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.
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.
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.

Popular places to visit

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
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
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

Vancouver Mall

4/5(1 review)

During your trip to Vancouver, you can do some window-shopping at Vancouver Mall. Amble around the area's riverfront or seek out the cycling trails.

Vancouver Mall

Things to do

Portland: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Portland: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

฿944
per adult
Portland: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl
Portland: 2-hour Lunch Cruise on the Willamette River

Portland: 2-hour Lunch Cruise on the Willamette River

฿2,737
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Portland: 2-hour Lunch Cruise on the Willamette River
Portland: Ghosts, Poltergeists, and Psychopaths Walking Tour

Portland: Phantoms, Penance, and Poltergeists Ghost Tour

฿1,007
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Portland: Phantoms, Penance, and Poltergeists Ghost Tour
Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

฿1,510
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings
Portland City Tour: Views and News

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

฿2,800
per adult
Portland City Tour: Views and News (Our Best Selling Tour!)
the view of downtown from the Pittock Mansion grounds

Portland, Oregon City Tour: Parks, Plazas and Views

฿2,359
per adult
Portland, Oregon City Tour: Parks, Plazas and Views
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Top hotels in Northwest Vancouver

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 ฿4,665 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
฿4,665
฿5,411 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
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! (1,002 reviews)
Amazing room and service.

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel
The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
808 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is ฿2,998 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
฿2,998
฿3,495 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
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! (3,150 reviews)
Great location. Large quiet room. Easy check-in.

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

The Paramount Hotel
Mark Spencer Hotel

Mark Spencer Hotel

3 out of 5
409 Sw 11th Ave Portland OR
The price is ฿2,608 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
฿2,608
฿3,026 total
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,964 reviews)
Really loved staying here!

Reviewed on 21 Jan 2026

Mark Spencer Hotel
Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

3.5 out of 5
6233 NE 78th Court Portland OR
The price is ฿3,011 per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
฿3,011
฿3,648 total
3 Feb - 4 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,963 reviews)
Just what we needed.

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2026

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport
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 ฿2,269 per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
฿2,269
฿2,632 total
3 Feb - 4 Feb
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! (2,885 reviews)
Clean room.. great shower. Wished the resturant was opened

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Holiday Inn Airport - Portland by IHG
Sojourn Suites Portland Airport

Sojourn Suites Portland Airport

3 out of 5
11707 Ne Airport Way Portland OR
The price is ฿2,219 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
฿2,219
฿2,586 total
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,788 reviews)
一楼的房间不是很好、我还是喜欢三楼

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2026

Sojourn Suites Portland Airport
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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 The Academy and Vancouver Farmers Market 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 Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Clark County Historical Museum.

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 The Academy and Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

West Minnehaha
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

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

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 Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Pearson Air Museum.

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 Clark County Fairgrounds.

Starcrest

Northwest Vancouver Travel Guide