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


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 NT$2,708 per night from Feb 8 to Feb 9
NT$2,708
NT$3,063 total
Feb 8 - Feb 9
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,140 reviews)
Excellent stay. No issues other than the shower head. Nothing like getting clean just to have the shower head be crusty with white buildup and green mold on it.

Reviewed on 2026/1/23

Comfort Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown City Center
Hotel Indigo Vancouver Dwtn – Portland Area by IHG

Hotel Indigo Vancouver Dwtn – Portland Area by IHG

3.5 out of 5
550 Waterfront Way Vancouver WA
The price is NT$5,286 per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
NT$5,286
NT$6,832 total
Feb 1 - Feb 2
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy 5 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (448 reviews)
Clean room, nice staff, decent gym. All good stuff. Just be weary of the construction noise coming from next door and street racers at night. Still give it 5 stars.

Reviewed on 2026/1/23

Hotel Indigo Vancouver Dwtn – Portland Area by IHG
The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
808 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is NT$2,788 per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
NT$2,788
NT$3,250 total
Feb 1 - Feb 2
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! (3,165 reviews)
Good

Reviewed on 2026/1/25

The Paramount Hotel
The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel

The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel

4.5 out of 5
545 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is NT$4,688 per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
NT$4,688
NT$5,438 total
Feb 1 - Feb 2
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Portland. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
The Duniway never misses. Relaxed vibe, wonderful views, nice pool, good dining, and kind staff. Something hotels like the heathman could learn from as the Duniway keeps up with the times. Will return again.

Reviewed on 2026/1/22

The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel
Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

3.5 out of 5
6233 NE 78th Court Portland OR
The price is NT$2,898 per night from Feb 26 to Feb 27
NT$2,898
NT$3,519 total
Feb 26 - Feb 27
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,965 reviews)
Yrs

Reviewed on 2026/1/24

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport
Mark Spencer Hotel

Mark Spencer Hotel

3 out of 5
409 Sw 11th Ave Portland OR
The price is NT$2,641 per night from Feb 3 to Feb 4
NT$2,641
NT$3,064 total
Feb 3 - Feb 4
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,979 reviews)
Great stay for the price and location. Elevator access is awkward - two elevators from parking to rooms. John the bellman/wine server/jack-of-all-trades was very kind and friendly. Give that man a raise! We appreciated the wine and cheese with music. Best part is location, just one block from Powell’s ...

Reviewed on 2026/1/27

Mark Spencer Hotel
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 Heron Lakes Golf Club. See more of Portland by jumping on the metro at Delta Park-Vanport Station or Expo Center Station.

North Portland
Portland_InternationalRaceway_6078401-1

Kenton

While you're in Kenton, take in top sights like Portland International Raceway or Heron Lakes Golf Club, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Kenton-North Denver Avenue Station or Delta Park-Vanport Station.

Kenton
Beautiful dahlia fest in oregon; Shutterstock ID 110841185; Purchase Order: -

Overlook

While you're in Overlook, take in top sights like Swan Island or Willamette River, and hop on the metro to see more the city at North Killingsworth Station or North Prescott Station.

Overlook
China town, Portland Oregon..

Northwest Portland

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

Northwest Portland
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


Downtown Vancouver, WA