School is out for the summer and the kids are antsy for adventure. Feeling outdoorsy? How about in need of some mental stimulation? Choose from these four different paths for a fun family outing in Vancouver USA.
Outdoor: Frenchman’s Bar
Frenchman’s Bar (on the east shore of the Columbia River) provides a sandy beach and cool water for a day of outdoor recreation. Bring a floatie, play some beach volleyball, or build a sand castle as the boats sail by. Picnic tables are available for use, or bring a blanket for the open grass. Pay a small fee to park during the summer months or ride your bike in on the four-mile paved pathway.
Historical: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site / Pearson Air Museum
Play explorer in the birthplace of the modern Pacific Northwest. Kids can learn about the British fur trading post and military history on the lands of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Vancouver Barracks. Right next door, the Pearson Air Museum is a visual jackpot for plane lovers. Feast your eyes on a full-scale replica of a World War I French Voisin III bomber and learn about notable pilots who have landed at Pearson Field.
Urban: Esther Short Park / Vancouver Community Library
Cool off in the fountain and enjoy lunch from a food truck parked at Esther Short Park before heading three blocks to escape the heat at the Vancouver Community Library. The library hosts story times for different age groups, tech and STEM skills activities, and special events like Harry Potter Fridays. Find the children’s zone on the third floor.
Need a cool spot to read? Come on in! 📚#humansofthelibrary #librarylife #summerreading
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Educational: Columbia Springs / Water Resources Education Center
The Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center provides all kinds of learning experiences for kids while enjoying nature. Meet the fish at the historic Vancouver Trout Hatchery or investigate decomposing logs to examine bug habitats. Five miles up the road on the Lewis and Clark Highway is the Water Resources Education Center, where you will find interactive exhibits and wildlife-friendly wetlands to explore.
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For more family-friendly activities, visit our webpage.