Hotel at a Glance: The Astoria Riverwalk Inn

With The Astoria Riverwalk Inn’s recent reinvention came an updated lobby that displays local artwork, a number of brand new high-design suites, and themed rooms that celebrate Astoria’s rich historical roots. Views of the marina, Columbia River, and the Astoria Bridge can be seen from balconies. Guests can also enjoy a new line of organic body-care products, plush hypo-allergenic linens and pillows, an expanded continental breakfast with gluten-free options, a business center, a complimentary DVD library, and beach cruiser bikes that can be used to explore the riverfront and beyond.

• Where you’ll stay: a king, queen, or double-queen room with complimentary 100 mbps WiFi (capable of delivering 30 mbps to any one individual), a private balcony, and a microwave and fridge
• Enjoy the view: You’ll be able to see the Columbia River and the Astoria Bridge, which leads to Washington, right from your guest room.
• Savor locally caught seafood at Silver Salmon Grille or Northwest Wild Products, where you can dine dockside amid views of the Columbia River.
• Start the day right with a free continental breakfast that includes fresh fruit, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, bagels, and Astoria’s own fresh-ground Thundermuck coffee.
• Learn about local history: This stay includes passes for two to the Heritage Museum, Flavel House Museum, and Oregon Film Museum.
• Extra offer for Groupon guests: For an extra $35, guests can purchase a $50 restaurant credit. This credit is valid for either Silver Salmon Grille, a casual but elegant restaurant with a focus on fresh steak and seafood, or Northwest Wild Products, a casual fish market popular with the locals for lunch. This restaurant credit may be purchased at check-in. Credits expire on 4/30/17 and are not valid on 12/31/16, 1/1/17, or 2/14/17.

Astoria, Oregon: Frontier Port with Scenic Hikes and Brewpubs

Tucked away in the northwestern corner of Oregon, the town of Astoria juts into the mouth of the Columbia River, the body of water that separates Oregon and Washington. Known as the “Hip Annex” to Portland and Seattle, Astoria welcomes a number of guests from both areas who come for the emerging brewpub and culinary scene at spots such as Buoy Beer Company and Fort George Brewery.

Astoria has a storied past as one of the oldest US settlements west of the Rockies. The town is named after John Jacob Astor, the entrepreneur who founded the Pacific Fur Company and established Fort Astoria in 1811. A few years earlier, in 1805, Lewis and Clark spent a winter camped out at Fort Clatsop; today, a replica fort commemorates the expedition with a visitor’s center and ranger-led programs. Fort Clatsop is also the trailhead for the popular Fort to Sea Trail, a 3-mile hike that wends through forests and across beach dunes en route to the Pacific Ocean.

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