Written by Lilly Longshore for AccessibleGO and https://lillylongshore.com/
In the southwest corner of Washington State, across the mighty Columbia from Portland, Oregon, lies Vancouver, Washington—the first Vancouver in North America. Although lesser known, it was founded 61 years prior to our Canadian neighbor. The summer weather here, with blue, sunny skies at a perfect 80 degrees, is impossible to beat.
Ft Vancouver and Vancouver Waterfront Park
Vancouver is rich in history and also serves as a gateway to the Columbia Gorge, providing tantalizing outdoor opportunities for all. Plenty of quaint boutiques, art galleries, fine restaurants and wine-tasting rooms round out opportunities for an outstanding stay.
Ft Vancouver
Vancouver’s prominence in the pioneer settlement of the U.S. West as well as in both World Wars can be explored at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. This captivating 207-acre park on sloping grasslands offers numerous historical buildings connected by accessible pathways. It is the original end of the Oregon Trail and the former headquarters of the renowned Hudson’s Bay Company. The McLaughlin House, the blacksmith’s shop and other wooden structures of the historic fort are easy in a wheelchair via level paths, ramps and a lift. Audio brochures for blind or low vision visitors can be downloaded at https://www.nps.gov/fova/planyourvisit/blind-low-vision.htm. For those guests who are deaf or hard of hearing, amplifying audio devices are available at the park Visitors Center, as is a downloadable, captioned version of the park film. During ranger-led Fort tours, all guests are invited to feel the multiple furs stored in the historic fur warehouse.
