Priceless Writer - Travel & Recreation

I've been inspired to learn a bit more about Vancouver, Washington and would like to share a few activities and events that you may want to fit into your schedule if you plan on visiting "America's Vancouver" – not to be confused with its Canadian cousin. Below you will learn why this city stands by its motto: "A colorful past, a bright future."

1) Vancouver Farmers Market – Head for the heartbeat of downtown Vancouver (505 W. 8th St) to browse gourmet foods, colorful blooms, unique artisan crafts, fresh local produce, and endless family fun. Every weekend (from April 5th to October 26th), the Farmers Market is waiting for you. If you'd like to explore a list of vendors - click here. Hours of Operation: Saturdays 9am – 3pm and Sundays 10am – 3pm

2) Hit the Trails: There are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore when visiting Vancouver, WA. Peer through the fir and alder forests to take a peek at Mt. St. Helens when you tour the Bells Mountain Trail (7.5 miles) – open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Travel back into time when you enjoy the historic and scenic setting of the Discovery Loop Trail (2.3 miles) – typically conquered in about 1½ hour. Hiking and biking adventures unfold on the Steigerwalk Lake Trail (3.5 miles), which touches upon the Steigerwald Lake Wildlife Refuge and gorgeous views of the Columbia River.

3) Esther Short Park Summer Fun: A summer trip to Vancouver means exploring the many outdoor activities and events held about town. The place to be is Esther Short Park (located at 555 W 8th St) – full of music, outdoor magic, and memories. Don’t forget to check out The Terry Lee Noon-Hour Concerts (held each Wednesday from July 9th – August 13th) with "Science in the Park" kid-friendly activities starting at 11am; and Riverview Six to Sunset Concerts (July 10th – August 14th) on Thursday evenings from 6pm to 8pm.

4) Interesting Annual Events: Visit the city in late August to enjoy an intoxicatingly good time at the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival in Esther Short Park – the largest jazz festival in Southwest Washington. In September, St. Joseph Catholic School plays host to the Vancouver Sausage Fest, which brings in about 100,000 people over the course of the 3-day event.

5) Festival of Trees: This annual event is held in November, where the lobby of the Hilton Vancouver Washington comes alive with a magical, glittering exhibition of more than 50 magnificently decorated Christmas trees. What a way to bring in the holiday spirit! The fee to enjoy this event is: $5; seniors ($4); 7 to 12-year olds ($3); and kids under 7 are free. Opening Hours: Fri 9am-9pm; Sat 9am-2.30pm; Sun 10am-4pm.

Also – don’t miss out on the tree-lighting ceremony at Propstra Square – held at Esther Short Park. About town, a handful of tea parties will also mark this spectacular occasion.

6) Discover the Firsts: The city of Vancouver, Washington is regarded as one of the first settlements in the Northwest – upholding a long and honored military and pioneer history. Following the British surrender of Fort Vancouver, attractive homes were built to accommodate the officers brought in to man the Vancouver Barracks U.S. military post. Today, the buildings of Officers' Row are now the responsibility of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve and are quite a sight to see. If you get a chance to hit the Columbia River Waterfront Trail – you will come upon the oldest apple tree in the Northwest – planted in 1826.

7) Discover Little-Known Facts: Did you know? In 1956, country legend Willie Nelson relocated to Vancouver to jumpstart his music career with the recording "Lumberjack". The single sold reasonably well, but did not solidify him as a giant in the music world. Nelson worked as a radio announcer and sung in local clubs in Vancouver before getting his big break. The rest…is history.

This post was inspired by Northwest Window Washing – a proud server of the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington Metro region.

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