Columbia River Maritime Museum

Columbia River Maritime Museum
Columbia River Maritime Museum
Columbia River Maritime Museum
Columbia River Maritime Museum
Columbia River Maritime Museum


Stories of the Columbia River are revealed in this waterfront museum. Learn how men have battled bad weather and used the water for their livelihood.

Visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum for a fascinating look at life, work and nature on and in this mighty river that runs west across Oregon ending just beyond Astoria. View the many photos, artifacts and even a floating ship that bring maritime history alive.

Founded in 1962, the museum serves the local community and visitors, keeping the maritime heritage of Oregon and the entire Pacific Northwest alive.

Learn how river pilots and Coast Guard teams operate, sometimes under extremely hazardous storm conditions with waves up to 40 feet (12 meters) high. Stories of salmon fishermen and other working watermen are also told.

An exciting video documents rough water passages by the Coast Guard during a winter storm. Watch a 3-D film of the USS Ronald Reaganaircraft carrier that operates in the Pacific.

Delve under the water with a film by Jean-Michel Cousteau. See colorful fish captured in 3-D in the clear waters of the Bahamas, Fiji and Bimini.

Look for the 19th-century cannons that were discovered by a local teen in Clatsop County while beachcombing in 2008. The museum’s map collection starts with a 460-year-old chart of the Pacific Northwest.

Tour the United States Lightship Columbia moored just north of the museum building. For nearly three decades, this floating lighthouse helped guide ships at the mouth of the Columbia flowing to the Pacific Ocean, an area sometimes called the Graveyard of the Pacific because of the sandbars, currents and reefs that hampered safe travels. Hundreds of boats have been wrecked in this area. The U.S. Coast Guard and touring riverboats use this dock too.

Visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum during business hours any day, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are reduced admission prices for seniors, children and active duty military personnel. The 3-D film has an additional fee.

Travel to the site by car along the river or ride the Astoria Riverfront Trolley. Expect to spend an hour or two with the exhibits.

Before leaving, stop at the bookstore to purchase books, CDs or consignment works by local artists.

Popular places to visit


Top Columbia River Maritime Museum Hotel Deals

Astoria Riverwalk Inn
Astoria Riverwalk Inn
2 out of 5
400 Industry Street, Astoria, OR
Astoria Riverwalk Inn
Bowline Hotel
Bowline Hotel
4 out of 5
1 9th St, Astoria, OR
Bowline Hotel
Norblad Hotel
Norblad Hotel
2.5 out of 5
443 14th St, Astoria, OR
Norblad Hotel
Astoria Rivershore Motel
Astoria Rivershore Motel
2 out of 5
59 West Marine Dr, Astoria, OR
Astoria Rivershore Motel
Lloyd Hotel Astoria Bayfront, Ascend Hotel Collection
Lloyd Hotel Astoria Bayfront, Ascend Hotel Collection
2.5 out of 5
555 Hamburg Avenue, Astoria, OR
Lloyd Hotel Astoria Bayfront, Ascend Hotel Collection
Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa
Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa
4 out of 5
No. 10 Basin Street, Astoria, OR
Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa
Astoria Crest Motel
Astoria Crest Motel
2 out of 5
5366 Leif Erikson Dr, Astoria, OR
Astoria Crest Motel
Promenade Inn & Suites Oceanfront
Promenade Inn & Suites Oceanfront
2.5 out of 5
30 N Prom, Seaside, OR
Promenade Inn & Suites Oceanfront
Ebb Tide Oceanfront Inn
Ebb Tide Oceanfront Inn
2 out of 5
300 N Prom, Seaside, OR
Ebb Tide Oceanfront Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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