[naturegirl]

I will be in Vancouver, WA the weekend of July 20th and am looking for things to do and input on public transportation with a toddler. We are taking the Amtrak down and will be staying at a hotel about 3/4 of a mile from the train station.

I am wondering if I need to take my car seat along with us for taxi transportation or if public transportation is good. (Going from amtrak to hotel and maybe to the zoo or ????)

Any advice for a travelling momma with 3 year old?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jessielove]

You can take the C-Tran down to Portland and ride the Tri-Met or Max anywhere from there. I keep meaning to try that, but with my group it's hard getting them all out and about like that. We walk everywhere we need to go here.

 

[naturegirl]

Thanks that is good to know! Do you think we could catch transportation from the amtrak easily to our hotel?

 

[mamanurse]

Riding PT from PDX to and from the 'Couv sucks. It takes forever and it's all Vancouver's fault. They wouldn't approve a MAX expansion almost 10 years ago and are now kicking themselves for their own stupidity. Personally, if you have to stay in Vancouver I would rent a car. Portland is far easier to get around on PT with.

 

[naturegirl]

Bummer, I really didn't want to have to rent a car. That probably means we will stay put in and around our hotel.

Anything fun to do within Vancouver that weekend?

Thanks!

 

[meenajo]

We've taken C-Tran to Portland several times and it's certainly doable but not as efficient as you might hope

. They've just added an express line to the MAX, but service is limited and they're not expanding until the Fall.

Downtown Vancouver is kinda cute. If you're here on the weekend, Farmer's Market is worth a visit. Esther Short Park has a playground, water feature, and a clock that tells a story if you're there at the right time. Plus, there are lots of concerts (many free) there during the summer.

You can walk up Main and visit the little stores, or down Columbia along the River. If the weather is nice there are some spots where you can play in the sand/water. There's even an art walk and little museum--even though you won't be here at the right time, the galleries and museum should be open to visit. And don't forget the Reserve--Officer's Row, The Fort and Pearson Air Museum are all popular visitor spots a short distance from downtown.

Here are some helpful links:
http://www.cityofvancouver.us/concer...ubmenuID=22829
http://www.pdxguide.com/heartofvancouver/
http://www.cityofvancouver.us/parks-...overy_loop.htm

Good luck!

 

[meenajo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturegirl Thanks that is good to know! Do you think we could catch transportation from the amtrak easily to our hotel?

I wouldn't count on it. DH and I had trouble with that one, but it was awhile ago

If your hotel is only 3/4 mi. away, I'd probably just walk, but I know that's difficult with kiddos and luggage. From the train station, you can walk about 4 blocks N. to the #1 bus line or 6 blocks East to the #3 bus line. Just depends on where your hotel is. Check here for bus route info:

http://www.c-tran.com/

 

[naturegirl]

We are staying at the Hilton in Vancouver on 6th street. It is across the street from Esther Short Park.

Can we easily walk there from the Amtrak or should we drag our car seat along and cab it?

We will be there Friday and Saturday night, leaving Sunday afternoon.

I will have to hit that Farmer's Market. I LOVE farmer's markets.

Which museums do you recommend for a 3 year old? It will just be me and him, no other little munchkins so it isn't too difficult to walk places. (especially with my handy Ergo Carrier!

)

Thanks so much!

 

[meenajo]

I'd just walk it, but it depends on how much you like to walk

If you come down 8th (from the station take 11th East to Jefferson or Harney and then cut South to get to 8th), there are a few little cafes (Dolce Gelato is popular with my 4 year old) and a cool toy store (Kazoodles) where you can take a break.

The Hilton is a stones throw from the Farmer's market (includes crafts too), but also right around the corner from the transit center, so if you do make the trip in to Portland it won't be so bad (I'd suggest Saturday Market or Washington Park).

The Vancouver museum is not all that interesting and with a 3 year old I'd only visit on the free days

Same goes for Pearson, unless your kiddo really likes to look at planes.

We could spend hours at Esther Short and the Farmer's Market, and really enjoy the walk up and down Main St.--lots of cool shops and galleries. If you want to chill out and play in the sand walk down Columbia until you get to the river and you're bound to find an access point. There is a nice paved trail that goes on for miles.

I hope that helps, have a good trip

 

[naturegirl]

Oooohhh thanks! I think we will just plan on walking.

We may even take our bikes and bike trailer for the kiddo. We will only have a day and a half to really do things so I think we will catch the farmer's market and downtown shops. That sounds great!

Maybe I will run into some MDC mommas while I am there.