Hidden Portland: How to Visit Like a Local

Image via Complex Original

Location: 1330 N.E. Alberta St.

Portland native, Oregon Duck, and NBA All-Star, Terrell Brandon retired from professional basketball to live a life of entrepreneurship and neighborhood involvement. For over two decades his namesake Terrell Brandon Barber Shop has been his most visible Portland venture. The place, on N.E. Alberta Street, is perfect for young fans who want to get basketballs etched into their hair before the playoffs. 

Everything grows in Portland's temperate climate, which is famously hospitable to roses. The International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park, where over 7,000 varieties are grown is actually smaller in size than the neighboring Portland Japanese Garden, one of the most highly regarded Japanese gardens outside of Japan that’s actually comprised of five sub-gardens, each with its own purpose. And in Portland's Old Town Chinatown, the Lan Su Chinese Garden creates a tranquil environment in the city center. 

Location: 830 E. Burnside St.

Portland's live music venues are scattered around the city, but most nights you can’t do far worse than checking out local or touring acts in one of the country's most personable venues. Part Twin Peaks homage, part basement den, Doug Fir's warm wood decor, cozy size, and good sound make it one of the country's best, small concert spaces. And if the band isn't that great, you can grab a bite in the upstairs restaurant or socialize out by the fire pits in the outdoor seating area. 

Location: 16400 Champion Way

One of Portland's signature attributes is how quickly you can get from the middle of the city to the great outdoors. It just takes a 30-minute drive (an hour, if you opt for the longer scenic route) from the center of town to see Multnomah Falls, one of the crowning features of the scenic Columbia Gorge. The Falls are supplied by snowmelt, rainwater, and a spring, meaning there's no dry season. 

Location: 14 N.E. Killingsworth St.

Portland's current reputation owes a lot to Portlandia, but locals will tell you that it's more like a documentary in some spots than a sketch comedy show. Scenes in the show's Women and Women First bookstore are based on—and filmed at—stalwart feminist bookstore and nonprofit community center In Other Words. Check out the shelves and be conscious of the Safer Space Policy that's in place to ensure non-oppressive language is used.

Portland's flagship farmers market takes place on Saturdays year-round at Portland State University. Vendors from all over the region bring the expected produce, farm-fresh meat, and dairy products. There's also plenty of food stalls—it's the place where local chain Pine State Biscuits got its start, serving breakfast to hungry Saturday shoppers. Everything from flowers to wine and vegan queso is available. Don't pass up on local specialties like marionberries and hazelnuts. 

Location: 15000 N.W. Sauvie Island Road

Sauvie Island is a beautiful stretch of farmland and wildlife habitats in the Columbia River. Locals visit to pick berries in the summer and pumpkins in the fall. Oregon summers are the perfect time to enjoy nature completely, so locals also flock to the clothing-optional section of Collins Beach. Be sure to get a parking pass when you drive to the island, and don’t forget the sunscreen.

It's well worth the drive to 82nd Street to visit the Fubonn Shopping Center. This Asian mall is anchored by the enormous Fubonn Supermarket, where home and professional cooks find the city's best retail selection of food imports. While it's possible to spend hours just shopping for groceries, don't miss out on pho, bubble tea, or the dedicated Hello Kitty section of the Shiseido shop. 

Location: 1844 S.W. Morrison St.

Portland is home to the most enthusiastic fans in all of Major League Soccer, and no wonder—their mascot, Timber Joey, is a guy who takes out a chainsaw to cut a slab off a giant Doug Fir log after each goal. Timbers superfans call themselves the Timbers Army and thousands of them pack into Providence Park for home games, especially those against their hated rival, the Seattle Sounders. Their chants take inspiration from punk bands and Italian anti-fascists, and their scarves read “No Pity,” so if you're lucky enough to be in or near their section, don't dream of leaving early.

Location: S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.

Southeast Hawthorne's Cartopia might be the most beloved of Portland's abundance of cart clusters. Try the poutine at Potato Champion, which also offers a vegan version of the cheese-and-gravy-based dish, or check out the gourmet variations on peanut butter and jelly from PBJs. There are also crepes, wood-fired pizzas, and oak-roasted chickens. On weekends, vendors are open past bar closing hours, and the seating is kept warm and dry with tents and heaters in inclement weather.