One Day in Astoria, Oregon with Kids: Top Things To Do
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As I was researching our Oregon Coast trip, Astoria kept popping up—and I quickly realized there is so much more to Astoria than I could have imagined!
Not only is it the filming location for The Goonies (which instantly caught my attention), but my mom had also recently visited and raved about the Astoria Column.
That sealed the deal—Astoria made the list!
But once we arrived, I was completely surprised by all the things to do in Astoria for families.
Between the sweeping views, quirky downtown, rich history, and family-friendly vibe, Astoria turned out to be one of the most memorable spots on our trip.
Here’s how to spend a day in Astoria with kids that’s both doable and fun.
What Makes Astoria, Oregon Special?
Astoria is just about 30 minutes north of Seaside and sits at the mouth of the Columbia River, where it meets the Pacific Ocean. It’s packed with character, history, and movies!
Visiting Astoria definitely took me down memory lane and gave my kids a little crash course in classic movie pop culture, too.
Although Astoria is most famous for being the film location for The Goonies, a whole list of movies were filmed in and around Astoria—including Kindergarten Cop, Free Willy, Short Circuit, and The Ring.
Even if you’ve never seen any of those movies, Astoria’s charm and history stands on its own.
From iconic landmarks to waterfront walks, there’s no shortage of things to do in Astoria, Oregon!
It is the perfect doable, memorable, and fun stop for your family on your Oregon coast trip!
🌟 Top 5 Things to Do in Astoria with Kids
- Climb the Astoria Column for sweeping views and launch a toy airplane.
- Walk downtown Astoria for shops, treats, and small-town charm.
- Snap a photo at The Goonies House from the road.
- Visit the Oregon Film Museum for a quirky and interactive look at movies filmed in Astoria. Our kids loved it—even though it’s small!
- Explore Fort Stevens State Park just outside of town.
Our First Stop: Astoria Column
This was our first stop in Astoria—and it didn’t disappoint.
The 125-foot column sits atop Coxcomb Hill and offers panoramic views of the Columbia River, Pacific Ocean, and surrounding mountains.
The views are amazing even from the parking lot.
➡️ Want to make the most of your visit? Here are my top tips and things to know before you go:
- Pack a picnic: There are picnic tables and grassy spots perfect for lunch with a view.
- Parking is $5, and the pass is good for the entire calendar year.
Bonus: Save your parking pass because you can use it for one free admission to each of three different museums in town. We used our free admission on our visit to the Oregon Film Museum!
- Pro tip: At the gift shop, you can buy a glider for $1.00 to fly off the top of the column.
Our boys LOVED this! It was so fun to watch how far they soared—and to chase after gliders from other visitors, too.
- Climbing the 164-step spiral staircase to the top is a bit of a workout (going down is even trickier). The stairs are tight, so be prepared for people going both directions.
Tip: Have an adult carry the gliders up. A few mishaps happened when the kids tried climbing with theirs.
- The grounds are stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, but the column itself is not.
- Signage leading to the Astoria Column is excellent, and the streets even have images of the column to guide you there!
I highly recommend this stop—it’s scenic, historic, and fun all in one spot.
Our Next Stop: Oregon Film Museum
After the Astoria Column, we made the short 7-minute drive to the Oregon Film Museum—and it ended up being one of our kids’ favorite stops!
The Oregon Film Museum is located in the old Clatsop County Jail, which was used in the opening scene of The Goonies– so cool!
It is important to note that the museum is small and a bit tight, and they limit how many people are inside at a time. [The small size of the museum often surprises people when they visit.]
On our visit we did not have to wait at all but as we were leaving there were a few people waiting outside to enter.
The museum has three rooms:
➡️ Hot Set Room: With green screens and three movie set scenes (including one in a car). Kids can scan a movie pass, read lines from a teleprompter, and act it out.
Our kids loved this so much! They even enjoyed being the cameraman!
➡️ Screening Room: Where you can scan your pass and watch your movie clips—then email them to yourself to watch later too!
➡️ Jail Interior: Kids can take mug shots, explore the old jail cells, and leave messages for the Goonies.
