As an international student living in Longview, Washington, you have probably heard people mention Vancouver. No, not Vancouver, Canada. I’m talking about Vancouver, Washington. It’s a small city about 45 minutes south of Longview by car. Many people just drive through it on the way to Portland, Oregon, but the truth is, Vancouver has its character and is worth visiting at least once while you’re in the area.
Vancouver is one of those cities where you can get a real sense of the Pacific Northwest lifestyle without the noise and crowds of a bigger city. It’s quieter, more laid-back, and offers enough to fill a day trip or an easy weekend outing. One of the first things people notice about the Pacific Northwest is how connected everything is to nature. Vancouver is no different. The Columbia River runs alongside it, and the city recently developed a new waterfront area. The Vancouver Waterfront Park is a clean, modern place to hang out. It has walking paths along the river, restaurants, and open spaces where people gather when the weather is good. If you’re lucky, you might catch live music or a small event happening on a sunny day.
When it comes to food, Vancouver has a better scene than you’d expect for its size. You’ll find all kinds of options, from American diners to pho spots, Korean BBQ, Mexican taquerias, and reliable pizza places. Local coffee is a big deal in the Pacific Northwest, and Vancouver has drive-thru coffee stands everywhere. They’re small, fast, and a bit of a local tradition. If you need a caffeine fix before or after exploring, you won’t have trouble finding one.
Another thing Vancouver is known for is its history. The Fort Vancouver National Historic
Site is one of the oldest settlements in the Pacific Northwest. It’s open to the public
and offers a mix of outdoor walking trails, restored buildings, and local history
exhibits. Even if history isn’t your favorite subject, it’s a good excuse to walk
around and see something different.
One of my favorite memories in Vancouver was going thrift shopping with a few friends. None of us had a plan that day. We just decided to see how many second-hand stores we could visit before dinner. It turned into one of those simple, unplanned days that you laugh about later.