Date posted: 5/19/2026

Since 1892, Gimre’s Shoes has remained a downtown Astoria fixture, continuing more than a century of local retail tradition.
Photo courtesy of Clatsop County Historical Society

There’s something different about exploring Astoria and Warrenton.

History here isn’t tucked away behind glass. It’s painted across downtown brick buildings, preserved in old forts and theaters, and reflected in the working waterfront where ships still move along the Columbia River every day.

You can spend the morning walking streets shaped by more than 200 years of history, sip coffee inside a century-old building, browse bookstores and boutiques tucked into historic storefronts, then end the day watching the sunset near the remains of a shipwreck on the beach.

For this edition, we’re grateful to the Lower Columbia Preservation Society for their support and expertise, with special thanks to Sarah and Eric for helping bring our historic stories to life.

See Astoria Through Fresh Eyes

Downtown walking tours hosted by the Lower Columbia Preservation Society uncover the stories behind Astoria’s historic buildings, businesses, and neighborhoods.

Photo courtesy of Lower Columbia Preservation Society.

One of the best ways to experience Astoria’s story is on the guided Downtown Astoria Historic District Walking Tour, offered Sundays from Mother’s Day through mid-October by the Lower Columbia Preservation Society.

The 90-minute walking tour begins at the Astoria Nordic Heritage Park and winds through downtown to the Flavel House Museum, exploring Astoria’s architectural heritage, working waterfront, immigration history, and resilience through fire, industry, and reinvention.

Along the way, visitors pass landmarks both grand and humble from ornate commercial buildings to streets that once bustled with canneries, saloons, and maritime trade.

Learn more and register to join an upcoming tour here.

The restored Liberty Theatre has anchored downtown Astoria entertainment since 1925.
Photo courtesy of Liberty Theatre.

After the tour, spend the afternoon continuing your own exploration of downtown Astoria.

Catch a performance or peek inside the beautifully restored Liberty Theatre, discover salvaged coastal history at Astoria Vintage Hardware, or settle in for lunch and a local pint at Fort George Brewery, located inside a historic auto garage and warehouse building overlooking downtown.

If you’re visiting on Sunday, the Astoria Sunday Market fills the streets with local art, handmade goods, and regional food vendors just steps from the riverfront, mid-May to mid-October.


Volunteer conductors on the Astoria Riverfront Trolley connect riders with the city’s history.

More ways to explore

For those who want to go deeper, there are several additional ways to experience the area with a guide:

Historic Places, Modern Adventures

The Rosebriar Mansion welcomes guests with historic character, sweeping views, and thoughtfully restored suites.
Photo courtesy of Rosebriar Mansion.


Astoria’s history isn’t frozen in time. Many of the city’s historic spaces have found new life as hotels, restaurants, breweries, and gathering places. Staying, dining, and exploring here often means stepping directly into the city’s layered past.

Here's just a glimpse of where you can experience our history during your visit:

Historic Places to Stay

  • Rosebriar Mansion - former convent turned intimate lodging and event venue with seven guest suites
  • Norblad Hotel - historic downtown hotel offering simple, centrally located stays in a restored building
  • Hotel Elliott - restored 1920s landmark blending historic architecture with modern comfort
  • Clementine’s Guest House - Victorian-era home offering boutique accommodations near downtown Astoria
  • Bowline Hotel - riverfront stay inspired by the working waterfront and maritime history of the Columbia

Continue the tradition of gathering around good food inside the historic Labor Temple building.
Photo courtesy of Labor Temple Diner & Bar.

History, Served Fresh

  • Workers Tavern - First opened in 1906 as Workers Cafe, the oldest restaurant on the Oregon Coast.
  • T. Paul’s Supper Club - A downtown restaurant serving classic comfort food in the historic Liberty Theatre block.
  • Labor Temple Diner & Bar - A restaurant and gathering space in the oldest union hall in the Pacific Northwest, built specifically as a union hall in 1924.
  • Bridgewater Bistro - Riverfront dining in a restored cannery-era building overlooking the Columbia near the Astoria-Megler Bridge.
  • Astoria Brewing Company Pub - Astoria's first brewery since Prohibition, opened in 1997, and continues to welcome families to their waterfront location.

Nearby in Warrenton and Hammond, history takes on a different scale.


The Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter of 1805–1806 at Fort Clatsop.

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park preserves Fort Clatsop, where the Corps of Discovery spent the wet winter of 1805–1806 before beginning their journey home. The fort housed just over 30 expedition members and was built quickly from local timber to withstand months of near-constant rain. During their stay, they relied heavily on local knowledge and trade with members of the Clatsop and Chinookan peoples who had long lived in the region. Today, visitors can explore a reconstructed fort, walking trails, and interpretive exhibits that bring that winter and our broader Indigenous history to life.

Fort Stevens State Park preserves decades of military history stretching from the Civil War through World War II. Visitors can explore old gun batteries, military structures, forest trails, and the iconic shipwreck of the Peter Iredale along the beach. Concrete bunkers and windswept coastal views offer a powerful reminder of the region’s strategic role in defending the Columbia River.

Take Your Time Exploring

Small shops, historic storefronts, and unexpected finds are part of what makes wandering downtown Astoria so rewarding.
Shown: Gezellig Seafoods and Euro-Asian Grocery

The best trips to Astoria and Warrenton leave room for wandering. Once you’ve settled in and explored the architecture, attractions, and dining scene, take time to wander. Many of Astoria and Warrenton's historic buildings are still active today as shops, galleries, and entertainment venues. Each one offers another way to experience the region’s history up close.

Duck into a gallery you hadn’t planned to visit. Follow the Riverwalk a little farther than expected. Stop for chowder with a waterfront view. Browse antique shops, museums, and historic streets where every block feels connected to the people who built this corner of the Oregon Coast.

Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, there’s always another layer of history waiting to be discovered.

Keep Exploring Astoria & Warrenton

  • Trails Guide - Explore trails for all abilities around Astoria and Warrenton
  • Museums & Historic Sites - Discover more about our region's history, culture and heritage
  • Places to Stay - Find lodging in and around Astoria and Warrenton
  • Eat & Drink  - Discover local restaurants, seafood and places to enjoy a meal
  • Upcoming Events - See festivals, performances and other events happening in the region