💡 Tip: Don’t forget to get your free admission ticket with your Astoria Column parking pass!
Our Third Stop: Downtown Astoria + The Goonies House
After visiting the Oregon Film Museum, we headed further into downtown Astoria for a walk along Commercial Street.
It’s full of local shops, restaurants, and that small-town-meets-seaport feel. We enjoyed all of the charming buildings and peeking in all of the windows.
After our walk we grabbed lunch at Mac’d and More, a counter-service spot known for its mac and cheese and pizza (great for kids!).
Then we got back into the car and drove to check out the Goonies House.
🎥 The Goonies House is tucked into a residential area nearby. While the house is private property, you can somewhat see it from the road and snap a quick photo. Some people walked up the driveway to get a closer view—we did not.
More Astoria, Oregon Things to Do with Kids
If you’re staying longer or want to explore further, here are a few more options families will love:
- Fort Stevens State Park – Just 20 minutes away and full of hiking trails, a shipwreck on the beach, and military history. Kids will love exploring the remains of the Peter Iredale shipwreck and roaming the old military bunkers.
- Astoria Megler Bridge – Drive across the longest continuous truss bridge in North America! This impressive bridge connects Oregon to Washington over the Columbia River and offers scenic views along the way. It’s a quick and fun detour—especially exciting for kids who love bridges or spotting boats on the river below.
- Astoria Riverfront Trolley – This fun vintage trolley runs along the Astoria Riverwalk and is especially exciting for kids who love trains or need a break from walking. The entire ride is about 60 minutes. It’s just $1 per ride or $2 for the whole day and offers a relaxing way to see the waterfront and spot ships on the river.
- Columbia River Maritime Museum – A top-rated museum that’s perfect for families, especially if your kids are curious about boats, navigation, or maritime history. There are hands-on exhibits, real boats, and even a lightship you can explore. Great for a rainy-day activity or an educational stop that still feels fun.
Whether you’re stopping in for a few hours or staying overnight, you’ll find plenty of Astoria, Oregon things to do that work well for families with kids.
Where to Eat in Astoria with Kids
One of our favorite stops for lunch was Mac’d and More, a counter-service spot downtown that specializes in mac and cheese and pizza.
They offer a variety of creative options with different sauces to choose from.
The kids loved getting to eat pizza and mac and cheese!
Just note that while it’s not super fast, the staff was incredibly kind and welcoming.
This casual restaurant is perfect for families looking for something easy and kid-friendly.
If the weather’s nice, you might even grab your food to go and enjoy a picnic with a view at the Astoria Column.
Planning a full Oregon Coast trip? Don’t miss our day in Cannon Beach with Kids or our guide to Seaside, Oregon.
Tips for Visiting Astoria with Kids
- Use Your Astoria Column Parking Pass: It’s just $5 and valid all year. Bonus: It includes one free admission to the Oregon Film Museum plus two other museums, which is a great value!
- Carry the Gliders Up: If your kids are flying gliders from the Astoria Column, have an adult carry them up the stairs to avoid damage. We learned this the hard way!
- Plan Ahead for the Film Museum: The museum is small and may require a short wait to get in, but kids (especially school-age and up) will love filming scenes and scanning their passes to watch their mini-movies.
- Museum Ages: While younger kids can still enjoy tagging along, the Oregon Film Museum is best for kids who can read and follow along with the scenes.
- Give Yourself Time: Even small spots like the Film Museum can take longer than expected when your kids are engaged and excited.
Where We Stayed on Our Oregon Coast Trip
While visiting Astoria, we actually based ourselves in Seaside, just a 30-minute drive away. It was the perfect home base for exploring multiple towns along the coast.
We stayed in a beachfront condo with ocean views from our balcony—it was quiet, convenient, and our boys loved being able to run straight out to the beach!
Click here to find similar family-friendly Seaside rentals on VRBO »
➡️ Want help planning your Oregon Coast trip? Download my Family Travel Itinerary Planner (free and paid versions available!) to simplify your vacation planning.
May you LOVE your adventure! KW
