After I first talked about to associates and coworkers that we have been briefly shifting to Bend, Oregon, the widespread response was a two-parter: 1) Ooh, Bend is de facto common lately. My XYZ simply moved there, too, and a pair of) However why? Are there numerous issues to do in Bend?
We fell in love with Bend throughout a 24-hour go to in fall 2019. After we returned in fall 2020 for a two-month keep, we packed in as many new experiences as we might whereas working full-time jobs and caring for a younger pup.
The reply to that second query? Sure, there are certainly so, so many issues to do in Bend, particularly for those who like beer and the nice outside.
Nearly all the things on this listing of issues to do in Bend is dog-friendly since our pup Kokomo goes all over the place with us. As a metropolis, Bend can be some of the dog-friendly locations we’ve ever lived.
So convey your pup, and let’s discover Bend!
The place to remain in Bend
I’d extremely advocate staying someplace that permits you to stroll to as many in-town areas as attainable and permits you to get on the freeway simply for the out-of-town experiences.
We completely adored our 1-bedroom rental in Previous Bend. We might stroll to downtown, the river, parks, a dozen breweries, and tons of eating places inside quarter-hour. It was pet pleasant, economical for a long-term keep, and in addition simple to get onto highways going all instructions inside minutes. Sadly, it appears to be like prefer it’s now not accessible to hire, however Bend has loads of different lovely short-term leases.
There are additionally, in fact, some nice inns in Bend. The identical recommendation applies although — keep central and reap the benefits of the very walkable downtown space.
Kokomo didn’t take care of this wagon as everlasting lodging…
The very best issues to do inside Bend metropolis limits
Because of COVID, we prevented indoor actions like visiting museums, although I do wish to go to the Excessive Desert Museum at some point. And naturally, some issues have been closed or modified sufficient that it didn’t make sense to expertise throughout this time.
However there was nonetheless lots to do. In no specific order, listed below are the “don’t miss” issues to do in Bend, Oregon.
Drink all of the beer
I don’t assume I have to go too deep into this. In the event you like beer, Bend has one of many highest variety of craft breweries per capita on the planet, with greater than two dozen breweries.
We spent numerous our free time tasting away, and yow will discover our information to which Bend breweries are greatest for the beers, has essentially the most scrumptious meals, offers nice out of doors seating choices, and are essentially the most dog-friendly.
Not really that into beer? There are additionally cideries and wineries on the town if these are extra to your style.
Discover the Deschutes River
Do you know Bend was named because of the nice bends within the Deschutes River? (Okay, tremendous, that’s a really simplified model of the total historical past.)
The Deschutes River is the principle supply of all life in Bend (beer being the secondary…), so it’s no shock it’s additionally a middle of exercise.
In the course of the hotter months, the river is filled with paddleboarders, kayakers, tubers, and sure, even surfers.
There’s lots to do out of the water as nicely, as Bend has numerous parks lining totally different elements of the river. Most have trails for strolling, working, and biking.
Kokomo actually spent numerous time splashing across the riverbanks, particularly at our go-tos, Drake Park and Riverbend Park.
Buy groceries
I’m not a giant shopper, however I’m a sucker for cute boutiques. And Bend’s downtown is lined with these.
Positive, are they stuffed with horrendously costly issues that I in all probability don’t want? Sure. Are they enjoyable to discover and search for hidden gems in anyhow? Additionally sure.
True to Bend, canines are allowed in most of those retailers. And there are even shops that provide beer or cider to boost your purchasing expertise!
In the event you’re in want of one thing from a big-brand retailer, there’s additionally the mall on the Previous Mill District. It’s an open-air mall stuffed with plenty of eating places and out of doors seating, proper off the Deschutes River.
Uncover artwork within the alleys
Downtown Bend additionally gives one other exercise that’s means much less harsh in your pockets: avenue artwork.
The alleys of downtown Bend are stuffed with artwork of assorted mediums, so seize a espresso from one of many many nice retailers on the town — I extremely advocate Palate and Thump — and go discover.
Go to the world’s final Blockbuster
One other free factor to do in Bend is go to the final Blockbuster on Earth.
Yep, one nonetheless exists! And sure, there are nonetheless individuals who hire DVDs from there.
After we first visited Bend in fall 2019, I referred to as it out as one of many issues I sadly missed.
We lastly visited towards the tail finish of our keep in Bend this yr, and it actually felt like we went again in time.
