As a family-friendly destination, Southwest Washington is a terrific place to spend the day or plan a weekend getaway with the whole family.  In the heart of Southwest Washington you’ll find great adventures in and around Vancouver.  This historic and vibrant city has a lot to offer all ages and especially families with young children.  A trip to this city can be as educational as it is exciting and entertaining at any time of the year but summers are an especially good time to visit.  And one of the best things about Vancouver’s family friendly attractions is that they are very easy on your wallet.  You won’t have to spend a lot of money to have lots of fun because many of the attractions are free of charge and very easy to get to.

Here is a list of 10 family-friendly attractions indoor and outdoor, which are very popular with kids as well as parents, and residents as well as visitors.

Esther Short Park – Located in the center of downtown Vancouver is Esther Short Park.  This public square is a hub of activity during the summer with free concerts and movie nights, various festivals and events, and the adjacent Vancouver Farmers Market on weekends.  The park is adorned with large trees, flower-filled planters, a rose garden and bronze sculptures.  On one corner of the park is a brick plaza with a bell tower and fully animated glockenspiel that tells the story of a Chinook Indian legend daily at Noon, then every 2 hours until 8:00 pm.  On hot summer days, kids can cool off in a manmade stream and water feature.   There is also a playground and public restrooms.  

Pearson Air Museum & Fort Vancouver – Pearson Air Museum is located on the grounds of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve and at the oldest continually operating airfield in the U.S. The exhibition area offers a stunning collection of vintage airplanes dating before WWII, interpretive displays, a theater with multiple video presentations and a gift shop. For the kids, there is an interactive children’s center with a flight simulator. While you’re there, also visit the adjacent Fort Vancouver, a replica of the mid-19th century Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading post which is now a National Park. Phone 360-694-7026.  

Water Resources Education Center – The Water Resources Education Center teaches people of all ages about water resources and includes hands-on activities in the Exhibit Hall, nature-inspired art in the Center’s White Sturgeon Art Gallery, live sturgeon in a 350 gallon aquarium and panoramic views of the Columbia River and the nearly 50 acres of wildlife-rich wetlands that surround the Center.  The Center is a “must see” for anyone concerned about the future of a safe and healthy water supply for people and wildlife. While you’re there, take a walk on the Renaissance Trail, a paved waterfront trail favored by walkers, runners and bicyclists. Phone 360-487-7111.

Trout Fishing at Battle Ground Lake or Klineline Pond –Trout fishing for rainbow and brown trout is one of the best bargains in local family recreation.  With millions of hatchery-reared fish being stocked into local lakes, you don’t have to travel far to get in some good fishing.  The cost of a license won’t set you back too much either.  A Washington freshwater fishing license, valid April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010, costs $21.90 for resident adults and children 14 years and younger are free.  Just need a one-day license? A one-day license is only $7.50 for resident adults and $14.50 for non-residents.  Battle Ground Lake and Klineline Pond are your best bets for the big catch and when you’re ready to cool off, both have roped swimming areas!  Cost: Battle Ground Lake is free plus the cost of a license.

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Excursion – In the logging boom days, this railroad line transported logs to Columbia River ports. Pulled by a 1929 ALCO 2-8-2T steam locomotive, the train now transports passengers through scenic Southwest Washington on a ten-mile round trip from Yacolt to Mouton Falls and Chelatchie Prairie and back. The train travels through the darkness of a 300-foot rock tunnel and crosses the trestles over the Lewis River, stopping along the way to provide a glimpse of the beautiful Moulton Falls.  Passengers have their choice of sitting in the open air car or inside one of the passenger cars.  Special event excursions include staged hold-ups, barbeque trips, a headless horseman Halloween train and Christmas tree trains among others. Phone 360-686-3559. 

Pomeroy Living History Farm – Experience what life was like on a pre-electrical farm several generations ago at the Pomeroy Living History Farm. Period-dressed interpreters invite visitors to participate in typical farm activities such as grinding grain, washing clothes, feeding and watering the livestock, and making rope at this farmstead registered on the National Register for Historic Properties. The farmstead includes the Pomeroy's log home built in 1920, a working blacksmith shop, barn, extensive herb and vegetable gardens, pastures and woodlot. A visit to the Farm can easily be combined with an excursion on the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad.  Phone 360-686-3537.

Clark County Fair – Celebrating 141 years in 2009, the Clark County Fair is an annual tradition for thousands of people, young and old alike, who enjoy the sights, flavors and sounds of a real county fair. Complete with a full arsenal of midway rides and games, livestock exhibits, pony rides, arts & crafts, tons of entertainment and food, and much, much more.  Special events include Monster Trucks, Extreme Sport Motorcycles, Bull Riding, and concerts by nationally known music artists. Complimentary grandstand seating for all special event shows is included with fair admission. Phone 360-397-6180.

Big Al's – Voted as Clark County’s best family fun value in 2008 and 2009, Big Al’s is more than just your typical bowling alley.  With its woodsy, Northwestern motif and open beam ceilings, the huge entertainment complex offers 30 traditional lanes of bowling and another 12 lanes in an intimate lounge style setting.  For the kids, there are over 100 player positions at the latest and greatest video arcades.  Adults like Big Al’s Sports Bar and Grill, which boasts a monster 8-foot by 36-foot-wide jumbo-tron video screen to broadcast all the games.  For the kids, there is a snack bar adjacent to the bowling lanes and arcade.  Phone 360-944-6118.

Mountain View Ice Arena – Lace ‘em up at Mountain View Ice Arena, the largest ice skating rink in Southwest Washington.  The indoor rink offers scheduled public ice skating daily with skate rentals and a snack shop.  It’s a great place to take the family to chill out during those hot days of summer or just have fun even in the winter. Phone 360-896-8700.

Westfield Vancouver Mall – Bring the entire family to Westfield Vancouver, Southwest Washington’s largest mall, and enjoy economical, family-friendly entertainment.  The mall offers five major anchor retailers, a food court with 10 restaurants, and more than 120 specialty shops including the following kid friendly stores and entertainment:

• Build-A-Bear Workshop® - Create your very own Teddy Bear or other stuffed animals.
• Carousels and More - Enjoy a trip on a real carousel.
• Glow Golf – Glow in the dark miniature golf is fun for the entire family.
• TILT - Stop into Tilt and play the latest video arcade games.
• Play Space - Take a break from visiting great shops and restaurants and head to the Westfield Play Space. The soft play area gives kids a chance to be kids while parents relax. Phone 360-892-6255.