 | | Astoria, Oregon | | Includes Hammond, Warrenton, Knappa, Olney, Seaside, and Gearhart | |
| | | Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. Within 20 miles of Astoria, visitors can access dozens of attractions including Fort Clatsop National Memorial, Fort Stevens State Park, Fort Astoria, Heritage Center Museum, Flavel House Museum, Uppertown Fire Fighters Museum, Astoria Column, and the Columbia River Maritime Museum, home to one of the nation's finest displays of model ships and nautical artifacts.Astoria also features Victorian homes, the 4.1-mile long Astoria Bridge, cruise ships, and fishing charters offering fishing for salmon, sturgeon, or crab. A walk to explore the city's waterfront should include stops at the 6th Street Viewing Dock, the 14th Street Riverpark with its interpretive panels of river activity, and the 17th Street Pier where there's a chance to tour visiting ships. Ride the 1913 trolley that runs beside the Riverwalk and discover the bustling business district with its many unique shops and galleries.Travelers with children should take in Uppertown Firefighters Museum, which features fire-fighting memorabilia from 1877 to 1963. The collection includes motorized, hand-pulled and horse-drawn fire engines, as well as a large photo collection from some of Astoria's fires. The Astoria Children's Museum is located on the second floor, and offers interactive and educational play experiences for children.Astoria celebrates its Scandinavian heritage with the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, held in mid-June. Local Icelanders, Finns, Danes, Norwegians and Swedes join together to celebrate their heritage where costumed local townspeople dance the midsummer pole dance, see the bonfire burn to destroy evil spirits, and the tugs-of-war pitting Scandinavian nationalities against each other. The festival features authentic Scandinavian musicians, a smorgasbord of old world delicacies, ethnic entertainment, dancing, crafts and a parade. | | | | |
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