The long-lasting blue and yellow. The aisles and aisles of DVDs. The anticipated “final Blockbuster on Earth” souvenirs. And the sudden Russell Crowe films paraphernalia show.
Blast from the previous for positive!
Hike Pilot Butte
For one more free exercise that’s barely extra bodily, take a morning hike to Pilot Butte for some of the iconic viewpoints in Bend.
This previous cinder cone (aka extinct volcano) gives probably the greatest 360° panoramic views of all of the mountains round Bend. It’s a reasonably simple hike at round 2 miles and with very gradual elevation change.
On a transparent day, you may see most of the Cascade vary peaks, together with Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, the Three Sisters, and Black Butte.
Don’t fear, I’ve obtained loads of more durable hikes for you within the subsequent part. Most of these are typically outdoors metropolis limits.
Eat at one of the best eating places in Bend
Bend’s booze choices are extra well-known than its meals choices, however there’s no scarcity of scrumptious eats on this excessive desert city.
We did numerous take out and out of doors eating whereas residing in Bend to help native eating places. Our absolute favorites that we rave about:
- Northern Thai dishes from Wild Rose
- The elk burger from 10 Barrel Brewing
- Chow’s crab burger
Different scrumptious spots that we’d advocate attempting out while you’re undecided the place to eat in Bend:
- Zydeco’s PNW-style Cajun fare and cocktails
- Specialty sausages from Bangers and Brews
- El Sancho for scrumptious tacos and margaritas
- Delicious brunch and baked items at Foxtail Bakeshop & Kitchen
- Belgian classics at Monkless Belgian Ales
- 900 Wall’s basic American fare
- Cardamom ocean rolls from Sparrow Bakery
Get native at Bend’s farmers markets
In the event you’ve learn my weblog previously, you realize that I like utilizing farmers markets as a method to get to know a metropolis, whether or not that’s in Corvallis, Oregon, or in Tuscany.
It was no totally different in Bend.
The town’s two farmers markets are lively and nice locations to check out native produce and meals in addition to discover artisanal items.
The Bend Farmers Market takes over Brooks Alley simply behind the principle strip of downtown on Wednesday afternoons. In the meantime, the Northwest Crossing Farmers Market on, nicely, NW Crossing Drive, takes over on Saturday mornings.
Each farmers markets additionally serve ready meals with a wide range of meals vans and carts. Kokomo has a favourite, too — the appropriately named The Greatest Doggie Bakery!
The very best issues to do within the Bend — that aren’t really in Bend
Certainly one of our favourite issues about Bend is that there are such a lot of out of doors actions which might be extremely accessible.
Whereas Bend has nice trails for working and loads of watersports choices, it’s outdoors metropolis limits that actually shines for outside fanatics. From mountaineering and biking to climbing and snowboarding, there’s one thing to do all yr spherical.
The surroundings is fairly implausible, too!
Drive the Cascade Lakes Nationwide Scenic Byway
Beginning on the west aspect of Bend, the Cascade Lakes Nationwide Scenic Byway stretches 66 miles and is without doubt one of the most scenic drives you’ll ever do.
There are sweeping views of many peaks of the Cascade mountain vary, plus 12 alpine lakes and a pair of reservoirs that provide an limitless quantity of leisure choices.
Take into account that as soon as it begins to essentially snow, the street closes for the season (although there are snowy methods to go to, like by way of a snowshoeing tour). Sometimes, that’s November by means of Might.
Hike or paddleboard Todd Lake
The primary lake in that chain is Todd Lake, which holds a particular place in our hearts.
Todd Lake gives beautiful views of Mt. Bachelor and Damaged Prime and a conifer forest surrounded by wildflower meadows that go into full bloom in the summertime.
There’s an exquisite path across the lake. It’s kind of flat, making it appropriate for little one and adults of all ages in addition to canines.
The lake’s additionally open for play. No motors are allowed on Todd Lake, so it’s paddleboarding and kayaking heaven.
As a result of it’s the closest of the Cascade Lakes, Todd Lake might be crowded on the weekends. So attempt to go throughout the week or both early or late on weekends.
Hike up Damaged Prime to No Title Lake
If you need a tougher hike, transcend Todd Lake. Actually.
The Damaged Prime Path to No Title Lake is a type of hikes the place you’ll actually wish to lace up your mountaineering boots and pack some protein bars. To get there, you need to first drive to Todd Lake, after which proceed on NF-370 to the Damaged Prime Crater Trailhead.
A warning: Solely try this if in case you have a high-clearance automotive, 4WD, and robust backcountry driving expertise!
