From its colorful murals to its fantastic river views, Downtown Vancouver stands out as a fun-filled, trendy neighborhood directly across the Columbia River from Portland. The heart of downtown, Esther Short Park, is the Northwest’s oldest park, established in 1853. Like the rest of Downtown Vancouver, this isn’t your typical park – it includes an interactive fountain, a rose garden, and the Salmon Run Bell Tower. The park is the location of a variety of city festivals and events, including the Vancouver Farmers Market and the Vancouver Brewfest.

Explore Vancouver’s frontier past at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and at the Clark County Historical Museum. Downtown Vancouver offers a variety of shops and restaurants along the very walkable Main Street, including local favorites like Thai Orchid, Brickhouse Bar, and Compass Coffee. Catch a movie at the art deco Kiggins Theatre, first built in 1936, or see a live performance at the Magenta Theater.