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.
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.

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
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
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

Things to do

Half-Day Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls Tour

Half-Day Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls Tour

Rp1.429.700
per traveller
96% of travellers recommend
Half-Day Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls Tour
Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

Rp807.360
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings
Explore Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Small-Group Tour

Explore Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Small-Group Tour

Rp1.496.980
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Explore Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Small-Group Tour
Downtown Portland: History, Landscape and Cityscape with In-App Audio Tour

Downtown Portland: History, Landscape and Cityscape with In-App Audio Tour

Rp169.095
per traveller
Downtown Portland: History, Landscape and Cityscape with In-App Audio Tour
Portland City Tour

Portland City Tour

Rp1.121.389
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Portland City Tour
Discover Portland Half-Day Small-Group City Tour

Discover Portland Half-Day Small-Group City Tour

Rp1.328.780
per adult
Discover Portland Half-Day Small-Group City Tour
See all activities in Vancouver

Top hotels in Northwest Vancouver

Park Lane Suites and Inn

Park Lane Suites and Inn

2.5 out of 5
809 SW King Avenue Portland OR
The price is Rp1.622.918 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
Rp1.622.918
Rp1.882.545 total
19 Feb - 20 Feb
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. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,631 reviews)
Room was the cleanest I have been in a long time. Good job.

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2026

Park Lane Suites and Inn
The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
808 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is Rp1.581.120 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
Rp1.581.120
Rp1.842.901 total
22 Feb - 23 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! (3,211 reviews)
Clean, good location, nice staff!

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2026

The Paramount Hotel
Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

3.5 out of 5
6233 NE 78th Court Portland OR
The price is Rp1.688.751 per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
Rp1.688.751
Rp2.043.136 total
10 Mar - 11 Mar
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,996 reviews)
The staff were awesome, rooms are always great, we stayed at this hotel every time we come to Vancouver! Shuttle service is so easy to do, driver is always great!

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2026

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport
Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown

Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown

4 out of 5
319 SW Pine St Portland OR
The price is Rp1.993.501 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
Rp1.993.501
Rp2.358.763 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Portland. Enjoy free breakfast, 2 restaurants and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,424 reviews)
Forgot to fill shampoo. But otherwise it was a clean and nice room. Will be back.

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

4 out of 5
1000 NE Multnomah Street Portland OR
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.996.672 per night from 20 Feb to 21 Feb
Rp1.996.672
Rp2.327.521 total
20 Feb - 21 Feb
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)
First night, the front desk staff wasn’t friendly. This hotel has no free breakfast.

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland
Heathman Lodge

Heathman Lodge

3.5 out of 5
7801 NE Greenwood Dr Vancouver WA
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,640 reviews)
Yes room was clean and space. Staff was very nice and courteous. We will stay again.

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2026

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Heathman Lodge
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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 Officers Row 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 Officers Row.

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 Officers Row and The Academy.

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 Vancouver Mall and Glenn Jackson Bridge.

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 Officers Row and Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

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