Things To Do
Food & Drink
Bend has an amazing food and bar scene. Here are a few of our favorites! RESTAURANTS: Yoli (Korean), Spiceland (Indian), Pho Viet (Vietnamese), McMenamins (American), Spork (fusion), Pizza Mondo (pizza by-the-slice), Miyagi Ramen (Japanese) FOOD TRUCK LOTS: Podski, Midtown Yacht Club, The Lot BREAKFAST/BRUNCH: The Victorian Cafe, McKay Cottage, Chow BREWERIES, WINERIES, & BARS: Crux, Deschutes, 10 Barrel, Olvidemos, Dogwood COFFEE SHOPS: The Commons, Sparrow, Nancy P’s Bakery, Thump
Float the Deschutes River!
One of the best summer pastimes in Bend is floating down the Deschutes River. The river is Bend's center piece and one of the best ways to see town is from the water with cool beverage of choice in your hand! Tumalo Creek (located at the Pavilion) rents tubes and provides transit, and there's also the city-run River Shuttle.
High Desert Museum
Fun for folks of all ages. We have a membership here and it's a great way to spend a day! They have raptors, farm animals, desert reptiles, otters and more. Not to mention local history and fun traveling exhibits!
Tumalo Falls
This 100 foot high waterfall is just minutes out of town down a very mellow dirt road. It's less than a 1/4 mile to the viewpoint, and there are plenty of other trails to suit your fancy, too!
Elk Lake
Elk Lake is our go-to spot for lakeside relaxation, paddling, and fun. Take a drive past Mt. Bachelor and onto the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway to find this (usually pretty warm) mountain lake with plenty of beaches. The road around the lake isn't paved, but it's very mellow and pretty much any car that can get dusty will be just fine.
Crater Lake National Park
We're lucky enough to have a national park in our back yard! Take advantage of your time here to explore another beautiful landscape. Whether it's stopping at the many breathtaking roadside viewpoints or getting out on the trail, everyone can find something here. Just an FYI, the trail to the lake is closed for maintenance. Otherwise, explore!
Smith Rock State Park
A desert gem! While this park is the birthplace of American sport climbing, it's also a fantastic place to go for a hike, either along the rim (flat and easy) or down into the canyon (steep climb up but worth it for the views). It gets hot here in the day, so we'd recommend heading there in the morning or evening.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument & Paulina Lake
Check out this beautiful mountain lake near the top of the Cascades' largest volcano! There are plenty of hikes of all sizes, great fishing, and even a natural hot springs that's a moderate hike in. If it's a clear day, you might even be able to see California, Washington, and Idaho all from Paulina Peak.