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Astoria Riverwalk
Signs of a seaport historic city:
Ship traffic, anchored freighters awaiting entry, nimble pilot boats guiding giants upriver, commercial fishing vessels unloading the catch of the day, Coast Guard cutters patrolling the channel, sea birds circling above, and bald eagles nesting in cottonwoods. This is Astoria—a working waterfront that doesn’t pretend, doesn’t polish. It simply is.
Spend even an hour on the Astoria Riverwalk, and you’ll feel the pulse of this place: the raw energy of a city shaped by water, work, and time. Stretching five miles along the mighty Columbia River, the Riverwalk is more than a scenic stroll—it’s a living museum, a story told by tide and timber, iron rail and interpretive sign.
Where History Breathes
The Riverwalk traces the old trolley tracks and cannery sites from the early 1800s. Back then, Astoria was the first permanent U.S. settlement on the Pacific Coast—a place where fur traders, loggers, and fishermen converged at the edge of the known world. Today, those roots remain visible in every plank of the dock and rusted bolt in the warehouses.
Designated city signs dot the path, offering snapshots of Astoria’s past: Lewis & Clark’s arrival, Scandinavian immigrants building canneries by hand, and the 1922 fire that reshaped downtown. Each stop adds depth to the view, revealing a layered legacy beneath the river’s glittering surface.
What You’ll See (and Smell, and Hear)
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The scent of salt air, tinged with creosote and alder smoke from across the hills.
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The blast of a ship’s horn, announcing its presence as it slips into port.
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The clang of the trolley bell, echoing like a ghost of the past.
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The cries of gulls, mingled with laughter from children spotting sea lions sunbathing beneath the pier.
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And sunsets—fiery and theatrical—casting golden trails across the water as the river swallows the sun.
Highlights Along the Way
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The Astoria-Megler Bridge: An engineering marvel stretching 4.1 miles to Washington, best viewed at golden hour.
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Buoy Beer Company: Enjoy a pint with river views from a restored cannery.
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The Maritime Memorial: Pause here and read the etched names of those who lived—and sometimes died—by this river.
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13th Street Pier: A perfect spot to watch fishing boats come in or spot harbor seals.
Tips for Your Walk
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Start at 39th Street and head west. You’ll hit shops, breweries, piers, and eventually downtown.
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Dress in layers—Astoria’s weather changes quickly. Bring a windbreaker.
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Keep an eye out for the vintage trolley. For just $1, it’ll take you the length of the walk and back if your feet get tired.
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Look for the sea lions under the docks near the East Mooring Basin. You’ll hear them before you see them!
A Walk Worth Returning To
Whether you’re here to explore history, breathe in fresh river air, capture stunning photos, or just take a quiet walk with a coffee in hand, the Astoria Riverwalk offers something rare: an unfiltered window into a place where nature, industry, and history meet.
When you’re ready to return, simply retrace your steps—or better yet, hop aboard the clanging river trolley and ride back into town like a local.
What a day.
Iconic view of Astoria Megler Bridge & Columbia River from Riverwalk