The Astoria Column — Attraction in Astoria

If you find yourself passing through Astoria, Oregon, I highly recommend making a stop at the Astoria Column, especially on a clear day. This historical landmark is a must-see and offers a unique and memorable experience.

Before you begin your ascent, be sure to visit the on-site gift shop. Here, you can purchase small gliders, which you can launch from the top of the column. This fun activity adds an extra layer of enjoyment to your visit and is particularly popular with children and those young at heart.

The column itself is 125 feet tall and requires climbing 164 steps to reach the top. The climb is manageable for most people, though those with mobility issues may find it challenging. The spiral staircase adds a bit of adventure to the journey, and there are small windows along the way to give you sneak peeks of the views that await.

Once you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking, 360-degree views. On a clear day, you can see the city of Astoria, the mighty Columbia River, and the expansive Pacific Ocean. The sight is truly spectacular and offers fantastic photo opportunities.

The Astoria Column provides a unique blend of history, fun, and scenic beauty. Whether you're launching gliders, taking in the views, or simply enjoying the hike up, it’s an experience that’s well worth the visit. Be sure to bring your camera, and don’t forget to take your time soaking in the incredible vistas that this vantage point offers. This attraction is perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. The Astoria Column is a delightful stop that combines physical activity with stunning natural beauty. It's an experience that enhances any trip to Astoria and leaves a...

I found out about this while planning a trip to the area and it sounded like it might be somewhat like a lighthouse so I added it to our itinerary. We visited on a Monday late afternoon in August.

There is a $5 parking fee but no cost to climb the stairs up to the top. The parking attendant was cheerful and friendly and there was plenty of parking.

It’s 164 steps up to the circular stair case to the top and it really is like a lighthouse just minus the light. There was no attendant here to monitor how many are going in and coming out so just just go at your own discretion. There are a couple landings on the way to make space for traffic in both directions but I will say not everyone does that so you could be passing someone coming down as you are going up and there is no inside railing just trust in your own balance to go up the inside of the staircase while yielding to people coming down with the railing on their outside. I wish I had a picture to show this but I wasn’t even thinking of that.

Once up to the top, the view is beautiful and you are fenced in. There is a gift shop in the parking lot area that sells little model airplanes that you can launch from the top. That’s a cool idea but we don’t know it until we saw someone do it from the top because we didn’t go in the gift shop until we came back down.

The walk up and down is not strenuous in my opinion but if you’re not used to walking that many stairs or if you’re afraid of heights just give yourself some time. People likely will be kind enough to be patient if they are behind you.

There is a walking trail on the ground level but we didn’t do that so I don’t know how long it is.

We...

What a real piece of AMAZING history!! 1st, the pass you pay $5 for gives you 1 year of entrance opportunity and a 10% off coupon for your first purchase in the gift shop. ( it's only open until 6 pm ). Now on to the cool stuff. Next to the parking lot, they have several very nice and comfortable chairs to view an extraordinary panoramic sight of the Columbia River and the huge ships that use it. At one point, the river is about 4 miles across. From that vantage point, you can see the enormity of the Astoria bridge. The column is an amazing sight when you consider what it is and when it was created. WOW ! The pavers all around have names of people who have donated to the project Don't worry, if you want to, you can still donate and get your name on one for the rest of history. Quick insight, at the gift store you can purchase a balsa wood airplane. Then when you climb the 164 steps to the top you can let it sail and watch its course through the airspace. Oh, what fun !! The traverse to the top can be exhausting however, there are 3 wide landings along the way. The funny part is, when encountering people going up or down, you'll need to hug the center pole so the others can pass. I have bad knees but, I made it. The view from the top is breathtaking. You have a 360° view of the entire area, including the river, 2 bridges and the awesome landscape. It really is worth the visit. Oh, if you can go back at night they light it up and it CHANGES COLOR !! What a treat. Watch out for deers, they are out at...