Typically, the colder months are considered the “off-season” of traveling for Pacific Northwest coastal destinations, but those longing for open-sea views and a weekend away can enjoy the perks of discounted rates on rooms and a slower-paced visit. Ready to dive in? Then keep reading to get our take on how to relish a perfect winter in Astoria and Warrenton. 


Step 1: Book Your Stay 
As part of this North Coast community’s charm, almost all lodging in Astoria and Warrenton – be it hotels, motels, or inns – provide great conveniences to nearby food hubs, shops, and museums. When choosing a place to stay, perhaps consider the location. Do you want to be on the thriving Astoria Riverwalk dotted with renovated warehouse breweries, wine bars, and restaurants, or do you want easy access to parks, beaches, and trails? Below we list a few options that illustrate the range the area has to offer. However, if you want to view a complete list of our recommendations, be sure to visit our hotel and motel directory linked here.   

Options in Astoria 

  • Bowline Hotel: The newest lodging in town with front-row seats to the mighty Columbia River offers low-key luxury and modern comforts wrapped in an industrial aesthetic – a nod to its past as a sardine cannery. Guests love gathering in The Knot Bar for drinks paired with Scandinavian-inspired bites or taking in the view from their room’s private balcony to spot sea lions and cargo ships. Barrel saunas also provide a moment of self-care to sweat the stress away.  

  • Benjamin Young Inn: Astoria is known for its Victorian-era homes and staying in one of the Benjamin Young Inn’s five elegant guest rooms gives you access to a bit of the area’s storied history. Complete with antique furnishings to match this 1888 Queen Anne property, you’ll find yourself examining architectural details while starting your day with a provided gourmet breakfast.   

  • Cannery Pier Hotel and Spa: A visually stunning and iconic landmark, the Cannery Pier Hotel and Spa extends out onto the Columbia River and is framed by the picturesque Astoria-Megler Bridge. An ideal location to visit any time of the year, it makes our list for winter because of all the ways you can soak on property. Whether it’s a visit to the Finnish spa’s mineral hot tub paired with a detoxifying massage or a private dip in your guest room’s impressive, freestanding bathtub, winter wellness and relaxation awaits.  

  • Selina Commodore Astoria Hotel: Overlooking the bustling streets of downtown, the Selina Commodore Astoria Hotel is for those wanting to stay in the heart of the action. Containing a cozy small tucked-away library and bonfire baskets to enjoy a night in, this hotel is great for those either wanting to reside indoors and enjoy the cityscape or walk around town for shopping and sightseeing.  

Options in Warrenton 

  • Shilo Inns: Surrounded by forests, mountains, and waterfalls, Shilo Inns is located at the mouth of the Columbia River, making it a prime destination for fishing and hiking. In addition to providing amenities such as a pool, hot tub, and fitness center, they also make sure no family member gets left behind! The hotel promotes a dog-friendly environment for those with furry companions, however, be sure to read up on their pet policy before booking your stay. 
     
  • South Jetty Inn: Being another dog-friendly location and having access to a 10-minute drive to Fort Stevens State Park, South Jetty Inn is a great option for those wanting to explore the beach areas and historical attractions of Warrenton. Consider scoping out the Historic Fort Stevens Guard House to uncover earthworks of the Civil War or walk down to the Clatsop Spit to discover the Wreck of the Peter Iredale. 

Step 2: Craft an Indoor Friendly Itinerary 
While plenty of people visit the area for its coastal landscape, there’s more to it than meets the eye. We’ve chosen to highlight activities where visitors can learn about the area’s rich history and visit Astoria and Warrenton’s welcoming storefronts and businesses:

 The Astoria-Megler Bridge

  • Nostalgic arcades: One of the best indoor activities one can pursue in Astoria is getting their gaming on at one of the town’s unique arcades. For a family-friendly experience, take a trip to Gizmo’s Arcade and test your skills on claw machines and classic video games from the 1980s. Or, if you’re looking for more of an adult-fitting venture, try Galactix. As both an arcade and immersive tap house, the business brings visitors a blast to the past complete with pinball, video games, and a neon sci-fi lounge serving ciders and beers.  

