8 family-friendly day and weekend trips to try: making the most of summer

By Amy Wang / Published at OregonLive.com


If your summer travel budget won’t stretch to cover airfare, or if you’re just not a fan of family air travel, try a road trip. Here in Portland, we’re fortunate to have plentiful great destinations within reasonable driving distance.
 

ASTORIA

Outdoor attractions: Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery camped from December 1805 to March 1806.

Astoria Column, a historical marker that visitors can climb for a view of the coast.

Riverwalk, a 5.1-mile paved trail that takes pedestrians along the waterfront past not only shops and restaurants but also working fish processors. The Astoria Riverfront Trolley runs alongside the trail. 

Astoria Sunday Market, with food, crafts, music and much more in the heart of downtown.

Fort Stevens State Park, best known for the wreck of the Peter Iredale. There are also junior ranger programs.

The Garden of Surging Waves, an interpretive park dedicated to the city’s Chinese-American heritage, is set to open May 17.

Indoor attractions:

Columbia River Maritime Museum, which is home to interactive exhibits on the legendary Columbia River Bar, the salmon canneries that once ran the local economy, and the lightship Columbia, a National Historic Landmark.

Oregon Film Museum, which celebrates locally shot movies such as "The Goonies."

Astoria Aquatic Center has a recreation pool, slides and pool toys.

Where to eat:

Bowpicker Fish & Chips, Wet Dog Café, Fort George Brewery and Public House.  Travel Astoria has more restaurant suggestions.

Where to stay: The Holiday Inn Express has a great location on the riverfront. TripAdvisor has more hotel suggestions.

Only in Astoria: The musical “Shanghaied in Astoria,” a family-friendly production that lovingly lampoons local history (be prepared for lots of Scandinavian jokes) is entering its 30th season and runs from July 11 to Sept. 14. 

Travel Astoria has more family fun ideas.



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