Guest guidebook
Food scene
Some of our favorite local restaurants.
Top-notch sushi. A full menu of Japanese options is available (teriyaki, udon, etc.), but the nigiri is a standout (and $$$$, accordingly).
13 locals recommend
Sushi Mo
1012 Washington StTop-notch sushi. A full menu of Japanese options is available (teriyaki, udon, etc.), but the nigiri is a standout (and $$$$, accordingly).
Great pastas, sandwiches, and mains in Uptown Vancouver. Takeaway and bake-at-home available.
46 locals recommend
La Bottega Cafe Deli Wine Shop
1905 Main StGreat pastas, sandwiches, and mains in Uptown Vancouver. Takeaway and bake-at-home available.
Nonavo Pizza
110 W 6th StLegit, Italian-style wood-fired pizzas in Downtown Vancouver.
Drive-thru coffee shop that offers THE BEST breakfast sandwiches and pastries.
9 locals recommend
River Maiden
5301 E Mill Plain BlvdDrive-thru coffee shop that offers THE BEST breakfast sandwiches and pastries.
Woody's Tacos
7900 E Mill Plain BlvdA good local spot for tacos or burritos.
Delicious burgers and adult beverages, on the waterfront.
10 locals recommend
Stack 571 Burger & Whiskey Bar - Vancouver
670 Waterfront WayDelicious burgers and adult beverages, on the waterfront.
Coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and a full breakfast/brunch menu on weekends.
53 locals recommend
Bleu Door Bakery
2411 Main StCoffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and a full breakfast/brunch menu on weekends.
La Provence
17719 SE Mill Plain BlvdGreat place for breakfast or brunch. Outdoor seating available.
If you're visiting March-October, the weekend farmer's market is a great destination featuring a wide assortment of local vendors. Grab a coffee and something to eat, and head over to the waterfront on foot for a great way to spend a day outdoors.
65 locals recommend
Vancouver Farmers Market
605 Esther StIf you're visiting March-October, the weekend farmer's market is a great destination featuring a wide assortment of local vendors. Grab a coffee and something to eat, and head over to the waterfront on foot for a great way to spend a day outdoors.
Some of the best bbq I've ever had, plus delicious sides and daily specials.
16 locals recommend
The Smokin' Oak Barbeque Restaurant, Bar & Catering
501 Columbia StSome of the best bbq I've ever had, plus delicious sides and daily specials.
Craft brewery featuring outdoor seating and several food trucks.
15 locals recommend
Brothers Cascadia Brewing
9811 NE 15th AveCraft brewery featuring outdoor seating and several food trucks.
Simple concept -- roast chicken, sauces, and sides -- executed at the highest level. This is one of my favorite restaurants. The dipping sauces! The sweet potatoes! The GF miso brownies! I’m hungry!
Mama Bird
Simple concept -- roast chicken, sauces, and sides -- executed at the highest level. This is one of my favorite restaurants. The dipping sauces! The sweet potatoes! The GF miso brownies! I’m hungry!
High-level modern izakaya that sources top-quality ingredients. Not cheap, and the portions are on the smaller side (as one might expect at an izakaya), but if quality, atmosphere and great service are what you’re after, you won’t be disappointed. $$$$
Takibi
High-level modern izakaya that sources top-quality ingredients. Not cheap, and the portions are on the smaller side (as one might expect at an izakaya), but if quality, atmosphere and great service are what you’re after, you won’t be disappointed. $$$$
You no longer need to trek to Portland to make your Voodoo Doughnut pilgrimage- there’s one a few miles away!
Voodoo Doughnut - Vancouver WA
You no longer need to trek to Portland to make your Voodoo Doughnut pilgrimage- there’s one a few miles away!
Grassa
Pasta!
Dough Zone Dumpling House - Portland
Sightseeing
An all-level trail for walking or biking, featuring a creek, pond, and beautiful views. If you're lucky, you might see a bald eagle or two.
10 locals recommend
Salmon Creek Greenway Trail
An all-level trail for walking or biking, featuring a creek, pond, and beautiful views. If you're lucky, you might see a bald eagle or two.
A great, shaded spot for all-level hikes. Good for dogs.
12 locals recommend
Whipple Creek Regional Park
17202 NW 21st AveA great, shaded spot for all-level hikes. Good for dogs.
A nice area for walking, dining, picnics, or just enjoying views of the Columbia River.
85 locals recommend
Vancouver Waterfront
695 Waterfront WyA nice area for walking, dining, picnics, or just enjoying views of the Columbia River.
Medium-level hike with stunning views of the Columbia Gorge. WA State Discover pass required.
