Astoria Warrenton

Explore Astoria and Warrenton with Traveling with a Chair

Exploring Astoria and Warrenton: Accessible for All

This page is a new addition to our website in 2024 and the draft is in progress.  Please excuse our mess during construction.  

Whether a slow walker or wheelchair user, or a hidden disability, we want everyone to feel welcome in Astoria and Warrenton.

Learn more at the Wheel the World Destination Verified landing page for Astoria and Warrenton.



Astoria and Warrenton Achieve 'Destination Verified' Status by Wheel the World

The North Coast Towns Receive Verified Seal as Part of its Dedication to Improve Accessible Travel

Astoria and Warrenton's partnership with Wheel the World, a travel booking platform dedicated to accessibility for travelers with disabilities, is driven by efforts of the Lower Columbia Tourism Committee (LCTC) and the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) which recognizes the importance of providing reliable accessibility information. This collaboration consists of Wheel the World doing an audit of local businesses' accessibility features and aggregating information into hotel and activity listings on wheeltheworld.com, so travelers can confidently make decisions before arriving to a destination. 

As an early adopter of this program, LCTC orchestrated accessibility audits of 40 sites including attractions, restaurants, and hotels around Astoria and Warrenton. Each participating business received a detailed report from Wheel the World with recommendations for improvements. Properties that have been assessed include the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa, the Columbia River Maritime Museum, Fort Stevens Historic Area and Gaetano’s Market and Deli.

“Our mission is to ensure every visitor to Astoria and Warrenton enjoys a satisfying and accessible experience," said Caroline Wuebben, LCTC president. "Partnering with Wheel the World allows us to demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity, assuring travelers that their needs will be met with care."

Other businesses and sites in the Astoria and Warrenton area that would like more information about this project are encouraged to contact the LCTC via the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce. The LCTC plans to continue the work with Wheel the World and explore other ways to ensure our community is a welcoming environment for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. The comprehensive accessibility data is now available on wheeltheworld.com, enabling travelers to make informed decisions before visiting Astoria and Warrenton.
 



Wheel the World

Knowing what to expect when arriving in a new destination is important to all travelers. Wheel the World is committed to providing detailed information so that travelers can determine what is a good fit for their own need. Wheel the World is working with dozens of destinations in Oregon, including Astoria and Warrenton, to assess the accessibility of lodging, activities and restaurants and share that information through their Destination Guides. Wheel the World's brand purpose is: We believe that we, people with disabilities, should experience the world like anyone else. We know that all of us have different needs when it comes to accessibility and planning a trip can be a big effort. Read their travel guide for Astoria and Warrenton, Oregon: Accessible Guide to Astoria: Hotels, Activities, and Restaurants in this Charming Coastal Town where they conclude that This small coastal town is perfect for a vacation, weekend getaway, or even a day-trip. There is so much to explore and the best part: it is very accessible.
A woman in wheelchair and man stroll along a wooden path in the forest.

Traveling with a Chair

Ken and Cheryl, of Traveling with a Chair, share their experiences, insights, and tips to help individuals travel with disabilities. Their goal is to help you "Live Your Best Life from a WheelChair."  Wheel the World and the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce invited TWAC to visit, evaluate and share the experience of a wheelchair user in the Astoria and Warrenton area.
Here we share some excerpts from their blog post, Exploring Astoria in a Wheelchair: An Oregon Coast Town. 

We had a fully accessible room with a roll-in shower and lots of rails to make things easy. The property also had an accessible indoor pool, and the exterior was easy to access. 

We found the downtown area in Astoria very accessible with good curb cuts, and many of the restaurants and stores had either a flat entry or a ramp. Everywhere we wanted to eat was accessed without any issues. The Astoria River walk is very accessible, and it uses a wooden bridge that is shared with the antique trolley that runs along part of the river walk. It is the perfect place to watch the ships moving up or down the river. 

Ken found the Maritime Museum fascinating and we spent an entire morning there. It focuses on the history of the Columbia River and the surrounding Pacific Ocean.  The Peter Iredale shipwreck is one of the most visible and accessible shipwrecks in this area. It is located on the beach in Fort Stevens State Park.

Fort Clatsop National Memorial commemorates the 1805-1806 winter encampment of the 33-member Lewis and Clark Expedition. The fort itself is accessible from one side of the building. In addition, there are several trails that are worth rolling along. You travel over dirt and wood bark and the terrain is hilly going down the river path. This may limit some types of mobility devices.

National Council on Aging

More than 6.8 million Americans use assistive devices to help them with movement, which can make transportation accessibility tricky, especially during travel. Travel isn't just a luxury, it's a vital aspect of well being. The National Council on Aging created a Mobility-Friendly Travel Guide, which includes:
  • How to plan and prepare for long-distance travel if you use a mobility aid such as a wheelchair, walker, or cane
  • A complete list of mobility device policies for major air, bus, train, and cruise lines so readers can research for their unique needs
  • Safety tips for using and carrying mobility devices in each mode of transportation, including rental options
Click here to view the complimentary guide on their website.

Travel for all in Astoria and Warrenton

Whether a slow walker or wheelchair user or a hidden disability, we want everyone to feel welcome in Astoria and Warrenton. Tag your Instagram photos with #AccessibleAstoria to potentially be added to this gallery.