Southwest Washington

Travel Guide
Officers Row showing heritage architecture and a house

Where to stay in Southwest Washington

Vancouver showing heritage architecture

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.

Downtown Vancouver
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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.

Salmon Creek
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.

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.

Hazel Dell
Charming cabin just outside of Mt. Rainier National Park, with three bedrooms

Paradise Estates

5/5(1 area review)

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.

Paradise Estates
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

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.

Central Park
Pearson Air Museum featuring interior views

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.

Vancouver National Historic Reserve
Comfort Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown City Center
Comfort Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown City Center
2.5 out of 5
401 E 13th Street, Vancouver, WA
The price is AED125 per night from Jun 23 to Jun 24
AED125
per night
Jun 23 - Jun 24
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Super friendly and efficient staff. Nice room, good value. Close to everything downtown Vancouver, WA."

Reviewed on 15 Jun, 2024

Comfort Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown City Center
Heathman Lodge
Heathman Lodge
3.5 out of 5
7801 NE Greenwood Dr, Vancouver, WA
The price is AED143 per night from Jul 4 to Jul 5
AED143
per night
Jul 4 - Jul 5
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,688 reviews)
"Slow draining sink. Freezer in refrigerator is frozen shut. Wallpaper peeling. Great bed!"

Reviewed on 19 Jun, 2024

Heathman Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound
Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound
3.5 out of 5
20500 Old Highway 99 SW, Centralia, WA
The price is AED368 per night from Jul 11 to Jul 12
AED368
per night
Jul 11 - Jul 12
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly resort in Centralia. Enjoy 3 restaurants, a water park, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Great Wolf Lodge Grand ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Kids love the place, playing with the water"

Reviewed on 18 Jun, 2024

Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Single Bedroom Guesthouse in the Cowlitz Valley
Single Bedroom Guesthouse in the Cowlitz Valley
Kelso
Stay at this vacation home in Kelso. Enjoy free WiFi and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Cowlitz County Historical Museum and Triangle Bowl are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
Great, quiet, Perfect for anybody who needs to cook your own food
"I couldn’t been happier. I found this place exactly what I needed. It was peaceful quiet all the combination you need if you need to cook something. I didn’t have any issues. I look forward to coming back and using this exact location again it’s perfect for young couple. You don’t have a mess and ..."

Reviewed on 17 Jun, 2024

Single Bedroom Guesthouse in the Cowlitz Valley
Modern Chateau on private hillside with breathtaking views of the Columbia River
Modern Chateau on private hillside with breathtaking views of the Columbia River
Washougal
Stay at this vacation home in Washougal. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and balconies. Popular attractions Washougal River and Two Rivers Heritage Museum are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
Wonderful property
"We are a group of 8 friends who go on vacation for a week every year.( for over 30 years ) We are 70 years plus old! Property and views were wonderful. Many deer sightings, a view of the Columbia River. House was beautiful and updated, each couple had their own bathrooms attached to rooms. It is ..."

Reviewed on 11 May, 2024

Modern Chateau on private hillside with breathtaking views of the Columbia River
Private, Cozy Retreat Convenient To Portland And The Gorge
Private, Cozy Retreat Convenient To Portland And The Gorge
Washougal
Stay at this cottage in Washougal. Enjoy free WiFi, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Two Rivers Heritage Museum and Washougal River ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (135 reviews)
Lady with 2 small dogs
"House was clean & had everything as advertised. Host was friendly & polite even assisting me with tv volume controls."

Reviewed on 3 Jun, 2024

Private, Cozy Retreat Convenient To Portland And The Gorge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit