Atomic Motel

Take a step back to simpler times at Atomic Motel. This quaint stay is affordable, includes free breakfast daily, and is decorated with a 1950s style, such as an old Cadillac parked out front to greet guests. Atomic Motel provides easy access to all things Astoria, including an incredible view of the Oregon coast.

• A 50s vibe: is ever-present at Atomic Motel. Here the lobby furniture and room decor is reminiscent of diners and artwork of the 1950s.
• Roomy stays are available in their cozy corridors. Here, the bare necessities are at the ready with uplifting paint, decorations, and often wooden ceilings.
• Coastal views: are a short distance from the motel. Guests may wish to walk down to the docks to take in the beautiful scenery.
• Astoria: The staff at Atomic Motel has plenty to suggest in the surrounding area, including local breweries, restaurant top-picks, and museums.

Astoria, Oregon: Frontier Port with Scenic Hikes and Naval Museums

Astoria juts into the mouth of the Columbia River, the body of water that separates Oregon and Washington. The town has a storied past as one of the oldest US settlements west of the Rockies. It’s 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 center and ranger-led programs. Fort Clatsop is also the trailhead for the popular Fort to Sea Trail, a 6.5-mile hike that winds through forests and across beach dunes en route to the Pacific Ocean.

The area’s rich nautical history is documented through interactive exhibits at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Here, you’ll find artifacts such as a US Coast Guard surf rescue vessel and a historic sword and scabbard recovered from a shipwreck. Several miles west in Fort Stevens State Park, you can view remnants of the Peter Iredale shipwreck, an English vessel that ran aground in 1906 while the captain was texting and steering.