Fun Things to Do and See in Vancouver, Washington

Vancouver, Washington has the unique distinction of being the fourth largest city in Washington State, and a city with a rich history. Vancouver is located in southwest Washington, eight miles north of Portland, Oregon. A good way to begin any visit to Vancouver is with a visit to the Vancouver National Historic Reserve where you can learn about the history of Vancouver. In 1825, Vancouver, originally called Fort Vancouver, was established as the headquarters of the Hudson Bay Company and it was the last stop for many on the Oregon Trail. It was a major center of trade in the Pacific Northwest during the mid 1800's and was referred to by some as the "New York of the Pacific." Parts of the original fort have been reconstructed and are open for touring. During the mid to late 1800's, Vancouver also served as a headquarters for military officials and some of the homes where they stayed have been renovated and are still standing along beautiful Officer's Row. Most notable along Officer's Row are the Grant house, named after President Ulysses S. Grant, who frequently visited the house, the Marshall house, named after General George C. Marshall who lived there for two years, and the O.O. Howard house, named after General Oliver Otis Howard, who stayed there during the late 1800's. Another place to visit while at the Vancouver National Historic Reserve is the Pearson Air Museum. Pearson Field, next to the museum, is the oldest operational airport in the United States. Pearson Air Museum houses the oldest wooden airplane hangar in the United States. The Vancouver National Historic Reserve is located east off of I-5 near the Columbia river. Call 1-800-832-3599 for directions and hours.

Vancouver was one of the cities affected by the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. Locals who were here at that time can vividly tell you how the whole city was covered in ash from the eruption. Mount St. Helens is only a few hours outside of Vancouver and a visit there makes a nice day trip while you are in the area. The Mount St. Helens Visitors Center is open year round and has exhibits which focus on the area around the mountain before, during, and after the volcanic eruption. The Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center, also open year round, has exhibits which look at the plants and animals affected by the eruption of 1980. If you really want to get up close visit the Johnston Ridge Observatory which is located only 5-1/2 miles away from the volcano's crater. It is open daily between May and October. All three visitor centers are under the administration of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. For directions, hours, and fees call 360-449-7800.

If you like shopping then a stroll downtown will turn up many unique finds. The Vancouver Farmer's Market is one of the largest in the region. It is open from April to October every Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm and every Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. At the market you can shop for fresh produce, flowers, and locally made crafts. The Vancouver Farmer's Market is located downtown next to Esther Short park. Tea lovers should be sure to stop by the Carnelian Rose Tea Company located downtown at 1803 Main Street. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Owner Jennifer Petersen has quite a collection of signature tea blends and tea accessories. Two of her specialties are her rooibos blends and her honeybush blends. The Carnelian Rose Tea Company along with many other shops in downtown Vancouver participate in an event called ArtWalk. ArtWalk takes place on the first Thursday of every month and during this time you can view different works of art on display at various retail locations on Main street. It is a nice way for local artists to get some exposure, and it provides a pleasant activity for art enthusiasts.

There are several enjoyable places to eat in Vancouver. If you want to sample truly original Vancouver fare go to Burgerville. Burgerville is a chain of hamburger restaurants that was established in Vancouver in 1961 by George Propstra. At Burgerville you will find hamburgers and other tasty treats made with Northwest ingredients. You can choose from items such as their Walla Walla Onion Rings (when in season), or their Tillamook Cheeseburger (always available). There are several Burgerville locations in Vancouver. Another nice place to eat in Vancouver is McGrath's Fish House located at the intersection of SE Mill Plain & 126th Ave. McGrath's is a sit-down type restaurant that features fresh Northwest seafood. They also offer food to go. Call 360-514-9555 for hours. The Chart House restaurant is located right on the Columbia river at 101 E Columbia Way. They offer fine dining with a view. Call 360-693-9211 for more information.