Blog Posts

Where to Find Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver, WA

The biting cold of winter is passing and the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom! Before you know it, they will reach their peak, so pack a picnic and find a spot to admire these delicate blossoms. There are tons of cherry blossom trees in Vancouver, but a few concentrated areas are especially beautiful and deserve their own viewing. Read on for where to find cherry blossoms in Vancouver, WA. Fisher’s Landing You’ll find cherry blossom trees planted all over Fisher’s Landing and East Vancouver in general. They are especially gorgeous on the streets running between 164th and 192nd south of Mill Plain. You can take a drive around the area and pass tons of little neighborhood parks and streets covered in flowers. It’s really a sight to see! Clark College Clark College near Downtown Vancouver has a Sakura Festival every year, that began in 2006. Over 25 years ago the City of Vancouver was given 100 Shirofugen cherry trees by our sister city in Joyo, Japan. They are a gift of friendship and planted at Clark College as a reminder of the enduring bonds between our region and Japan. The festivals that have been held since then are stunning and there’s always fantastic speakers and presentations. This year they are holding that festival virtually, but you can still visit the flowers in person and take a picnic to enjoy with you. Fort Vancouver Take a stroll through Fort Vancouver and you’ll find beautiful cherry blossom trees all around. There are some gorgeous clusters around the East Barracks. If you head out to enjoy these beautiful blooms, share your photos on social media with us! We’d love to see them! Visit us again next week for more spring fun in Vancouver, WA.

St. Patty’s Day Fun: Where to Find Green Beer and Cocktails in Vancouver, WA | Acero Haagen Park

Get into the St. Patty’s day spirit with some fun boozy beverages in Vancouver! There are tons of local bars and restaurants celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with green beers, cocktails, and shakes. Read on a quick list of where to find green beer and cocktails in Vancouver, WA this weekend. Rally Pizza This popular pizza parlor really goes above and beyond for any holiday! Rally Pizza has got a variety of themed drinks for March including the Shamrocker and Irish Coffee Shakes and a $10 Green Pizza! If you’re in the mood for a drink with a little extra kick, try their Pot O’ Gold cocktail , made with a vibrant Green Chartreuse. Visit their website to check out their menu and order ahead! McMenamins on the Columbia About 15 minutes away along the Columbia River Waterfront is McMenamins ! Enjoy a pint of green-tinted beer while you take in breathtaking views of the river from their spacious outdoor patio. Sunsets at McMenamins on the Columbia are a must-see for local foodies that appreciate good aesthetics and good food. They’ve also got a delicious creamy Irish Stout and warm Irish Coffee all week! Downtown Vancouver You’ll find all the Guinness and Jameson you could possibly want at Shanahan’s and Grady’s , lively Irish pubs in downtown Vancouver. You can also catch a viewing of “The Quiet Man” at Kiggins Theatre on March 17th at 6:30 pm. They will have green beer and the Fort Vancouver Bag Pipe Band performing before curtains at 6 pm. That’s all for today, folks! Check-in next week for more food and fun around Vancouver, WA.

Spring Cleaning at Acero Haagen Park in Vancouver, WA

Spring is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts! Keeping your home fresh and clean is good for the mind and body, especially for folks who are still working from home. Deep cleaning can be a daunting task, read on for some spring cleaning tips to get you started on refreshing your Acero Haagen Park apartment home in Vancouver, WA. Start from the front of the house and work inward. This is typically a gentle start to spring cleaning, since the entryway isn’t as busy as a kitchen. Dust off those doormats! Vacuuming the back of a mat can push trapped dirt out onto the floor where it’s easier to pick up. Organize your entry-way, and wipe everything down with antibacterial wipes and move on to the living room! Starting with something small can break through the apprehension to start at all. Don’t forget the fridge. The fridge needs a clean too! The best tip is to start cleaning your kitchen with the fridge first. Take everything out and lay it on the counter. Toss the expired goods, wipe down any messy containers. Then wipe down the inside of the fridge with antibacterial wipes, or warm soapy water to get rid of food bacteria and spillage. Once you’ve determined what food stays and goes, put it back in and move on to the sink! Lemon rinds cure all. If there are any bad odors in the house, lemons will be your friend! If the kitchen sink is smelling foul, run a lemon rind over the sink and at the drain to get rid of any bad odors. Rinse with cold water. This same trick can be used on cutting boards! Rub the cut side of a lemon over the cutting board to remove food stains and bad smells. If you sprinkle a little salt and baking soda on beforehand, it will be even easier to lift the stains and smells. That’s all for this week! Come back next Friday for more spring food and fun in Vancouver, WA.

