Bordered by the Columbia River and Youngs Bay, with Victorian-era homes dotting the streets, Astoria is a perfect mix of old and new. Just north of Seaside, it makes for an easy and beautiful escape year-round but especially in the cooler season, as the fog rolls in off the water. As the oldest city west of the Rockies, Astoria is well steeped in history, and you may feel as though you’ve entered the pages of a storybook or walked onto the set of a dockside film — and in some cases, you wouldn’t be wrong. Here’s a look at some of the city’s vibrant new hotels, restaurants and shops that you’ll want to discover for yourself.
Lodging With a Front-Row Seat to Ships and Storm Watching
One of Astoria’s latest properties is designed to help you forget about your meetings and to-dos, and encourages you to instead revel in the moment. Sitting right on the edge of the Columbia River, the Bowline Hotel is well suited for a stress-free getaway. Many of the hotel’s rooms open up to a riverfront seating area, so you can drink your coffee or have a nightcap while being entranced by the ebb and flow of the Columbia as it meets the Pacific. With amenities like in-room fireplaces, soaking tubs and inventive cocktails at The Knot Bar, it won’t be hard to unwind. The Bowline is an excellent place to watch the river barges come and go as well as partake in a favorite Oregon Coast activity: storm watching. Cozy up by the fire and watch the weather drama play out against your window from the safety of your lodging.
A mile west of the Bowline is the newly remodeled Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa, situated in a historic building on a pier over the Columbia River with a monumental view of the Astoria-Megler Bridge. The beloved hotel’s elevated amenities include in-room fireplaces, a full-service spa and Bar 600, which serves classic cocktails, Oregon wine and locally craft beer. Rooms come with a clawfoot tub, a riverfront balcony and other luxuries.
Fresh Crab, Tacos and Feel-Good Brews
Astoria has long held a special place in the heart of seafood lovers, but the newest restaurants and eateries offer even more of a reason to eat your way through the city. The rockfish and lingcod from South Bay Wild Fish House are fresh, delicious and largely sourced from their family owned shipping vessel. More excellent dining choices on the riverfront are Italian restaurant Fede, focusing on local ingredients and Mexican restaurant El Jarocho, beloved for their margaritas.
If it’s a burger you’re craving, check out the tasty smash-burger creations at Coastal Smash, one of the food carts you can enjoy on the dog-friendly patio of Buoy Beer Company. Located in a historic building, Fort George Brewery offers multiple floors for gathering and some of the best food and drink on tap in the region — plus an over-water taproom on the pier opening in the summer of 2025. As you sip their seasonal and year-round ales, you can feel good knowing the brewery prioritizes sustainability by sourcing local ingredients and working with nonprofits that reinvest in the community.
Explore Astoria’s Exceptional Shopping Scene
You don’t need a reason to shop Astoria’s collection of boutique shops. Perusing the shelves curated with unique finds, you’ll find the perfect gift, a sentimental memento or a special treat just for you. For the young and young at heart, Bonsai Hollow Beyond Games has an impressive offering of toys, games and collectibles. Find quirky novelties and gags at The Magic Shop & More. Specializing in beautiful wood furniture and impressive charcuterie boards, Ashriver Woodworks is worth popping into. Astoria Vintage Hardware, located downtown, offers unique antiques, gifts and the perfect little something to adorn your home.
Getting to and around Astoria
- Astoria Riverfront Trolley: A seasonal tour along the scenic Astoria Riverfront
- North Coast Express: Get from the Portland Area to Astoria and nearby towns on an eco-friendly shuttle
