Location: Vancouver
Top Things to do in Vancouver
- 1. Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
- 2. Waterfront Renaissance Trail
- 3. Esther Short Park
- 4. Officers' Row
- 5. George C. Marshall House
- 6. Vancouver Land Bridge
- 7. Vancouver Farmers Market - Downtown Market
- 8. Vancouver National Historic Reserve
- 9. Pearson Field and Pearson Air Museum
- 10. Vancouver Lake Park
Top 10 Things to do in Vancouver, United States
Steeped in history, Vancouver is the oldest city in Washington. Once the largest western outpost of the British Hudson's Bay Company, where supplies and food were bartered in the 1800s, it was closed in 1860 as Americans took over commerce. The outpost was later recreated as the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. For more history, check out the Pearson Air Field, the oldest operating airfield in the West, where vintage aircraft are displayed at the Pearson Air Museum. If adventure is your bag, Vancouver is the perfect base for day trips to the Columbia River Gorge, the breathtakingly beautiful 70-mile river stretch that cuts through the Cascade Mountains, or Mount St. Helens, the site of the famous volcano, both of which offer a slew of outdoor activities. For calmer pastimes, cruise the picturesque river in the Columbia Gorge riverboat, or visit Beacon Rock, the world's second largest monolith, where a walking trail leads to spectacular panoramic views.
Restaurants in Vancouver
1. Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 626 reviews
Explore the lands and structures at the center of fur trade and military history in the Pacific Northwest. Learn about the diverse cultures who lived and worked here. Enjoy relaxing trails along the Columbia River and Village. Experience costumed programs, hands-on education activities, engaging living history events, creative media and a world-class archaeology collection. Connect to the past.
Reviewed By Darel M - Vancouver, Washington
Nice setting for this old HudsonBay fur trading post. Some interesting things to see. My only complaint is why the reenactors can't wait until you ask a question before they start going into their spiels. When I walk into a building I just want to look around and then talk to them if I have a question.
2. Waterfront Renaissance Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By JBRetired - Apple Valley, California
It's a nice walk along the river. The views are ok but not great. Maybe there are better sections but the section we were on had you walking along the street. Not good for little kids. The street plus the railroad track nearby did not give you a peaceful easy feeling. Nice but not great
3. Esther Short Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 544 reviews
A 5-acre park in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Esther Short is the oldest public square in the state of Washington. Today the park contains a clock tower, gazebo, large picnic shelter/stage, playground, rose garden, walking paths and seasonal water feature. You will find the Vancouver Farmer's Market here on weekends mid-March through October.
Reviewed By ada11s - Vancouver, Washington
This park has some nice sculptures, gardens, playground equipment, etc. There are restrooms but I haven't tried them. We were there on a rainy weekend and there were quite a few homeless people taking shelter there. No one bothered us though. I like the sculptures very much.
4. Officers' Row
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 191 reviews
This historic drive is lined with 21 restored Victorian homes built for military officers of the Vancouver Barracks, including Ulysses S. Grant, General O.O. Howard House and George C. Marshall. Two of the homes are open for tours.
Reviewed By Karla / Kerrie S - Vancouver, Washington
Here you can eat in history, sleep in history and check out the fort which has period dressed tour guides. Its wonderful to see how the settlers of Vancouver lived. I highly recommend it. Its great to just take your pets out for a walk on the grounds also!
5. George C. Marshall House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
This Queen Anne Victorian was once the residence of George C. Marshall, the architect of the plan for European recovery after World War II. Marshall occupied the home, one of two Officers' Row houses currently open to the public, when he was the commander of the Vancouver barracks.
Reviewed By Kay M - Augusta, GA
We were looking for things to do in Portland after we had visited the museums and gardens in Portland. Vancouver had the Marshall House and Ft. Vancouver in the same area. There are docent led tours of the Marshall House that are very interesting. Many things in the house belonged to the Marshall family. The tours are not on any specific hour just when people show up. The tour is about 20 minutes and there is a small charge. If you want to visit Ft. Vancouver afterward, it is within easy walking distance. Also visit the Grant House in the same base area for drinks or a meal.
6. Vancouver Land Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By MouseDance - Frederick
Planes, trains, and automobiles - you'll hear them all walking over this land bridge. But it's still a lovely bridge with wonderful little nodes focusing on the river, the land, and the people. Each node highlights local tribes and their word for these three features. Signs tell the stories of this place. Large mural images show the different stages of this landscape. Native plants envelope the bridge so it will be ever-changing with the seasons.
7. Vancouver Farmers Market - Downtown Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By Sandra G
It's not a large Farmers Market, but you'll find several fruit and vegetable vendors as well as fresh flowers, local honey, coffee, flavored popcorn and wine and numerous craft vendors, who sell jewelry, ceramics, lavender products and other things. There are also several food places that prepare Asian, Mexican and Middle Eastern fare and homemade smoothies and lemonades. It's open March-October every Saturday and Sunday and is located in Esther Short Park Downtown. It's definitely worth a visit.
8. Vancouver National Historic Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Serving as the main supply depot for the Hudson's Bay Companys fur trading business in the 19th century, this 366-acre reserve features many important historical sites including the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver Barracks, Officers' Row and Pearson Field.
Reviewed By simpleyme - Washington
This is a great area to walk around, their are so many buildings here . They are being renovated it will be neat to see what is done with all these unused buildings
9. Pearson Field and Pearson Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By Dylan T - Vancouver, Washington
I've lived in Vancouver my entire life and have passed by the museum countless times and it has become one of those places in the background to me because I've grown so accustomed to it being there. I visited for the the first time this July on the 4th to get out of the heat and was pleasantly surprised. There was a ton of great information to be absorbed here. There are some planes put on display; some are from World War 1 which I thought was really cool. There was a giant model of the area before the airfield was made and how there was mill that would contribute much of the wood for the war effort. There are plenty of photos and information to be read on the walls. I was only there for about 45 minutes, but I could easily spend a few hours there if I wanted to read everything. It was a great experience to learn some new things about the area and see some cool old planes.
10. Vancouver Lake Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 119 reviews
Reviewed By learninggirl74 - Kirkland, WA
This lake was a great place to host a regatta. There was enough space for all the teams to put up tents, set up the boats, and bathrooms. The park crew did a nice job on Friday and Saturday keeping the garbage from overflowing. Beware this park is not dog friendly in the develop parts of the park but does have nice walking trails away from those areas.
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