Columbia River Maritime Museum
Museum Maritime museum interpreting Columbia River's nautical history
On Astoria’s waterfront, the Columbia River Maritime Museum presents exhibits on river navigation, shipwrecks, the Columbia Bar and Coast Guard history. Visitors explore model ships, multimedia displays and river views that explain the region’s maritime industries and hazards.
The Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon, documents the maritime history of the Columbia River, the Pacific Northwest and the notoriously hazardous Columbia River Bar. Its exhibits cover shipwrecks, commercial fishing, shipbuilding and navigation on the river and adjacent Pacific coast.
Museum displays include ship models, historic artifacts, audiovisual presentations and rotating special exhibitions that interpret the human, technological and environmental aspects of maritime life in the region. Educational programmes and seasonal events focus on the river’s role in regional commerce and culture.
Located in downtown Astoria near the mouth of the Columbia River, the museum sits in a port town long linked to fishing, shipping and coastal trade.
How to Get to Columbia River Maritime Museum #
The museum is on Astoria’s riverfront at 1792 Marine Drive, roughly a 10-15 minute walk from downtown Astoria and the Astoria-Megler Bridge approaches. From Portland, Astoria is about a 2-2.5 hour drive west on US-26 and US-101; there are also seasonal Amtrak Thruway and bus connections.
Tips for Visiting Columbia River Maritime Museum #
- Position yourself on the museum's outdoor balcony for sweeping views of the Columbia River and to watch commercial tugs work the channel
- Ask the volunteer docents about the Columbia's bar pilots - their stories about fog and currents are consistently compelling
- Check times for the museum's working boat demonstrations; they sell out on summer weekends
Best Time to Visit Columbia River Maritime Museum #
Summer for full programming and demonstrations; shoulder seasons for fewer crowds and good river views.
Weather & Climate near Columbia River Maritime Museum #
Columbia River Maritime Museum's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1938 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (286 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (230 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (207 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (164 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Heavy rain (296 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (307 mm).
