Posts about Activities

Stay Active | Fitness Classes in Vancouver, WA

Aside from the physical benefits of getting in shape, leading an active lifestyle has equally important mental benefits including improved daily mood, motivation, cognitive function, self-confidence, and better sleep. This is why it is important to seek out what kind of workouts interest you. Not everyone enjoys going to the gym and following a traditional treadmill and weight routine. There are many more options out there that you may be overlooking. Today we’ll try to help you find something that may interest you. From cycling classes, rock climbing gyms, and even Crossfit training, there is something out there for everyone. Cycling Classes Cycling classes can be fun and challenging. They are perfect for those that want to improve their stamina while being in a high-motivation environment. Not only will you improve your health but you will be able to ride your bike around the city without getting tired. In fact, you’ll even leave your friends behind! In terms of health benefits, however, it’s known that sports like cycling and running promote healthy blood pressure levels. Lastly, cycling is also a great way to improve your overall energy as your body gets accustomed to the new routine. Interested in taking cycling classes in Vancouver, WA? Make sure to check out CYCLEBAR and StarCycle Vancouver ! Crossfit Gyms If you’re looking for a high-intensity workout regimen with lots of variation, Crossfit is for you. The workout of the day, or WOD, as many crossfitters like to call it, features a mix of olympic weight lifting with high-intensity cardio training giving you a well-rounded workout. Each day you walk into the box, there will be a workout routine prepared for you already by qualified Crossfit trainers. In a sense, this is similar to a personal trainer but in a group setting where you can meet people in the process. Some of the workouts that you will come across include cleans, snatches, back squats, mile runs, and calisthenics. Crossfit is a perfect blend of strength and endurance. If you’re interested in taking up a new routine check out Crossfit Fort Vancouver and Crossfit Untamed . Rock Climbing Rock climbing can be a high-adrenaline activity. Although it does not involve high-intensity training like the previous two options it does demand mental focus, endurance, and a strong core to maintain balance. Because of this, when training for rock climbing you might want to focus on calisthenic workouts like pull-ups, planks, and other bodyweight workouts that lengthen the time that it takes for your muscles to fatigue. In other words, concentrate on holding your body weight for long periods of time as this is necessary when facing long climbing routes. Once you feel ready you can check out Source Climbing Center , a rock climbing gym in Vancouver, WA. Here you’ll learn rock climbing foundations as well as take fitness classes to improve your strength and endurance. Who knows, maybe this is your calling! We hope we were able to help you find an alternative exercising option to that of traditional gyms. It’s important to stay in shape for both your mental and physical health. Let us know if we missed one of your favorite ways to get your blood flowing. Cheers to a healthy lifestyle!

Summer Reading and Best Bookstores near Vancouver, WA

With summer finally in our grasp, it’s the perfect time to create your summer reading list. There are a lot of new reads out there, that it can often get overwhelming figuring out where to begin! Well, why not a bookstore or a library? Here we’ll share with you some of our favorite places to find great reads as well as some helpful book recommendation lists to help get you started! Barnes & Noble If you’re looking to find everything in one place, starting at Barnes & Noble is probably your best bet. They’ve got a vast array of reads from mostly any genre you could think of and if they don’t have the book you’re looking for in-store, they can ship it for you! They’ve also got monthly book recommendations so you can come back and read something new every month. Vintage Books If you’ve got books to trade, Vintage Books is perfect for you. You can easily swap out your finished reads for new ones any day, no appointment necessary. This is a great alternative to buying new books as the prices will often be much cheaper. Vintage Books has a rotating list of recommendations and Staff Picks as well, and you can always ask an employee what they might suggest! ShadowWalkers Comics Of course, we can’t forget about our graphic novel lovers! ShadowWalkers Comics carries a full line of comics from multiple universes and for all ages. Amongst your favorite comic reads, you’ll also find unique trading cards and gadgets, and other collectible items. You might just go home with something you weren’t even looking for! Hopefully, these bookstores offer a good place to start building your summer reading list. If you enjoy reading with friends, you might even want to start a local (or virtual) book club so you can talk about each read as you go through them. If you read anything good, be sure to share it with us!

