Bend is without doubt one of the most intriguing cities in central Oregon, with its fashionable downtown space, pure sights and distinctive volcanic geographical options. A number of the hottest issues to do in Bend and its surrounding areas embody exploring lava tube caves, visiting the Excessive Desert Museum and discovering the charms of the Outdated Mill District.
The town has artwork shows, wonderful eating places, spas and a preferred ale path. The Bend Ale Path is the biggest beer path within the West. For nature lovers, the Three Sisters Wilderness and the Deschutes River provide alternatives for out of doors exploration. So bookmark one of the best issues to do in Bend to your subsequent trip.
Bend, Oregon
20 Issues To Do In Bend
1- Discover A Lava Tube Cave
Bend and its surrounding space are identified for volcanic rarities.
From cinder cones to intensive cave methods, there are many alternatives for exploration.
Deschutes County contains greater than 1,000 lava tubes cast 1000’s of years in the past by volcanic exercise.
Exploring a lava tube is a really distinctive expertise that may’t be missed.
You’ll be able to enterprise deep into delicate ecosystems with a flashlight, a helmet, and a thirst for the fun.
Nonetheless, if you would like one of the best expertise, I like to recommend reserving a lava tube cave tour to study in regards to the caves’ volcanic exercise, geology and ecosystems out of your information.
Plus, they’ll present a helmet and flashlight for you. You’ll be able to ebook a tour right here.
2- Kayak Or Canoe On The Cascade Lakes
Oregon has beautiful water options, from rivers to waterfalls to creeks to ponds and Cascade Lakes is not any exception.
The collection of 12 lakes alongside the Deschutes River are a 45-minute drive from downtown Bend and completely well worth the go to.
The shimmering waters are greatest skilled from the center of the lakes moderately than the shore.
Kayaking and canoeing are great alternatives to expertise their magic.
Past the glittering water, you’ll see panoramas of pine-covered mountains and plush greenery.
For a memorable expertise, ebook a canoeing tour mixed with a beer tasting right here.
3- Test Out Volcanic Fields
The Bend space has loads of distinctive geographic and volcanic sights, from black obsidian rock to volcanoes.
Don’t miss testing the volcanic fields within the space.
Just like the lava tubes, these fields have been created 1000’s of years in the past but nonetheless stay at this time.
Touring these volcanic fields, you’ll be able to study Central Oregon’s geographic historical past.
When you study, you’ll be able to see a lava circulate, Paulina Lake, and loads of pure surroundings alongside the best way. E-book a tour right here.
4- Snowshoe In The Cascade Mountains
Snowboarding could be certainly one of Oregon’s hottest winter actions, however snowshoeing within the Cascade Mountains can also be a implausible sport to expertise the snow.
From the evergreen timber weighed down by powdery snow to the glowing snow banks, the Cascade Mountains are actually a winter wonderland.
The mountains prolong from British Columbia to Northern California.
The mountain surroundings is greatest skilled within the backcountry, making snowshoeing an optimum method to discover the realm.
Snowshoeing can also be a wonderful exercise for individuals of all ranges and skills, making it an ideal household exercise.
E-book your Cascade Mountains snowshoeing tour (scorching chocolate included) right here.
5- Trip An ATV By means of The Deschutes Nationwide Forest
In case you’re not visiting Bend through the winter and need to expertise the magic of the Central Oregon wilderness, driving an ATV via the Deschutes Nationwide Forest could be your reply.
The forest contains roughly 1.8 million acres (728,434 ha) of land alongside the Cascade Mountains.
There are many ATV roads within the backcountry, so you’ll be able to zoom via wealthy forests, up steep mountains, and above the Excessive Desert.
The views from the mountainous trails are nothing in need of extraordinary.
In case you’re simply visiting Bend, you may not have your individual ATV.
In case you ebook an ATV tour, you’ll be able to drive one so long as you’ve gotten a driver’s licence.
Excursions function rain or shine, so deliver the suitable clothes and the trailhead is simply quarter-hour from Bend. You’ll be able to ebook a tour right here.
For extra in regards to the Pacific Northwest, learn:
6- Go to The Excessive Desert Museum
5 minutes south of Bend, the Excessive Desert Museum is without doubt one of the space’s biggest treasures.
This museum has various displays that educate guests in regards to the excessive desert faith of the West.
You will get near wildlife equivalent to reptiles, birds of prey, river otters and porcupines.
There are indoor and out of doors nature displays alongside the museum’s scenic nature trails.
Moreover, the Excessive Desert Museum options virtually 30,000 artefacts from the Plateau, Pacific Northwest and Nice Basin areas.
The Native American collections embody clothes, instruments, archeological supplies, baskets and extra.
One in all these collections is the Doris Swayze Bounds Assortment of Native American Artifacts, which consists of work, drawings, sculptures, horse saddles, beaded baggage, moccasins, breastplates and headdresses.
The museum additionally homes many artefacts from the pioneer days, together with clothes, firearms, pictures, frontier medication artefacts and furnishings.
The Excessive Desert Museum is at 59800 US-97, Bend, OR 97702.
7- Paddleboard On The Deschutes River
Many components of the Deschutes are tranquil, creating excellent situations for stand-up paddleboarding and an excellent place to get on the river is the sandy shore at Riverbend Park, close to the Outdated Mill District.
In case you paddle upstream, you’ll be able to head beneath the Invoice Healy Memorial Bridge and enterprise away from the city surroundings.
You’ll enter a forest of gorgeous pines that encompass the mesmerising water or, for those who would moderately head downstream first, you’ll be able to drift previous the bustling Outdated Mill District.
Both means, simply be sure you observe Oregon regulation and produce a whistle with you, in any other case, you danger a hefty tremendous.
Riverbend Park is at 799 SW Columbia St, Bend, OR 97702.
8- Ski At Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
22 miles (35.4 km) west of Bend, Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort provides countless thrills for adrenaline chasers.
The ski resort is the sixth largest in North America., with greater than 4,300 acres (1,740 ha) of terrain accessible by lifts.
It options 101 runs, with its longest run measuring in at 4 miles (6.4 km).
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort has lengthy ski seasons, dry and lightweight snow and various snowboarding terrain.
With roughly 462 inches (11.7 m) yearly, it’s no shock that Mt. Bachelor is a vacation spot for skiers all over the world.
While you’re executed snowboarding or snowboarding, seize a chunk to eat at one of many resort’s lodges, cafes, eating places or out of doors meals carts.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort is at 13000 SW Century Drive, Bend, OR 97702.
9- Store At The Outdated Mill District
The remnants of Bend’s previous timber manufacturing nonetheless stand at this time within the metropolis’s coronary heart and alongside the Deschutes River.
The Outdated Mill District options smokestacks and outdated brick buildings from the early twentieth century.
The Outdated Mill District isn’t only a historic web site because it has been remodeled into one of many metropolis’s busiest and most dynamic hubs with eating places, cafes and a film theatre lining the road.
Greater than 40 big-name shops and boutiques make it a preferred purchasing vacation spot for locals and guests.
A bonus: there isn’t a gross sales tax in Oregon!
The Outdated Mill District is at 450 SW Powerhouse Dr, Bend, OR 97702.
10- Hike In The Three Sisters Wilderness
The Three Sisters Wilderness covers an enormous 286,708 acres (116,027 ha) of land within the Deschutes space.
There are roughly 260 miles (418 km) of trails within the wilderness space.
Main peaks alongside the paths embody the North Sister, Center Sister, and South Sister, plus Damaged Prime.
While you hike these trails, you’ll cross via alpine meadows surrounded by ponderosa pine timber and see the ample wildlife dwelling among the many mountains.
There are a number of implausible trails within the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Trailheads closest to Bend embody Damaged Prime, Crater Ditch, Devils Lake, and Elk Lake.
If you wish to try Mirror Lake, take the Sisters-Mirror Path.
11- Picnic At Hollinshead Park
Bend has a number of lovely public parks, however Hollinshead Park is without doubt one of the metropolis’s lesser-used but most charming parks.
As a former pioneer ranch, it options unique outbuildings such because the Share Croppers Home (now a museum) and the Hollinshead Barn.
The park has a canine park and a strolling path among the many lush greenery.
There are two gardens, an indication backyard and a group backyard, which embody vibrant flowers and fragrant herbs.
There’s additionally an area for picnicking, making Hollinshead Park excellent for many who need to picnic after exploring all of the park provides.
Hollinshead Park is at 1235 NE Jones Rd, Bend, OR 97701.
12- Go to The World’s Final Blockbuster
For a lot of, Blockbuster evokes emotions of nostalgia and happiness.
The film rental service, which had 1000’s of areas throughout the U.S. within the early 2000s, was standard all through the nation.
Because of the rise of recent platforms, equivalent to video streaming, Blockbuster was pressured to file for chapter and shut its shops. All however one that’s.
That’s proper, there’s one Blockbuster that also exists at this time, and it’s positioned in Bend.
In case you have been a Blockbuster fan again within the day, don’t depart Bend with out visiting the final retailer in existence and you’ll nonetheless lease a film there.
The World’s Final Blockbuster is at 211 NE Revere Ave #3, Bend, OR 97701.
13- Ice Skate At The Pavillion
October to April is ice season on the Pavilion. The ice rink gives alternatives for ice skating for the general public, making it a preferred winter vacation spot.
The rink rents out skates and lends helmets and skate assists, so that you don’t have to deliver something your self. And, on Tuesday nights, The Pavilion provides Low-cost Skates, a chance to get on the rink and lease skates for a reduced worth.
If you’re new to skating, don’t fear, be a part of an ice skating lesson.
The Pavilion has classes for teenagers and adults of all ability ranges.
