We usually go see the fireworks in St. Helens, but they didn't have enough money this year, so we don't know where to go. I know that the Vancouver ones are big, but the traffic to get to them is so bad that I just don't have th patience to sit in it on a holiday. Does anyone have any good places that they like to go in the area? I don't mind driving, like I said, we live in Gresham and drove to St. Helens...Or, do you have any good tips on where to go to see the Vancouver ones? We tried to go to Marine Drive a few years ago, but they closed it so we couldn't see much as we ended up at the end of 223rd and Marine Drive.
Thanks in advance!!
I think they have fireworks on the Willamette in downtown Portland. I remember walking to see them one year. They closed one of the bridges so you could stand on the bridge and see the fireworks.
I believe that they offer fireworks downtown near Waterfront Park; many people park on the east side near the Esplanade and watch them from there.
Those who like to watch from a distance can go up to Mt Tabor (watch out for mosquitoes)... it will be busy up there. Plan on parking in the neighborhood around 57th and Salmon or so and walking up. The neighborhoods around here also have little illicit fireworks going, so you would likely get a pretty good show the higher up you go. Down by the middle reservoir, you have a very good view of downtown.
Going up to Washington Park might be another option, near the Rose Test Gardens.
Fort Vancouver had excellent fireworks; you could likely get there taking the Glen Jackson bridge (205) and then head over toward downtown Vancouver. I wonder if Columbia River Drive (like Marine Drive on the WA side) would be open.
We live in Sandy and they do a nice show every year. If you sit in the Fred Meyer parking lot you should be able to see it well. We sit at my husbands uncles car shop and have a good view. If you decide to come here though it does get crowded!
I bet if you went to Rocky Butte, you would have a 360 degree view of all of the fireworks in the Portland area. I don't know how crowded it might be though. Good luck! I went to Vancouver one year, and it took me two hours to drive home to SE Portland. Never again.