43 locals recommend
Beacon Rock State Park
34841 Washington 14Medium-level hike with stunning views of the Columbia Gorge. WA State Discover pass required.
A great local beach spot for sunny days. Paid parking offered, or park along the public road and hike in.
12 locals recommend
Frenchman's Bar Regional Park
9612 NW Lower River RdA great local beach spot for sunny days. Paid parking offered, or park along the public road and hike in.
This is my personal pick for a local beach spot, although it's farther away than Frenchman's Bar (about 20-25 minutes). Free parking available.
7 locals recommend
Captain William Clark Park
3333 Index StThis is my personal pick for a local beach spot, although it's farther away than Frenchman's Bar (about 20-25 minutes). Free parking available.
Great park for the whole family. Extensive green space for picnics or play; good for dogs; easy paved trail for biking or walking. Fun, creative play area for kids!
Columbia Tech Center Park
17701 SE Mill Plain BlvdGreat park for the whole family. Extensive green space for picnics or play; good for dogs; easy paved trail for biking or walking. Fun, creative play area for kids!
Lacamas Park
3344 NE Everett StEasy hike for the whole family, with lake and waterfall views.
A medium-level/difficult hike located across the highway from Beacon Rock State Park (WA State Discover Pass required). Along the trail, visit the Pool of the Winds, a stunning year-round waterfall.
19 locals recommend
Hamilton Mountain trail head
Hamilton Mountain TrailA medium-level/difficult hike located across the highway from Beacon Rock State Park (WA State Discover Pass required). Along the trail, visit the Pool of the Winds, a stunning year-round waterfall.
Easy walk/bike along the Washougal waterfront, featuring a picnic area and nice play area for kids (complete with sasquatch!).
8 locals recommend
Washougal Waterfront Park
56 S 1st StEasy walk/bike along the Washougal waterfront, featuring a picnic area and nice play area for kids (complete with sasquatch!).
Moulton Falls Regional Park
27781 NE Lucia Falls RdAn easy, picturesque hike for all levels.
Hikes, beaches, u-pick farms... just a great place to spend a day outdoors when the weather is nice,.
181 locals recommend
Sauvies Island
38799 NW Reeder RdHikes, beaches, u-pick farms... just a great place to spend a day outdoors when the weather is nice,.
A great place for walking, biking, watching planes take off, or lounging in the grass.
132 locals recommend
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
1501 E Evergreen BlvdA great place for walking, biking, watching planes take off, or lounging in the grass.
If you're into vintage cars or planes, this is a must-visit. Great for families and small kids. It's huge!
28 locals recommend
Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM)
1600 Air Museum RdIf you're into vintage cars or planes, this is a must-visit. Great for families and small kids. It's huge!
On the weekends, parking is free and there are 6+ miles of beautiful trails on the campus.
9 locals recommend
Washington State University Vancouver
14204 NE Salmon Creek AveOn the weekends, parking is free and there are 6+ miles of beautiful trails on the campus.
A destination for movie lovers that hosts special events, and shows both new and old films. Check their calendar for upcoming screenings. Also, a good way to get out of the rain.
231 locals recommend
Hollywood Theatre
4122 NE Sandy BlvdA destination for movie lovers that hosts special events, and shows both new and old films. Check their calendar for upcoming screenings. Also, a good way to get out of the rain.
Groceries
Local grocery store chain with great produce and butcher (try the beefalo ribeye if it's in stock!).
42 locals recommend
Chuck's Produce & Street Market
2302 NE 117th StLocal grocery store chain with great produce and butcher (try the beefalo ribeye if it's in stock!).
Natural Grocers
5055 NE Martin Luther King Jr BlvdOrganic grocer just up the road with great prices.
Nearby grocery store in a development with abundant food options (burgers, pizza, thai, etc.)
9 locals recommend
Safeway
408 NE 81st StNearby grocery store in a development with abundant food options (burgers, pizza, thai, etc.)
Shopping
Target
939 SW Morrison StIf you need any supplies, there's a Target just up the road.
Walmart
9000 NE Hwy 99Walmart is just up the road as well.
Can’t say I spend much time here other than going to the movies (it has an AMC), but they have plenty of name-brand stores. My son likes the Hobby Lobby next door.
42 locals recommend
Vancouver Mall
8700 NE Vancouver Mall DrCan’t say I spend much time here other than going to the movies (it has an AMC), but they have plenty of name-brand stores. My son likes the Hobby Lobby next door.