This street is stuffed with muddy ditches (sure, ditches, not simply potholes) and is extraordinarily troublesome to navigate. We had bother with our Subaru Outback and truthfully solely saved going as a result of one other SUV got here up behind us and there was no possibility however to maneuver ahead.
The drive between the Todd Lake parking space and the Damaged Prime Crater Trailhead is about 3.5 miles, however it’ll take and really feel considerably longer than you’d anticipate.
As a result of elevation and roads, this hike is just open a number of months a yr, sometimes July by means of October.
We visited on the tail finish of the season, and boy did the climate make this hike difficult!
This Damaged Prime hike is 6 miles roundtrip, however it was wavering within the low 30s and sleeting whereas we hiked. The 1,400-feet elevation change isn’t one thing to giggle at both!
Sadly, the climate meant we didn’t get to see the magnificent views this hike is thought for. However we had a good time anyhow, and Kokomo skilled snow for the primary time.
Promise the view at No Title Lake is often higher than this! I’m instructed late summer time is one of the best time to see wildflowers blooming with snow-capped mountains within the background.
See Tumalo Falls
For a barely extra reliable view, go to Tumalo Falls. This waterfall is without doubt one of the closest to Bend and is sort of common.
In the course of the hotter months, you may park pretty shut and get to the waterfall with only a brief quarter-mile stroll.
In the event you go to after snow has closed down the principle street although, you’ll have to hike a few miles within the snow to get to the waterfall. We completely cherished skilled Tumalo Falls this manner — some people go to on their skis, too!
Discover Newberry Nationwide Volcanic Monument
For a extra monumental and various space, try Newberry Nationwide Volcanic Monument.
Regardless of its identify, the park is means larger than a single monument. Newberry really consists of a number of areas: Lava Butte, Lava River Cave, Lava Solid Forest, Newberry Caldera, Paulina Peak, East Lake, and Paulina Lake.
To go to all of them completely would take days if not weeks, so we picked what was most fascinating to us: Paulina Peak and Lake.
By the point we visited in early November, the street from the lake to Paulina Peak was already closed to vehicles resulting from snow, which meant a steep 8-mile out-and-back hike as a substitute.
Like with our go to to Damaged Prime, the climate provided blustering winds and low visibility once we went to Newberry. However we nonetheless obtained to see a really mystic Paulina Lake and a few attractive winter wonderland views on our hike.
Can’t look forward to the panoramic views once we go to on a day with higher visibility!
Climb or hike Smith Rock
The entire above are hikes that encapsulate the fantastic thing about the Cascade Mountain Ranges. For a barely totally different panorama, try Smith Rock State Park in close by Terrebonne.
These jagged peaks fabricated from volcanic ash are house to what’s generally known as the birthplace of American sports activities climbing. Day by day, you may see dozens of climbers engaged on their expertise.
For these of us preferring the bottom beneath of our ft to be extra strong, Smith Rock additionally gives miles and miles of nice hikes. The views are completely beautiful!
Bike Phil’s Path
Biking extra your factor? Bike one of many many well-known trails round Bend.
Of the preferred is Phil’s Path, one of many unique trails that made Bend a mountain biking vacation spot.
Ski Mt. Bachelor
Whereas we ended up leaving Bend earlier than ski season began, we positively thought-about staying by means of the winter so we might spend the season at Mt. Bachelor.
It’s the principle ski resort in central Oregon, and resulting from its location within the Cascades, Mt. Bachelor additionally gives one of many longest ski seasons within the U.S. Definitely a terrific spot for spring snowboarding, so that you may see us there later within the season!
Store & “hop” Sisters
If all this out of doors bodily exercise is leaving you lower than , no worries. Head to Sisters, a city of ~2000 folks simply northwest of Bend, for a day of purchasing, ingesting, and eating.
Sisters is the gateway to the Three Sisters mountains and plenty of out of doors recreation choices. On the town, nevertheless, you’ll discover the Previous Wild West city of your cinematic goals.
There’s an abundance of purchasing choices, together with quite a few artwork galleries, plus plenty of meals decisions. Don’t overlook to seize a beer at Three Creeks Brewery, the city’s hometown craft brewery.
And if you wish to take your love of beer and eccentric mountain life to a brand new degree, go to The Hop Inn, the self-proclaimed “hoppiest place on Earth.”
The final word expertise there? Calm down in a bathtub of craft beer-inspired microbrew soaks whereas ingesting Bend beers and consuming pub meals. I instructed you this was subsequent degree!
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