rachelteodoro
Vancouver, Washington: One of the Best Easy Weekend Trips from Seattle
If you're looking for an easy Pacific Northwest getaway, Vancouver, Washington might just be one of the most overlooked destinations in the whole region! Located just across the Columbia River from Portland, this charming city offers a walkable downtown, a beautiful waterfront, fantastic restaurants, and plenty of local character.
For travelers searching for weekend trips from Seattle or Tacoma, or even a day trip, Vancouver, WA delivers the perfect mix of convenience and charm! It's close enough for a spontaneous getaway but full enough of things to do that you can easily spend an entire weekend away exploring.
Between browsing vintage shops, walking along the waterfront, eating your way through local restaurants, and discovering the city's history, Vancouver is the kind of Pacific Northwest destination that gives you that off the beaten path feel. You'll leave feeling like you chipped away at one of those spots that no one else knows about, so get out there and enjoy it before anyone catches on!
Here's how to plan the perfect Vancouver, Washington getaway.
Vancouver, Washington: One of the Best Easy Weekend Trips from Seattle
How to Get to Vancouver
One of the best things about visiting Vancouver is how easy it is to reach from anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.
Driving from Seattle or Tacoma
If you're planning a Seattle or Tacoma weekend trip away, Vancouver is an easy drive south along I5.
Approximate driving times:
Seattle to Vancouver, WA: about 2.5-3 hoursTacoma to Vancouver, WA: about 2-2.5 hours.
Pro tip: start your drive in the early afternoon to avoid traffic around Joint Base Lewis McChord and Olympia because traffic can slow down during peak hours!
Because Vancouver sits directly across the river from Portland, many visitors combine the two cities into one trip. Honestly, as someone who has spent time in Portland, Vancouver actually felt a little like a mini Portland, so if you're like me and hate crowds and want more of a hidden gem, allow more time to explore Vancouver and give Portland its own time and space on another visit.
Taking Amtrak to Vancouver
If you'd rather skip driving, Amtrak Cascades offers a relaxing way to travel between Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver. It's all just a straight line from one to the other basically!
The Vancouver Amtrak station is just minutes from downtown, so once you arrive it's easy to grab a quick rideshare to your hotel.
Pro tip: We stayed at the Hilton Vancouver Washington hotel {perfectly situated for maximum access and easy walking!} and if you look at the map it looks like it's only a .7 mile walk from the Amtrak station to the hotel. You might think you can walk that. Unfortunately, for now, there are not many sidewalks that connect the station to the downtown area and it's in a pretty industrial space with large trucks. Stick with a rideshare to get you to the hotel.
Traveling by train is one of the most stress-free ways to enjoy a Pacific Northwest weekend getaway, especially if you want to sit back, enjoy the scenery, and avoid highway traffic!
Bonus points for WIFI on board, so you could work remotely as you travel and take advantage of even more time at your destination.
With current gas prices, you can find tickets starting around $40 round trip and let someone else do the driving. Booking ahead saves you even more money on Amtrak tickets.
Flying into Portland {PDX}
Another reason Vancouver is such an easy destination is its proximity to Portland International Airport {PDX}.
The airport is only about 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, making it one of the simplest airport transfers you'll find for a weekend trip.
Car rentals at PDX are easy to arrange, but depending on where you're staying you may not need a car for your entire visit since downtown Vancouver is very walkable.
Where to Stay in Vancouver, Washington
If you want a central location where you can walk almost everywhere, the Hilton Vancouver Washington is an ideal choice.
Located downtown near Esther Short Park, this hotel places you right in the heart of the city.
From here you can easily walk to:
- Vancouver Waterfront
- Downtown restaurants and shops
- The Vancouver Farmers Market
- Coffee shops and bakeries
The Vancouver waterfront is about a 10 minute walk, making it easy to enjoy sunset walks along the river before heading back to your hotel.
For a weekend getaway, staying downtown means you can park your car and spend most of your trip exploring on foot.
Pro tip: if you are driving, consider bringing a bike for even more access to Vancouver. There are easy to navigate bike lanes and this would have given us greater access to the Historic Fort Vancouver and waterfront area.