Things to do for St. Patrick’s Day in Vancouver, WA | Acero Haagen Park

Photo Credit: https://dulinscafe.com/ St. Patrick’s Day is coming up in a couple of weeks, and it’s always a good idea to plan ahead for the festivities! Clark County is officially in Phase 2 of re-opening so restaurants and bars have been re-opening with outdoor dining and limited indoor seating as well. We’ve got some fantastic Irish restaurants and bars in the area that always have fun things to do, as well ideas you can use to celebrate at home. Read on for a list of fun places to go and things to do for St. Patrick’s Day in Vancouver, WA. Dulin’s Village Cafe Start St. Patrick’s Day with breakfast or brunch from Dulin’s Village Cafe on Main Street in downtown Vancouver. They’ve got a great selection of Irish breakfast favorites and more familiar fare. Their Irish Banger Sausage is super tasty, served with eggs, grilled tomato, and toast! They’ve also got incredible Irish potato dishes, like the Dublin potatoes. You get diced, crispy russet potatoes with roasted corned beef, onions, peppers, and swiss cheese. If you can’t make it on St. Patrick’s Day that’s alright, it’s on their regular menu, and they’re open Tuesday through Sunday. Check out their Facebook for recent updates and specials. Grady’s Public House Grady’s Pub is an awesome Irish pub in Vancouver! It’s a great place to hang out and watch a game on their big screens. They’ve got plenty of outdoor seating at their spacious location on 28th street, just 5 minutes away from Acero Haagen Park. Enjoy cottage pie, bangers and mash, fish and chips, and more! They’ve also got classic bar bites like burgers, tots, and tacos if that’s not your thing! On top of all this yummy food from their scratch kitchen, you can also indulge in a variety of beers both local and imports. Visit their Facebook to keep an eye out for St. Patty’s deals, they’ve always got a special going on. Sellberg’s Tavern Enjoy a night out at Sellberg’s Tavern , where old friends meet! We love that slogan, and it perfectly describes this Irish pub on St. Johns in North Vancouver. They’re about 15 minutes from our apartments, and it’s worth that little extra drive to hang out in their spacious back patio and enjoy one of their many beers on tap. Sellberg’s was founded in 1934, making it Vancouver’s oldest Tavern in town with a rich history and tons of fun stories that staff love to entertain their guests with. Awesome food, great beer, friendly service, no regrets! Visit their Facebook for updates and specials. Honorable mention: Shanahan’s Pub and Grill is another awesome Irish pub in downtown Vancouver. They’re about 20 minutes from Acero Haagen Park, but it’s worth it to step a little outside the neighborhood for the good vibes and spacious outdoor seating.

Selfcare Saturday: Digital Detoxing in Vancouver, WA

With the days getting longer and more time to spend outdoors as we head towards the end of winter, now is the perfect time for a digital detox. While we are out and about exploring restaurants in Vancouver and trails in the Gorge it’s a habit to be on your phone the whole time, sharing your experience on social media. Sometimes the moment is even more special when you leave your phone in your pocket or at home, and just enjoy the moment. With all of the hype online and constant stream of information and stimulation from our phones, it’s time to give ourselves a break and let go of the phone for a day. Here are some ways you can keep yourself accountable for a tech free, digital detox weekend! Step 1: Invest in an Old School Alarm Clock. Yes, we’re serious. Grabbing for your phone first thing in the morning, because it can also conveniently act as an alarm clock, has also become a way for us workaholics to check our emails, messages, and social media first thing in the morning. If you have a real alarm clock every morning, maybe you can take some time to stretch, journal, make a cup of coffee, and take in the beautiful view of the park and majestic trees right outside Acero Haagen Park! Step 2: No Phones at the Table. A simple rule that many people partake in when out to a meal with friends, but why not apply that same rule in your own home? A simple way to stay connected with your environment, really appreciate and indulge in the food in front of you, and be thankful for the people (or apartment home) around you! Step 3: Start Small and Set Goals The best way to get anything done, is by setting a goal for yourself. Each day, if you start with a goal of no screen time for the first hour of your day, that could snowball into a great day of focus, determination, and goal completing. Maybe an hour is pushing it for your first digital detox, so start smaller. Allow yourself only 20 minutes of screen time each hour. Take advantage of airplane mode, and maybe create your goal to turn on airplane mode three times in one day. Setting goals, no matter how big or small, will ultimately help you accomplish them in the long run. And who doesn’t love crossing a task off of a list? We hope these small steps help you turn this year into the best one yet, happy digital detoxing!

Valentine’s Day Vino | Vancouver, WA Wineries

The PNW has always been home to wonderful microbrews and wineries, and we have recently discovered that Vancouver itself has quite a few lovely wineries to enjoy close to home! Visit a winery or pick up a bottle for a cozy Valentine’s Day at home! Read on to find out what local wineries made our list of favorites, and how far they are from Acero Haagen Park. English Estate Winery The English Estate Winery is about 10 minutes away and is currently only open for curbside and delivery. This local favorite goes back five generations and the family owns 7 acres in East Vancouver surrounding their 1915 barn. We can’t wait for them to fully reopen and enjoy the cozy wine bar inside with plush couches, vintage flair, and a charming outdoor patio with free range chickens roaming around. Visit their website to see their Specials for the week, and order online ! Burnt Bridge Creek Cellars Burnt Bridge Creek Cellars is about 15 minutes away in downtown Vancouver, and is the perfect place for date night! They’re located in a converted 1930s era auto garage that has really edgy and cool industrial urban vibes. It’s been serving the SW Washington community since 2010, crafting compelling wines from Washington’s best vineyards. Visit their website to shop online and check out their Instagram too! Airfield Estates Winery Vancouver Tasting Room The Airfield Winery Tasting Room is a relatively new addition to the restored Waterfront that is proud to be dog friendly. They are open for wine tastings on the patio, with heated lamps to keep the chill away! You can make online reservations of this aviation-themed winery for just $15 a person. Enjoy wines from the sun-drenched hills of the Yakima Valley. Visit their website and Instagram to shop online and learn more. We wish everyone a wonderful Valentine’s Day weekend full of love, and we’ll see you next week for more food and fun in Vancouver, WA.