Vancouver, WA Scavenger Hunt

Vancouver's story begins on the north shore of the Columbia River, which led the area's first inhabitants here. Ilchee, or "Moon Woman," was the daughter of powerful Chinook Chief Comcomly, the “one-eyed chief” of the Chinook tribe. The plaza she kneels in is meant to honor the Chinook people,... who lived on the land from the mouth of the Columbia inland for thousands of years. She looks west over the Columbia River, toward her family’s ancestral home at Chinook Point on the Washington coast.

The historic birthplace of the modern Pacific Northwest, Fort Vancouver was deemed the "only desired situation for settlement west of the Rocky Mountains" in the early 19th century. The area became home to a diverse population in a cosmopolitan village that served as the headquarters for the... London-based Hudson's Bay Company. Plan a visit to the reconstructed Fort to see costumed reenactors in the Fur Store, the Blacksmith Shop, the Bake House, and more. (Open Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $10 entrance fee, 15 & under are free)

One of the nation's oldest working airports, Pearson Field's sprawling runway landed the first aerial crossing of the Columbia River in the early 1900s, and is the only airport in the U.S. that functions adjacent to and partially within the boundaries of a national historic reserve. From its roots... as a military air field, to its history as the site of a Spruce Mill and its transformation into a civilian field, Pearson Air Museum helps provide a detailed look into the golden age of aviation in Vancouver. (Open Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free to visit)

This five-acre square in the heart of downtown Vancouver is the oldest public park in the Northwest, dating back to 1853. Find the 69-foot Salmon Run Bell Tower in the southeast corner, which includes a glockenspiel diorama that emerges occasionally to tell the story of the Chinook Indians and... bells that chime every hour. Esther Short Park, named after the "Pioneer Mother" of the city (a statue of her can be found on the north edge of the square), hosts several annual events and festivals throughout the year.

The only historic theater still operating in Vancouver, Kiggins Theatre has been a community gathering place and a classic icon on downtown's Main Street since 1936. Named after entrepreneur and former mayor J.P. Kiggins, the theater's first film cost 23 cents on opening night. Find the... 13-foot-tall "Movie Madness" art installation across the street to learn more. Find showtimes and events on the theater's website.

Constructed from "Hidden bricks" (those made from the Hidden Brick Company established in 1871), the building that is now the Clark County Historical Museum has had other uses before becoming a place of preservation, collections, and artifacts. Rotating exhibits share an understanding of Clark... County's past to help build a better future. (Open Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $5 for adults, $3 for youth ages 5-18)

As a city in the Pacific Northwest, the outdoors is in our DNA. Regionally close to Mount St. Helens, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Pacific Coast, you don't have to go far to breathe in the trees. Find Vancouver Lake just five miles from downtown for a serene setting perfect for a picnic,... woodsy stroll, or evening paddle. You can even see three mountain peaks on a clear day from the water. Find an info board along the paved path to learn more fun facts.

The Vancouver Community Library is a symbol of the city's family-friendly atmosphere and accessible nature. You can't miss the lime green "LIBRARY" letters in the front—follow the building's windowed wall to the side to find a sculpture garden along a slanted walkway. Want to explore inside? Visit daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Return to the waterfront where the most modern development lies just west of the Interstate Bridge. Lined with premier restaurants and wine tasting rooms, Vancouver's new waterfront destination is anchored by the Grant Street Pier—a cable-stayed structure jutting 90 feet out over the Columbia... River designed to resemble the billow of a passing sailboat.