Nestled in the northern peninsula between St. Johns and Kenton, Portland’s Portsmouth neighborhood feels like a long-held secret between friends. Established as a subdivision in 1883, Portsmouth has retained its residential essence and old-town spirit. Locals and tourists alike can get a sense of what ‘keeps Portland weird’ by spending a day in Portsmouth.
MORNING
Starting the day out at Willamette’s End is high on our list of recommendations. This coffeehouse delivers equally on sustenance and ambiance, and you can enjoy your food from a charming bar table that looks out into the neighborhood. Alternately, you might opt for a more vintage Portland experience from nearby No Wave Coffee. No Wave Coffee is something of a 90s coffeehouse throwback, featuring affordable, unfussy faire and a DIY edge. It’s also uniquely communal, with a record player that patrons often use to play their personal collections. If you feel up for a walk, you can reach an incredible overlook within 10-15 minutes from Willamette’s End Coffee and within 15-20 minutes from No Wave Coffee. Heading southeast along Lombard, turn right to cross walk through the neighborhood, following residential streets to Columbia Park & Annex, then carefully crossing Willamette Boulevard to reach the look out.
AFTERNOON
Offering weekly events and gatherings that are frequented by the community, Portland’s Portsmouth neighborhood operates like a small town. One of these popular events is the Saturday flea market. A particularly elusive market, there is often a mind-boggling inventory to sort through, ranging from electronics, vintage goods, and even household care items.
Another Portsmouth gem is the Columbia Pool, which is one of only five pools that the city operates year-round. You can enjoy a dip during Open Swim hours from 1-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors may also enjoy an excursion to nearby Heron Lakes Golf Club, which is a 12-minute drive from central Portsmouth. Also in this vicinity is Historic Vanport, the site of Portland’s lost city which overlooks the Columbia Slough.
Along Portsmouth’s main stretch, you’ll find enjoyable lunch options such as East Side Delicatessen and The Fishwife. You’ll also find Peninsula Odd Fellows Lodge, which has long served as the central gathering space in North Portland and now features The Museum of Odd History.
NIGHTTIME
In our opinion – there is only be one way to end a perfect night in Portland’s Portsmouth neighborhood, and that’s with amateur wrestling. North Portland’s Blue Collar Wrestling League has performed for an
enthusiastic audience every Sunday for the past seven years. Locals fill the unassuming North Portland Eagles Lodge facility for an affordable, but raucous night of high-drama. The venue does serve food and beverages, but you can also stop by Chef Zhao or Flying Pie Pizzeria for dinner. Alternately, you can enjoy more of the local flavor at Twilight Room, a dive bar beloved by Portsmouth’s residents.
Portland’s Portsmouth neighborhood mostly flies below the radar, but its rich history and strong sense of community make it area every Portlander should explore. Contact us directly to learn more about this up-and-coming area, or to schedule a tour of available Portsmouth homes.
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped over 200 clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.