Here in Oregon, we have major love for our small towns. While Portland, Salem, and Eugene are all marvelous, there are so many small towns in Oregon that we hold near and dear to our heart. Astoria, Oregon, is one of these superlative little locales — and it seems the rest of the country is catching on to its charms, too! Recently, Esquire named Astoria as one of its Charming American Towns You Haven’t Heard of But Should Visit ASAP, and it truly is one of the best places to escape for a small town vacation in America.
Astoria isn’t just Oregon’s oldest town; it’s also the oldest American settlement on the West Coast. In addition to its impressive historical clout, the town’s Astoria-Megler Bridge is a PNW icon.
The media outlet explained, “if you love history, you’ll love exploring this interesting town and its many museums, like the Columbia River Maritime Museum.”
Pictured here is the Flavel House Museum, located on the corner of 8th and Duane in downtown Astoria. The Flavel House is one of the most stunning examples of Queen Anne-style architecture on the West Coast. The house was designed by a German-American architect Carl W. Leick, and built in 1886 for the town’s bigwig river pilot Captain George Flavel. Today, visitors can tour the Flavel House and admire its well-preserved, Victorian-era features.
Nearby, the Heritage Museum is actually located in Astoria’s former City Hall building, and features numerous exhibits and galleries chronicling the town’s history.
A newer museum in Astoria, the Garden of Surging Waves is a city park designed to honor and celebrate the Chinese heritage of Astoria and Lower Columbia River Basin. It’s a history lesson that’s so important to learn.
In more recent history, film fans likely recognize Astoria as the town where “Goonies” was filmed. While the iconic “Goonies House” is closed, fans can revel in movie memorabilia at the Oregon Film Museum.
The building in which the museum is housed is actually the former Clatsop County Jail, which was featured in many Oregon-filmed flicks, including the famous opening jailbreak scene from “Goonies!”
Just outside town, Fort Stevens State Park is one of Oregon’s most iconic places. Known for the abandoned ghost ship on its shores, this Oregon State Park is located on the former Fort Stevens military base, where barracks, lookout towers, and other features still stand.
Located right on the water, the views from this oceanfront inn are positively perfect.
This small town isn’t just a haven for historians; it’s also one of the most scenic, charming, and interesting places in Oregon. So follow Esquire’s advice, and make Astoria your next getaway in Oregon!
For the record, Oregon actually had three small towns on Esquire’s list; Hood River and Cottage Grove were also named, and we absolutely adore these lovely little places, too!
