Fun In The Rain
In the midst of the temperate rain forest it stands to reason Astoria, Oregon gets quite a bit of rain. But a lot of the rainfall in this coastal community is the “Here it comes. POW! There it goes.” variety. So there are lots of breaks between the storms. And when the sun shines through the crystal-clear, just-washed air, the beauty of it is almost overwhelming.
Rain or shine, there’s plenty to engage your interest. The beautiful breaks between storms offer opportunities to walk on the beach, hike in the woods, enjoy one of the grandest views on the west coast from the Astoria Column, stroll among Astoria’s pristine Victorian homes or gather great buys in the city’s eclectic and historic downtown.
You can visit an old shipwreck on the beach, bicycle far from traffic along paved forest paths, see the beauty Lewis & Clark saw at Youngs River Falls, find Fort Astoria where American settlement of the West began, marvel at the spectacular Cathedral Tree, visit two beautiful lighthouses just across the river, or see the Columbia River Bar from the South Jetty.
When the rain comes down, you can get in touch with the danger and romance of the sea at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Trace history back to the native Clatsops and Chinooks at the Heritage Museum. Peek in on the life of a Victorian millionaire at the Flavel House Museum. Or explore military history dating back to the Civil War at Fort Stevens State Park.
You can browse the numerous antique shops, art galleries and bookstores, curl up by the fire in a cozy B&B;, take an indoor swim, slip down the slide, float with the current or work out at Astoria’s stunning new Aquatic Center, or enjoy the spectacle of crashing waves and skyrockets of spray by indulging in some good, old fashioned storm watching.
And you can visit Fort Clatsop to know the experience of the Lewis & Clark Expedition during the winter of 1805-06. Here, as the rains came down, they celebrated the completion of their exploration to the Pacific, worked on their voluminous journals and prepared for their return trek to the United States in the spring.
Historic. Beautiful. Unhurried. Uncrowded. (Wet) Astoria!