About Columbia River Maritime Museum

Columbia River Maritime Museum

Recognition Programs

Explore the world of marine transportation from the days of dugout canoes, through the age of sail, to the present.

Watch a dramatic 12-minute film introducing the history and perils of the the Columbia River. Sail a model boat on the newly opened Warnock Model Boat Pond. Walk the bridge of a World War II warship, marvel at the 44-foot motor lifeboat plowing through a wave in a rescue mission. Participate in four interactive and hands-on exhibits including taking the helm in a tugboat wheelhouse. 

The museum's 3D theater brings family-friendly movies to life in grand fashion, onto the huge screen and in pure digital surround sound.

And what's more…you can board the Lightship Columbia, a National Historic Landmark, that once guided ships to safety at the mouth of the Columbia River.

Recognition Programs

Reviews & Ratings

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.7/5 TripAdvisor Traveler Rating based on 1864 reviews
  • TripAdvisor Rating
    July 15, 2026
    LindsayKoehler

    Best museum I've visited in quite some time

    Fantastic attraction! The interpretive signs were well done and the exhibits cover a very broad range of topics. I'm a read-all-the-signs person; my partner is not, and we both got a lot out of our 3-hour visit. Random thoughts: We started on the lightship; we were too late for the engine room tour, unfortunately (check the website for timing if that's of interest to you). There seemed to be enough to keep even young children occupied, though those old enough to read would obviously get more from the visit. The Coast Guard boat display was creative, dramatic, and educational. There's a great interactive game where you are a captain taking a large vessel upriver that gives some insight into the myriad hazards and decisions they face. The exhibits on the Bar were impactful -- not sure if I'm up for that passage in rough weather. Exhibits on Astoria canning and fishing gave a good feel for the area's early days. Honestly, if I lived locally I'd become a member so I could stop in from time to time to soak up more!

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    May 29, 2026
    Pelicanman

    Visit and learn so much!

    Not often do I visit a museum and walk away with so much new information! The Columbia River is fascinating and dangerous. And toured a coast guard light ship (basically a light house on a boat).

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    May 27, 2026
    klamathkennedys

    a treasure trove of regional history and lore....

    a terrific place, so much history, to much for one building, so they are building a second one (opens Oct. 26) the 3d movies were good, but really don't speak to the history and lore of the region. the Docent Tour was great, and covered highlights of the museum.

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    May 10, 2026
    WorldTravellerfromGB

    A great stop for cruise ship passengers

    This museum is a pleasant 25-minute riverside walk from the cruise ship terminal and is well worth the visit. It is surprisingly interesting while also being genuinely educational. There are plenty of real-life exhibits, including a piece of wreckage from the Exxon Valdez, memorabilia from cruise ships of years gone by that once visited the port, and displays covering various maritime disasters. One of the highlights is the light ship. Yes, that is not a typo, a light ship rather than a lighthouse, which you can actually go aboard and explore for yourself.

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    April 25, 2026
    edkrasinski

    Maritime

    Took a tour of the engine room which was very unique, so much maritime history here.

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