Hotel Indigo is located directly on the Vancouver Waterfront. It's a bit further walk to the downtown area, but everything is connected by sidewalks making it another hotel that you can park your car and explore most of the area.
Walk the Vancouver Waterfront
One of the highlights of visiting Vancouver is spending time along the Columbia River waterfront.
Over the past several years the waterfront has been completely revitalized, transforming the area into one of the most beautiful places to walk in Southwest Washington.
The waterfront area features:
- Riverfront parks
- Walking and biking paths
- Outdoor seating areas
- Public art and sculptures
- Restaurants and cafes
One of the most recognizable landmarks is Grant Street Pier, which extends dramatically over the river and provides incredible views of the Columbia. We were able to see lots of fish, seals and sea lions easily from the pier.
For visitors coming from Seattle, this waterfront area feels like the perfect blend of urban energy and PNW beauty and for those coming from Tacoma, it's very reminiscent of the restoration that's occurred along Ruston Way Waterfront.
Don't miss these Vancouver Waterfront locations!
Salt & Straw: I discovered this ice cream shop years and years ago when it only had one location in Portland. The brand has expanded all over {including into Disneyland!} and it's the perfect spot to stop for a sweet treat on the waterfront.
13 Coins: We popped into the new location on the waterfront for breakfast and sadly were unimpressed. It was an expensive Applebee's type dining experience and we weren't even seated near the waterfront, which honestly, makes waterfront dining more delightful. But I have heard that the 13 Coins Coffee shop is worth stopping in and that does have a waterfront view.
Kafiex Roasters: I am strong on vibes, and this had plenty of them! Not only was it a good cup of coffee, the baristas were so kind and welcoming and the interior of the cafe was cute! There are options for brunch and breakfast items as well. And if you want to watch the sun set nearby, you can get beer, wine and cocktails by night!
Witness Tree Lounge: This is Vancouver's first rooftop bar at the top of Hotel Indigo on the waterfront. Go at sunset for an incredible view and delicious drinks.
Explore Downtown Vancouver
Downtown Vancouver is filled with small businesses, vintage shops, and locally owned boutiques.
If you enjoy browsing unique stores, this area is one of the best places to explore during a Vancouver WA day trip.
You'll find:
The neighborhood feels creative and welcoming, and it's easy to spend hours wandering from shop to shop. It's also very walkable, which is one of my favorite parts of visiting any town.
Don't miss these downtown Vancouver locations
Vintage Shops
It's not called Thriftcouver for nothing! There are 11 unique vintage shops all within a 10 block stretch on Main Street. These are the ones that stood out to me.
Eras Vintage Marketplace: Eras has over 30 uniquely curated spaces plus a wine garden to make shopping that much more fun! Don't miss the nostalgic candy section and the clothing upstairs.
Main Street Vintage: this was probably my favorite vintage shop mostly because it had a little bit of everything and it was all reasonably priced. As one of the baristas I met said, she can always walk into this shop and find something, and I found that to be pretty accurate!
Most Everything Vintage: I happened upon a special event and after browsing the shop filled with vintage clothes and arranged treasures, I was invited to walk through a Narnia like closet and enter into a wide open space in the Valiant Ballroom filled with vintage vendors and craft artisans. Keep an eye on their Instagram to find out when their next event is.
Persnickety: Another fun vintage clothing and home shop. It's worth popping into!
Coffee Stops
Need a little extra pep in your step? It's not a fun day hunting if you don't have a fun drink in your hand. There are lots of cafes to stop at in the Downtown area. Here are a few that stuck out to me!
Carino Coffeehouse: This Mexican specialty coffee shop came highly recommended more than once. It's a delightful location.
Compass Coffee: This shop believes that you can impact the community one moment at a time, and if the seats being full every single time I walked by was any indication of the community they've created, it seems like maybe they've also created some pretty great coffee to serve up with it too!
Dandelion Teahouse and Apothecary: this inclusive community space with teas from all over the world has as diverse a selection of teas and drinks as they do the people they welcome to the shop and I think that's pretty great.
