The 1985 film The Goonies focused on a team of kids traversing their town on a scavenger hunt, looking for buried treasure. Those who grew up in the 1980s may have shared a common dream of being a Goonie, and while the Goondocks isn't really an area of Astoria, Oregon, the town itself plays a huge role in the movie. Mikey and his friends loved growing up there so much they were literally willing to risk life and limb to save their homes.
This Goonies-inspired road trip will take you on a scavenger hunt of your own to treasured filming locations.
The Goonies House, better known as Mikey's house, is one of the most popular attractions in Astoria. The formerly-private residence was recently purchased by a Goonies super fan who hopes to preserve the film's legacy by repainting the exterior to match the movie, installing a zipline, and creating a gathering place for fans of the film.
You can also visit the building where Mikey's dad works, which is actually the Flavel House Museum. The gorgeous Queen Anne-style house was, in real life, built by millionaire Columbia River bar pilot Captain George Flavel, and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
You can also stop by the County Jail, where Ma and Francis Fratelli break Jake out of lockup. It's been turned into the Oregon Film Museum. Stop inside and browse the exhibits honoring movies filmed in Oregon, from Animal House to Free Willy and more. Of course, The Goonies is mentioned, too.
Visit Lower Columbia Bowl, which is where Chunk smashes his pizza and milkshake into the window—just don't reenact that famous scene.
We can't forget the gorgeous scenes of the Oregon coast, which were actually filmed 26 miles south of Astoria at Ecola State Park's Cannon Beach. Bonus: Scenes from Point Break and Twilight were filmed here, too.
The rock that the Goonies use to navigate the map is a sea stack known as Haystack Rock. It should be pretty easy to spot, as its one of the world's tallest sea stacks.
Even though the film is over 35 years old, it will always remain a classic because, as the saying goes, "Goonies never say die!"
Banner Photo Credit: forann
