In the previous sections, our finds are really hidden. Shops and cafés are truly off the beaten path, and often located in houses, vintage warehouse settings, or unexpected, funky locations. It's part of what makes them so much fun! But there are other areas of Bend that may not be so obvious to visitors (or even locals), even if they are well-traveled. Again, this doesn't include all the great places you can easily find downtown, at our malls, or on major thoroughfares. Without getting into detailed reviews (you can find those all over the web) here are a few of our recommendations for further exploration of some of our great independent shops and cafés (still a work in progress; just send an email if we missed something good):

Newport Avenue. Easily accessible from downtown: just take Newport Ave. (traveling northwest) where it butts up against Wall St. After crossing a small bridge over the Deschutes River; you'll soon see businesses sprinkled into this residential neighborhood. Thousands of cars pass by here daily, but it's not on every tour guide's list. Azila Nora is a gift, home and garden boutique located in a nice old house. Across the street is an antiques store in a small house very typical of the homes built in the heyday of the lumber era. Further down, find Newport Market (our gourmet grocery store with everything you might need for your visit), Backporch Coffee Roasters (great coffees – yes, they roast their own – and a nice neighborhood spot), and slightly hidden behind Backporch is Nancy P's Bakery, home of the fabulous quiche, delicious breakfasts and lunches (indoor and outdoor seating). Back about a block on Union Street, be sure to see Bag Ladies for quality consignment clothes and accessories. Across the street from Backporch Coffee is Ginger's Kitchenware (a great independent kitchen store whose owners are devoted foodies), and Bambini (darling children's store). On the same side of the street is Kebaba (yummy and affordable middle east cuisine), Chow (delicious breakfast and lunch, with indoor and outdoor seating), Devore's (one of Bend's oldest and most favorite organic grocers/natural foods/take-away), Rescue, a hip and funky fashion consignment store, Sunnyside Sports (a mainstay of outdoorsy Bendites), and Kampai for delish sushi.

Newport/College Way. Further down Newport Avenue is the intersection of College Way, where there is a little cluster of businesses tucked in behind the gas station. One hot spot there is Trattoria Sbandati, an authentic Northern Italian restaurant that's been getting rave reviews. Better make reservations. In that same area are Abbey Pub (brews from around the world) and Sumi's Japanese restaurant, both local favorites. Stone Soup carries gently used children's items.

NW 14th St./NW Century Drive. 14th becomes Century Drive, the main route to Mt. Bachelor and the alpine lakes. Naturally, there are all sorts of great sports shops here, where you can rent/buy skis and snowboards, as well as summer sports equipment from golf to fishing to cycling. If you want to sound like a local, you better learn to pronounce "Skjersaas." You'll also see Déja Vu (large selection of consignment home furnishings), Bend Pet Express (kind of tucked in just off Century Dr.; Bend's go-to, locally-owned natural pet food and accessory emporium), and near that, a new Indian place called Spice Box. One street north (off Century) is Village Baker, one of our artisan bread bakers, serving delicious breakfasts and lunches on site. Balthazar's (upscale Mexican dining) is right there, too. Don't miss Camalli Books, a lovely independent book store located across from Ray's Foods (it shares their parking area) on Century. There are lots more restaurants and cafés here, including Baldy's BBQ (great Q to take out or eat in), Tony's Deli (in the shopping mall where Safeway is located – locals swear by it), Croutons (nice, casual place for lunch with great salads and panini), and Pizzicato Pizza (next to Camalli Books).

Galveston Avenue. Galveston runs perpendicular with 14th/Century Dr. and is home to a growing community of restaurants and retail. At the roundabout where the two streets intersect, you'll find Victorian Café (great breakfast spot: routinely gets voted best breakfast in town), and across from it, Parilla Grill (live music: popular with snowboarders). Further down Galveston you'll find a plethora of eating spots, including Ariana (for superbly romantic dinners), Brother Jon's Pub and the new 10 Barrel Brewing Company (yep, we are known for our excellent boutique breweries), and West Side Bakery, long a very popular family breakfast spot (especially if you're going to be burning some calories on the ski slopes). Pop into Longboard Louie's for tasty, super fresh Mexican food (easy take-out, too), and Mother's Juice Café for healthy and fresh breakfast and lunch options (great sandwiches and salads; they're especially known for their juices and smoothies). Blue is a chic clothing consignment shop, and you musn't miss Ida's Cupcake Café, which just moved into more spacious, prettier digs (with a few tables). Her cupcakes (and more) are so good.

Northwest Crossing. This newish area of Bend was built to be a model of a live/work community, and guess what? It's a success. In the center of this residential neighborhood is a thriving group of restaurants and retail, mixed in with tastefully designed offices. Within the neighborhood are Portello Wine Café (nice wine bar), Sage Café, La Rosa Mexican Restaurant, along with salons and fitness centers.

Old Mill Marketplace and Mill Quarter. Not to be confused with the Old Mill District, which is the outdoor mall nearby (under the three smokestacks). The Old Mill Marketplace and the Mill Quarter is an eclectic mix of shops and businesses – all within walking distance of each other (at SW Industrial Way and Bond Street). Start the day (or the afternoon) at Strictly Organic, a celebrated local coffee roaster with sit down or drive through service. Across the way, you'll see Gairdìn, a lovely home and garden boutique. Down the street, find furnish, a clean-lined, contemporary furniture and accessories store. For gorgeous indoor plants (including unusual orchids), stop in at Evergreen Plantscapes (near the roundabout). At the Old Mill Marketplace, don't miss Gossamer Knitting (the place in Bend for knitting and gathering), Kaleidoscope (chic consignment clothing and accessories) and The Kilns Bookstore. Nearby, but a little harder to find (you'll have to get back in the car for this one), is the lovely studio-workshop called Atelier 6000, which not only offers classes and workshops but is a gallery filled with mixed-media art, hand-pulled prints and handmade books (389 SW Scalehouse Ct., #120).