Northwest Vancouver Travel Guide

Vancouver

The creek runs through a greenway one and one-half miles long, flanking a checkerboard of agrarian, residential and utility company property.
Those of us who trek the wilderness in the Great Northwest have some very peculiar people to thank. A little more than a century ago, as the burgeoning industrial revolution began to trammel its way across the country, the owners of railroads, municipal water holdings, the telegraph, and those new-fangled monstrosities known as electric power companies, all found themselves in a pickle. To ply their trade they needed space; more to the point, they needed specific routes through the space that other people had, or could have, just by parking their wagons and calling it home. More critically, they didn't want to have to pay for it, at least not at the going rate. They were able to convince the local, county, state and even the federal government (none of which needed much convincing), that it would be in the nation's best interest to grant a set of low-to-no cost easements ceding to these entities the rights-of-way through any obstacle which might come into their path. And while this over-simplification of events would not earn even a solid "D" in an intro to contract law course, it brings to light an undeniable reality: a lot of the wilderness we get to enjoy in this part of the country is there because someone took it and never gave it back. This became abundantly clear to me this Summer and Fall when I hiked no fewer than five major wilderness areas whose sole purpose, were they not wilderness, would be to provide a conduit for some sort of consumer service. In Washington: Dog Mountain, Hamilton Mountain, Table Mountain and the complex of trails at Coyote Wall are all criss-crossed with power lines. They don't overwhelm the landscape, but there they are. In Oregon, Mount Defiance is essentially the state's tallest communication tower; Forest Park combines water, electricity, and phone routes that are hidden so well in places, you'd never know they were there. The Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway, here in Vancouver, would simply not exist today, save for its designation as a right-of-way for Bonneville Power and the local railway. Homes were built right up to its rim, and a residential (essentially rural road) was grandfathered in before it was declared a wetland refuge, but the area itself remains blissfully exempt from development. It is home to at least a dozen species of waterfowl, herons, eagles, peregrine falcons, beavers, otters, coyote, deer, and all the usual characters thriving in an urban wildlife setting. As far as the animals are concerned, the place is more or less the way they found it. Did all this open territory come down to us by accident? Was it the by-product of both greed and a none-too-coincidental "cooperative understanding" between the private sector and those charged with protecting the public's interests? Well, kinda. But ironically enough, without that century-old landgrab, we might no longer be able to enjoy some of the Nothwest's most beautiful places. It will make me shake my head and smile every time I think about it. But I, for one, am grateful.
Here in the Northwest, we don't get to see blue sky very often in the winter time. But when we do, we tend to make it count.
The brightest things at the greenway in winter are the moss-covered trees, which give off an almost iridescent glow when hit by even a few rays of sunlight.
Dry, wind-blown marsh grasses.

Popular places to visit

Panoramic sunrise landscape over Columbia River, Mt Hood, Portland Oregon, and Vancouver Washington, Pacific Northwest United States

Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park is just one of the places to see in Vancouver, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels?

Waterfront Park
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Stride around a 19th-century fort, watch live craft demonstrations and learn about Washington’s trading and military history.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Esther Short Park which includes a garden

Esther Short Park

Relax by fountains, shop in bustling markets and listen to concerts in a scenic park that has become the city of Vancouver’s premier outdoor public space.

Esther Short Park
Fisherman trying his luck along the shores of Vancouver Lake with Mt. St Helens in the background.

Vancouver Lake Park

After visiting Vancouver Lake Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Vancouver. Discover the beautiful waterfalls in this walkable area or enjoy its cycling trails.

Vancouver Lake Park
Columbia River Crossing I-5 Interstate Bridge at Night

Interstate Bridge

You can learn about the history of Vancouver when you stop by Interstate Bridge. Stroll along the area's riverfront or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Interstate Bridge
Pearson Air Museum featuring aircraft and interior views

Pearson Air Museum

Trace the story of flight in a fascinating Vancouver museum housing vintage plane models from the earliest days of aviation.

