Vancouver, Washington’s brand-new waterfront is a destination worth knowing. It’s fresh, easy, and still flying under the radar. Just across the river from Portland, the waterfront feels upscale yet unpretentious, family-friendly and design-forward, with something for every kind of traveler. It’s quick to reach, easy to navigate, and perfect for a weekend filled with scenic views, great local food, wonderful accommodations, and relaxed Pacific Northwest charm.
Once a gritty industrial zone, this 7.3-acre stretch along the Columbia River has been transformed into a vibrant public hub. The modern waterfront development includes the striking Grant Street Pier, a playful water feature for kiddos, and the Columbia River Renaissance Trail, all designed to reconnect the city with its historic downtown core. The result is a walkable, welcoming neighborhood with restaurants, wine bars, parks, and public art, where you can grab a bite to eat and catch a sunset over the water. Here’s your guide to experiencing the best of Vancouver’s transformed waterfront and beyond.
Where to Stay on the Vancouver Waterfront
Hotel Indigo
550 Waterfront Way, Vancouver, WA
Hotel Indigo sits perfectly positioned on Vancouver’s waterfront, offering stunning river views and easy access to the city’s best attractions. Modern rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, mountain murals, wood floors, soft lighting, a spa-like bath, and sparkling wallpaper. Literally, it sparkles–I want that in my house, it’s so pretty! If you are like me and love to stay in beautiful accommodations with character, Hotel Indigo really nailed the design with lots of interesting high-end details and comfort.
Hotel Indigo’s location puts you within walking distance of restaurants, cafes, parks, and the scenic waterfront trail. Step out the front door and you are right there on the waterfront. The staff is welcoming and knowledgeable, offering excellent local recommendations and directions. Hotel Indigo offers all the amenities you’d expect from a quality hotel, and it’s affordable.
Where to Eat on the Vancouver Waterfront
Kafiex Gastro Café
100 Waterfront Way, Vancouver, WA
Start your morning at Kafiex Gastro Café. With its beautiful waterfront views, cheery turquoise umbrellas, and fabulous atmosphere, it’s a lovely way to ease into your Vancouver morning.
We had the Churro French Toast and Almond Croissant. The French toast is a standout, made with big slices of Texas toast topped with sprinkles of chocolate, cinnamon, and little bits of colorful flowers.
Meanwhile the almond croissant is a buttery, flaky complement to their expertly crafted creamy, rich lattes which are served with cute little flower butter cookies.
I love the colorful mural which contrasts beautifully with the wood and concrete–wonderful design choices here, it’s so nice to see so much color! It’s the kind of place you want to linger. We loved it so much we were tempted to go back again, but we decided to try a different cafe for another experience.
13 Coins Cafe
558 Waterfront Way Vancouver, WA
Located within the same building as Hotel Indigo, 13 Coins Cafe is a great place to grab a Vanilla Iced Latte–it was delicious. It’s got a great atmosphere and friendly service. There are tons of outlets so if you need to work on something or get a quick charge for your devices, they have you covered. Though it is attached to Hotel Indigo, we were told most of their guests are actually locals. They serve Seattle’s famous Caffé D’arte coffee.
Stack 571 Burger and Whiskey Bar
571 Columbia St, Vancouver, WA
When you’re walking the waterfront, you can easily pop into multiple restaurants and sample a little bit from each place. Restaurant hopping is so fun, but I usually run out of stomach space too quickly to hit all the spots I want to try. Stack 571 Burger and Whiskey Bar has delicious Truffle Fries that are absolutely worth the indulgence, perfectly crispy with just the right amount of truffle flavor and Parmesan.
Pair them with refreshing Blackberry Basil Lemonade for a perfect balance of rich and bright flavors. The restaurant offers a casual atmosphere with that approachable Pacific Northwest vibe and service was super friendly.
The Waterfront Taphouse
1000 Waterfront Way, Vancouver, WA
For classic pub fare with spectacular views, head to The Waterfront Taphouse. We had Halibut Fish and Chips–flaky fish with golden batter served alongside crispy curly fries and tartar sauce. They had Blackberry Lemonade too (sans basil) and it was delicious and very Pacific Northwesty.
We had the Kale Salad then finished our meal with the Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae while taking in magnificent Columbia River views. The outdoor seating is perfect during warmer months.
We didn’t know about the deck with the magnificent views the night before or we would have had dinner there at sunset. It was raining while we were there and even then, the view was still incredible. If you don’t go for food, have a coffee or drink there just to see how gorgeous it is.
Anywhere on the waterfront will provide a wonderful sunset. We watched from the fountain / kid’s splash area, but you can’t go wrong from any vantage point, it’s all pretty spectacular.
If I lived here, I’d be bringing my dinner to the park to enjoy sunsets and from what we saw, that is exactly what the locals do. It’s an excellent picnic spot!
