by Annagrace Kaye
Just across the Columbia River from Portland is a sprawling, historic town that many Portlanders have never even been to. Vancouver residents love to laugh about the assumptions many people have about our home. The truth is that Vancouver is rich in beautifully maintained parks, well-regarded schools, and a growing number of locally owned coffee shops and eateries. Here are some of my favorite places around the location Meriwether Lewis once described as “the only desired situation for settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.”
ARNADA NATURALS
There’s always something delicious or unusual to sample at this small but wellstocked market. This is where Vancouver families go for local honey, kombucha, and healthy snacks. The owner is a former buyer from Whole Food Markets who knows the latest in health and wellness.
2407 Main Street • arnadanaturals.com
COTTON BABIES
Cotton Babies is a one-stop shop for everything you could possibly need for the first few years of baby’s life. From cloth diapering systems to quality toys and accessories, their sales people know everything you need to know. Try out a baby carrier, push a stroller around, and explore the newest and coolest in natural parenting. There’s even a Saturday dad’s group!
106 Grand Boulevard • cottonbabies.com
FORT VANCOUVER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
You could easily spend a whole day here. Begin at the reconstructed British fur trading fort ($3 admission, 15 and younger are free) and then enjoy a picnic lunch in one of the beautiful grassy fields. Find the path to the Confluence Project’s Vancouver Land Bridge and explore the art honoring the area’s First Nations. Face east from the top of the bridge and you can watch planes take off and land at the Pearson Field Airport. Stay on the path and you’ll go from the riverfront into downtown.
1501 E Evergreen Boulevard • nps.gov/fova/index.htm
ICE CREAM RENAISSANCE
This locally owned and sourced ice cream shop is a favorite after school haunt of Vancouver families. Whimsically decorated and filled with the heavenly aroma of made from scratch waffle cones, there are flavors and options for virtually every taste and sensibility. Featured flavors like eggnog and blueberry pancake rotate each month, while standards like honey vanilla and old fashioned milk chocolate are always a win with kids.
1925 Main Street • icecreamrenaissance.com
KIGGINS THEATRE
Named for a former Vancouver mayor, this theatre is a popular family destination. A single screen shows classics, independent films, and popular kids’ movies in a restored Art Deco building with an updated digital projection system (funded through Kickstarter in 2013). Come for the after school matinee programs and stay for the best theatre popcorn you’ve ever had.
1011 Main Street • kigginstheatre.net
MARSHALL PARK PLAYGROUND
Known to local children as “the red playground”, Marshall sits next to Clark College. Its 19 acres include soccer fields, trees, a community garden, nature play area, picnic shelter, and yes, the huge, red, super fun playground.
1015 E. McLoughlin • cityofvancouver.us/parksrec/page/marshall-park
THE MIGHTY BOWL
Vancouver’s very first food cart serves up bean and rice bowls, salads, and smoothies with good humor and excellent service. There are plenty of kid-friendly options, too. Their location changes regularly, but you can keep up to date by following their Facebook page.
themightybowl.com
MON AMI
It’s always a good day when you begin with a delicious crepe and hot Stumptown coffee at this favorite haunt of Vancouver families. The storefront may be small but there are board games, cozy tables and chairs, and a fantastic
location that’s one part small town Main Street and one part tree-lined neighborhood. Browse the rotating selection of work for sale by local artisans while you’re there.
1906 Main Street • yelp.com/biz/mon-amivancouver-2
THE SOURCE CLIMBING CENTER
Owners Michael Lary and Guruhans Kroesen have created a vibrant climbing gym with a knowledgeable crew and ever-changing walls perfect for burning off excess energy. There is a special, kids-only mezzanine with its own bouldering wall and slide. After school kids’ clubs are grouped by age and skill. Climb on! (Ages 5 and up.)
1118 Main Street • sourceclimbing.com
FORT VANCOUVER REGIONAL LIBRARIES
The downtown Vancouver Community Library is a modern, light-filled building boasts thoughtful design elements throughout. Grab some coffee and a piece of heavenly banana bread from Thatcher’s Coffee in the lobby and then head up to the children’s floor, where the unique Early Learning Center entices little ones to play and explore. Older children love the cozy reading chairs, the extensive selection of books, and the tables perfect for stacks of graphic novels. Be sure to check out the fifth floor terrace for incredible views of Portland and the Columbia River. If you want to explore further, both the Mall Connection and Cascade Park library locations have been recently remodeled. One offers a convenient and quiet retreat during family shopping trips and the other is right next to a community center with an amazing indoor pool.
901 C Street • fvrl.org
Annagrace Kaye CD(DONA) is a birth and postpartum doula in Vancouver, WA. She also leads Sacred Pregnancy classes for women and couples. coradoula.com
