momto3girlz

Hi. We're planning a weekend trip in mid August to visit friends in Longview, WA. They are from out of state and in the area for a reception and will be pretty busy that weekend so we will mostly be on our own and are looking for fun stuff to do with our kids. We're driving down from the Auburn, WA area. We've only lived here a year so have never been to SW Washington. I need ideas of places to stay and things to do.

I'm considering Mt. St. Helens, Astoria, Long Beach, or Portland. Or other places in that general area. We have 3 kids, ages 8, 6, and 3 and will probably be there from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. We need a moderately priced hotel. What specifically is there to do with kids at Mt. St. Helens and the other places? What do you recommend? Thanks!

happytrailstoyou

There's a visitors center at Mt. Saint Helens--they have great displays and show a movie about the mountain blowing its top, which should be fascinating to your older children.

Here is a very nice trip: Take WA-4 west and stop in the little town of Cathlamet. Visit the lighthouse at Cape Disappointment and the old buildings at Fort Columbia State Park. Take the fascinating bridge across the Columbia to Astoria. (A Lewis and Clark historic site is nearby.) If you have the energy, continue on to the charming town of Cannon Beach--visit the shops and take a walk to Haystack Rock (which is sure to capture your children's interest).

This drive is about 115-120 miles. Return to Longview via OR-26--about 80-85 miles.

Bobmrg

Long Beach is a typical beach town, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Lots for the kids to do. Mount St. Helens is unique, of course, and you should try to fit it in if possible...but I'm not sure how much the kids would get out of it.

The other area suggestions you have received are excellent.

Bobmrg

Afterthought...go to http://tinyurl.com/2wpq4y
before you leave Longview to see whether or not the crater is visible from the visitor's center.

Vttraveler

Mt St Helens is very interesting. It takes a while to get from the visitors center near the highway to points farther in, with other exhibits and more of a sense of the devestation from the explosion.
Your kids also might enjoy spending time along the columbia river including the Bonneville Dam (fish ladders, etc of interest to the younger ones even if they don't understand all the rest of the information)
Our family liked the Fort Vancouver National Historic sight north of Portland
http://www.nps.gov/fova/
and the Oregon Trail museum in Portland.

If you go to Portland, it has a good hands on childrens' museum our younger son really enjoyed at age 8

kimamom

I like Happy's suggestion for Astoria and Cannon Beach. We are in Seaside right now for a few weeks, about ten minutes from Cannon Beach. In Astoria, Fort Clatsop is great fun for kids, take them to the Astor Column and there is a riverfront trolley you can ride that the kids should enjoy.

A stop in Seaside would provide great fun for the kids, there is an aquarium, carnival rides, paddle boats, surrey bikes, etc. The town is bustling with tourists right now having fun. ***kim***

321go

I'd combine happytrails and bobmgr's suggestions. Take hwy 4 over to Fort Columbia (when I was a kid, I loved exploring there), then stop at Cape Disappointment (http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp...Disappointment). Then go north to Long Beach which has a lot of things that will entertain your kids, not the least of which is a broad, sandy beach and boardwalk over the dunes.

kimamom

Stop in Ilwaco at the Port Bistro, we had a very good dinner there. The waterfront is fun to stroll also, fun shops and even a day spa! ***kim***

momto3girlz

Thanks everyone! Kimamom, where is the riverfront trolley in Astoria? Is it near the Astor Column? I am thinking we will stop in Astoria and Fort Clatsop. How far is Fort Clatsop from Astoria? And I'm debating between Long Beach/Cape Disappointment and Seaside/Cannon Beach. Pros and cons of the two choices? Also, we haven't decided between a hotel or camping. Do you guys have suggestions for either? Thanks again!

321go

momto3girlz, as an adult, I'd go to Cannon Beach. No question. As a child, definitely Long Beach.

Cannon Beach (http://www.el.com/to/cannonbeach/) is an lovely, upscale community with great shopping (think art galleries and quaint shops) and dining. It has a wonderful scenic beach with Haystack rock, tidepools, and excellent state parks nearby.

Long Beach (www.funbeach.com) is completely different. Think go-karts, bumper cars (and bumper boats which my niece and nephew loved when they were your kids' ages), and horserides on the beach. The Long Beach Peninsula also has excellent dining.

Astoria (http://www.oldoregon.com/) is very historic - if your kids are interested in that then the Maritime Museum and the Flavel house might be good choices. It's been a couple of years since I've been to Fort Clatsop, but IIRC, it's about 15-20 minutes from downtown Astoria.