Located at the banks of the Columbia River, on the opposite side of Oregon, the city of Portland, many tourists don’t consider Vancouver, Washington as a place worth visiting. However, as compared to other west coast cities, Vancouver is a small and laid back city and there are several places of interest that a tourist looking for would be able to find. Below are the most interesting and unique places to visit in Vancouver that should be on every traveler’s list for the next trip to this beautiful city.
A National Historic Site of the United States of America It is a great place for history enthusiasts especially when they walk around Fort Vancouver National Historic Site which is located in the original Vancouver.
See the replica of the fort structures which was a construction of the company in the 1800 on the Columbia River for business purpose of fur trade.
Have an encounter with a ranger dressed as a pioneer, and learn about the life that was like during such time.
Carry your meal and have a picnic on the large green pastures, but in case the weather is not so friendly, then visit the military heritage and culture museum that is housed in the fort.
Every Saturday and Sunday during spring and summer, there are large farmers markets in the Southwest Washington and one of them can be found at Esther Short Park.
This is one of the largest farmer's markets in the PNW.
Peruse more than 100 booths when walking through, and choose from novel products created locally, unique pieces of craftwork, flowers from a garden, a variety of locally-grown produce or a variety of meals and beverages.
You'll probably also get to enjoy at least two different individual curbside performances by talented local musicians. And oftentimes there's also festivals or celebrations happening right next to the market in the center of Esther Short Park.
The Vancouver Waterfront park is a lively attraction beside the Columbia River in Vancouver, a city in Washington state. It has beautiful trails for walking, beautiful views of the river, art sculptures, and a variety of restaurants and wineries.
The park provides an environment for cycling, having a picnic among other activities whilst also accommodating various restaurants and business establishments due to its popularity among the residents and tourists.
The combination of natural environment, architectural design and opportunity for water-related activities make it a focal point of the renewed waterfront of Vancouver.
Of course, anyone who wants to learn about the history of aviation, and many will not be able to pass by this National Historic Landmark that is located by the adjacent Pearson Air Field. The associated Education center is the museum that is dedicated to Pearson Field - the oldest operating airfield in the Pacific Northwest.
Pearson Field was named in 1925 after Lt. Alexander Pearson, “one of the best known and finest pilots in the Air Service” according to the City of Vancouver. To can explore the variety of retired aircrafts onsite, and even get your adrenalin rush by watching the nearby flight path as small planes take off or land regularly in this busy location.
The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge which is approximately 20 miles from Vancouver is an animal and nature friendly area. It occupies more than 5,300 acres of land and includes wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands that serve as a home for many bird and wildlife species.
Tourists can go for hiking along the picturesque trails, go for wildlife tours or go for bird watching in this untouched sanctuary that forms a part of the Columbia River system. The refuge also serves as a cultural center with many important Native American archaeological sites within the area.
