This Pacific Northwest city has the Columbia River to its south and Mount Hood visible on clear days. Home to tech firms and craft breweries in its revitalized downtown area.
Vancouver, Washington sits on the north bank of the Columbia River, just across from Portland, Oregon. You can watch blacksmiths forge tools at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, bike along the Columbia River on the five-mile Waterfront Renaissance Trail, or catch classic movies at the art deco Kiggins Theatre from 1936. Within an hour's drive, you'll reach Mount St. Helens' volcanic landscapes and the Columbia River Gorge's waterfall-lined hiking trails.
Getting Around Vancouver
I-5 and I-205 cross the Columbia River, connecting Vancouver to Portland. The city's bike network includes the five-mile Waterfront Renaissance Trail along the river. C-TRAN buses run throughout Clark County and connect to downtown Portland, with service every 15-30 minutes on most routes.
Downtown and Waterfront District
Along Main Street's brick buildings from the early 1900s, you'll find local coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Walk out onto Grant Street Pier, extending 90 feet above the Columbia River, for views of passing ships. The waterfront area includes seven wine tasting rooms and waterfront restaurants with river views.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Walk through the 191-acre complex to explore three distinct areas: a reconstructed 1800s trading post, Vancouver Barracks military buildings, and Pearson Field aviation museum. Inside the fort, watch daily demonstrations of 1800s blacksmithing, carpentry, and cooking. The aviation museum displays historic aircraft and tells the story of the 1937 trans-polar flight that landed at this site.
Parks and Natural Areas
You can walk or bike more than 20 miles of trails connecting Vancouver's 82 parks and 28 natural areas. Drive 20 miles north to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, where walking trails wind through 5,200 acres of wetlands and grasslands. Look for sandhill cranes in winter, great blue herons year-round, and bald eagles during nesting season. Visit Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens in April and May to see 90 different lilac varieties in bloom.
Cultural Venues and Events
The red marquee of Kiggins Theatre lights up downtown, where you can watch classic films in an art deco setting from 1936. At Clark County Historical Museum, examine Native American tools, logging equipment, and photographs from 150 years of local history. The RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater hosts outdoor concerts from May through October. Every Saturday and Sunday, shop for local produce, crafts, and prepared foods at the Vancouver Farmers Market, where more than 100 vendors set up their stalls.
