There’s no denying that Astoria is a cool place. From the natural splendor to the maritime history and the cultural cachet (at least in the ‘80s and ‘90s), the Oregon coast town naturally draws a community of creatives who are passionate about their home.

But while most of the town’s greatest sights are out in the open — standing tall and proud like the Astoria Column — many of Astoria’s weirder, more offbeat attractions are hidden away.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we descend into basements, enter unmarked doors and find hidden entrances to some of the weird, hidden attractions of Astoria. Samantha Swindler, features reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, gives us her latest recommendations after another visit to the coastal destination.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Looking for a more affordable spring break vacation? Think more Cannon Beach than Cancun.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into some of the best, most affordable spring break trips in Oregon, offering a fun vacation that doesn’t break the bank.

Some ideas are as simple as changing up your mode of transportation, others are about finding fun much closer to home. With so much to see and do in small towns across the state, it’s easy to plan a perfect spring break trip in Oregon.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson are converting people into tree huggers, one podcast episode at a time.

The Portland duo is behind Completely Arbortrary, a science and entertainment podcast all about trees. Running since 2021, the podcast focuses on one tree per episode, diving into the features, facts and lore behind each.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to Clapp and Crowson about their podcast, discussing what it is about trees that captivates people.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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It might be a lot easier to do in Vermont, but you can make your very own maple syrup right here in the Pacific Northwest.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into the world of bigleaf maple syrup, Oregon and Washington’s spin on the classic treat.

Eliza Nelson, founder and director of the Oregon Maple Project, a nonprofit dedicated to educating people about bigleaf maple syrup, talks about the joy of watching people discover local-made syrup, and how people can learn how to tap trees in their own backyard.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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They hated the rain. There wasn’t enough sunshine. Everybody wanted to hug.

We’re not talking about your east coast friends who just moved to Portland, we’re talking about legendary explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who spent one miserable winter in the Pacific Northwest before making a desperate flight upriver.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to Jill Harding, visitor services program manager at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, about the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s famous stay on the lower Columbia River. Like many new residents, they learned firsthand just how tough a Northwest winter can be.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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If you get injured on Mount Hood or lost in the Columbia River Gorge, odds are good that a Crag Rat will find you.

The Crag Rats are one of the nation’s oldest mountain rescue organizations, first formed in 1926. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we speak with Christopher Van Tilburg, a mountain rescue doctor with the Crag Rats and author of a new book about the organization, “Crisis on Mount Hood: Stories from 100 Years of Mountain Rescue.”

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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What do we love about Oregon? A whole lot, as it turns out.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we honor Oregon’s birthday and Valentine’s Day with a love letter to our favorite state. It’s not just the resplendent nature — from quiet forests to majestic mountains to magical desert rivers — we love just about every part of this state, right down to the fried fish.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Your Oregon state park adventures might look a little different this year.

With new parking and camping fees coming to Oregon state parks, as well as new rules about booking and canceling your campground reservation, there is a lot to navigate when making your travel plans for 2026.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we follow up last week’s conversation with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department about the new changes, with tips for navigating your state park adventures for the year ahead.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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From fee increases to new rules for campground reservations, there are some big changes coming to Oregon State Parks this year.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to Stefanie Coons, interim director of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, about what park visitors can expect for the year ahead, as the department hits a major budget shortfall.

Coons has temporarily taken over the department as parks director Lisa Sumption works as interim director of the Oregon Department of Transportation.

As you make your spring and summer plans at Oregon parks, here’s what you need to know.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Whether you’re an art aficionado or a history buff, this year’s museum season has something for you.

This time of year — after the holidays and before spring break — are the perfect time to visit Oregon’s museums. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss all the best exhibits coming to museums in Portland and around the state.

From the Portland Art Museum’s massive expansion to the exhibits and animals at Bend’s High Desert Museum, there’s a lot to see this winter. The art, history and cultural museums offer a place to escape from the elements and discover something new.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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