Bend is among the most intriguing cities in central Oregon, with its stylish downtown space, pure sights and distinctive volcanic geographical options. Among the hottest issues to do in Bend and its surrounding areas embrace exploring lava tube caves, visiting the Excessive Desert Museum and discovering the charms of the Outdated Mill District.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 well-liked ale path. The Bend Ale Path is the most important beer path within the West. For nature lovers, the Three Sisters Wilderness and the Deschutes River supply alternatives for out of doors exploration. So bookmark the perfect issues to do in Bend on your subsequent trip.

Bend, Oregon

20 Issues To Do In Bend

1- Discover A Lava Tube Cave

Bend and its surrounding space are recognized for volcanic rarities.

From cinder cones to in depth cave techniques, there are many alternatives for exploration.

Deschutes County contains greater than 1,000 lava tubes cast hundreds of years in the past by volcanic exercise.

Exploring a lava tube is a very 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 joys.

Nonetheless, if you’d like the perfect expertise, I like to recommend reserving a lava tube cave tour to be taught concerning 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 e book 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 isn’t 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 slightly than the shore.

Kayaking and canoeing are fantastic alternatives to expertise their magic.

Past the glittering water, you’ll see panoramas of pine-covered mountains and luxurious greenery.

For a memorable expertise, e book a canoeing tour mixed with a beer tasting right here.

3- Verify 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 hundreds of years in the past but nonetheless stay as we speak.

Touring these volcanic fields, you possibly can find out about Central Oregon’s geographic historical past.

When you be taught, you possibly can see a lava stream, Paulina Lake, and loads of pure surroundings alongside the best way. Guide a tour right here. 

4- Snowshoe In The Cascade Mountains

Snowboarding may be considered one of Oregon’s hottest winter actions, however snowshoeing within the Cascade Mountains can be a unbelievable sport to expertise the snow.

From the evergreen bushes 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 solution to discover the realm.

Snowshoeing can be a wonderful exercise for individuals of all ranges and talents, making it an ideal household exercise.

Guide your Cascade Mountains snowshoeing tour (scorching chocolate included) right here.

5- Experience An ATV By way of The Deschutes Nationwide Forest

When you’re not visiting Bend through the winter and need to expertise the magic of the Central Oregon wilderness, driving an ATV by way of the Deschutes Nationwide Forest may 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 possibly can zoom by way of wealthy forests, up steep mountains, and above the Excessive Desert.

The views from the mountainous trails are nothing wanting extraordinary.

When you’re simply visiting Bend, you won’t have your individual ATV.

When you e book an ATV tour, you possibly can drive one so long as you’ve got 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 e book a tour right here.

6- Go to The Excessive Desert Museum

5 minutes south of Bend, the Excessive Desert Museum is among the space’s best treasures.

This museum has numerous displays that educate guests concerning the excessive desert faith of the West.

You may get near wildlife reminiscent of 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 nearly 30,000 artefacts from the Plateau, Pacific Northwest and Nice Basin areas.

The Native American collections embrace clothes, instruments, archeological supplies, baskets and extra.

One among these collections is the Doris Swayze Bounds Assortment of Native American Artifacts, which consists of work, drawings, sculptures, horse saddles, beaded luggage, moccasins, breastplates and headdresses.

The museum additionally homes many artefacts from the pioneer days, together with clothes, firearms, images, frontier drugs 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 circumstances for stand-up paddleboarding and an incredible place to get on the river is the sandy shore at Riverbend Park, close to the Outdated Mill District.

When you paddle upstream, you possibly can 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, in the event you would slightly head downstream first, you possibly can drift previous the bustling Outdated Mill District.

Both approach, simply ensure you observe Oregon legislation and produce a whistle with you, in any other case, you danger a hefty nice.

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 numerous snowboarding terrain.

With roughly 462 inches (11.7 m) yearly, it’s no shock that Mt. Bachelor is a vacation spot for skiers world wide.

If you’re accomplished snowboarding or snowboarding, seize a chew 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 as we speak within the metropolis’s coronary heart and alongside the Deschutes River.

The Outdated Mill District options smokestacks and previous brick buildings from the early twentieth century.

The Outdated Mill District isn’t only a historic website 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 well-liked buying 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 embrace the North Sister, Center Sister, and South Sister, plus Damaged High.

If you hike these trails, you’ll cross by way of alpine meadows surrounded by ponderosa pine bushes and see the ample wildlife residing among the many mountains.

There are a number of unbelievable trails within the Three Sisters Wilderness.

Trailheads closest to Bend embrace Damaged High, Crater Ditch, Devils Lake, and Elk Lake.

If you wish to take a look at Mirror Lake, take the Sisters-Mirror Path.

11- Picnic At Hollinshead Park

Bend has a number of lovely public parks, however Hollinshead Park is among the metropolis’s lesser-used but most charming parks.

As a former pioneer ranch, it options authentic 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 neighborhood backyard, which embrace vibrant flowers and fragrant herbs.

There’s additionally an area for picnicking, making Hollinshead Park good for individuals 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 hundreds of areas throughout the U.S. within the early 2000s, was in style all through the nation.

Because of the rise of latest platforms, reminiscent of video streaming, Blockbuster was compelled to file for chapter and shut its shops. All however one that’s.

That’s proper, there’s one Blockbuster that also exists as we speak, and it’s positioned in Bend.

When you have been a Blockbuster fan again within the day, don’t go away 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 supplies alternatives for ice skating for the general public, making it a well-liked winter vacation spot.

The rink rents out skates and lends helmets and skate assists, so that you don’t must deliver something your self. And, on Tuesday nights, The Pavilion provides Low cost Skates, a possibility to get on the rink and lease skates for a reduced worth.

In case you are new to skating, don’t fear, be 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- Be taught About Native Historical past At The Deschutes Historic Museum

To find out about native historical past, the Deschutes Historic Museum is the place to go.

The museum’s aim 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 Honest, which permits attendees to search out treasures amongst collectibles and antiques.

Admission to the vintage honest, 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- Verify Out The Metolius Balancing Rocks

The Metolius Balancing Rocks aren’t simply any rocks.

The formation of stone spires is exclusive, and because the title suggests, the rocks look 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 stability 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 possibly can 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 possibly can 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 help for native producers and farmers and to emphasize diet, sustainability and neighborhood 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 buying 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 in search of extra of a thrill than paddleboarding the slow-moving waters, go white water rafting as a substitute.

Though the river is calm in lots of areas, the Decrease Deschutes additionally has loads of rapids that make for an incredible 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 in the event you’re not skilled, so to be secure, e book a white water rafting journey with Solar Nation Excursions or Ouzel Outfitters.

That approach, you gained’t should cope with gear 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 among the most vibrant areas within the metropolis and in style 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 positive to be one thing on your tastebuds.

There are many native outlets to buy at and public neighborhood occasions all yr spherical.

The guts 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 encompasses a trailhead to the falls.

The hike is comparatively brief, 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 on your day outdoor.

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.