Downtown Vancouver Travel Guide

Portland

Those of us who live in a certain neighborhood of the Lincoln district know that for one month every year we won't have to worry about turning on our porch lights. If the street lamps should fail, well, that's not really of any concern. Say the moon itself were to pop out of the sky and go flying into space. No big deal. Because for a glorious 30 days every winter, we're able to bask in the glow of a house lit bright enough to make artificial sunshine. A sight so startling, it causes commuters to back up traffic as they sit in their cars and gape. It wasn't always that way. A few years back, the charming old couple who lives in the place started to put out a few lights to decorate their home. The next year they added a few more, and the year after that -- again -- some more. At some point, however, they seem to have developed a kind of high tolerance for luminescence. And when that happened, the floodgates were open. What you see in these photos is the early December version of what, by Christmas day, will be a kind of multi-colored solar flare emanating from the front yard of their home. It can really be a beautiful thing to behold, as anyone who sees it for the first time can tell you. And those of us who live here have accepted with pride this red and gold meteor which appears in our midst during every gloomy Northwest December. Can you blame us? We may be the only block on earth entirely visible from space. #localgem
Those of us who live in a certain neighborhood of the Lincoln district know that for one month every year we won't have to worry about turning on our porch lights. If the street lamps should fail, well, that's not really of any concern. Say the moon itself were to pop out of the sky and go flying into space. No big deal. Because for a glorious 30 days every winter, we're able to bask in the glow of a house lit bright enough to make artificial sunshine. A sight so startling, it causes commuters to back up traffic as they sit in their cars and gape. It wasn't always that way. A few years back, the charming old couple who lives in the place started to put out a few lights to decorate their home. The next year they added a few more, and the year after that -- again -- some more. At some point, however, they seem to have developed a kind of high tolerance for luminescence. And when that happened, the floodgates were open. What you see in these photos is the early December version of what, by Christmas day, will be a kind of multi-colored solar flare emanating from the front yard of their home. It can really be a beautiful thing to behold, as anyone who sees it for the first time can tell you. And those of us who live here have accepted with pride this red and gold meteor which appears in our midst during every gloomy Northwest December. Can you blame us? We may be the only block on earth entirely visible from space. #localgem
A miserably wet day to have an alternator die out on the freeway, but the subsequent journey to the closest open mechanic deposited me next to this beautiful structure. Originally a First Christian Church, it was built in 1925 to house a thriving congregation which had outgrown its most recent house of worship. The building is now home to the unaffiliated Compass Church. Even on a horribly grey day, the austere beauty of the place shines through. http://ncbible.org/nwh/WaClark.html And, yes, I love the #Architecture of the place.
No longer a theater, this is now a gallery and the offices of Vancouver's Farmers Market. But it has a storied past, and in 2017 will be 150 years old. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slocum_House_%28Vancouver,_Washington%29
The talking clocktower with the dancing salmon at Esther Short Park. The cylindrical building in the background is a local landmark -- a set of apartments known as the "Smith Tower," (officially Mid-Columbia Manor). But that's a subject for another day. http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2007/11/esther_short_park.html

Popular places to visit

Esther Short Park which includes a garden

Esther Short Park

After visiting Esther Short Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Vancouver. Stroll along the area's riverfront or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Esther Short Park
Some pieces are contemporary, and decidedly on the whimsical side. This one is entitled "If Gucci Were a Straight Dancer from Oklahoma" by Angela Swedberg

Clark County Historical Museum

You can study the exhibits at Clark County Historical Museum, a museum with a story of its own, during your trip to Vancouver. Stroll along the riverfront or visit the shops in the area.

Clark County Historical Museum
Moda Center

Moda Center

Catch an event at Moda Center and enjoy other activities in Portland such as cycling.Wander the riverfront or discover the area's beautiful waterfalls.

