Greetings! I will be a tourist in my own backyard (Astoria) tomorrow for a few hours. My boyfriend and I are from Portland but we are heading to Neskowin for a nice 3 day weekend to celebrate my birthday. He needs to make a few sales calls in Astoria on our way down to Neskowin.



I must admit, the only time I have really spent in Astoria is for the Astoria Crab and Wine Festival a few times and stopping at the fueling station via boat before heading out to buoy 10 to go salmon fishing.



This is what I would like to do when he drops me off but I don't know if it is feasable. I will have about 3 hours:



1) Have him drop me off at the Astoria Column. I will hike to the top and fly the wooden plane while drinking in the beautiful view and what might possibly be a stellar, sunny day in Astoria!



2) Take the trolley along the waterfront OR go to the Maritime Museum. Which would you suggest?



3) Have lunch at the Lazy Dog Cafe (time allowing)



How far is it from the column back into town?



Thanks in advance!

You won't have to spend long at the column unless you get wrapped up in the history. It's just a couple minutes to climb it, and a couple more flying the balsa-wood planes and admiring the view. The walk into town shouldn't be bad either. I think it's less than 1.5 miles from the column down to the riverfront, but figure 20 - 25 minutes because of no good pedestrian path at first, and then a steep descent into town.



Maybe syrahgirl can recommend between the museum or the trolley. Personally, I'd rather take one of her other frequent recommendations and go sip wine on the rooftop terrace of the Elltiott Hotel. She claims the view is pretty good from there too.



Have fun!

Oops! I meant the Lazy Spoon!

You will be in Argentina this year? lol...you can ask me questions about that too !! We got our visas today, we leave next week .. yipppeee.



I am not surprised about the Elliott..sometimes Google supplies incorrect answers and as we all ( or most of us know) it is much better when people post their own experiences .. or at least mention that they are posting second hand info.



Glad to get the truth on that..

What fun you make a trip to Astoria sound!!

If I were not leaving so soon, I would take this trip report and follow your footsteps :)



Thanks for posting!!

Thanks mistletoe! I actually went to googleearth.com and, as the crow flies, from the column to Lazy Spoon is not too far at all!



Hmmm... wine tasting at the Elliott? I think I would be asleep by 2 if I started that early! I may have to check out the view from their, though!



Thanks again!

Be careful what you googled, one map I googled put it in wrong location.

Highs in the mid-sixties.



Have a GREAT day!

Probably a mile, to downtown is better than from downtown.



To downtown is all down hill.

Sounds like a good Astoria visit, hope you will have the oppotunity to return for the column, it has an awesome view. Yet another eatery in Astoria to try for lunch is the Urban Cafe, a cross cultural menu with a number of veggie offerings.

Neskowin is God's country, what an awesome beach and view with the rock setting. Weather is so great today so will sign off and go enjoy it.

Yes, beautiful day today! We spent some time at the column yesterday, take some time to enjoy the amazing artwork on the column. Enjoy your travels! :)