Peace Arch Historical State Park

"“May These Gates Never Be Closed” reads one of the inscriptions on the Peace Arch, a 101-year-old landmark along the westernmost point of the U.S.-Canada border. Sadly, they did close to nonessential travel for over 16 months, dealing a serious blow to our region’s shared identity as Cascadia. But for those eager to rekindle cross-border connections, the Peace Arch once again welcomes the “Children of a Common Mother” (another inscription) from both sides of the 49th parallel that separates the two countries. While many glimpse the arch from a car window while crossing the border, the arch anchors a unique state park that’s also a British Columbia provincial park. Visitors are allowed to travel freely within the park’s boundaries as long as they return to the country from where they arrived. Why stop and stretch your legs? To explore 40 acres of gardens, home to over 200 perennials and 20,000 annuals, as well as lovely views of Semiahmoo Bay and the islands beyond. Don’t miss the annual summer sculpture exhibition."