The Charm of the "Other" Vancouver

Vancouver offers terrific choices for any traveler. Families discover parks for picnics, bits of history and intriguing artisanal ice cream shops. Couples find or recapture romance on lovely riverside walks and in cozy restaurants and bars. Solos meet welcoming and friendly people wherever they go.

Here are some ways to enjoy this charming city.

Take a walk through history

History in American Vancouver is far from dry. For example, Captain Vancouver never actually came to this part of the region during his famous 18th-century expedition (though his statue stands near the river). It was named in his honor by the Hudson’s Bay Company when they established a fur trading post here in 1824.

The Clark County Historical Museum, an easy walk from any downtown point, offers interesting glimpses into Vancouver’s past and future. During the summer, the museum hosts guided walking tours of the city, while in September and October, things turn ghostly with the Haunted History Walking Tour.

If you want to learn more, visiting Fort Vancouver National Historic Site offers so much to see and do that it’s easy to dedicate a day to it. Places to check out in the park include:

• Fort Vancouver, established as a fur trading post by Hudson’s Bay Company in 1824.

• Vancouver Barracks, the first United States Army post in the Pacific Northwest, where notable officers, including Ulysses S. Grant, George McClellan and George Pickett (made famous by the Civil War), were stationed.

• Pearson Airfield, tracing the history of aviation in the area.

Activities include guided tours, living history demonstrations and kid-focused programs. With plenty of outdoor areas to explore, the park is also bicycle and pet friendly.

Dive into Downtown

The downtown area of present-day Vancouver is easily walkable. Starting at the river, Grant Street Pier symbolizes the waterfront's brilliant transformation, with a beautiful park and well-groomed walking paths replacing former industrial activity. Restaurants range from fresh seafood to various ethnic eats, several with outside tables with views of the Columbia River. Are you a wine connoisseur? There are eight tasting rooms within a few blocks of each other, so you can sample some of the region's wines without driving anywhere. To cap your visit, you can choose between two artisanal ice cream shops offering fascinating flavors like cinnamon and honey fried chicken, pear and blue cheese and sour cherry pie.

Walking north on a weekend, you’ll encounter the Vancouver Farmers Market. Fresh produce stalls stand elbow to elbow with food vendors and artistic creations for several blocks, and you will indeed find excellent candidates for purchase.

Head up Main Street and immerse yourself in the community vibe. Blend in with the locals among fascinating storefronts that intermingle with brewpubs (more tasting opportunities!) and funky restaurants. An evening spent on Main Street will be memorable indeed!

Bask in the wonders of nature

The Columbia River Gorge is an ecologically diverse marvel. From temperate rain forests at the western end to grasslands in the east, it is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts looking for an idyllic place to hike, bike and fish. A day spent traveling at least a part of this area will be rewarding. Waterfalls dot the Vancouver end of the gorge. The most famous is Multnomah Falls, which has the second-longest drop of any American waterfall (after Niagara Falls). Though you can drive the route yourself, you might prefer to take advantage of guided full or half-day tours offering insights into the area and visits to not-to-be-missed locations.