Step 3: Gather for Some Hearty and Delicious Eats
When winter is in full swing, there’s nothing better than heading to a good restaurant and ordering warm, hearty food. Offering more than just delicious clam chowder, Astoria and Warrenton provide plenty of options inspired from all over the globe. Explore the list below for a peak into the area’s broad span of cuisines: 

  • Bridgewater Bistro: Being right on the coast, naturally, Astoria has a vast number of places to choose from regarding seafood. A great location in particular, Bridgewater Bistro, offers mouthwatering dishes that are both local and sustainable. Try fresh Crispy Skin King Salmon or heat up with their Four Cheese Mac ‘n Cheese. Fit for seafood lovers and those looking for something a bit more traditional, we recommend visiting this business for a classic taste of the town.  

  • Coffee Girl: Settled above the Columbia River on Pier 39, visitors can enjoy warm cups of joe while overlooking sunrises and watching ships pass by on the water. Choose from a selection of high-quality menu items ranging from sweet and bitter espressos to savory paninis and breakfast sandwiches to start your day off right by taking it slow and steady.  

  • El Compadre: Serving the town of Warrenton for over 15 years, El Compadre is an authentic Mexican restaurant crafting a range of modern cuisine from nachos to taquitos, tacos, and enchiladas. Each dish is made with fresh ingredients and delicately homemade, and the restaurant also serves an extensive collection of beers, wine, and cocktails to pair with your entrée, making it the perfect place for both family-style outings and grabbing drinks with friends on a night out. 

  • Fedé: Rooted in traditions and techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation, Astoria’s Fedé is a full-service Italian restaurant, crafting handmade dishes from the best, most locally available ingredients. Their menu includes classic Italian foods such as Linguine, Fettuccine, Agnolotti, and so much more. Drop in and heat up with a hefty amount of pasta, warm bowl of soup, or whatever your heart fancies.  

  • FishMongers: If you need a quick bite on your way to Fort Stevens, drop by FishMongers for battered fish and chips, tacos, sandwiches, and shrimp to take with you on the drive. As a small, but mighty carry-out shop that receives numerous rave reviews for its fresh seafood, we highly suggest heading there early, as their menu items tend to sell out quickly. 

  • Gaetano’s Market and Deli: Prefer not to visit a sit-down restaurant? Stop by Gaetano’s Market and Deli in Astoria for some food on the go. Being the only Italian-style deli on the North Coast, Gaetano’s features sandwiches made with fresh ciabatta rolls. If you’re looking to make something in your hotel room, you can also pick from their selection of fresh pasta, sauces, and lasagnas to heat up for yourself.  

Step 4: Warm Up with a Tasty Night Cap  
It’s no secret that nationally available beers like Fort George and Buoy Beer stemmed from the roots of Astoria, but the town also has locally available breweries, bars, and wineries, that offer a snug Astoria-centric atmosphere. Read on for a sampling of choices waiting for you to visit this winter: 

  • Blaylock’s Whiskey Bar: Craft cocktails, snazzy mocktails, and a moody atmosphere are what you can expect at Blaylock’s Whiskey Bar. Stop by during a night on the town with friends and bond over delicious charcuterie boards and upscale drinks featuring classics like a Manhattan and Old-Fashioned to house favorites and new creations like the Astoria Sour, Elder Mule, or Berry Cobbler. 

  • Brut Wine Bar: Providing an inviting atmosphere to enjoy glasses of wine from around the world, Brut Wine Bar not only stocks Oregon-centric flavors but national wines exported out of France and Italy. While there are many bottle options to choose from, the bar also offers beers, ciders, and snacks, making this the perfect spot to warm up with your new favorite bottle this winter. 

  • Fortune and Glory Cider: Previously known as Reveille Ciderworks, Fortune & Glory Cider company did a complete rebrand and opened their taproom at 1450 Exchange Street. Being the only local cider company producing in Astoria, they offer Oregon-centric options such as their Back to Black berry cider or classic flavors like their Breakfast in America, a semi-dry English pub apple cider.  

  • Obelisk Beer Company: With previous experience working at Fort George Brewery, two pub graduates decided to open their own beer company to serve punchy west coast IPAs, Saisons, and in general, a killer selection of beverages. If you’re looking for a fresh face in Pacific Northwest’s beer industry, give Obelisk Brewing a try.       

  • Pilot House Distilling: Presenting many types of canned cocktails, award-winning vodka, and specialty gin, Pilot House Distilling has something for anyone wanting to taste the spirits of the North Coast. Conveniently, you can find many of their spirits stocked around local bars in and around Astoria.   

Looking for more of a reason to visit in the winter? Check out our See & Do and Events for more Astoria and Warrenton travel ideas.