Southwest Washington
![Officers Row showing heritage architecture and a house](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/171000/171646-Southwest-Washington.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
Where to stay in Southwest Washington
![Vancouver showing heritage architecture](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/171000/171640-Southwest-Washington.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium)
Downtown Vancouver
Travelers come to Downtown Vancouver for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Vancouver Farmers Market and Esther Short Park while you're in town.
![Default Image](https://images.trvl-media.com/media/content/expus/graphics/deals/TE_Clouds_card_r1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium)
Salmon Creek
Salmon Creek is popular for its ample dining options, and you might make a stop by Salmon Creek Regional Park, a top place to visit in the area.
![Nice little park in the middle of Vancouver, WA. The switchbacks up the hill, surrounded by tall trees will make you feel like you're a lot further from town. It was a nice, quiet place to stretch my dogs legs for a bit and eat my lunch from nearby Panera Bread.](https://mediaim.expedia.com/destination/2/5da934dad87e70a00ee03edb5c584574.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium)
Hazel Dell
Hazel Dell is well-liked for its restaurants. You can also take some time to explore sights in the surrounding area like Salmon Creek Regional Park and Vancouver Mall.
![Charming cabin just outside of Mt. Rainier National Park, with three bedrooms](https://mediaim.expedia.com/destination/2/4f443a75cb5f21a9a5585c7783c68cb6.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium)
Paradise Estates
Paradise Estates might not have many top sights, but Mount Rainier Gateway Protected Area and Lake Christine Trailhead are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
![Those of us who live in a certain neighborhood of the Lincoln district know that for one month every year we won't have to worry about turning on our porch lights. If the street lamps should fail, well, that's not really of any concern. Say the moon itself were to pop out of the sky and go flying into space. No big deal. Because for a glorious 30 days every winter, we're able to bask in the glow of a house lit bright enough to make artificial sunshine. A sight so startling, it causes commuters to back up traffic as they sit in their cars and gape.
It wasn't always that way. A few years back, the charming old couple who lives in the place started to put out a few lights to decorate their home. The next year they added a few more, and the year after that -- again -- some more. At some point, however, they seem to have developed a kind of high tolerance for luminescence. And when that happened, the floodgates were open. What you see in these photos is the early December version of what, by Christmas day, will be a kind of multi-colored solar flare emanating from the front yard of their home.
It can really be a beautiful thing to behold, as anyone who sees it for the first time can tell you. And those of us who live here have accepted with pride this red and gold meteor which appears in our midst during every gloomy Northwest December.
Can you blame us? We may be the only block on earth entirely visible from space.
#localgem](https://mediaim.expedia.com/destination/2/13d22fa8b837dfbfcea8b156dcb7c498.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium)
Central Park
When in Central Park, you can plan a visit to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Officers Row, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.
![Pearson Air Museum featuring interior views](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/171000/171629-Southwest-Washington.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium)
Vancouver National Historic Reserve
You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Vancouver National Historic Reserve. You might want to make time for a stop at Pearson Air Museum or Officers Row.
![Comfort Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown City Center](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/5100/5083/23935818_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
Reviewed on 15 Jun, 2024
![Heathman Lodge](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/90000/84400/84385/599af61c_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
Reviewed on 19 Jun, 2024
![Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/3000000/2020000/2019800/2019706/90de8043_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
Reviewed on 18 Jun, 2024
![Single Bedroom Guesthouse in the Cowlitz Valley](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/97000000/96820000/96818400/96818348/754129d3_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
Reviewed on 17 Jun, 2024
![Modern Chateau on private hillside with breathtaking views of the Columbia River](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/91000000/90260000/90252500/90252469/77c9d373_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
Reviewed on 11 May, 2024
![Private, Cozy Retreat Convenient To Portland And The Gorge](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/19000000/18770000/18764800/18764753/f3ade237_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
Reviewed on 3 Jun, 2024
Popular places to visit
Mount St. Helens
Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Mount St. Helens during your travels in Stevenson. Amble around this romantic area's riverfront, or seek out the hiking trails.
Bridge of the Gods
You can find out about the history of Cascade Locks when you stop by Bridge of the Gods. Wander the riverfront in this romantic area.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Find out about the history of Vancouver when you take a trip to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Discover the area's acclaimed art scene and shops.
Mount St. Helens Forest Learning Center
Rich with history, Mount St. Helens Forest Learning Center is a cultural attraction worth visiting in Castle Rock. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.
Esther Short Park
Explore the lovely green spaces of Esther Short Park and also enjoy the biking trails in Vancouver. Wander the area's riverfront or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.
Vancouver Mall
During your trip to Vancouver, you can enjoy retail therapy at Vancouver Mall. Amble around the area's riverfront or seek out the biking trails.