Pearson Air Museum

Things to do

Portland: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Portland: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

฿931
per adult
Portland: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl
Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

฿1,490
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings
Portland City Tour

Portland City Tour

฿2,070
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Portland City Tour
Portland: 2-hour Lunch Cruise on the Willamette River

Portland: 2-Hour Lunch Cruise Through Downtown

฿2,732
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Portland: 2-Hour Lunch Cruise Through Downtown
Portland City Tour: Views and News

Portland City Tour: Views and News (Our Best Selling Tour!)

฿2,763
per adult
Portland City Tour: Views and News (Our Best Selling Tour!)
Aerial Tram Ride with Doughnuts at Sunrise in Portland Oregon

Aerial Tram Ride with Doughnuts at Sunrise in Portland Oregon

฿1,043
per adult
Aerial Tram Ride with Doughnuts at Sunrise in Portland Oregon
See all activities in Vancouver

Top hotels in Northwest Vancouver

The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
808 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is ฿3,064 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
฿3,064
฿3,571 total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,263 reviews)
Clean Room, GREAT VIEW and loved that checkout was at noon. My room had a walk in shower and separate tub that I did use to relax. It was so great :)

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2026

The Paramount Hotel
Park Lane Suites and Inn

Park Lane Suites and Inn

2.5 out of 5
809 SW King Avenue Portland OR
The price is ฿3,003 per night from 24 Mar to 25 Mar
฿3,003
฿3,484 total
24 Mar - 25 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,669 reviews)
The staff remembered me from a prior stay,making things more personal and that you're not a number.

Reviewed on 15 Mar 2026

Park Lane Suites and Inn
Cambria Hotel Portland - Pearl District

Cambria Hotel Portland - Pearl District

3 out of 5
165 NW Park Ave Portland OR
The price is ฿3,705 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
฿3,705
฿4,298 total
5 Apr - 6 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Moda Center and Oregon Zoo are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (333 reviews)
Wonderful hotel, convenient parking, although on the street - no self parking available. Also, Friday night stay can be loud and questionable due to the conditions in the neighborhood where the hotel is located.

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2026

Cambria Hotel Portland - Pearl District
Holiday Inn Airport - Portland by IHG

Holiday Inn Airport - Portland by IHG

3 out of 5
8439 Ne Columbia Blvd Portland OR
The price is ฿2,164 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
฿2,164
฿2,510 total
30 Mar - 31 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,936 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2026

Holiday Inn Airport - Portland by IHG
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

4 out of 5
1000 NE Multnomah Street Portland OR
The price is ฿4,426 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
฿4,426
฿5,160 total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
$31.00 for parking seems a little stiff.

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland
The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel

The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel

4.5 out of 5
545 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is ฿4,282 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
฿4,282
฿4,967 total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Portland. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, a 24-hour fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Staff was great and super friendly. My complaints are that the room was not super clean. The bathroom sink was filthy, and you could see water stains on the shower from previous use. A lot of the walls had noticeable paint chips and the bed frames were extremely worn out and pealing. Also, although ...

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2026

The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel
See all 2,708 properties in Northwest Vancouver
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Northwest Vancouver

Nice little park in the middle of Vancouver, WA. The switchbacks up the hill, surrounded by tall trees will make you feel like you're a lot further from town. It was a nice, quiet place to stretch my dogs legs for a bit and eat my lunch from nearby Panera Bread.

Hazel Dell South

Hazel Dell South might not have many top sights, but Clark County Historical Museum and The Academy are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Hazel Dell South
A beautiful little church which I pass by at least once a week. Finally got out of my car to take a picture.

Lincoln

While Lincoln may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like The Academy and Ulysses S. Grant House.

Lincoln
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West Minnehaha

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in West Minnehaha and surrounding area, you can visit Ulysses S. Grant House and Officers Row.

West Minnehaha
Boardwalk in Silver Lake Castle Rock Wetland in Cowlitz County Boardwalk, Washington Mt St Helens Visitor Center

Hazel Dell

Hazel Dell is well liked for its restaurants. You can also take some time to explore sights in the surrounding area like Clark County Historical Museum and Vancouver Mall.

Hazel Dell
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Rose Village

Though Rose Village may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Ulysses S. Grant House and Officers Row.

Rose Village
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Starcrest

While there might not be top attractions in Starcrest, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Cascades Amphitheater and Exhibition Center 911.

Starcrest

Northwest Vancouver Travel Guide