Thai Orchid
213 W 11th St, Vancouver, WA 98660
Just under a 15-minute walk or a 4-minute Uber from Hotel Indigo, Thai Orchid is a solid choice for lunch or dinner. It’s got a great atmosphere, yummy food and friendly service.
The menu spans flavorful Thai staples like Pad Thai, Spring Rolls and Curries as well as Sushi, all served in a warmly designed space with an industrial vibe. I love that they plate some of their meals with flowers. It’s a local favorite.
We had Curry and Spring Rolls and they were delicious. Fresh spring rolls are always so light and refreshing and the curry had just enough spice without being too hot.
Salt & Straw
1000 Waterfront Way, Vancouver, WA
With ice cream flavors like Apple Cheddar Cinnamon Roll and Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper, Salt & Straw makes an interesting stop along the waterfront for a sweet treat, especially if you appreciate the more unusual flavor combos like we do. The weirder the better.
This Portland-based ice cream shop brings their signature creative approach to Vancouver’s waterfront, offering quirky seasonal flavors alongside classics. The fun and often unexpected flavor combinations make this a delightful treat while strolling along the waterfront.
What to Do on the Vancouver Waterfront
We’ve already discussed the sunsets, don’t miss it! I always love the sense of community when people gather to share a beautiful sunset. There were buskers adding to the ambiance as well, it feels very family friendly and a little bit festive.
Esther Short Park
415 W 6th St, Vancouver, WA
Given to the city by one of Vancouver’s pioneers, Esther Short, this park is the oldest public square in Washington state. Esther Short Park provides a cozy green space in the heart of downtown, just a couple of blocks from the waterfront and Hotel Indigo.
It’s clean, it’s gorgeous and it was one of my favorite things we did. It has lots of giant majestic old growth trees and I couldn’t resist a hug (which is a totally normal thing to do in the PNW!). The park hosts concerts and events throughout the year, but even on a quiet day like the one we had, it’s a lovely spot to pause between exploring nearby restaurants and galleries.
The playground and open lawn areas make it particularly appealing for families, while the mature trees provide welcome shade during warmer months. There’s a rose garden, salmon sculptures, and a clock tower. They have a Farmers’ Market there on Saturdays that I bet is fabulous. We had to leave before the market, but I will definitely go the next time.
And there will be a next time because there were several things I still want to see and do! If you have the time, you can check out Fort Vancouver and Pearson Air Museum, both within walking distance of the hotel.
Fort Vancouver and Pearson Air Museum
1501 East Evergreen Boulevard, Vancouver, WA
For history enthusiasts, Fort Vancouver offers a fascinating glimpse into the Pacific Northwest’s past. This reconstructed 1840s fur trading post features furnished historic buildings and exhibits, with cultural and blacksmithing demonstrations offered when staff and volunteers are available. The visitor center provides context, and walking through the fort grounds offers a unique perspective on Vancouver’s role in westward expansion. Close to that is Pearson Air Museum for us aviation geeks.
Pop Local Gift Shop
111 Grant St, Vancouver, WA
Pop Local is a cute little shop full of locally made goods, quality sweatshirts, stickers and other more upscale souvenirs. You’ll also find cold drinks in the back including kombucha and cold brew.
Getting There & Around
Vancouver offers multiple convenient transportation options for travelers:
By Air: Portland International Airport (PDX) is about 15 minutes away by car, making it easy to catch a quick Uber or rental car to the waterfront. The trip from PDX is approximately 11-12 miles.
By Train: The Amtrak Cascades connects cities along the I-5 corridor including Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver. Vancouver’s Amtrak station is located at 1301 West 11th Street, about a 10-minute drive to the waterfront. The train features wide, reclining seats, laptop outlets, and a Bistro Car with regional cuisine and local beverages, making it a scenic and comfortable way to arrive.
By Car: Vancouver sits directly along Interstate 5, making it easily accessible from Seattle, Portland, or California. The waterfront area is very walkable, with most restaurants and attractions within a few blocks of each other. Paid street and garage parking are available in the waterfront district, and Hotel Indigo offers onsite parking for a fee.
Why You Should Visit Vancouver, WA
Vancouver offers Pacific Northwest charm without Portland’s crowds or traffic, yet you can still hop over the bridge and have access to Portland if you want to add it to your trip. I love a destination you can really enjoy in just 24-48 hours. You get a quick getaway, change of scenery and that energized-by-travel dopamine rush without a lot of hassle. And being able to do so much on foot makes the whole experience even easier.
The waterfront development has created a cohesive area where you can easily walk from your hotel to excellent restaurants, coffee shops, parks, and scenic views. It’s an ideal destination for a relaxing weekend getaway or as a base for exploring more of both Washington and Oregon. We loved it and look forward to coming back.
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- images 1, 3, 4 courtesy of Hotel Indigo, 26 via Wiki Commons, and 29 via Vancouver Visitor’s Center