The Pavilion is at 1001 SW Bradbury Dr, Bend, OR 97702.
14- Study About Native Historical past At The Deschutes Historic Museum
To study native historical past, the Deschutes Historic Museum is the place to go.
The museum’s objective is to “protect, promote, and have a good time” the historical past of the Deschutes space.
Its displays spotlight prehistory, Native American historical past, fur trapping and early exploration of the area, the Excessive Desert, the logging business, and basic life within the Deschutes space over previous years.
The museum additionally curates the Deschutes Historic Museum Vintage Truthful, which permits attendees to search out treasures amongst collectibles and antiques.
Admission to the vintage truthful, which options music and meals distributors, and the museum is free.
The Deschutes Historic Museum is at 129 NW Idaho Ave, Bend, OR 97701.
15- Test Out The Metolius Balancing Rocks
The Metolius Balancing Rocks aren’t simply any rocks.
The formation of stone spires is exclusive, and because the identify suggests, the rocks seem like balancing on one another.
The rocks are a the rest of the state’s volcanic historical past and are distinctive, with the smaller rocks showing to steadiness on the tall stone pillars.
To get to the Metolius Balancing Rocks, go to the Perry South Campground in Cove Palisades State Park.
Then, you’ll take a trailhead 13.7 miles (22 km) west of the bridge over the Deschutes River arm.
The GPS coordinates of the rocks’ location are 44° 34.672 N, 121° 25.315 W.
16- Overlook The Metropolis At The Pilot Butte Scenic Viewpoint
The Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint is a magical spot within the centre of Pilot Butte Neighborhood Park.
The purpose provides a shocking panoramic view simply 10 minutes east of downtown Bend.
From the point of view, you’ll be able to see the eccentric metropolis of Bend in entrance of the snowcapped Cascade Mountains.
Specifically, you’ll see Black Butte, Mt. Hood, and the Three Sisters.
I like to recommend visiting at sundown when you’ll be able to see the downtown lights begin to glimmer because the solar’s orange glow displays off the clouds.
To get to the point of view from Pilot Butte Neighborhood Park, park after which take one of many three cinder cone trails up the summit.
The Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint is at 1310 NE Hwy 20, Bend, OR 97701.
17- Go To The Bend Farmers Market
The Bend Farmers Market has been held for greater than 40 years, each Wednesday from early March to mid-October.
The market’s mission is to supply assist for native producers and farmers and to stress diet, sustainability and group well being.
Presently, distributors promote flowers, fruits, greens, baked items, drinks, merchandise from native fisheries and ranches, and candy treats.
Cease by the marketplace for a pastry for breakfast and spend the remainder of the day purchasing across the vibrant produce stalls.
The Bend Farmers Market is in Brooks Alley, between Minnesota Avenue and Franklin Avenue.
18- Go White Water Rafting
If you wish to expertise the Deschutes River however are searching for extra of a thrill than paddleboarding the slow-moving waters, go white water rafting as an alternative.
Though the river is calm in lots of areas, the Decrease Deschutes additionally has loads of rapids that make for an excellent group rafting journey.
Class I and III rapids make for an thrilling journey for adults and youngsters.
Nonetheless, white water rafting isn’t too secure for those who’re not skilled, so to be secure, ebook a white water rafting journey with Solar Nation Excursions or Ouzel Outfitters.
That means, you received’t need to cope with tools and also you’ll have an skilled information.
Solar Nation Excursions is at 531 SW thirteenth St, Bend, OR 97702. Ouzel Outfitters is at 63043 Sherman Rd, Bend, OR 97701.
19- Eat, Store, Or Go To An Occasion Downtown
Downtown Bend is without doubt one of the most vibrant areas within the metropolis and standard amongst each locals and guests, for good purpose.
The downtown space contains quite a few tasty bars, eating places, and cafes. From sushi to Mexican-Peruvian meals to artisan gelato, there’s certain to be one thing to your tastebuds.
There are many native outlets to buy at and public group occasions all 12 months spherical.
The center of Bend additionally options 100 out of doors flower baskets that deliver color to the streets, including to the realm’s atmosphere.
Downtown Bend is within the metropolis’s centre, simply north of the Outdated Mill District.
20- Hike To Tumalo Falls
Tumalo Falls is a 97-foot (30-metre) waterfall within the Cascade Mountains alongside Tumalo Creek, a few 25-minute drive west of downtown Bend.
Entry Tumalo Falls from the Tumalo Falls Day Use Space, which incorporates a trailhead to the falls.
The hike is comparatively quick, requiring a quarter-mile (0.4 km) trek.
There are picnic tables on the day-use space, so keep in mind to deliver snacks or lunch to your day open air.
To entry the Tumalo Falls trailhead from Bend, journey 11.6 miles (18.7 km) west on Skyliner’s Highway, adopted by 2.6 miles (4.2 km) west on Forest Highway.
