The Riverfront Walk In This Coastal Oregon Town Is 6.5 Miles Of Breezy Beauty
By Catherine Armstrong|Published August 22, 2019
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
To really explore one of Oregon’s towns, you need to get out of your car and take a walk. You’ll see all kinds of things you might miss while driving by, and get some fresh air in the process! Astoria is one of the Oregon coast’s most charming towns, and it has a 6.5-mile-long riverfront path that you’ll want to stroll.
The Riverwalk Trail in Astoria includes a slice from all parts of town, from the bustling port to the downtown area, to quiet, peaceful spots for birdwatching.
There's plenty to see and do along the way when you stroll this trail. You'll go right underneath the magnificent Astoria-Megler Bridge, the longest of its kind in the U.S..
See the sea lions congregated on the dock - you can't miss them. These quirky creatures reach up to 700 pounds, and they're actually a huge nuisance to fisherman who have tried almost everything in order to get them to move on.
You'll also see some pretty amusing signs along the trail. If you choose to ride your bike on this path, make sure you don't do it while drinking, or this could be your fate!
...and make sure to stop in for a visit to the Columbia River Maritime Museum. You'll hear stories and see displays about the seafaring history of this town, and the tragic deaths of fishermen over the years. It's open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Most people on foot only complete some of the trail, as it's nearly 13 miles, round-trip. To see the entire trail, bring your bike or rent one nearby. Some of the hotels near the Riverwalk offer free bikes for the use of guests.
