Vancouver (Washington)

By plane

Vancouver is closer to the Portland International Airport PDX than most of Portland, about a 20-minute drive away. From Portland Airport, take I-205 north across the Columbia River to reach Vancouver, then follow SR 14 west to downtown.
By local bus, from Fisher's Landing in the east part of town, the #65 bus goes down to the Parkrose/Sumner Transit where passengers transfer to the MAX Red Line train to the airport.

By car

Interstate 5 and 205 passes directly through the city. From the east, Interstate 84 (in Oregon, connecting to 5 and 205) and SR 14 (in Washington) provide access through the Columbia River Gorge. SR 14 begins/ends in downtown Vancouver.

By train

• Vancouver station

  address: 1301 West 11th Street
  Amtrak's Vancouver station is served by the Cascades and Empire Builder lines.

By bus

• C-TRAN

  phone: +1 360 695-0123
  address: Main downtown boarding area is along Broadway between 15th Ave & Evergreen
  Operates buses between Vancouver and Portland. See #By public transit for more details.

• Greyhound

  phone: +1 503 243-2361
  address: (Depot) 550 NW 6th, Portland, OR 97209
  Greyhound buses traveling between Portland and Seattle stop only in Tacoma, Olympia, Centralia (off exit #81) and Kelso. NO service into Vancouver, WA. Therefore, passengers would have to travel down into downtown Portland by C-Tran/Tri Met and transfer to Greyhound or another bus line to get where they're going. See this LINK as to what else is available.

• Lower Columbia CAP

  phone: +1 360 200-4911 or +1 360 200-4910
  address: 99th Street Transit Center @ NE 99th & Hazel Dell Ave off of Exit #5 along I-5
  Rural public bus system serving the 99th Street Transit Center (reachable via C-TRAN bus #105 via I-5, 71 along Hwy 99 and #32 along Main/Hazel Dell) from Longview, Kalama, and Woodland. At Longview you can transfer from a different CAP bus route that comes from Castle Rock and Chehalis.

By public transit

C-TRAN is Clark County's public bus system. Buses runs throughout the area, serving riders as far north as Ridgefield/La Center, as far east as Camas/Washougal and south across the river to Portland.
In addition to routes within Clark County, C-TRAN operates express buses to downtown Portland, Lloyd Center &/or Marquam Hill (routes 105, 134, 157, 190, and 199), as well as regional service to Parkrose/Sumner MAX station (route 41 from downtown Vancouver to Fisher Landing; route 65 from Fisher Landing to NE Portland and MAX Red Line to downtown Portland or the airport) and to Delta Park/Vanport MAX Station (route 60 to N Portland from downtown Vancouver and MAX Yellow Line to downtown Portland).
Fares on C-Tran are $1.80 for trips within Clark County; $2.50 for regional service (C-Tran service to Vanport and Parkrose/Sumner MAX stations in Portland); and $3.85 for express C-Tran service to downtown Portland. Regional and express fares can be used to transfer to TriMet.
The regional Hop FastPass smartcard works on C-TRAN as well as on TriMet in Portland and can be purchased at Fred Meyer and Safeway stores in Clark County. See the Hop FastPass section under Portland for more details.

By car

By bicycle

• Pearson Air Museum

  phone: +1 360 694-7026
  address: 1115 E 5th St
  The museum is located on historic Pearson Field, the oldest active airfield in the United States. The museum is also home to the country's oldest wooden hangar. Built in 1918 as part of the U.S. Army Spruce Division, it has been used as an airplane hangar since 1921. It even housed Italian prisoners of war during W.W.II. The museum is the first step in a three-phase project to recreate a pre-WWII Army Air Corps Field that existed at Pearson Field in the 1920s and 1930s.

• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

  phone: +1 360 816-6230
  address: 612 E Reserve St
  Vancouver is home to the historic Fort Vancouver. Built in 1825, Fort Vancouver was a fur trading outpost and home to the Hudson's Bay Company. It's right outside Downtown Vancouver and next to the Pearson Air Field and Museum. It's a great spot to stop and have a picnic or just to look at the handful of old buildings and displays. Also, on the 4th of July be sure to check out the amazing firework show, said to be the biggest west of the Mississippi River.