Relevant Coffee: I love that this shop sources from sustainable quality farms around the world and uses high quality ingredients to create high quality specialty drinks.
Specialty Shops
Eryngium Papeterie: this boutique is filled with vintage-inspired stationary and unique goods. It's one of those stores that draws you in with the display window and embraces you with the coziness. The shop owner is delightful and is happy to share recommendations for her local area favorites too. She's a transplant who loves the community and is living her lifelong dream to own a beautiful paper shop and you can tell how much joy she feels from all of it. It just radiates and is such a positive spot to visit.
Kindred: This shop has everything you need to live just a little bit more sustainably. There are refill stations {with a free glass jar swap}, one-of-a kind household goods, and everything you need to bulk refill just about anything in your home. There are also hosted pop ups with vintage clothing and educational classes, so keep this one on your radar and make sure you know what's happening!
Lyon & Pearle: At first glance you might think it's just a small boutique shop for babies, but there are cards and home decor items as well as women's clothing tucked away in the back. It's a really sweet shop that you will have to pop into.
White Oak Books: This woman owned book shop is a fun place to find a little something to take home with you. I loved all of the staff picks located all around the shop.
Visit the Vancouver Farmer's Market
I'm a Midwest girl who loves a good farmer's market. I've been to quite a few and honestly, the Vancouver Farmer's Market is one of the best I've been too, especially in the late winter months! I can only imagine what it must be like in the summer when fruits, veggies and flowers are in full bloom!
Located in Esther Short Park, the market features hundreds of vendors selling everything from fresh produce to handmade goods.
Expect to find:
- Local farms selling seasonal fruits and vegetables
- Artisan breads and baked goods
- Flower vendors
- Food trucks and international cuisine
- Handmade jewelry and crafts
The market creates a lively atmosphere downtown and is one of the best ways to experience the local community.
Staying at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, you are directly across the street from the market, so it's very easy access!
Even if the market isn't running, Esther Short Park is worth visiting. It's the oldest public square in all of Washington State and it's a beautiful green space right in the center of town. There's an incredible playground, lots of benches and sidewalks and even a historic home called The Solcum House.
Discover Local History at Fort Vancouver
Everyone should make the time to explore Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. It's more than just a Fort!
We drove in through the barracks and down through Officer's Row. We got lucky on a Saturday morning when we saw that there was a sign out front of the Marshall House that was offering free tours.
The tour guide was full of knowledge and tailored our tour to the time that we had. It was the first time we heard about Chklov and the first transpolar flight from Russia in 1937 that landed at Pearson Airfield. It wasn't the last time we heard about the flight and it was a great way to tie together all the threads as we wandered around the Historic Sites in the area.
Admission: free
The visitors center has an orientation film, maps with tour routes, brochures and more. They also have a bookstore and exhibits on the history of the site.
Admission: freeOpen Tuesday through Saturday
We drove down to Fort Vancouver and found plenty of free parking. We wandered through the gardens and entered into the admission building. It is $10 per adult or free if you have a National Parks Pass.
This reconstructed Hudson's Bay Company trading post tells the story of early settlement and commerce in the Pacific Northwest. Walking through the fort buildings provides a fascinating glimpse into life during the early 1800s.
It's a living history museum, so be prepared to be enchanted by the people and volunteers that are sharing their experiences. Most of the staff and volunteers are dressed and working how people would have lived and worked during the time period. There are a lot of hands on interactive experience opportunities and while artifacts may be behind ropes to keep you safe, this isn't a museum that's full of glass display cabinets. There are lots of opportunities to touch and feel and learn.
Give yourself at least a few hours to explore the grounds.
Admission: $10 adultschildren under 16 and under are freeOr included with a National Parks PassTuesday-Saturday 9-4
Nearby you'll also find the Pearson Air Museum, which highlight the aviation history of Pearson Field, one of the oldest operating airfields in the United States.
The museum includes historic aircraft, exhibits on early aviation pioneers, and artifacts from the region's aviation history including information on that iconic flight I mentioned earlier.
