Vancouver, WA

Vancouver sits in Clark County in southwestern Washington, on the north bank of the Columbia River. With a population of roughly 190,000, it is the fourth-largest city in the state and the seat of Clark County. The city has a relaxed, suburban-meets-outdoorsy feel, with a revitalized waterfront, tree-lined older neighborhoods, and quick access to forests, rivers, and mountains. Vancouver is best known as a quieter, more affordable neighbor to Portland, Oregon, sitting just across the river, and as a convenient base for exploring the Columbia River Gorge, the Cascades, and the broader Pacific Northwest.

One of the most significant sites in the area is Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, a reconstructed 19th-century fur-trading post originally established by the Hudson's Bay Company. It is one of the oldest European-built structures on the West Coast and includes a reconstructed stockade, a fur-trade warehouse, and Officers' Row, a line of restored Victorian-era homes. The site sits within the city itself, just minutes from downtown, and is paired with the Pearson Air Museum, which displays historic aircraft and tells the story of early aviation in the region.

For travelers drawn to the outdoors, Vancouver is a natural jumping-off point for the Columbia River Gorge. About 30 to 45 minutes east along Interstate 84 on the Oregon side, the gorge is known for its towering basalt cliffs, dozens of waterfalls, and a scenic historic highway. Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon, is roughly an hour from downtown Vancouver and is one of the most visited natural sites in the Pacific Northwest.

Farther afield, Mount St. Helens lies roughly two hours to the northeast. The active stratovolcano, which famously erupted in 1980, is now a National Volcanic Monument with visitor centers, hiking trails, and dramatic views of the crater and surrounding blast zone. Closer to home, the Vancouver Waterfront along the Columbia River offers walking paths, parks, restaurants, and event spaces, and connects easily by transit and bicycle to Portland, which is only about 10 miles to the south and roughly a 15- to 25-minute drive depending on traffic and bridge choice.

Vancouver makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because it offers much of the urban and natural appeal of the Portland metro area at a generally lower price point, with a quieter, residential atmosphere. Guests can spend the morning hiking a waterfall in the Gorge, the afternoon exploring Portland's food and brewery scene across the river, and the evening back at a comfortable rental near the Vancouver waterfront, with Mount St. Helens, the Pacific coast, and the Cascades all within a day trip.