• Water Resources Education Center

  phone: +1 360 487-7111
  address: 4600 SE Columbia Way
  Enjoy the hands-on, interactive activities in the Exhibit Hall. View the nature-inspired art in the White Sturgeon Art Gallery. Take in the panoramic view of the Columbia River from the Center's balconies. Get a closer look at the rolling Columbia River and nearly 50 acres of wildlife-rich wetlands from the Marine Park Overlook that also connects visitors to Vancouver's Renaissance Trail, a paved waterfront trail favored by walkers, runners and bicyclists.

• Esther Short Park

  address: W Columbia Ave & W 8th St
  The oldest public square in the Pacific Northwest, established in 1853. The park includes a playground, rose garden, fountains and a variety of public art pieces. In the summer, Esther Short hosts a variety of concerts and festivals.

• Officers Row

  address: 1301 Officers Row
  Check out twenty-two restored nineteenth century homes near the Vancouver Barracks. Several are open to the public. The Grant House is home to a restaurant that is operated by a local culinary school.

• Clark County Historical Museum

  address: 1511 Main St

• Vancouver Waterfront Park

  address: 695 Waterfront Way

• Big Al's

  phone: +1 360 944-6118
  address: 16615 SE 18th St
  Big Al's is a local family entertainment center with bowling alleys, billiard tables, arcade and a sports bar & grill themed restaurant.

• Sunlight Supply Amphitheater

  phone: +1 360 816-7000
  address: 17200 NE Delfel Rd

• Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

  phone: +1 360 735-7278
  address: 1300 NW 139th St

• Cinetopia

  phone: +1 360 213-2800
  address: 11700 SE 7th St
  The theater offers a variety of seating including large leather auditorium seats or couches in the living room theater (21+). Cinetopia serves alcohol as well as food, and there is a restaurant Vinotopia on-site. There is also a great rotating display of local artwork.

• Kiggins Theatre

  phone: +1 360 737-3161
  address: 1011 Main St
  Newly renovated 1930s movie theatre showing second-run movies. Grab a drink before the show in the upstairs lounge.

• G6 Airpark

  phone: +1 360 828-1444
  address: 2200 NE Andresen Rd, Ste J
  Jump through an elaborate indoor trampoline park that includes an arcade, cafe, and birthday packages for children.

• Alderbrook Park

  phone: +1 360 882-4444
  address: 24414 NE Westerholm Rd
  A family friendly, magical forest hidden in the foothills of Larch Mountain. A variety of activities are available for all ages: trackless train, pedal boats, catch and release fishing, bounce houses, mini-golf, horses and pony rides. Discover the enchanted children's area where lies a life-size, beached pirates ship. Amenities include swimming pool, bath houses, picnic pavilions and guest houses.

• Vancouver Lake Regional Park

  address: 6801 NW Lower River Rd

• Clark College
• Washington State University Vancouver

• Vancouver Farmers MarketOpen March through October, Saturdays 9AM-3PM and Sunday 10AM-3PM, rain or shine. Great selection of naturally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs, local natural meats, seafood and dairy products. Over 200 vendors.

• Uptown VillageIs nestled between downtown Vancouver and its historic neighborhoods. It lies between Mill Plain and 4th Plain Boulevards along Broadway, Main, and Columbia Streets.

• Vancouver Mall

  phone: +1 360 892-6255
  address: 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr
  The mall offers a variety of stores including large department stores such as Macy's, Sears and JCPenney. There are over 120 stores, restaurants and specialty shops.

• Burgerville

  phone: +1 360 694-4971
  address: 7401 E Mill Plain Blvd
  Founded in 1961 and still based here in Vancouver, the NW's own fast food chain with a decidedly NW flavor promoting sustainable practices and fresh, local ingredients. Great burgers and traditional fast food fare. Amazing seasonal items including sweet potato fries, asparagus, strawberries, blackberries, onion rings and more. The original Burgerville USA was actually in the building next door to this location.

• Vancouver Pizza Company

  phone: +1 360 750-1196
  address: 2219 Main St
  Vancouver Pizza Company is a great, family friendly gourmet pizza shop with over 25 specialty pizzas. They also offer fresh salads, hot sandwiches, and breadsticks! Stop in and treat yourself to our delicious lunch menu, or bring in the family and enjoy an evening of pizza, and a game of checkers. Children love our kid's meals and their own coloring page! Rated 4 stars by the Columbian.

• Sushi World

  phone: +1 360 944-9659
  address: 13503 SE Mill Plain Blvd
  Sushi World is one of the best and cheapest places in the Portland/Vancouver area to get sushi. It's clean, friendly, but sometimes crowded, especially on nights when they're offering a discount. Plates travel around to booths and bars while staff in the kitchen and in the hub of the restaurant replenish stocks. Options vary from nigiri or rolls to noodles to dessert items. Offerings are invariably fresh, and special items are available from the sushi chefs on request. It is very possible to eat your fill here and get out the door for $10 per person.