What I loved about this museum was the prominent feature of women in aviation. Even today, it's a very small industry and to highlight the stories of women, and especially those in the BIPOC community is rare. When I asked a docent if these women were just being highlighted because of women's history month, he told me that wasn't the case. I quickly gathered that the man who ran Pearson Airfield back in the 30's really valued competency and skill over gender and color.
Don't miss watching the planes take off and land at the nearby airfield. It's a pretty busy municipal airport. As a pilot wife and mom, if there's one thing I know, it's that pilots like to talk about airplanes, so don't hesitate to ask questions and watch for those winged waves in the air!
Admission: freeTuesday-Saturday 9-4
Where to Eat in Vancouver WA
Vancouver's food scene has quietly grown into one of the best in Southwest Washington.
Here are a few local favorites worth adding to your itinerary.
Brickhouse Bar & Grill
Brickhouse is a popular downtown restaurant known for classic American comfort food and a lively atmosphere.
During the week they host trivia, karaoke and open mic nights and on the weekends, they often host free live music {starting around 9}, making it a fun stop for dinner and drinks after a day of exploring.
Provecho
For bold Mexican flavors, Provecho is one of the most beloved restaurants in Vancouver.
The menu features house-made tortillas, creative tacos, flavorful salsas, and craft cocktails. It's an excellent dinner spot if you're looking for something vibrant and flavorful.
Little Conejo
If tacos are your love language, Little Conejo should definitely be on your list.
This casual restaurant is known for its flavorful street tacos and vibey atmosphere. It's perfect for either lunch or dinner during a weekend getaway.
Brunch at Cecilia
Weekend brunch is practically a Pacific Northwest tradition, and Cecilia is one of Vancouver's most popular spots.
The menu focuses on seasonal ingredients and beautifully plated dishes, making it a great place to start a slow Saturday or Sunday morning. They do take reservations, so plan ahead!
Pro tip: If you mention that it's your first time in, they will often give the table a plate of Abuelito's donuts on the house. I mentioned it and it didn't work, but they did slip into my DM's on Instagram and told me this is something they do, so make sure you mention it, but only if it's everyone at the tables first time in!
Silver Ball Social Club
For something a little unexpected, stop by Silver Ball Social Club.
This retro arcade bar is packed with vintage pinball machines and classic arcade games. It's nostalgic and fun and it's a great way to spend an evening in downtown Vancouver.
Even if you aren't into arcade games, the adult spin on kids food classics {think deep fried uncrustable} was actually more tasty than I would have thought. It's worth visiting just for the atmosphere. And come on...put a few quarters in the Skee Ball machine, it's fun!
Quick Vancouver WA Weekend Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrive and check into the Hilton Vancouver Washington
- Explore downtown shops
- Sunset drinks at Witness Tree Lounge
- Dinner wityh live music at Brickhouse
Day 2
- Waterfront walk along the Vancouver Waterfront
- Coffee and breakfast at Kafiex Roasters
- Visit Vancouver Farmers Market
- Visit Fort Vancouver and Pearson Air Museum
- Lunch at Little Conejo
- Explore Downtown shops
- Dinner and games at Silver Ball Social Club
Day 3
- Walk the Vancouver Veterans Memorial Walk
- Coffee and treat at downtown coffee shop {you choose!}
- Explore Downtown Shops
- Brunch at Cecilia
- Say goodbye until next time!
Why Vancouver is One of the Best Easy PNW Getaways
For travelers searching for Seattle weekend trips or easy Pacific Northwest getaways, Vancouver is an ideal destination.
It offers:- A walkable downtown
- Beautiful waterfront views
- Incredible restaurants
- Fascinating local history
- Easy access by car, train, or plane
It's also less crowded than many other Pacific Northwest destinations, making it perfect for travelers who want a relaxing weekend without the crowds.
Whether you're planning a Vancouver WA day trip, a romantic weekend getaway, or just looking for somewhere off the beaten path to explore in Washington, Vancouver is the kind of place that surprises you in the best possible way.
You can get up to date information on events and even more suggestions here!
disclaimer: this post may have affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing through them, I may receive a small commission. These small purchases help me to continue to keep writing content and creating at Rachel Teodoro. Thank you!
loading..
No comments
Post a Comment