Vancouver, Washington may be home to the oldest living apple tree in the Pacific Northwest (seeds planted in 1826), the first sawmill in the Pacific Northwest (1827) and the landing site of the first transpolar flight (Pearson Field, 1937), but it is also a vibrant area of up and coming activities throughout the city. Whether you’re a resident or visitor, Vancouver offers a variety of attractions where you can learn the area’s history, participate in cultural experiences and even create your own take-home souvenirs of your day in the “All American City.”
Take a historical walking tour, satisfy a sweet tooth with a chocolate extravaganza, take in exhibits such as “Women Embracing Art” and solve a mystery with artifact detective programming, all at the Clark County Historical Museum. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturdays, from late morning to late afternoon, plus the first Thursday evening of every month for special programming. Explore the museum’s collection of aerial photographs of Vancouver, oral transcripts, 2,000 books and more than 5,000 documents. The museum feature’s a dedicated kids’ activity room, plus a shop.
Clark County Historical Society and Museum
1511 Main Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
360-993-5679
cchmuseum.org
Let the kids run wild with nature while exploring history at Fort Vancouver, the only national park within the Vancouver and Portland area. Visitors will learn the history of the US Army’s installation at the Vancouver Barracks, view the Pearson Air Museum and Officers Row, plus participate in educational programming for adults, kids and families. Fort Vancouver offers specialty events such as a discovery walk, junior ranger training, national park family day, lectures from military personnel, open cockpit day, plus tours of the Marshall House Tree.
Fort Vancouver National Site
750 Anderson Street
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-992-1800
fortvan.org
Combine souvenir hunting with taking in an artist’s work with a visit to Firehouse Glass--both an art gallery (selling artists’ work) and a studio where guests may take lessons in glass fusing, glass blowing, sand blasting and torch working. Visit on a Friday evening for a free public glass blowing demonstration, or schedule your own private lesson, available seven days a week for up to three students at a time. Firehouse Glass can also create a custom commissioned piece to commemorate your trip to Vancouver or repair a piece of broken glassware that may have cracked during your flight or travels.
Firehouse Glass
518 Main Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
360-695-2660
firehouseglass.com