The Best Hair Salons and Barber Shops in Vancouver, WA

A fresh haircut can do wonders for your self esteem so treat yourself to a great haircut right here in Vancouver! Lucky for us, Acero at Haagen Park is surrounded by amazing hair salons and barber shops. We want to introduce you to some of our favorite places to get a new haircut in Vancouver that are all less than 10 minutes from Acero at Haagen Park! We recommend: 22 Changes Salon & Spa : 11504 SE Mill Plain Blvd unit E, Vancouver, WA 98684 This salon and spa offers gorgeous blowouts, hairstyling, hair coloring, and so much more! You can view their full list of services here . The best part? Acero Haagen Park is only a 7 minute drive to this hair salon. Wendy’s Barber Shop and Salon: 103 SE 105th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98664 Did you know that Acero at Haagen Park is just 8 minutes away from Wendy’s Barber Shop and Salon? It is! This barber shop and salon is the perfect place to go if you’re ready to try something new. Their experienced hair stylists and barbers will have you feeling brand new after your appointment! The Barbers (Cascade Park) : 305 SE Chkalov Dr #109, Vancouver, WA 98683 You can make a same day appointment at this classic barber shop. They have over 30 locations and they’re open seven days a week, so a fresh cut is never far. Visit The Barbers today, your home at Acero at Haagen Park is only a 6 minute drive from this great barber shop. Cecil’s Barber Shop : 16209 SE McGillivray Blvd d, Vancouver, WA 98683 Visit Cecil’s Barber Shop for your next cut, this barber shop is only an 8 minute drive away from Acero at Haagen Park. Make sure to call ahead to schedule an appointment. This barbershop opened in 1944 in the Grand Avenue, Mill Plain area. They offer haircuts to men, women, and children, so bring the whole family! We hope you’re able to try out our suggestions! Share photos of your new cut with us on Facebook and Instagram . Happy Friday, we’ll be back next week with another blog!

Easy and Relaxing Ways to Celebrate This Mother's Day in Vancouver, WA!

Mother’s day is a special day to thank the hard-working women who helped raise us and guide us through life. Whether you are celebrating from the comfort of your Acero Haagen Park home or exploring the beautiful city, there are plenty of wonderful ways to celebrate your mom! Check out our list below of relaxing ways to spend your Mother’s Day this year! The Vancouver Waterfront The up-and-coming Vancouver Waterfront offers plenty of options for socially distanced exploring to celebrate Mother's day. Start your day early on the patio at Kafiex Roasters or take a stroll while you enjoy views of the river. If you are looking for a great spot to enjoy Mother’s Day brunch, reverse a spot at Twig Bistro for a delicious Mother’s Day plated brunch and craft cocktails. If you are looking for a relaxing way to spend the afternoon, stop by one of the many new wineries to hit the waterfront. Airfields Estate Winery not only offers deliciously affordable wines but has a patio to enjoy sunny weekend afternoons! The Vancouver Farmers Market When you are looking for a way to support the local community and enjoy some fresh air, hop over to the Vancouver Farmers’ Market! Located in Esther Short Park in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, where you can enjoy fresh produce from local farmers, fresh flowers, hand-crafted items, and local goods. This market is following socially distanced practices to provide a great shopping experience. Grab your mask and enjoy the colorful vendors with delicious vegan, gluten-free, and pet-friendly options! Cozy Meal at Home Sometimes the best gift you can give to your mom is the gift of a home-cooked meal. Treat your mom to her favorite meal and a cozy day at home! If your mom doesn’t have a favorite meal, create the perfect mimosa bar with fresh fruit and this Infinitely Adaptable Frittata from Delish ! Ingredients: 8 large eggs 1/3 c. heavy cream 3/4 c. shredded mozzarella Salt and pepper Pinch red pepper flakes 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 shallot, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced 8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, sliced 1/2 c. ricotta 3 c. baby spinach Directions: Preheat the oven to 375°. In a bowl whisk together eggs, heavy cream, and cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add shallot and garlic and cook until soft, 5 minutes then add mushrooms and cook until soft, another 5 minutes more. Add spinach and cook until wilted, 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture into the skillet then dollop with ricotta and transfer skillet to oven. Bake until eggs are just set, 12 minutes. We hope we were able to help you celebrate your mom with these Mother's Day ideas. Take a photo of your favorite way to relax at home and share it with us on Facebook or Instagram! Check back next week for more food and fun in Vancouver, WA.

Spring Farmers Markets in Vancouver, WA

One of the best parts of spring in Vancouver is the reopening of our local farmers' market! Read on to learn about the Vancouver Farmers Market and new information about their COVID-19 safety precautions. Rain or Shine The Vancouver Farmers Market is open every weekend whether it rains or shines! As you know, the PNW is pretty rainy in the spring, but this outdoor market is ready to serve the community no matter the weather. They opened last weekend on March 20th, and will stay open through October 31st. Their hours are Saturday 9 am to 3 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 3 pm. You can stay up to date on Farmers Market news on their Facebook ! Order Online One cool thing about the COVID-19 precautions is that you can now order online from the local vendors that participate in the market downtown. Feel free to wander around, with a mask, and skip the line to pick up your online order! Visit their online store to learn more and order ahead. You can order everything from fresh produce to locally crafted goods, ready to eat foods, and Market Box Subscriptions. COVID-19 Precautions The Vancouver Farmers Market has made their shoppers guidelines available to view on their website. They ask that shoppers please follow these strict guidelines to protect themselves and others, especially elderly visitors who are more susceptible to COVID-19. You can view these guidelines here . Happy shopping! We hope you have fun exploring the market this spring, check our blog next week for more local food and fun!

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.