Tucked between the snow-covered peaks of the Cascade Mountains and the majestic Columbia River, Washington’s Vancouver is a Pacific Northwest destination not to be overlooked. North of weird and south of Sound, Vancouver is where being in between feels just right.

For an urban dining and sipping experience, find eight wine-tasting rooms from renowned regional wineries and several restaurants within a few blocks of one another right on the Columbia’s north shore. Sip a Cabernet Franc at Maryhill Winery’s 1885 Brunswick mahogany bar, or opt for a Runway Red Blend at the aviation-themed Airfield Estates. Enjoy Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus Panzanella alongside the suggested Oriana white at Brian Carter Cellars’ riverfront spot, or find a barrel booth near a fireplace at Willamette Valley Vineyards’ cozy second-story restaurant.

The Vancouver Waterfront is anchored by the sparkling Grant Street Pier, jutting 90 feet over the calm waters, with a walking path that follows the curves of the river. Whether you are in the mood for a glamorous Latin evening with tapas and extravagant drinks at DOSALAS latin kitchen + tequila bar, or you want to feel like a kid again with over-the-top Instagram-worthy ice cream creations at The Yard Milkshake Bar, the waterfront has a place to fit any craving.

Make Vancouver your base camp and explore southwest Washington’s moderate yet distinct seasons with an outdoor adventure to Mount St. Helens or the Columbia River Gorge. One of the Pacific Northwest’s most recognizable landmarks, Mount St. Helens offers snowy hikes, cross-country skiing, and the opportunity to summit the volcano from the Marble Mountain Sno-Park in the winter (just over an hour’s drive from downtown). One of only 10 National Scenic Areas in the United States, the 80-mile Columbia River Gorge is beautiful during any season, offering panoramic views, hikes to wispy waterfalls, and a plethora of activities for any outdoor enthusiast.

Relax from your adventure with a beer on the patio from one of Vancouver’s local breweries. The close-knit community affectionately nicknamed “Brewcouver” rivals any beer scene with bold lagers, juicy IPAs, and flavorful stouts. Find Trap Door Brewing, Brothers Cascadia Brewing, and 3Peaks Public House & Taproom for a slew of food trucks outside the brewery spaces.

Within walking distance of the waterfront, downtown offers local boutiques and antique shops, intriguing art galleries, colorful murals, and events happening year-round. Find premier coffee roasters for your morning cup of joe and one-of-a-kind bakeries to satisfy that sweet tooth. Uptown Village (just north of downtown) delights with a quaint atmosphere, and is home to local favorites Bleu Door Bakery and Relevant Coffee.

Less than half a mile east of downtown, experience one of the first permanent settlements west of the Rocky Mountains at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The 191-acre area tells the story of the frontier fur trading post of the Hudson’s Bay Company, a powerful miliary legacy at the U.S. Army’s Vancouver Barracks, and the magic of flight at the Pearson Air Museum.

Vancouver is close to everything, but far from typical – go see for yourself.

The post Now is the Time to Visit Washington’s Vancouver appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

There aren’t many destinations where you can sip award-winning wines with wine country vineyard views, tour a hopping craft beer trail right in the largest hop producing region in the world, have fun on the farm, take home hand-picked produce and seek outdoor adventure,  from mountain trails and lakes to the desert.

That’s what makes Washington’s Yakima Valley such a special place. It’s the 300 days of sun that shine on the birthplace of Washington State’s wine industry. It’s the aroma of freshly harvested hops. It’s the farm-to-table connection that inspires a thriving dining scene. It’s where you can ride, bike, hike, run, climb, fish, float, paddle, golf and more, all followed by an afternoon sipping craft beverages.

Raise a Glass in The Home of the Hops

With 75% of our nation’s hops grown in the Yakima Valley, it’s where they say, “We grow your beer!” Yakima Valley hop growers keep the U.S beer industry brewing but it’s the Valley’s craft beer scene that’s hopping! Yakima Valley brewers and hop growers rub shoulders in the field and in the taproom, so innovation to produce experimental hops fuels creativity in the breweries. This is why Yakima craft breweries boast accolades and awards. You could spend days touring the breweries and tap houses from one end of the valley to the other.

Travel the Yakima Valley Wine Trail

Yakima Valley wine country is wine country unlike any other. This is where winemakers and vintners alike take their craft seriously but don’t take themselves tooseriously. So, they’re ready to hang out, kick back and share their passion and pride for the exceptional wines that come out of their beautiful corner of the world. The Yakima Valley AVA encompasses five unique sub- AVAs, each with distinct character. From casual gathering places to grand estates, come taste award-winning, handcrafted wines under sunny skies with warm welcomes and vineyard views.

Enjoy the Flavors of the Farm

You won’t find agricultural diversity like this anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest. More than 3,000 farms call Yakima County home, including more organic farms than anywhere else in the region.. Choose from hand-picked bounty you take home to your own table or farm-fresh deliciousness gathered from harvest festivals and fruit stands and farmers markets that dot the Valley from one end to the other. Yakima Valley restaurant chefs take inspiration straight from the field. During growing season, what you find on the menu just might have been growing a few miles away that morning. That’s farm-fresh!

Festivals, Events and Celebrations Year-Round

There’s a lot to celebrate here in the Yakima Valley – from wine, beer, food and music festivals to diverse cultural celebrations. Sip and savor at craft beer and food festivals. Tour the valley for annual wine country events. Enjoy a chef’s table experience in the vineyard, hop field or orchard. Take in live music drifting over the vineyards.

Get Outside Under Sunny Skies

The Yakima Valley’s central location means you’ll find outdoor adventure in every direction, from sub-alpine mountain trails, pristine mountain lakes and winding rivers, to the arid shrub-steppe landscape with towering basalt cliffs or nearby desert. Yakima is home to Washington’s only blue ribbon trout stream and the best white water in the state during the month of September. Plan your adventure with several outstanding outfitters who can get you all set up for floating the river or biking through wine country for tasting. You’ll also find exceptional guided fly fishing experiences and clinics and classes in trail running, mountain biking, hiking, snow shoeing, skiing and paddle boarding on rivers or mountain lakes.

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