Harney Heights - Vancouver, WA

The Chinook and Klickitat tribes were the first residents of Harney Heights and the surrounding area of Vancouver. In 1824, settlers from the east founded Fort Vancouver just south of Harney Heights. The area specialized in fur trading, which caused a population boom in the early 1900s. As downtown Vancouver grew, more residents began building homes in the Harney Heights neighborhood. This spot contains one of the highest concentrations of residential homes in the city.

Since the area remains almost entirely residential, it doesn't have any museums within its borders. Travel just south and you find the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site with all of the old buildings from its 1800s history. The neighborhood does not hold any annual festivals.

The arts scene in Harney Heights exists on the outskirts of the neighborhood near the Washington School for the Deaf, which holds events at Loyd Auditorium.

Harney Heights might not be known by residents as a nightlife hotspot, but it has a handful of places to visit in the evening around Grand Boulevard and Mill Plain Boulevard, its two central restaurant locations. Since this area focuses on making homeowners a priority, you don't find streets crowded with local businesses. The Blind Onion Pizza and Pub serves residents nearly every type of pizza imaginable, all within the neighborhood's borders. Homeowners don't have to go far to enjoy this casual dining spot near Mill Plain Boulevard. Start with the garlic or pesto chips, then dig in to a main course of Blind Hawaiian pizza, made with mozzarella, Canadian bacon, red onions and topped off with pineapple slices. This place gives back to the arts community, providing a space for young artists to display their work on the restaurants walls as part of their Art for Fred project.

Experience the best Thai food in Harney Heights at Thai Little Home. Start your meal with a sweet Thai iced tea, then get an order of pot stickers. Break out of the usual Thai staples when you order their Po Tak soup, featuring seafood submerged in sweet-and-sour sauce, chili paste and vegetables. Don't forget to finish your meal off with their famous deep-fried coconut ice cream, made right in the store from scratch.

While you don't find music venues in Harney Heights, the neighborhood's close proximity to downtown Vancouver makes it easy for residents to check out local bands in the city center on a whim.

Other than the Blind Onion Pizza and Pub, you don't find bars in Harney Heights either. When you travel just north of its borders, you discover quite a few local hangouts. Sing karaoke on the weekend at The QuarterDeck Bar on 4th Plain Boulevard.

If you're looking for an old-fashioned dive bar with a wide tap selection, pull up a bar stool at Silverstar Saloon. After downing a few beers, step out onto the dance floor, or shoot some billards at one of the pool tables. Stop by on a Saturday night to listen to live country bands. If you haven't satisfied your itch for karaoke at QuarterDeck, you can also take to the mic most weekdays at this party-centric saloon.

The most common way to get around the neighborhood remains on-foot or by bicycle. Harney Heights houses a small cluster of homes at its center, making it easy to get around without a car. If residents want to take a long relaxing walk, they even find it possible to get to downtown Vancouver by foot along Mill Plain Boulevard. Bicyclists find safe streets, since most cars drive slow in the residential sections.

Take a C-Tran bus anywhere around the neighborhood's major streets, especially at the northern and southern borders. You find cabs along Mill Plain Boulevard and 4th Plain Boulevard, but residents find it easiest to call a cab to get picked up from the center of Harney Heights. Pull the Uber application up on your phone to get anywhere in Vancouver.

Expect to find free public parking nearly everywhere in Harney Heights on the sidewalk in front of homes. Drivers have no trouble getting around in this neighborhood, with Highway 14 located to the south. Take this highway to get to downtown Vancouver to the west or Camas to the east. Transfer to Interstate 205 to get to the Portland International Airport, or take Interstate 5 to arrive in downtown Portland.

Harney Heights doesn't have any parks within its borders, since the area houses only a small cluster of homes. Residents find convenient park locations just outside of the neighborhood's borders. The parks near Harney Heights don't host annual festivals or events, but residents always find something to do.

To the southeastern side of Harney Heights, try out the only golf course in Vancouver, Vanco Golf Range. The golf range features dozens of trees scattered along the greenery, with a tight-knit community of golfers who have been playing against each other for years. Purchase lessons to perfect your swing.

To the north of the neighborhood lies Evergreen Park. This 4-acre no-fee community play area has playground equipment for children, a paved walkway for joggers and an open lawn for picnics. Feel free to take your pet along, but make sure it stays on its leash.

You don't have to break your budget when you live in Harney Heights, since the cost of living remains about 7 percent lower than living in Portland. Find a place to rent for an average of $638.98.

Entertainment near Harney Heights remains the least expensive in the area, with beer at local pubs costing anywhere from $3 to $4 per bottle.

When you travel to downtown Vancouver by C-Tran, expect to pay $1.75. If you want to get to downtown Portland, pay $3.75. When you drive, be aware that the average gas price sits at about 8 percent above the national average.

At its core, Harney Heights remains a neighborhood filled with homes rather than businesses, so you don't find major shopping centers in its borders. Travel to 4th Plain Boulevard or Mill Plain Boulevard for your consumer needs. Most high-end stores gather around downtown Vancouver to the west, but head to 4th Plain Boulevard for specialty stores sitting just outside of the neighborhood's perimeter.

Venice Genoa Tile features tons of selections for your home improvement needs with regards to floors and walls. Whether you appreciate a mosaic tile or glass entryways, Venice Genoa Tile features products that outfit your home with the latest styles. Butcher Boys features a game processing service after your hunting trip and also lets you purchase locally sourced meats, including pork, beef and lamb. For a specialty grocery, Butcher Boys has you covered for any type of meat you want.

Sports-minded shoppers enjoy stops at Archery World to browse its collection of bows and field arrows. Even if you've never picked up a bow in your life, experienced staff members stand at the ready to give you one-on-one lessons at this establishment's private indoor range. Try a bow out before you buy it using one of the designated target shooting areas.

Travel a few miles outside of the neighborhood to shop at Fred Meyer and Safeway, or stop by the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market for your grocery needs. For fast convenience store food, try Circle K Food Store or 20th Street Mini Mart. For international foods, including imports from Europe, shop at Becerras International Groceries.

From May until October, make a trip west into downtown Vancouver for the Vancouver Farmers' Market. This market in Esther Short Park features local food vendors and fresh produce grown by farmers.