Portland’s newest hot spot isn’t located in Portland, or even in Oregon. It’s Vancouver USA.
Located just across the Columbia River in Southwest Washington, Vancouver USA has steadily grown from its historic roots to encompass an array of buzz-worthy restaurants, laidback breweries and an impressive new waterfront development.
Foodie Expats
Looking for a foodie adventure or a brewery tour? Vancouver has drawn big-name talents from across the river.
Alan Maniscalco and Shan Wickham—formerly of Ken’s Artisan Pizza—have opened Rally Pizza, serving artfully charred Neapolitan pizzas, well-balanced cocktails, seasonal veggies, and house-made frozen custards. Neighboring restaurant, Smokehouse Provisions, brings downhome BBQ favorites to the table under the watchful eye of Portland barbecue master B.J. Smith, who most recently competed on Bravo’s “Top Chef.”
Nearby at the Columbia Tech Center, Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) has brought its organic beer and sustainable practices to Vancouver’s growing brew community, including a seven-barrel brewery, 300-seat restaurant, and outdoor beer garden. Other Portlanders to set up shop in Vancouver include Willem’s on Main—which made the move from Fratelli in the Pearl District—and the owners of The Grocery Cocktail & Social, formerly of Screen Door.
Many of Vancouver’s restaurants source their ingredients directly from local farms and markets, including the Vancouver Farmers Market. The pet-friendly market near Esther Short Park hums with shoppers and four-legged friends during weekends March through October. In addition to farm-direct produce, it boasts an eclectic mixture of food, high-end crafts and baked goods.
Waterfront Experiences
The curves of the Columbia River hold a wealth of cultural and recreational experiences to explore, and a new $1.5 billion development promises exciting additions to Vancouver’s waterfront.
Slated to open in phases to the public beginning in 2018, work is currently underway on a 7.3-acre waterfront park complete with trails, play areas, public art, and an urban beach. In addition to connecting with the existing 5-mile Waterfront Renaissance trail, the park will be anchored by a 90-foot-long cable stay pier.
Restaurants, shops, and breweries will be clustered around the pier, including WildFin American Grill, Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar, MidiCi Pizza, and local favorite Ghost Runners Brewery. Future plans also call for a Hotel Indigo with a rooftop lounge offering waterfront views.
Vancouver USA has all the ingredients to fuel no-fuss weekend getaways and satisfy your wanderlust cravings. Plan your stay at www.VisitVancouverUSA.com or request a copy of our 2017 Travel Magazine.
