In March 1806, the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery camped near what is now the Vancouver waterfront on the return leg of their famed western expedition. Having traveled for nearly two years under often-adverse conditions, Meriwether Lewis wrote in his journal that Fort Vancouver was "indeed the only desirable situation for a settlement which I have seen on the West side of the Rocky Mountains." Whether it was because of the area's sheltered riverfront location, its prolific natural food sources or just a burst of lovely spring weather, they saw what many before and since have seen here - a great place to visit.

Vancouver sits on the north bank of the Columbia River directly across from Portland, Oregon, and has long been home to peoples from around the world. The Chinook and many other native tribes fished, hunted and traded here for many centuries before fur merchants and trappers began migrating from the eastern United States, Canada, and from as far away as Hawaii, China and Russia. Fort Vancouver was the Pacific Northwest's foremost fur-trading center from 1825 well into the 1850s. By 1846, when the Oregon Treaty gave full control of the area to the United States, Fort Vancouver had become an active political, cultural and commercial center.

With its many arts and cultural attractions and easy access to Portland, you're sure to find urban adventure here. Vancouver is also a great jumping-off spot for exciting outdoor escapades. The spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a scenic half-hour drive away, with the Cascade Mountains' many hiking, mountain biking, skiing and rock-climbing areas just beyond. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument to the north and the rugged Pacific Coast to the west are each less than two hours away.