodeled a few years ago. There are several good brew pubs in town. Josephsons Smokehouse has very good smoked fish. We like their canned teriyaki salmon and jerky. http://www.josephsons.com/ Take a ride on the trolley to the end. It is fun turning it around. Firehouse museum is a 15 minute tour. The Goonies was filmed in Astoria. http://www.astoriaoregon.com/ Edited December 30, 2012 by SadieN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabsinTX Posted December 31, 2012 #7 Share Posted December 31, 2012 These are the best ideas I've seen for Astoria. I'll be in Astoria next May and love breweries, so hooray! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted December 31, 2012 #8 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Josephsons Smokehouse has very good smoked fish. We like their canned teriyaki salmon and jerky. http://www.josephsons.com/ Correscting myself Not teriyaki but maple canned salmon and jerky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaianaeGal Posted January 6, 2013 #9 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Having just moved back to NoCal after living in Astoria for a few years, SadieN nailed really great activities in this sleepy WONDERFUL little city. Also if in port on Sunday the Downtown Market is the best... and the Maritime Museum is world renowned and they are also working on the old train station to make it into a hands on museum to maritime related work, netting, boat making, all things maritime... Enjoy this coastal jewel. Carlene 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kessdarln Posted January 19, 2013 #10 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Does your ship have a day trip to Seaside & Cannon Beach? I have a lot of friends that go to both regularly as they are great weekend destinations... I've been to Seaside for about 10 minutes and it's charming and colorful... I plan to take this excursion in May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnamenek Posted January 20, 2013 Author #11 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Does your ship have a day trip to Seaside & Cannon Beach? I have a lot of friends that go to both regularly as they are great weekend destinations... I've been to Seaside for about 10 minutes and it's charming and colorful... I plan to take this excursion in May. It has a four hour shopping tour to the area - do not go on vacation to really shop. Not a fan of motor coach tours - how far is it? Can I do on my own? Otherwise I think we will get the HOHO Trolly and explore pubs and sites on our own. Thanks Carmen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chloe1500 Posted January 20, 2013 #12 Share Posted January 20, 2013 It has a four hour shopping tour to the area - do not go on vacation to really shop. Not a fan of motor coach tours - how far is it? Can I do on my own? Otherwise I think we will get the HOHO Trolly and explore pubs and sites on our own. Thanks Carmen Hi, the city of Cannon Beach is about 25 miles or so south of Astoria on Hwy 101. You would need a rental car. Cannon Beach is a charming, artsy small town, near Ecola State Park with Haystack Rock and other beautiful scenery. If you do decide to explore the North Coast via rental car, allow extra time for slow traffic on 101, a two-lane highway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pizzalady1 Posted January 20, 2013 #13 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Hi, the city of Cannon Beach is about 25 miles or so south of Astoria on Hwy 101. You would need a rental car. Cannon Beach is a charming, artsy small town, near Ecola State Park with Haystack Rock and other beautiful scenery. If you do decide to explore the North Coast via rental car, allow extra time for slow traffic on 101, a two-lane highway. The closest rental car company is Enterprise at 362 Marine Dr. They will pick you up and drop you back at the port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaching Posted January 25, 2013 #14 Share Posted January 25, 2013 We went to The Seafood School and learned how to cook different fish dishes. Very interesting. We also grabbed a bus from downtown and went up to The Columns at the top of a hill and climbed the stairs inside. We shopped right at the pier from local artisans and got a metal wall hanging one of the artists created with a bear and a moon on it. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JoePDX Posted January 25, 2013 #15 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Fort Clatsop is an interesting place to visit as well. It is a recreation of where Lewis and Clark wintered before heading home. I second the suggestion of Bowpicker for lunch. Excellent fish and chips. Line can be long though. If you rent a car and are interested in light houses there are two in Cape Disappointment State Park just across the river in Washington. Several Lewis & Clark sites in this area as well. A visit to the Flavel House is also interesting. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
california mike Posted January 31, 2013 #16 Share Posted January 31, 2013 The maritime museum is worth visiting as are several local brew pubs if you drink beer. There is a good Lewis and Clark museum up the road over the Washington border Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Hag Posted February 2, 2013 #17 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Walk down the trail that goes along the river. Find the Goonies house and take your pictures in front of it. Look back up the thread at that map and find the column and the trail that leads up through the forest to it. That's a beautiful walk up the hill to the column, and I think anyone who goes to Astoria shouldn't miss that. We've done it twice and both times the column stairs were closed, so we couldn't go to the top of that. I hope you have better luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krueger2812 Posted February 6, 2013 #18 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I am interested in getting to the Goonies house via the trail.....can anyone be more specific about how to get there....directions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JoePDX Posted February 6, 2013 #19 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I am interested in getting to the Goonies house via the trail.....can anyone be more specific about how to get there....directions? The Goonies house is at 368 -38th St Astoria, OR 97103According to mapquest that is about 3.2 miles one way from where the ship will dock at The Port of Astoria. It would take you through the downtown area. When I met some people who came in on another cruise ship, there was a shuttle - not sure if it would take you there or not. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krueger2812 Posted February 7, 2013 #20 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted February 7, 2013 #21 Share Posted February 7, 2013 The Goonies house is at 368 -38th St Astoria, OR 97103According to mapquest that is about 3.2 miles one way from where the ship will dock at The Port of Astoria. It would take you through the downtown area. When I met some people who came in on another cruise ship, there was a shuttle - not sure if it would take you there or not. Joe Just looked at the map posted above. You could take the trolley to the end and walk up the hill. It's a big hill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr green Posted February 10, 2013 #22 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Somewhat nostalgic, a step back in time if you will to the days which were more relaxing. Interesting. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gottagoacruzn Posted February 22, 2013 #23 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Hi guys, to those who will be going to Astoria Column, be aware there's 164 steps to climb when you get there.:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JoePDX Posted February 22, 2013 #24 Share Posted February 22, 2013 (edited) Hi guys, to those who will be going to Astoria Column, be aware there's 164 steps to climb when you get there.:eek: True, however, the view from the base of the column is also wonderful. You can see the whole mouth of the Columbia River, across in to Washington State and the City of Astoria below you. I've been there twice and never climbed to the top. Joe Edited February 22, 2013 by JoePDX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanWeGoYet? Posted February 25, 2013 #25 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Hi guys, to those who will be going to Astoria Column, be aware there's 164 steps to climb when you get there.:eek: It was a nice little climb, and the staircase is plenty wide enough that if you need to take a breather & others behind you want to charge ahead (or are coming down the stairs) there is plenty of room to step aside to let others pass. I did this, took the trolley there. Friend and I also walked around downtown, went into a picturesque old theater & took photos, found an art gallery (there was the artist with the showing handing out postcards at an intersection a block away). We browsed several shops, found lovely & unusual hand made merchandise - not the typical junk you find for sale for the tourists. There were town volunteers with vests on at the port area & scattered throughout the town to give a welcome to the cruise passengers & help answer questions. This was really one of the sweetest towns for cruise passengers on a port stop I've visited so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now