The Seattle Traveler

Winter Weekend Getaway: Astoria, Oregon

by Mary Jo on November 16th, 2007

Just because winter is looming is no reason to think that you’re stuck inside at home.  While it may be rainy and dreary here in the city, that same weather in other locations can bring about a decidedly different feel.

For example about a 3 1/2 - 4 hour drive Seattle is Astoria, Oregon, a wonderful place to spend a winter weekend.

Astoria, a city of about around 10,000, is situated near the mouth of the Columbia River.  Numerous hotels dot the area, several of which provide great views of the River.  A couple worth considering are the Hotel Elliott, the Cannery Pier Hotel, and the Red Lion Inn.

While it might be tempting to stay inside all day, watching a storm play out across the water, I recommend that you take a little drive to the Astoria Column on Coxcomb Hill.  The location on Coxcomb Hill is the site of the first permanent American Settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. 

The 125 foot high tower was built in 1926, at a cost of a little over twenty seven thousand dollars, with funding from Vincent Astor (great grandson of John Jacob Astor for whom the city was named) and the Great Northern Railroad.  It has 14 pictorial scenes reflecting, in chronological order, the history of the Pacific Northwest Coast:  the arrival of the European settlers, the westward expansion, and the development of a continental nation.  The earliest scenes are at the base of the column and progress upward.

Although the site itself boasts spectacular views, even more spectacular are the views from the observation deck at the top of monument, reached by climbing 164 steps up an internal spiral staircase.  From the viewing platform you can see not only the mouth of the Columbia River, but also the Astoria Bridge, Young’s Bay, the shoreline of Washington State, Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Saddle Mountain, and the Pacific Ocean.

Location:  Astoria is a 3 1/2 - 4 hour drive from Seattle, about an hour and a half from Portland Oregon, and just slightly less from Vancouver, Washington.  It’s an easy, and scenic drive.

Hours:  Dawn to dusk.

Admission:  $1 per car donation is requested.

The Astoria Column is both an impressive piece of architecture and history, and has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.  It’s a great place to visit summer or winter.

Photo credit:  morgueFile (scenic photo); wikipedia (column)

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POSTED IN: Attractions, Great Places to Unwind, Scenic & Short Trips