Weather-neutral things to do (Seattle, Vancouver: low crime, theater, place to live)

[jpaull]

My wife and I just moved to Vancouver from the East Coast. We are looking for things to do, ways to meet people during the fall or winter without threat of getting rained on all day (i.e. mostly indoors). Any suggestions?

Preferrably without having to travel all the way to Seattle.

[StealthRabbit]

get connected with some interest groups that you would like.
Camera club
Brewers club
Gardening
dancing
acting / drama
foreign languages
foreign travel
reading
Volunteering (homeless, battered women, big brother, meals on wheels, mentoring...)
indoor community sports leagues
Take some community ed classes.

We did all the above when moving here in the fall 28 yrs ago, no trouble meeting folks. There are many good churches that also have activities, so do the hospitals (classes).

Next trip through Centralia, get some rain gear at Helly Hansen outlet (on east side by Wendy's). But...I saved many yrs for mine and it was stolen within a week, so I just get wet.

[idw2s]

Originally Posted by jpaull

My wife and I just moved to Vancouver from the East Coast. We are looking for things to do, ways to meet people during the fall or winter without threat of getting rained on all day (i.e. mostly indoors). Any suggestions?

Preferrably without having to travel all the way to Seattle.

Unless you have big hair, the rain is over-rated. It's not that bad.

There's a farmer's market near Esther Short Park.

There are festivals, nice shopping, antique places, nice nature trails with enough canopy to be a nice, refreshing walk if it's only drizzling (which is what it does 90% of the time.

There's the Saturday Market across the river. It's a must do, at least once.

Portland is a walking wonderland, again, not bad, even in the few rain drops that fall most days.

[shangie]

As a four year transplant from Seattle I am still exploring the area. If you like boating, fishing and / or kayaking I recommend joining the Fort Vancouver Power Squadron - excellent group of people who love to get together rain or shine. Rain - getting wet- there is hardly anything more peaceful then piling on your cozy wool shirt and hi tech rain gear and heading to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield, Washington to hunt for birds with your eyes.

Always check out the City Of Vancouver's calendar of events each month for local goings on as well as the Fort Vancouver offerings which can be downright wonderful, especially candlelit events, 1800's baseball, etc.

Watch for live performance plays at our local downtown theaters. Take a walk at Frenchman's Bar. When the park is closed you can park in other areas and enjoy a fabulous walk.

Rain, it is soft and warm when you are prepared properly. our rain is not as chilling as a northeast rain. We PNW gulls know how to dress for the rain. Hi performance merino Wool - Minus 33 brand for the men and Icebreaker for the women- each piece will last for years upon years. A good rain hat you feel good in. I like OR products. Good rain pants to go over your pants and a great jacket and you are set! No umbrella necessary!

Did you catch our farmer's market downtown? Good until I think mid October. We have antique stores and an ice cream shop where you can also get a great cup of coffee in our 'uptown" . Have you checked out our quaint "uptown" area? The Chinese restaurant that badly needs paint has solid, good food at very good prices. There is also amazing Italian Restaurant and really fresh Mexican to be had as well not to mention breakfast places. There is a great little used book store, a store that sells knitting and crocheting and embroidery supplies. After a lovely meal you can take a nice walk through our pretty downtown and go onto Fort Vancouver for a stroll over the land bridge which will return you back to downtown where you can go to the Cinema to catch a movie - what a lovely winter day!

Kayaking off of Felida Marina, at Ridgefield, on Lake Vancouver - spectacular on a cold winter day if you have the right gear.

Another great winter day is to drive to Cathlamet on a rainy Saturday because Judy's in longview is open then for great food and the leaves are down to expose more of the Columbia River's beauty in a more remote setting. Great place for kayaking in the summer and fall.

Clubs- think about joining Rotary to meet tons of people and do good works!

Vancouver is a spectacular place to live! Low crime! Friendly people! A government that really wants the area to succeed despite the good old boy bickering that occurs due to long lived loyalties. A bunch of commissioners at the Port of Vancouver that we should all be proud of. Generous citizens! It is truly a wonderful place to live if you learn to not compare it to a major city's amenities. I always say if you expect silver to be gold you will never enjoy silver for it's own unique beauty. There is a lot to discover in our city.

I just discovered mini golf at the Burgersteak and found out it will close as soon as the rain comes! But I also found out there is an indoor one somewhere else in Vancouver! Winter.... after a super busy summer enjoying our beautiful area I look forward to slowing down and letting the rain force me to catch up on books and some good meals at our local restaurants!