The Best Things to Do in Vancouver, WA

If you’re coming to live in Vancouver, lucky you! There are many delicious, exciting, and fun things to do here! From outdoor adventures to parks and restaurants, there’s never a dull moment in Vancouver! So to help you, we put together a list of the best things to do in Vancouver, WA. If that sounds like the details and delights you’re seeking today, read on! In addition to a list of park sin Vancouver, WA, we’ll also tell you all about the best restaurants in Vancouver, WA.

One of the best-kept secrets in the U.S. Northwest is the lovely city of Vancouver, WA. Also, Vancouver is the 4th largest city in Washington. In addition, Vancouver, is known as the place where Willy Nelson’s career took off! Also, the city straddles the north bank of the Columbia River and offers a mix of city and country that’s quite unique. This has made Vancouver, WA, the 2nd fastest growing city in the entire state. So let’s find out everything Vancouver, WA has to offer!

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MOVING TIP: Reserve a Northwest storage unit in Vancouver before you arrive. Clean, safe and secure, self storage is usually much cheaper than storing with a moving company. Plus, you can easily access your things whenever you like. You can’t do that if your stuff is in a mover’s gigantic warehouse!

Exciting Views: Silver Star Mountain

Silver Star Mountain is an extinct volcano. It is also part of the beautiful Cascade Mountain Range. It’s also a prominent part of Vancouver’s skyline that you can see from around the city. So hike to the north peak to get an unobstructed, 360° view of Portland, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. St. Helens! All first-time visitors to Vancouver, WA should make sure to visit Silver Star Mountain.

Pros & Cons of Living in Vancouver, WA

The Most Fun Parks in Vancouver, WA

In addition to the beautiful Cascade Mountains, Vancouver, WA, has 90 parks and green spaces to enjoy! All together, that’s 1600+ acres for picnics, hiking, frisbee, biking, and anything else you like to do! As a result, local walking clubs love the park system in Vancouver, as do the numerous children who frequent them. Below is a short list of some of the best parks in Vancouver, WA, for your family’s enjoyment. With so many parks to choose from, it might take you years to enjoy them all.

  • Salmon Creek Park: 1112 NE 117th St, Vancouver, WA 98665
  • Grass Valley Park : 3211 NW 38th Ave, Camas, WA 98607
  • Hazel Dell Park: 2300 NE 68th St, Vancouver, WA 98665
  • Tiger Tree Park: 8600 NE 149th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98682
  • Waterfront Rennaissance Trail: 115 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661
  • Marshall Park: 1015 E McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98663
  • Oak Grove Neighborhood Park: 7091 NE 159th Ave, Vancouver, WA 09682
  • Esther Short Park: 605 Esther St, Vancouver, WA 98660

Relaxing Strolls: The Waterfront Renaissance Trail

The Waterfront Renaissance Trail offers 5 miles of bliss connecting Esher Short Park and Winter Park. Not only that, but along its path are restaurants, shops and some spectacular views, too. Also, you can see both the I-5 and I-205 Bridge and Mount Hood off in the distance! If you’re lucky, you might even find a nice place to live along the trail!

Pros & Cons of Living in Vancouver, WA

Fantastic Local Delights: Vancouver Farmer’s Market

The Vancouver Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday and Sunday from March through October. Above all, if you love local-made goods and foods, you’ll absolutely love it! The market features a whopping 250+ vendors who sell everything you can imagine! Of course, the typical fruits and veggies are here. But you can also enjoy hand-made clothing, handicrafts, and flowers galore! You’ll even find local musicians playing at the market every weekend, making it a fun time for everyone!

The Most Delicious Restaurants in Vancouver, WA

Eating out is something almost everyone enjoys. And in Vancouver, WA, there are many excellent eateries, bistros, and restaurants to choose from. For example Vancouver has Georgian cuisine, spectacular seafood, country barbecue, Italian, and authentic Vietnamese, too! Some of the best places to enjoy delicious food in Vancouver, WA, include the following:

Our Favorite Vancouver, WA Restaurants

  • La Sorrentina Pizzeria: What started as a food cart has turned into one of the best local pizza places! Our suggestion is the Neapolitan pie with traditional crust. It’s amazingly crispy and a delicious take on the classic!
  • Little Conejo: Easily one of the top Mexican restaurants in the city. Try the tacos filled with oyster mushrooms, and frico’d cheese! Indeed, try everything on the menu, you won’t be disappointed!
  • Amaro’s Table: While the food is great, we recommend Amaro’s specifically for the fantastic drinks. A favorite is the Season of the Witch, a rum punch spiked with Meletti, ginger liqueur, and mulled apple cider!
  • Slow Fox Chili: They call themselves a “chili parlor for the Pacific Northwest”. Slow Fox Chili has a huge following here in Vancouver, WA. One taste of their Cincinnati 5 Way Chili, and you’ll be part of the following, too!
  • The Smokin’ Oak: Texas-style barbecue in Vancouver, Washington? Yes, please! They also use the traditional oak-smoking method with no gas or charcoal shortcuts!
  • Pho Vi Van: Although small and unassuming, Pho Vi Van is a delightful place with the best pho in Vancouver, WA. Their egg noodle soup with plump pork wontons is a delicious local fave!
  • Southern Girl Delights: Owner Dorothy Golson serves her favorite childhood dishes. These include fried catfish, shrimp & grits, smothered pork chops with cabbage, and roasted potatoes. It’s all made-to-order, so make sure to order ahead.
  • Treat: We had to include this deliciously decadent ice cream and bakery on our list! Their menu isn’t huge, it’s true. With treats like Ooey Gooey Butter Cake ice cream in a freshly baked waffle cone, though, it’s more than enough!

Honorable Mentions

Pros & Cons of Living in Vancouver, WA

Outstanding Natural Beauty: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

This gorgeous nature preserve is the winter habitat for migrating Canadian Geese. In addition, here at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, there are more than 5300 acres of wildlife to enjoy. It features a stunning combination of topographical features, including forest, grasslands, and wetlands. The Refuge is, not surprisingly, a fantastic place for bird watching. It’s just outside Vancouver, WA, but close enough to easily visit.

Vancouver, WA, is an Exciting, Inviting, and Delicious Place to Call Home!

We think you’ll agree; there are many delicious, fun, and exciting things to do in Vancouver, WA! Here at Northwest Self Storage, we love the lifestyle Vancouver offers. As for us, we offer safe, secure storage units in Vancouver, WA, to help when you’re moving here.

Many newcomers reserve a Vancouver storage unit before they leave their current home. As a result, upon their arrival, it’s ready and waiting to store all their stuff. The upside? You can house hunt at your own pace, knowing your precious things are safe in storage.

Questions about renting a storage unit in Vancouver, WA? If so, chat with us online or visit one of our 20 self-storage locations in the Vancouver metro area. The on-site manager can answer all your questions and give you self-storage advice! Until then, we hope you enjoy everything lovely Vancouver, Washington has to offer!


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This post was originally published on 9/23/2021. It was updated on 07/23/2022.