Checking Out Fort Vancouver and Portland

Portland area sites include a pioneer Fort Vancouver, shopping at a huge bookstore, and stopping at an area ravaged by a volcano.

Our family made a trip to the Pacific Northwest seeing Seattle, Portland, North Cascades National Park, the Columbia Gorge, and sites in between. This is what we did on our vacation, I hope it helps you in planning your trip to this amazing area!

FORT VANCOUVER

After opening in 1825, Fort Vancouver welcomed traders from across the region. The fort then served pioneers along the Oregon Trail in the later 1830s.

In the 1840s the U.S. Army used the fort to support American settlements during Indian wars.

During World War I the fort saw action again as a mill was built to process logs for airplanes. Housed on the fort property is an air museum displaying aviation history.

Visitor Center

Here you can see displays on the fort, check out the bookstore, and obtain a park brochure.

It is a large area so a map can help find your way around.

Pearson Air Museum

Among the more notable aviation achievements tied to Pearson Field is the landing of the Douglas World Cruisers, on their way to achieving the first aerial circumnavigation of the globe, at the field in 1924.

In the museum, you can see a number of examples of early planes such as the DH-4 Liberty or the Fokker Dr. 1.

Reconstructed Fort

After the museum, we went to the fort. We first stopped by the Chief Factor’s House.

Then we went to the Bakehouse with large brick ovens.

Next was a blacksmith shop with the tools of the trade on display.

Located at the far northwest corner of the fort is a bulwark structure.

The fort also has an Indian Trade Shop, Counting House, Fur Store, Jail, and Garden.

*My son received his badge as a junior ranger.*

My son also took part in being a Junior Ranger and received his badge.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays – Saturdays; Closed Sunday-Monday; May 31- Labor Day; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., in winter.

Admission: $10, Adult and free, 15 and under. Seeing the Visitor Center, McLoughlin House – not located at the fort and Pearson Air Museum is free, but the reconstructed fort has a fee.

Address: 1501 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661

OUR STAY: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portland-NW Downtown

After touring the fort, we checked into our hotel. This Holiday Inn Express & Suites has a pool the stay includes breakfast. It is also near many restaurants and stores in the Nob Hill neighborhood.

Address: 2333 NW Vaughn St, Portland, OR 97210

DINNER: Lela’s Bistro

We had Banh mi and pho.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday-Wednesday; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, Closed Sunday

Address: 1524 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

DESSERT: Voodoo Donuts in Davis

Hours: Open 24 hours. We stopped at this one since it is near where a friend of ours lives.

Address: 1501 NE Davis St, Portland, OR 97232 — other locations throughout the area

SHOPPING: Powell’s City of Books

Powell’s City of Books or the World’s largest independent bookstore is worth stopping at if you love books!

Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Daily

Address: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209

*View of Mt. St. Helens from the Visitor Center.*

MT. ST. HELENS VISITOR CENTER

Located in a state park on the way to Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. We didn’t have time to go to the national park but had time to stop here. We made this short pitstop heading back to the airport in Seattle.

Mt. St. Helens Eruption

At 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, shaken by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of this tall symmetrical mountain collapsed in a massive rock debris avalanche. This caused destruction throughout the surrounding area.

At the Center

The visitor center includes a museum and information about Mt. St. Helens.

From the park, you have a good view of the volcano. The area around the park has seen volcanic destruction in the past.

Also, when we were there park rangers gave talks about the volcano.

The gift shop includes volcano-related gifts, such as bottles of ash from the volcano.

*Taking a photo with Mt. St. Helens in the background.*

Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Daily, March; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Daily, June-Sept. 15; 9 a.m. -4 p.m., Daily, Sept. 16- Oct. 31; 9 a.m. – 4p.m., Nov. -Feb., Closed Tuesday- Wednesay

Admission: $5, 18 and older; $2.50, 7-17; 6 and younger, free; $15, Family (two adults plus accompanying children) Check the website for senior, disabled, and disabled veterans for discounts.

Address: 3029 Spirit Lake Highway, Castle Rock, WA 98611