This is the second post in a series of Staycation Day Trips we will be featuring over the next several months. (Go here to catch up on Day Trip #1: Astoria, OR). All day trip destinations will be in Oregon or Washington, less than a 3 hour drive from the greater Portland area. The activities will be fun, frugal, and family-friendly.
Last Saturday, when the sun decided to grace us with its presence, my family and I headed north to Vancouver Lake. I have lived just a short jump over the bridge most of my life, and I had never set foot in this park before. How have I missed this spot?! It had shaded grassy areas for picnics, a huge lake to explore by kayak or canoe, paved trails for walking or biking, and a nice beach with a swimming area. For $3/car, this is a beautiful, inexpensive place to spend a sunny day.
As we drove through Vancouver, I was reminded of all the great things to do on the other side of the river. I will highlight several stops in this post, but I am counting on all of our Washington readers for help!
As you know, I plan any and every outing around food. I’d read a positive review on this Vancouver donut shop, Dot Donuts, two years ago in the newspaper, and we stopped in for dessert breakfast the very next week. It’s just a tiny shop tucked away in a strip mall, but apparently the word has gotten out. Arrive early for the best selection. I’ve read they just close up shop when they sell out.
Donuts don’t usually tempt me, but as soon as I took a look in the gleaming bakery case, I knew I was in trouble: pumpkin spice, apple fritters, peanut butter & chocolate, coconut cream, and cake donuts in every flavor imaginable. We were this close to buying a dozen. I think I would’ve taken a bite out of each one, like eating a box of chocolates. Instead, self-restraint prevailed. Bummer. The three we ordered were delicious, washed down with milk & Stumptown coffee. Mmmm. I’d definitely head their way again.
My parents took us kids on countless road trips during my childhood. It was a cheap way to explore our corner of the world. We would drive across the country, looking for strange and unusual stops. I hope to pass on the same mix of adventure and education to my kids. When you can see the World’s Largest Frying Pan, buy postcards at the Corn Palace, and watch a blacksmith pound horseshoes all in one trip, what more do you really need in life?
If extended road trips won’t fit your schedule or your budget this summer, check out the cool attractions Fort Vancouver has to offer! This summer marks the 150-year commemoration of the Civil War so they have some neat events planned for all age groups. I would also love to go to the Councours d’ Elegance or the 1860’sVintage Baseball in August.
Pearson Air Museum is part of the Fort Vancouver area. It’s a neat place for young and old airplane enthusiasts. Or just people like me, married to an airplane enthusiast. Also, if you have a 13-17 year old who is interested in flight, head to the museum on August 27th. In addition to some extra exhibits, the Young Eagles program will be offering free rides to interested young people. It’s a great program; my nephew was given a flight several years ago, and he still talks about it.
Here are a bunch of other places to check out in Vancouver, further proof that you don’t have to travel far for fun:
Cafe Sip-n-Play : $3.95 for kids 1-5
Esther Short Park : 5 acres in the middle of the city
Vancouver Farmers Market : open through October
Firehouse Glass : public glass blowing demos the 1st Friday of each month from 6-10pm
Julia Bakery : Everything from scratch, organic flours, artisan bread
Liberty Theatre of Camas-Washougal : All shows are only $3.50!
Marshall Community Park : 19-acre park with an amazing play structure
Thai Little Home : $3.50 Happy Hour
Treat : Yum.
Uptown Village : Looks like a cool area with neat event
Leave a comment! What great Vancouver-area restaurants and/or activities did I miss?
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Also, there’s Bortolami’s pizza that’s locally owned and DELICIOUS!
http://www.bortolami.com
Woooo Vancouver! Portlanders often poke fun of it, but I adore it here. I too live in Uptown Village and it’s fabulous. I second Ice Cream Renaissance! Also right by is La Bottega with fantastic rustic Italian eats and Mon Ami with tasty crepes, Pop Culture with a massive soda selection and my favorite bakery, Je T’Amie. Down Main Street a little ways is the Brickhouse, which is a family-friendly tavern with a great local beer selection on tap and surprisingly good food. There’s also a lot of little neat retail shops in Uptown Village and downtown. I could go on and on about all the ‘Couve has to offer 🙂
A side note however . . . I wouldn’t swim in Vancouver Lake, they’ve had trouble with bacterial growth and a dip can result in the same itchy rash the Columbia can. It’s been cleaned up a lot over the years, but we still have a ways to go.
Yep, the water quality reminded me of Blue Lake in Troutdale. We stuck with kayaks. 🙂
You might want to think about a staycation to Gresham, Fairview and Troutdale. Take a look at Blue Lake Park. It’s a wonderful park with a water area for the kids.
Take a walk on the Columbia waterfront or hang out on the patio of Husang & Larry’s, McMennamin’s or Beaches restaurants, enjoying the best view in the metro area.
Vancouver’s newest library just opened two weeks ago in the downtown area. It boasts a full floor dedicated to kids, with many sensory activities, arts & crafts and cute reading nooks. After you are done, take a stroll to the Officers’ Row, a tree-lined street with gorgeous historic houses, a gazebo and a huge green space for a game of frisbee. If you visit on a warm summer weekend, stop by the Vancouver Farmers’ Market and then have a picnic at the cute Esther Short Park while the kids play in the spray area.
We always check out the playgrounds when we are in various towns and the one at Marshall Community Park (see above) is one of the best!! Also if you are in Troutdale they have a great one too-up the hill above the Old Town area.
We love Beaches restaurant – order the crab artichoke melt. Another favorite is Mon Ami downtown for crepes and coffee, they often have live music in the evenings too.
I’ve never thought of my home town as a staycation destination, but you highlighted some great places!
However, the picture at the beginning of the post is obviously from Eastern Washington! Perhaps the Welcome to Washington sign going over the Interstate Bridge would have been more appropriate?
Great post!
I live in Uptown Village/downtown, an it is so awesome!! Next time you pass through, stop at Ice Cream Renaissance an Vancouver Pizza. Ice Cream Renaissance is a small ice cream parlor where they make all of their own ice cream!! The vanilla tastes like home made you can make in your back yard at home! It’s so delicious!!! And Vancouver pizza is so yummy too! Owned by a lovely, local couple that also work there – and so do their kids! They’re so friendly and it’s so good!