Vancouver, WA

It’s very difficult for me to get to Vancouver’s Farmer’s Market… okay it’s not, I live a block away, but sometimes I have to wait for the light to change! Vancouver’s Farmer’s Market is located on 8^th and Esther in downtown Vancouver, Washington. It’s open every weekend from the beginning of April through the end of October. It opens at 9am on Saturdays and 10am on Sundays and closes at 3pm.Now Vancouver’s Farmer’s Market is your typical Farmer’s Market. Meaning you’ll find for purchase or perusal: crafts, fruits, vegetables, plants, cut flowers, elephant ears and all the kettle corn you could ever possibly eat. What separates Vancouver’s Farmer’s Market from other markets are the dogs, the donuts and the neighborhood.

While there are plenty of people watching opportunities at Vancouver’s Farmer’s Market, you’ll quickly realize that watching the plethora of puppies is where the fun is—plus dogs don’t mind strangers petting them under their chins. Whether mutts or pure-breeds, big or small, the visiting canines are well worth the price of admission alone—okay the market is free, but you know what I mean.

You can indulge yourself with any of the numerous food options available at the Farmer’s Market: baklava, fish-n-chips, tamales, German sausage, and teriyaki. Table and chairs are set up at the south end of the market if you’d rather sit down and eat. Of course I passed all the aforementioned tasty morsels and went straight to Donut Express. For $3.50 you can get a dozen powered, cinnamon or plain bite size donuts that are too die for. Get them warm if you can and get them on Saturday. I’ve never seen Donut Express at the market on a Sunday.

Fortunately for you, my cool pad isn’t the only other place of interest near the Farmer’s Market (by the way please don’t come over, I need to vacuum). Directly to the east of the market is Esther Short Park. When the park isn’t hosting concerts or festivals, it’s a nice place to toss the Frisbee or have a picnic. There’s also a jungle gym for the kids and public restrooms.

Want to get in a little walk and burn off those donuts? The Columbia River is a five minute walk from the market. If you want to make at date of it and have a sit down lunch, several restaurants—from Thai to Italian—are within walking distance. If the Pacific Northwest weather has you a little chilled, step inside Gray’s at the Harbor for a cocktail. This bar is located a block away from the market inside the Hilton Hotel (that’s probably where you’ll find me).

Parking may be difficult to find, especially if you come later in the day or if there’s an event at the park. If you don’t mind walking you’ll be fine as the city if fairly empty on the weekend. Remember that you DON’T need to feed the meters on the weekend.

While the majority of vendors at the market sell items they make or grow themselves, there were two businesses soliciting. One was the Columbian Newspaper and the other was a gym. I walked by their booths several times and not once did they try to sell me anything; in fact the nice woman at the gumbo stand was far more aggressive giving out her free samples.

I generally visit Vancouver’s Farmer’s Market just to pick up some donuts or grab some flowers, but it really is a great way to spend day. It’s an active and inexpensive outing that is both family and dog friendly.