• Sakura of Japan

  phone: +1 360 573-3883
  address: 8010 NE Highway 99 # A
  Looking for the best Japanese food in Vancouver? A 5 minute drive north of the Downtown area will bring you to the suburb of Hazel Dell where Sakura of Japan is located. The staff is friendly and the food is amazing. The restaurant prepares many Japanese dishes, including Teriyaki Chicken, Yakisoba Noodles, and Miso Soup. The servings are generous and there's always some left over to bring home. And the best part of it all is the food is cooked right in front of your eyes, a la Beni Hana's.

• New Seasons Market - Fishers Landing

  phone: +1 360 760-5005
  address: 2100b SE 164th, #101
  Local natural food supermarket chain with fantastic sandwiches and an awesome deli counter. You can choose your bread, meat/tofu pate, veggies, and spreads. Multiple locations throughout the greater Portland Metropolitan area.

• Philly Bilmos

  phone: +1 360 944-1006
  address: 2100 SE 164th Ave
  An east coast style deli serving the best in cheese steaks, fettuccini, and cheesecake.

• Thai Lotus

  phone: +1 360 883-3419
  address: 16209 SE McGillivray Blvd, Ste H
  Truly flavorful, family-run restaurant with exotic atmosphere. Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Reservations welcome. Gift certificates available.

• McMenamins on the Columbia

  phone: +1 360 699-1521
  address: 1801 SE Columbia River Dr
  Not only do they have fantastic food, but they also have a full-service bar. Located along Vancouver's water front on the Columbia River, the pub is known for the many beers it makes and serves. The atmosphere is very relaxed and appealing. McMenamins is a great place to visit and enjoy drinks, food, and an incredible view.

• Vancouver Hilton

  phone: +1 360 993-4500
  address: 301 W 6th St
  Just opened in 2005.

• The Heathman Lodge

  phone: +1 360 254-3100
  address: 7801 NE Greenwood Dr
  The Heathman Lodge offers a mountain-like retreat.

• Phoenix Inn Suites

  phone: +1 360 891-9777
  address: 12712 SE 2nd Cir
  All suite accommodations with complimentary breakfast buffet, high speed internet, and 24 hr. business center

• Best Western Vancouver Mall

  phone: +1 360 256-0707
  address: 9420 NE Vancouver Mall Dr
  Complimentary breakfast. Pool, spa and fitness center.

The area code for Vancouver is 360. Seven digit dialing for all local calls, but note that the 360 area code also covers most of Washington west of the Cascades but outside the greater Everett-Seattle-Tacoma corridor, so 360 numbers outside of the local calling area may incur long distance charges, depending on where in the 360 area code you are calling. You don't need to use the area code when calling within 360.

• Fort Vancouver Regional Library

  phone: +1 360 695-1566
  address: 1007 E Mill Plain Blvd
  Free Wi-Fi access at all FVRL locations. See the librarian for guest access to the library's Internet-enabled computers.

Newspapers

• The ColumbianThe local daily newspaper serving Southwest Washington.

• The Vancouver VoiceThe local alternative paper.

Hospitals

• Southwest Washington Medical Center
• Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center

• Portland Take I-5 or I-205 south (which are the only two crossings) and enjoy.
• Olympia, Tacoma, and Seattle are two to three hours north on I-5.
• Beacon Rock State Park, about 35 miles East of Vancouver, is one of the Northwest's more enjoyable day trips. After driving for less than an hour through the scenic Columbia Gorge, you arrive at the base, where it is advisable to use restroom facilities and prepare for a relatively short, but moderately vertical hike up the 1-mile trail to the top of this old volcanic core, the second-largest free-standing monolith in the world (after the Rock of Gibraltar). Spectacular views of the Gorge, the river, and various wildlife will be your reward. The park also offers camping and more hiking trails, if you feel so inclined or you wish to avoid other hikers.
• Mount St. Helens and the Ape Caves are less than an hour north of Vancouver. Get great views of the mountain or drive up closer to the observatory. The Ape Caves are lava tunnels that can be explored, though be sure to bring a very good flash light and warm clothing, because even on the hottest and brightest days, the Ape Caves are cool, dark, and damp. While up there, be sure to stop at one of the many reservoirs for a picnic or a swim.