Columbia River Maritime Museum

Come aboard the Lightship Columbia, a floating lighthouse ship that once guided other vessels to safety at the mouth of the Columbia River. Take the helm of a tugboat. Walk the bridge of a World War II warship. Participate in a river rescue by the U.S. Coast Guard. Here, at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon, history and cutting-edge technology merge to create memorable nautical adventures for visitors. The roof of Oregon’s official maritime museum simulates the curve of cresting waves, and its huge floor-to-ceiling windows afford great views of ships gliding along the river. See an extensive collection of maritime artifacts and learn about shipwrecks, lifesaving missions, the dangers faced by bar and river pilots, and other facets of the Columbia River’s history from the days of dugout canoes to present times. Museum exhibits also explore fishing, the area’s canneries, navigation, and both naval and Coast Guard history.