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 1861 reviews
  • 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.

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    April 17, 2026
    Robert L

    Well done

    Especially being in the middle of nowhere, this is a great little museum. It touches on a number of topics but my favorite was all the shipwrecks. Good video clips and life size models. Highly recommended.

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    March 24, 2026
    ChicagoHiker2

    Columbia River Maritime Museum!

    This is great maritime museum located in Astoria, Oregon. It sits right on the Columbia River and gives an excellent history of navigation, on the Columbia River, from past to present. It includes a number of interesting displays, showing fishing on the river, history about transport, up and down the Columbia, Coast Guard activities in protecting navigation on the river, and other interesting nautical facts and history. The museum offers two 3D movie presentations, we saw one on Aircraft Carriers. You can also tour the Lightship Columbia, which is permanently docked, at a pier, just outside the museum. It rains, sometimes, in Oregon ... this is a great activity for a rainy day!

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    January 2, 2026
    fungramma51

    Nice museum, lots to see.

    The museum is very nicely set up with lots of exhibits, many full size boats as well. It includes admission to the lighthouse boat out in the harbor during certain hours (it closes earlier than the main museum). They do offer a senior discount.

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