DESTINATION

Astoria

Exhibits describing an important part of the town's history are featured at The Uppertown Firefighters Museum at 2968 Marine Dr. at jct. 30th St. Inside a 1920s firehouse, the museum displays an extensive collection of fire-fighting equipment dating from 1877-1963; phone (503) 325-2203.

Housed in a 1914 former jail at 732 Duane St., the Oregon Film Museum celebrates the history of filmmaking in the state. Jail cells contain memorabilia about “The Goonies,” the popular movie filmed in Astoria in 1985. Its opening jailbreak scene was made here. Visitors can browse a database containing all the films made in Oregon from “The Fisherman's Bride” (1908) to the present; phone (503) 325-2203.

Exhibits at the Hanthorn Cannery Museum —100 39th St., Suite 101, at the foot of 39th St. on Pier 39—occupy four rooms in a former 1875 cannery building and include historical photographs, cannery equipment and gill-net fishing boats; phone (503) 325-2502.

Astoria is the northernmost Oregon city on US 101, a scenic highway that begins south of Santa Barbara, Calif., and follows the scenic Pacific Coast from Eureka, Calif., to South Bend, Wash., and then continues on a more inland course.

Astoria also serves as the beginning of the Oregon Coast Bike Route, a marked bicycle touring route stretching 370 miles along Oregon's picturesque cliffs and beaches. Mostly following US 101 as a shoulder bikeway, the trail should be ridden from north to south May through October due to strong northwesterly winds. To receive a free brochure outlining the route, write to Bicycle/Pedestrian Program Manager, Oregon Department of Transportation, 555 13th St. N.E., Suite 2, Salem, OR 97301; phone (503) 986-3556.

Visitor Centers

Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce 111 W. Marine Dr. Astoria, OR 97103. Phone:(503)325-6311 or (800)875-6807

Self-guiding Tours

The chamber of commerce has CDs for two audio tours of the area. They also are available for download. The Astoria and Warrenton's Historical Attractions trip showcases local history while featuring 21 locations. The Reel Astoria tour introduces visitors to a dozen sites used in such motion pictures as “The Goonies” and “Kindergarten Cop.”