Downtown Vancouver, WA

Portland

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
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
A miserably wet day to have an alternator die out on the freeway, but the subsequent journey to the closest open mechanic deposited me next to this beautiful structure.  Originally a First Christian Church, it was built in 1925 to house a thriving congregation which had outgrown its most recent house of worship.  The building is now home to the unaffiliated Compass Church.

Even on a horribly grey day, the austere beauty of the place shines through.

http://ncbible.org/nwh/WaClark.html

And, yes, I love the #Architecture of the place.
No longer a theater, this is now a gallery and the offices of Vancouver's Farmers Market.

But it has a storied past, and in 2017 will be 150 years old.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slocum_House_%28Vancouver,_Washington%29
The talking clocktower with the dancing salmon at Esther Short Park.

The cylindrical building in the background is a local landmark -- a set of apartments known as the "Smith Tower," (officially Mid-Columbia Manor).

But that's a subject for another day.


http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2007/11/esther_short_park.html

Popular places to visit

Things to do


Downtown Vancouver Hotel Deals

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 ¥13,436 per night from Mar 16 to Mar 17
¥13,436
¥15,202 total
Mar 16 - Mar 17
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,159 reviews)
Yes room was very comfortable thank you! And breakfast was extra amazing! We loved every bit!

Reviewed on Mar 2, 2026

Comfort Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown City Center
AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront

AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront

3.5 out of 5
333 W COLUMBIA WAY Vancouver WA
The price is ¥26,823 per night from Mar 22 to Mar 23
¥26,823
¥30,036 total
Mar 22 - Mar 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (354 reviews)
Furnace was loud in the room. Other than that excellent

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2026

AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront
Park Lane Suites and Inn

Park Lane Suites and Inn

2.5 out of 5
809 SW King Avenue Portland OR
The price is ¥14,041 per night from Mar 17 to Mar 18
¥14,041
¥16,288 total
Mar 17 - Mar 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,654 reviews)
Every part of this stay was a pleasant experience. And it was a short drive to OHSU Hospital.

Reviewed on Mar 2, 2026

Park Lane Suites and Inn
The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
808 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is ¥14,780 per night from Mar 8 to Mar 9
¥14,780
¥17,227 total
Mar 8 - Mar 9
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,233 reviews)
None

Reviewed on Mar 3, 2026

The Paramount Hotel
Cambria Hotel Portland - Pearl District

Cambria Hotel Portland - Pearl District

3 out of 5
165 NW Park Ave Portland OR
The price is ¥17,245 per night from Mar 24 to Mar 25
¥17,245
¥20,005 total
Mar 24 - Mar 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Moda Center and Oregon Zoo are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (305 reviews)
Great room, nice staff, clean gym.

Reviewed on Mar 3, 2026

Cambria Hotel Portland - Pearl District
Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

3.5 out of 5
6233 NE 78th Court Portland OR
The price is ¥15,239 per night from Mar 13 to Mar 14
¥15,239
¥18,463 total
Mar 13 - Mar 14
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,989 reviews)
Good hotel

Reviewed on Mar 2, 2026

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport
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.

Other neighborhoods around Downtown Vancouver

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North Portland

North Portland is highly notable for its stunning river views, and you might want to visit top sights like Moda Center and Portland International Raceway. See more of Portland by jumping on the metro at Delta Park-Vanport Station or Expo Center Station.

North Portland
China town, Portland Oregon..

Northwest Portland

If you're spending time in Northwest Portland, check out sights like Pittock Mansion or Hoyt Arboretum and hop on the metro to see more the city at NW 23rd & Marshall Stop or NW Northrup & 22nd Stop.

Northwest Portland
Portland_WonderBallroom_6325924-3

Eliot

While you're in Eliot, take in top sights like Wonder Ballroom and jump on the metro at Albina-Mississippi Station to see more of the city.

Eliot
The Portland skyline on a crisp clear winter night. The Eastbank Esplanade is an ideal stroll the see this beautiful city at any hour of the day.
#Oregon #Portland #skyline #night #Eastbankesplanade

Northeast Portland

Inner Northeast Portland boasts shopping areas like Lloyd District and Alberta Arts District, while the area near Burnside Bridge offers a lively nightlife with bars such as The Chesterfield and music venues like The Doug Fir Lounge.

Northeast Portland
Moda Center which includes signage

Lloyd District

3.5/5(967 area reviews)

Moda Center and Lloyd Center are top sights in Lloyd District, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at NE Grand & Multnomah Stop or NE 7th & Holladay Stop to see more sights in the area.

Lloyd District
Pearl District which includes outdoor art

Pearl District

4.5/5(527 area reviews)

Discover art galleries like Elizabeth Leach Gallery, dine at diverse restaurants, and unwind in public plazas such as Jamison Square. Easily navigate with the Portland Streetcar and explore nearby iconic Powell's City of Books.

Pearl District


Downtown Vancouver, WA

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