Moda Center
Aerial View of Portland Cityscape with Solar Panels and Highway

Oregon Convention Center

Learn about the events happening in Oregon Convention Center during your trip to Portland. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Oregon Convention Center
Oregon Zoo showing landscape views and zoo animals as well as a large group of people

Oregon Zoo

Visit the animals who call Oregon Zoo home during your travels in Portland. Wander the area's riverfront or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Oregon Zoo
Winter sunrise from the OHSU observation deck in Portland, OR #sunrise #portlandoregon #pnw #cellphoneography #samsunggalaxys8plus #mthood

Oregon Health and Science University

Walk around the campus at Oregon Health and Science University during your stay in Portland. Discover the area's shops or seek out its cycling trails.

Oregon Health and Science University

Top hotels in Downtown Vancouver

Comfort Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown City Center

Comfort Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown City Center

2.5 out of 5
401 E 13th Street Vancouver WA
The price is 2.219.360 ₫ per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
2.219.360 ₫
2.511.166 ₫ total
10 Mar - 11 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,155 reviews)
Sheets were a little stained but otherwise great

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2026

Comfort Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown City Center
AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront

AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront

3.5 out of 5
333 W COLUMBIA WAY Vancouver WA
The price is 4.429.860 ₫ per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
4.429.860 ₫
4.960.401 ₫ total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (352 reviews)
Furnace was loud in the room. Other than that excellent

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront
Park Lane Suites and Inn

Park Lane Suites and Inn

2.5 out of 5
809 SW King Avenue Portland OR
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,645 reviews)
Clean, comfortable, nice lobby, free parking

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Get rates
Park Lane Suites and Inn
The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
808 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is 2.448.931 ₫ per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
2.448.931 ₫
2.854.393 ₫ total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,222 reviews)
This is our “Go to” hotel when we stay in Portland. Wonderful front desk service, clean rooms, great beds. Actually comfortable beds is one of the first things I look for when reading hotel reviews. Nice bedding linens too. They also give a $10 credit for the restaurants downstairs, which are great. ...

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2026

The Paramount Hotel
Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

3.5 out of 5
6233 NE 78th Court Portland OR
The price is 2.547.170 ₫ per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
2.547.170 ₫
3.085.007 ₫ total
30 Mar - 31 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,983 reviews)
This is a perfect place to stay. It is spotlessly clean, quiet, lovely surroundings and a good restaurant. The staff are friendly, helpful and amazing.

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport
Cambria Hotel Portland - Pearl District

Cambria Hotel Portland - Pearl District

3 out of 5
165 NW Park Ave Portland OR
The price is 2.857.260 ₫ per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
2.857.260 ₫
3.314.421 ₫ total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Moda Center and Oregon Zoo are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (298 reviews)
Lovely stay at Cambria with local shops and eats around! Parking is expensive at hotel so we opted to park our rental down at brewery blocks!

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Cambria Hotel Portland - Pearl District
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Vancouver

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North Portland

Travellers love North Portland for its stunning river views, and you can see more of Portland by jumping on the metro at Delta Park-Vanport Station or Expo Center Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Moda Center and Portland International Raceway.

North Portland
China town, Portland Oregon..

Northwest Portland

While you're in Northwest Portland, take in top sights like Pittock Mansion or Hoyt Arboretum, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at NW 23rd & Marshall Stop or NW Northrup & 22nd Stop.

Northwest Portland
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Irvington

While Irvington may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Moda Center and Lloyd Center.

Irvington
The Portland skyline on a crisp clear winter night. The Eastbank Esplanade is an ideal stroll the see this beautiful city at any hour of the day. #Oregon #Portland #skyline #night #Eastbankesplanade

Northeast Portland

While you're in Northeast Portland, take in top sights like Moda Center or Colwood National Golf Course, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Parkrose-Sumner Transit Center or NE 82nd Avenue Station.

Northeast Portland
Moda Center which includes signage

Lloyd District

3.5/5(5 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Lloyd District. Moda Center is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at NE Grand & Multnomah Stop or NE 7th & Holladay Stop to see more of Portland.

Lloyd District
Pearl District which includes outdoor art

Pearl District

4/5(4 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Pearl District. Spend some time visiting top spots like Powell's City of Books, and catch the metro at NW 10th & Johnson Stop or NW 11th & Johnson Stop to see more of the area.

Pearl District

Downtown Vancouver Travel Guide

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