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$2,643 per night from Feb 23 to Feb 24
NT$2,643
NT$2,991 total
Feb 23 - Feb 24
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! (1,144 reviews)
It was nice. Having the Black Angus Steak House right next door made a New Years Eve out on the road ok.

Reviewed on 2026/2/5

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 NT$5,659 per night from Mar 6 to Mar 7
NT$5,659
NT$6,333 total
Mar 6 - Mar 7
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! (340 reviews)
A superbly designed and executed room. There was a long shelf to put two open suitcases on -- brilliant. Built-in hand towel slots under the sink. Lots of electronic plugs, USBs, etc. Nicely decorated, good fridge, nice shower. Nice lively location along the river.

Reviewed on 2026/2/8

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
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. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,627 reviews)
The room we were assigned was fairly obviously converted from an apartment complex. It had all the amenities one would customarily expect from a condo rental. It was great.

Reviewed on 2026/2/13

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 NT$2,883 per night from Feb 18 to Feb 19
NT$2,883
NT$3,360 total
Feb 18 - Feb 19
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! (3,190 reviews)
Great location! Upgraded to the executive king and loved the bigger/separate bathtub and shower. The staff are always helpful and kind. Swine Bar has yummy eats and good drinks.

Reviewed on 2026/2/11

The Paramount Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

4 out of 5
1000 NE Multnomah Street Portland OR
The price is NT$3,728 per night from Feb 19 to Feb 20
NT$3,728
NT$4,345 total
Feb 19 - Feb 20
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,021 reviews)
The staff is courteous and helpful. The breakfast Buffett had a nice selection of options. Many hot food choices such as Potatoes, sausage, eggs and oatmeal. There were baked goods, bagels and toast. The beds were comfortable .

Reviewed on 2026/2/8

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland
Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown

Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown

4 out of 5
319 SW Pine St Portland OR
The price is NT$3,400 per night from Feb 16 to Feb 17
NT$3,400
NT$4,022 total
Feb 16 - Feb 17
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Portland. Enjoy free breakfast, 2 restaurants, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,415 reviews)
Nice hotel

Reviewed on 2026/2/13

Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown
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
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
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
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Irvington

Though Irvington might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Moda Center and Lloyd Center.

Irvington
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


Downtown Vancouver, WA