Date posted: 1/26/2026

For this trip idea, we're hearing from Linh DePledge, Vice President of Brand and Communications for Vesta Hospitality, who lives in Astoria, Oregon, with her husband and their adorable pug, Sammy. When she’s not shaping brands, Linh is deeply involved in her community and passionate about supporting the places and people that make coastal Oregon special.

In 2026, as the United States marks its 250th Anniversary, there’s no better place to experience that milestone than Astoria and Warrenton, Oregon, where the American story meets the Pacific Ocean. Located at the mouth of the Columbia River, this corner of the Oregon Coast offers visitors a rare blend of dramatic scenery, walkable history, and authentic coastal culture.

Founded in 1811, Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains and the nation’s first foothold on the Pacific Coast. Today, that legacy is easy to experience. Stroll the Astoria Riverwalk, watch ships arrive from across the globe, explore historic neighborhoods, and you’ll feel how the river and ocean have shaped life here from the very beginning.

Astoria’s story is rooted in global trade, maritime ambition, and deep collaboration with Indigenous peoples who knew this landscape intimately. The Chinook and Clatsop peoples shaped early commerce and culture along the lower Columbia River, and their influence remains an essential part of the region’s identity. That layered heritage gives Astoria its unmistakable character, creative, resilient, and deeply connected to the water.


Columbia River Maritime Museum

As America celebrates its Semiquincentennial, visitors are invited to experience history not as something distant, but as something you can step into. Throughout the year, the Columbia River Maritime Museum and the Clastop County Historical Society Heritage Museum in Astoria are helping to tell America’s 250th birthday with programs that bring the region’s past to life, from interactive explorations of the fur trade and Indigenous commerce to engaging talks and exhibits on maritime industries, lifesaving services, and the vessels that defined life along the river.


Clatsop County Historical Society Heritage Museum & Archives

Just minutes away, Warrenton adds another dimension to the story, and another reason to extend your stay. A visit to Fort Stevens State Park, one of the most significant military sites on the West Coast, offers a powerful reminder of the Columbia River’s strategic importance. Walk through historic gun batteries, explore coastal trails, and visit the famous Peter Iredale shipwreck, all set against sweeping ocean views. It’s one of the most memorable places to experience history in the open air.


The Peter Iredale Shipwreck at Fort Stevens State Park in Warrenton.

Engage even further with the region’s history at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Fort Clatsop, where visitors can experience the place where the Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1805–06. Walk the grounds, visit the historic canoe landing, or explore nearby forest trails to gain a sense of the daily challenges and triumphs faced more than 200 years ago. If coastal weather rolls in, the Visitor Center offers informative films, interpretive exhibits, and a bookstore that adds valuable context to the journey west.


Fort Clatsop replica at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.

Back in Astoria, don’t miss the Astoria Column, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026. Climb to the top for panoramic views of forest, river, ocean, and town, a breathtaking perspective that ties together everything that makes this place special. Below, enjoy fresh seafood, locally roasted coffee, craft brews, historic hotels, independent shops, and a lively downtown that blends old-town charm with creative energy.


The Astoria Column

The region’s deep maritime and fishing heritage comes to life at Pier 39 with a visit to the Hanthorn Cannery Museum. Once home to Bumble Bee Seafoods, the Hanthorn Cannery opened in 1875 and stands today as the oldest surviving cannery pier on the Columbia River. The museum offers a compelling look at the workers, innovations, and industries that helped shape Astoria as a working waterfront and global port.


Hanthorn Cannery Museum at Pier 39 Astoria.

What makes visiting Astoria and Warrenton during America’s 250th especially meaningful is how seamlessly history and hospitality meet. Between museum visits and scenic walks, you’ll find welcoming places to stay, flavorful local dining, and community events that invite you to slow down and savor the moment.

As the nation turns 250, Astoria and Warrenton offer more than a history lesson, they offer an experience. Come stand where the continent meets the Pacific, explore landscapes that shaped the American story, and create travel memories rooted in discovery, beauty, and connection.

As part of the official America 250 celebration, communities across the country are being invited to take part in initiatives that honor service, storytelling, and civic connection. One such effort, Our American Story, encourages people to recognize the individuals who inspire them by sharing stories of friends, family members, neighbors, and community leaders whose voices deserve to be heard. Another national initiative, America Gives, challenges individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and community groups to increase volunteering and local impact beginning in 2026. The goal is to make the Semiquincentennial a record-setting year of service and to inspire a renewed culture of giving that lasts well beyond the anniversary.  More information about these and other efforts can be found at america250.org/get-involved.

Local events are available year round, offering festive gatherings, cozy indoor fun, and ways to experience community like a local.  Discover inviting places to stay and inspiration for your next getaway