Vancouver, Washington is a vibrant city that offers a mix of urban and natural attractions, as well as a
convenient location to explore many nearby parks. Whether you are looking for culinary delights,
cultural experiences, or outdoor adventures, you will find something to suit your tastes in this Pacific
Northwest destination. Here is how you can have a memorable 3 day stay in Vancouver, Washington.
Day 1: Taste the Local Flavors and Explore the Waterfront
Start your day with a delicious lunch at Thai Orchid, a family-owned restaurant that serves authentic
Thai cuisine in a cozy setting. You can choose from a variety of dishes, such as pad thai, curry, stir-fry,
and soup, as well as vegetarian and gluten-free options. You can also enjoy the colorful decor and
friendly service. We thoroughly enjoyed their rich selection of dishes during our stay!
After lunch, we headed to the Vancouver Waterfront, which is a scenic spot along the Columbia River.
Here you can enjoy a special tasting of Washington’s famous wine at Airfield Estates Winery, which is
one of the 8 wineries along the waterfront. You can sample different wines made from grapes grown in
the Yakima Valley, and learn about the history and process of winemaking. You can also continue your
wine education with further tastings at other wineries, such as Maryhill Winery, Evoke Winery, and Brian Carter Cellars. Yesha and I both tried different options from the tasting menu & for a summer day they also have Frose- frozen Rose- so fun!
Post lunch, we checked into AC hotel Marriott Vancouver waterfront. It is a relatively new hotel which has amazing views of the Columbia River and is right in the heart of downtown. Easy access to trails means it is
perfect for evening walks and we enjoyed the various mural all along the city, especially around Main Street. There are various cafés and food trucks, with more starting to pop up!
For dinner, we enjoyed small plates of a variety of international cuisines at The Sedgwick, a trend
restaurant that features dishes from Spain, Italy, France, Morocco, and more. You can also enjoy craft
cocktails, local beers, and wines from around the world. A highlight was the live music and entertainment as the restaurant’s lounge.
Day 2: Discover Fort Vancouver & local markets
On your second day, venture to the downtown neighborhood, which is a hip and eclectic area that
offers a mix of vintage shops, cafes, bars, and boutiques. You can find some unique items and souvenirs
at places like Most Everything Vintage, The Urban Eccentric, or Main Street Vintage Home. You can also grab a coffee or a bite at one of the cozy spots like Compass Coffee, La Bottega or Relevant Coffee. We decided to start our day at Relevant coffee and enjoyed their turmeric spice latte & Lavender rose latte.
We then went on to explore the Downtown Alley flea market which is a local market showcasing more
than 30 unique vendors selling different artifacts. The market itself takes place between a colorful street and there is always something unique to find here.
For lunch, we went to the beaches, which was one our biggest highlights as the food was amazing. It’s right by the water and very close to the famous SURPRISE BEACH. We tried different dishes here and each was uniquely crafted for our tastebuds.
Post lunch, we decided to visit the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, which is a place where you can learn about the history of the region and see the reconstructed fur trading post, barracks, and officers’ quarters. Fort Vancouver was founded by the Hudson’s Bay Company during the winter of 1824-1825 as a fur-trading post and supply depot. For the next twenty years, it was the most important settlement in the Pacific Northwest, from San Francisco Bay to the Russian outposts in Alaska. You can explore the fort and see how the traders, trappers, craftsmen, and farmers lived and worked. You can also visit the Pearson Air Museum which showcases vintage aircraft and aviation memorabilia. Fort Vancouver is a fascinating place to discover the stories of transition, settlement, conflict, and community in the Pacific Northwest. We also explored Officers Row, 22 preserved Victorian homes, which is right next to the fort and perfect for a peaceful walk in the area.
We then decided to walk he Waterfront Renaissance Trail, which is along the Columbia River, connecting to the Vancouver Land Bridge—a 40-foot wide earth-covered pedestrian bridge that arcs over State Route 14, reconnecting historic Fort Vancouver with the Columbia River. The Land Bridge was designed by architect Johnpaul Jones with consultation from Maya Lin, as part of the Confluence Project, which aims to commemorate the Lewis and Clark Expedition and celebrate the Native American cultures of the Columbia River Basin. As you walk along the Land Bridge, you can learn about the site’s indigenous plants from the ethnobotanical walkway, which features a series of interpretive panels. You can also enjoy the views of the river and the surrounding mountains from the three overlooks, which are adorned with spirit baskets by Native American artist Lillian Pitt. The words for River, Land, and People appear in nine native languages on stainless steel panels.
For dinner we decided to head to DOSALAS Latin kitchen + tequila bar, which is a fine dining restaurant that brings the flavors of Latin America to the Vancouver Waterfront. DOSALAS is a new experience that offers a high end and sophisticated dining adventure with the comfort of a casual and carefully blended hybrid. You can enjoy dishes from Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and more, as well as cocktails, tequila, and spirits. We also appreciated the lively atmosphere, the elegant decor, and the stunning views of the river and the city. DOSALAS is a place to celebrate life, friends, and family with a Latin twist.
Day 3: Kayaking in Camas & exploring Farmers Markets
One of the best ways to start your day in Vancouver, Washington is with a cup of coffee and a pastry
from Bleu Door Bakery, a woman-owned bakery that serves fresh and delicious baked goods,
sandwiches, and soups. You can choose from a variety of pastries, such as croissants, scones, muffins,
and beignets, as well as coffee drinks made with 9bar Espresso. We loved the charming decor
and the friendly staff. We enjoyed our quick breakfast here before heading out for kayaking.
Camas, WA is a neighboring city about 20 mins from Vancouver and one of the best ways to enjoy its natural beauty is to go kayaking on Lacamas Lake. This 6-mile long lake that offers stunning views of the surrounding hills, forests, and wildlife. We rented a kayak or a canoe from Sweetwater SUP Rentals, which is located at Lacamas Park, and paddle along the calm waters of the lake. You can also explore the smaller Round Lake, which is connected to Lacamas Lake by a channel. We saw water lilies, herons, ducks, and turtles along the way. We also stopped quickly at one of the beaches or picnic areas to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Once back in Vancouver, we decided to explore the Weekend Farmer’s Market, which is the largest farmers market in Southwest Washington and home to over 200 vendors. You can find fresh and local produce, flowers, plants, baked goods, ethnic cuisine, pet treats, and more. You can also browse through the crafts, jewelry, and art that are for sale. The market is open on Saturdays and Sundays from March to October at Esther Short Park, which is the oldest public park in Washington. You can also catch some live music or entertainment at the park’s gazebo. In addition, there are crafts, jewelry and artworks for sale. We simply had fun time exploring this market & meeting local vendors while trying many fresh fruits.
Last but not the least, we decided to grab lunch at Abhiruchi Indian restaurant in Vancouver which is
more than 30 years old and offers unique Indian flavors for spice lovers. It was the perfect meal to end our trip and prepare for our drive back to Seattle.
In summary, if you are looking for a destination that offers a mix of urban and natural attractions, you should consider visiting Vancouver, Washington. Vancouver is a vibrant city that boasts a vast array of activities, scenic landscapes, and historic attractions. You can taste the local flavors of wine, beer, and cuisine at the waterfront and downtown areas, discover the hip and eclectic shops and cafes at Uptown Village, explore the history and culture of Fort Vancouver and the Columbia River Gorge, and enjoy the outdoor adventures of hiking, biking, kayaking, and more. Vancouver is a place where there’s so much to do, each day you can choose a brand new adventure.
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