Columbia River Maritime Museum

Little gem of the Oregon coast. Learned so much about Oregon’s involvement in WW2, coast guard, and early development because of the canneries. Suggest anyone visiting Astoria or seaside to go here. Takes a few hours to go through, but definitely worth it. Wish the Columbia would have been open to go on

This is an interesting museum. Admission price is very reasonable. Not too expensive. As well, expect to spend over an hour here. It is very educational. Lots of history explanation. Good artifacts. Made mostly for adults. But of course its somewhat linked to the famous Astoria bridge
Outside they have the Columbia Ship and that is the most interesting part compared to what is inside.

I visited the Columbia River Maritime Museum with my husband and two kids, ages 6 and 8, during a winter cabin camping trip to nearby Fort Stevens State Park. The Astoria area, at the mouth of the Columbia River, has absolutely fascinating history that centers around its maritime presence.
We paid $ 12 admission for each adult and $ 5 for each child. We also paid an additional $ 5 each to see a 40-​minute 3D movie about prehistoric swimming reptiles called «Sea Rex.» We found the prices to be quite reasonable for the wonders that this museum has to offer!
We took a tour of the Columbia Lightship that is parked in the water outside the museum. Lightships were once used by the US Coast Guard in lieu of lighthouses; buoys are now used instead of lightships. The lightship and the history of its use was very interesting.
Inside the museum, there is a plethora of information about all aspects of maritime life at the Columbia River bar and in Astoria. This includes, but is not limited to, fishing, military, Native American life, fur trade, transport of materials to and from the interior, western settlement, and recreational River boat travel to Portland. There are amazing boat models, the bridge of an actual scrapped navy ship, a torpedo, a boat that crossed the Pacific Ocean after the Japanese tsunami disaster, and countless other maps, informational posters, videos, relics, props, and artifacts, and more.
I highly recommend a trip to the Columbia River Maritime Museum if you are staying in or near the Astoria area. Allow a minimum of two hours for your visit, and more time if you plan to watch whatever 3D movie is currently showing.

This is #1 on the Must Do List when visiting Astoria!
It is fun for all ages, with in depth descriptions of the local fishing and marine history and also interactive scavenger hunts and hands on activities such as nautical knot tying.
There is also typically a ship outside that they give tours of as part of the general admission price for the museum. The store also had local art!
Don’t forget to take a look at the Haglund gillnet boat in the main room! #FamilyPride
Have fun!