Vancouver

Not to be confused with the Canadian metropolis: This Vancouver sits on the north bank of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington, directly across from Portland, Oregon. A trip to Vancouver, Washington, takes you to one of the oldest trading posts in the Northwest, a new riverfront promenade, and the edge of the Columbia River Gorge.

Fur Trading on the Columbia

In 1825, Britain's Hudson's Bay Company built Fort Vancouver here, and for decades it was the center of the fur trade in the Pacific Northwest. After the Oregon Treaty of 1846, the territory passed to the United States, and the Army took over the site as Vancouver Barracks, where Ulysses S. Grant and George C. Marshall were later stationed. During World War II, the Kaiser shipyards built ships here at breakneck pace, which caused the population to grow sharply. Today Vancouver is Washington's fourth-largest city; because the state has no income tax but Oregon has no sales tax, many people cross the river to shop.

Things to See in Vancouver

The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site features the reconstructed fort with its palisades, blacksmith shop, and bakery; in summer, costumed interpreters lead tours of the grounds. Right next door are Officers' Row, with its Victorian officers' houses, and the Pearson Air Museum, located at one of the oldest airfields in the U.S. still in use. The Vancouver Waterfront, with the Grant Street Pier, a striking cable-stayed pedestrian pier over the river, has become the city's new gathering place. Around Esther Short Park, one of the oldest public squares in the state, the Vancouver Farmers Market takes place from spring through fall. The Columbia River Renaissance Trail runs east along the riverbank.

Eating and Going Out in Vancouver

Restaurants with river views, wine bars, and breweries have settled along the waterfront and in downtown. Northwest cuisine focuses on salmon, Dungeness crab, mushrooms, berries, and wine from the nearby Columbia Gorge and the Willamette Valley. Around Main Street you'll find cafés and bars, and in Uptown Village, small neighborhood spots. If you want more choice, Portland and its food cart pods are just minutes away.

Neighborhoods and Riverside Trails

Esther Short, the neighborhood around the park of the same name, is the heart of downtown, with a carillon tower and restaurants; concerts take place there in summer. Farther east lies Hudson's Bay along the riverside trails, while Ogden, Bennington, and Fircrest are quiet residential neighborhoods. The Columbia River Renaissance Trail runs along the river past parks and viewpoints with views of Mount Hood. If you want to go shopping, you'll find the big chains in the area around Vancouver Mall—but for tax-free shopping, you'll need to cross the river to Oregon.

Getting Around Vancouver and Best Time to Visit

Portland International Airport is only about 15 minutes to the south, on the other side of the river. Amtrak trains stop at Vancouver station on the routes to Seattle and California. C-Tran buses and The Vine bus rapid transit lines connect the city's neighborhoods and cross the bridge to Portland. The best time to visit is during the dry summer months; from October to April, it rains frequently. Day trips take you to the Columbia River Gorge with Multnomah Falls, to Mount St. Helens with the Johnston Ridge Observatory, and to the region's wineries.