All the charm and hospitality of a small town with the hip corners and diverse live music scene of a large metropolitan city, the Heart of Vancouver is true to its name. Historic neighborhoods mingle seamlessly with modern buildings, parks and artwork. Water features and murals blend with cafes, restaurants and retail shops in this energetic and bustling area of Vancouver.

Enjoy a concert in Esther Short Park, experience the landmark glockenspiel and the tale of the Chinook salmon or catch a movie at a historic theatre, take in a play and grab a little freshness at the thriving weekend Farmer’s Market. Cap it off with a cocktail at an Irish pub or a martini happy hour on the water and dinner at any one of downtown’s top-notch restaurants.

Wind your away among the art galleries and head south as the Heart spills into the breezy green belt between the romance of the railroad line and Columbia River waterfront.

Hip, funky, and eclectic, Uptown Village is a fun, casual neighborhood of great people, hot restaurants, and a wide variety of Mom-and-Pop shops. Whether you’re into vintage clothes, antiques, spa treatments, books, or music, you’All love this sweet little pocket of Vancouver.

Explore our past at the Museum, sample incredible international cuisine delicately paired with fine wines, or grab a slice of some of the best pizza around. Relax and take in the soft, summer drumming emanating from the historic house on the corner as you wander the tree-lined strip of colorful, unique shops and restaurants.

Cruise the Uptown Village Festival on third weekend in August or hit The Sip and Stroll, Uptown’s wine, art and music experience on the first Saturday in December and you’All see why the streets are full of residents, friends and visitors from other neighborhoods who come to feel the unique vibe of Uptown.

Perfectly positioned on the North Bank of the Columbia, Vancouver has been the heart and soul of the Pacific Northwest since the establishment of Fort Vancouver in 1825. The Historic Reserve preserves and protects that important history, helping us use the insights of the past to shape our future.

The Reserve’s 366 acres include Fort Vancouver, the region’s first military post and an international fur trade emporium; Pearson Airfield and Museum, one of the nation’s oldest operating airfields; The Vancouver Barracks and Officer’s Row, where you can walk the same halls as Ulysses S. Grant and George C. Marshall.

Don’t miss the spectacular July 4th celebration and largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi, the Veterans Parade, or any of the Hangar Dances, where you can swing in style! Whether you want to immerse yourself in interactive history, wander a tree-lined boulevard of resplendent 19th-century homes, toss your disc on the old parade ground, or catch a bite to eat with a friend, there’s plenty to do at the Historic Reserve.

Every day, in every season, residents and visitors alike enjoy Vancouver’s spectacular waterfront. Get on your bikes and ride, go for a jog, grab your board or take your pooch for a stroll along this multi-use path that connects Downtown with four miles of historic sites, shops and restaurants, sandy beaches and lush, green parks.

Along the way, pause at Old Apple Tree Park and take a look at Washington State’s oldest living apple tree, flourishing to this day. Walk across the Vancouver Land Bridge, a turf-covered, pedestrian-only bridge that connects the vibrant waterfront with the rich past of the Historic Reserve.

Check out Vancouver Landing and see the former site of the Kaiser Shipyards, or call some friends, pull up a seat and soak in the sun at one of several pubs and restaurants that offer outdoor seating and great views of the sailboats and ships and sea monsters cruising by.  Continuing to the east, explore the Water Resources Education Center and Marine Park.  Rain or shine, day or night, a trip down the Waterfront makes for a sweet stroll.