aerial view of a small downtown with about a dozen midrise buildings and a tree-filled park aerial view of a small downtown with about a dozen midrise buildings and a tree-filled park
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Downtown Vancouver includes Esther Short Park (center left), site of the Vancouver Farmers Market.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Visit Vancouver WA

Vancouver, Washington

Part of the Portland metro area, Vancouver is home to more than 183,000 people just across the river from Portland.

3 min read

Though similar to Portland in many ways, Vancouver, Wash., is a large suburb located just across the Columbia River to the north. And while this Pacific Northwest city is nearby, it can also feel like it’s a world away.

Historic Sites

Connected to Oregon by a rugged, steel, vertical-lift bridge that alludes to the city’s blue-collar beginnings, Vancouver USA is a throwback, with a quaint Main Street loaded with ice cream shops, pubs and antique galleries. Southwest Washington city’s biggest tourist attraction, Fort Vancouver, is a family-friendly National Historic Site consisting of a rebuilt 1800s fur-trading camp, a mid-1900s airstrip and a stretch of restored 19th-century homes. Dating back to 1853, the city’s Esther Short Park is Washington state’s oldest public square. Featuring a Glockenspiel-clad tower that announces the time throughout the day, the five-acre park is a bustling all-ages playground on sunny days. Kiggins Theater, a renovated single-screen treasure located downtown, shows family-friendly fare and art house films and hosts live events such as stand-up comedy and Science on Tap.

Fort Vancouver

The Portland area's only national historic site is centered around a complete replica of Fort Vancouver, a fur-trading camp founded in 1825.

Explore History

Tips for Visiting Vancouver, Wash.

How far is Vancouver from Portland?

Vancouver is approximately 9.6 miles (15.4 km) from downtown Portland via Interstate 5 North.

What are the city’s top attractions?

Some of Vancouver’s top attractions include Esther Short Park and Playground, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver Waterfront Park and newly renovated Waterfront urban development, and Kiggins Theatre.
Top 5

Southwest Washington Picks

Explore the best of Vancouver at these attractions.

  • Vancouver Waterfront Park

    The 7.3-acre Vancouver Waterfront Park is part of the Vancouver Waterfront, a 35-acre, high density, mixed-use urban development. This community park incorporates public open spaces with the Columbia River edge.

  • Esther Short Park

    A gem in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Esther Short Park is the oldest public square in Washington. The site serves as a venue year-round for a variety of public and private events, programs, concerts, and other activities.

  • Fort Vancouver

    The site interprets the stories of the Native Americans, the British Hudson’s Bay Company, the U.S. Army at Vancouver Barracks, early aviation at Pearson Field, the world’s largest spruce mill during World War II.

  • ilani Resort

    Located on a 156-acre site in La Center, Washington, ilani, is the West Coast’s premier gaming, dining, entertainment and meeting destination. The resort was developed by the Cowlitz Tribe and Salishan-Mohegan.

  • Clark County Event Center

    The Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds is an established 170 acre campus with five multi-purpose facilities that host a wide variety of events each year.

The Waterfront

With more than 191 area parks in Vancouver, tourists have plenty of outdoor spaces to explore. Vancouver’s historic waterfront, however, is a great place to start. The waterfront has undergone some major changes in recent years, including the addition of the seven-acre Vancouver Waterfront Park in 2018. Previously a mill site where the Boise Cascade paper mill stood until 2006, Columbia Waterfront, LLC purchased the property two years later. The company worked with Gramor Development and the City and Port of Vancouver to create a master plan that is still being completed. Construction on the Waterfront Development Project began in 2015, and the first buildings opened in 2018. When finished, a full 32 acres of south-facing Columbia River waterfront real estate will include residential units, office space, a boutique hotel, restaurants and retail, and state-of-the-art green spaces that include walking and biking trails.

Local Eats

Those looking for a bite to eat have plenty of delicious options in Vancouver. Visitors interested in dining on the Columbia should check out Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar, which serves elevated American fare. Another popular option is Beaches, a restaurant and bar that offers scenic away from the hustle and bustle of the new waterfront. In the Esther Short neighborhood, Be Well Juice Bar combines fresh, local and organic ingredients into juices, smoothies, smoothie bowls and wellness shots. Nearby, ice cream shop Treat scoops specialty flavors, vegan alternatives and old standbys. Elements combine global flavors with local ingredients for dishes that range from seared sea scallops to mole vegan cavatelli. Further inland, The Mighty Bowl operates a sustainability-focused brick-and-mortar shop and food cart that focuses on bowls, smoothies, juices and toasts.

5 to Try

Where to Drink and Dine

  • Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar

    Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar at The Waterfront in Vancouver, Wash. opened September 26th 2018. The restaurant has a robust menu that serves American cuisine.

  • Ghost Runners Brewery and Kitchen

    Ghost Runners Brewery and Kitchen serves a lineup of handcrafted ales and seasonal exclusives, as well as bar food. It is located in Vancouver, Wash., and has a tasting room on site.

  • Treat

    Treat is a café and bakery in Vancouver, Wash., that offers cookies, cupcakes, ice cream sandwiches, mini-pies and coffee.

  • Elements Restaurant

    Elements Restaurant serves elevated American fare made with local ingredients using European techniques. The restaurant has a heated patio and is located in Vancouver, Wash.

  • Be Well Juice Bar

    Be Well Juice Bar is a juice bar in Vancouver, Wash., providing juices, smoothies, smoothie bowls, toasts and more.

Craft Breweries

Vancouver may not be the Craft brewery capital of the world, but it has been hailed as “the next beer town.” There are plenty of hot spots where travelers can enjoy a cold one. Ghost Runners Brewery is a local favorite with a solid lineup of handcrafted ales and seasonal exclusives and a tasting room on site. Close to the Columbia River, Loowit Brewing Company is an ales-focused microbrewery with a small arcade of pinball machines and throwback video games. For more information on all that “Brewcouver“ has to offer, visit the Brewcouver website for an official list of breweries and a downloadable passport that can be used to unlock fabulous prizes.

Attractions, Outdoors, Region

Suburban Attractions

Explore the Region
a bicycle leaning against a sign that says \"City of Gresham\"

Exploring Gresham by Bike

Gresham, an east Portland suburb, offers a bevy of bike-friendly businesses and stellar views of Mount Hood.

aerial view of deep blue river water at falls on the edge of a verdant cityscape

Oregon City

The final wagon stop on the Oregon trail, Oregon City welcomes visitors with food, drink, museums and outdoor activities.

floating homes and house boats on the water

St. Helens

St. Helens pairs outdoor experiences with antique shops and Twilight souvenirs.