My Favorite Things To Do Around Bend
Sightseeing
This a beautiful park on the Deschutes river with access to the River Trail. Park in the lot and head to the bridge. Cross the bridge and turn right on the trail to walk the river. It is a dirt and gravel trail. It can get muddy with snow melt.
11 locals recommend
Sawyer Park
62999 O. B. Riley RdThis a beautiful park on the Deschutes river with access to the River Trail. Park in the lot and head to the bridge. Cross the bridge and turn right on the trail to walk the river. It is a dirt and gravel trail. It can get muddy with snow melt.
Great place to walk the River and watch the surfers surf the river. Great paved path along the Deschutes river. Just a short distance from the Old Mill district.
13 locals recommend
Miller's Landing Park
55 NW Riverside BlvdGreat place to walk the River and watch the surfers surf the river. Great paved path along the Deschutes river. Just a short distance from the Old Mill district.
This a beautiful park a short walk from down town Bend. It sits on Mirror Pond which is dammed section of the Deschutes River. It is a beautiful spot to just hang out and relax or take a walk across the footbridge to Padgeant park and make it a loop through the neighborhood. Many events take place here during the summer months. This is also the get out spot if you are floating the river.
135 locals recommend
Drake Park
Northwest Riverside BoulevardThis a beautiful park a short walk from down town Bend. It sits on Mirror Pond which is dammed section of the Deschutes River. It is a beautiful spot to just hang out and relax or take a walk across the footbridge to Padgeant park and make it a loop through the neighborhood. Many events take place here during the summer months. This is also the get out spot if you are floating the river.
This is a must see if you are new to the area. Bring your camera and make it a photo op as the rim near the parking lot is the one of the most beautiful back drops for family photos. The hiking is great here too. You can make it a loop and enjoy watching the rock climbers and hike over Misery Ridge and back to the parking lot. You will have earned your lunch for sure.
469 locals recommend
Smith Rock State Park
This is a must see if you are new to the area. Bring your camera and make it a photo op as the rim near the parking lot is the one of the most beautiful back drops for family photos. The hiking is great here too. You can make it a loop and enjoy watching the rock climbers and hike over Misery Ridge and back to the parking lot. You will have earned your lunch for sure.
Who can resist being surrounded by the cutest animals on the planet - Alpacas. They sell feed here to bring these cuties up close and personal. The happiness in your heart following your visit will last for hours. Worth the stop for sure.
24 locals recommend
Crescent Moon Ranch
7566 US-97Who can resist being surrounded by the cutest animals on the planet - Alpacas. They sell feed here to bring these cuties up close and personal. The happiness in your heart following your visit will last for hours. Worth the stop for sure.
FISH HATCHERY - So the concrete troughs that the young trouts are raised in are fun but rather ho hum. The pond beyond the troughs that house the escaped trout are the real attraction. There is a cantilevered observation deck over the pond with 25 cent machine that provide a handful of feed for the fish. They swarm and jump to get to the food and have clearly been eating a lot of it as they are massive specimens of Trout. Super fun and worth the visit. Tie this in with a visit to the nearby "Head of the Metolius". The Head of the Metolius river is a spring the starts out of the ground. I have seen springs. But this is a big river that literally starts out of the ground from nearby snow run off.
25 locals recommend
Metolius River
Southwest Metolius River RoadFISH HATCHERY - So the concrete troughs that the young trouts are raised in are fun but rather ho hum. The pond beyond the troughs that house the escaped trout are the real attraction. There is a cantilevered observation deck over the pond with 25 cent machine that provide a handful of feed for the fish. They swarm and jump to get to the food and have clearly been eating a lot of it as they are massive specimens of Trout. Super fun and worth the visit. Tie this in with a visit to the nearby "Head of the Metolius". The Head of the Metolius river is a spring the starts out of the ground. I have seen springs. But this is a big river that literally starts out of the ground from nearby snow run off.
This is a spatular vista that looks out over a large lava flow located at the peak of the Mackenzie pass. There is a stone building with lookouts toward nearby mountains and an interpretive trail with signs explaining the various features of the lava flow - there's more to it than you might think. One of our favorite places to take guests. Always a delight. Bring a wind breaker as it will be 20 degrees cooler than Bend and may have 50 mph winds blowing over the pass. Go thru Sister and head toward Mackenzie pass.
32 locals recommend
Dee Wright Observatory
Old McKenzie HighwayThis is a spatular vista that looks out over a large lava flow located at the peak of the Mackenzie pass. There is a stone building with lookouts toward nearby mountains and an interpretive trail with signs explaining the various features of the lava flow - there's more to it than you might think. One of our favorite places to take guests. Always a delight. Bring a wind breaker as it will be 20 degrees cooler than Bend and may have 50 mph winds blowing over the pass. Go thru Sister and head toward Mackenzie pass.
If you aren't into getting wet but would like to enjoy the Deschutes river on the water Tumalo Creek is where you can go to rent a kayak or canoe and enjoy the beauty and scenery of the Deschutes river which is a completely different experience than walking on the banks. Highly recommended.
34 locals recommend
Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe
805 SW Industrial WayIf you aren't into getting wet but would like to enjoy the Deschutes river on the water Tumalo Creek is where you can go to rent a kayak or canoe and enjoy the beauty and scenery of the Deschutes river which is a completely different experience than walking on the banks. Highly recommended.
Western Themed town. Super cute and fun with great eateries, shops and various events throughout the year such as the Sisters Rodeo and Outdoor Quilt show. Stop here on your way to the Metolious River or Dee Wright Observatory.
160 locals recommend
Sisters
Western Themed town. Super cute and fun with great eateries, shops and various events throughout the year such as the Sisters Rodeo and Outdoor Quilt show. Stop here on your way to the Metolious River or Dee Wright Observatory.
Food scene
The Old Mill has the only Theater in town but also great restaurants, shopping and paved trail on the river.
292 locals recommend
Old Mill District
520 SW Powerhouse DrThe Old Mill has the only Theater in town but also great restaurants, shopping and paved trail on the river.
This restaurant has fabulous views of the Deschutes River and great brews and food too boot. A great little spot.
35 locals recommend
Monkless Belgian Ales
803 Southwest Industrial WayThis restaurant has fabulous views of the Deschutes River and great brews and food too boot. A great little spot.
This is one of my favorite eateries in Bend. They have a varied menu to delight any taste and great beers and wines. But don't stop there. There is also a soaking pool for anyone to use at a minimal cost as well as a theater that shows rerun movies, a cigar bar and much more. Explore and enjoy.
158 locals recommend
McMenamins
700 NW Bond StThis is one of my favorite eateries in Bend. They have a varied menu to delight any taste and great beers and wines. But don't stop there. There is also a soaking pool for anyone to use at a minimal cost as well as a theater that shows rerun movies, a cigar bar and much more. Explore and enjoy.
Nearby Restaurant with great food and great deck overlooking the Deschutes River.
8 locals recommend
Currents at the Riverhouse
3075 US-97 BUSNearby Restaurant with great food and great deck overlooking the Deschutes River.
You can walk here but may be easier to drive. They have great food, good brews and some evenings great entertainment.
77 locals recommend
10 Barrel Brewing East Side Bend
62950 NE 18th StYou can walk here but may be easier to drive. They have great food, good brews and some evenings great entertainment.
Nearby local brewery with good food and brews. A local favorite.
119 locals recommend
Worthy Brewing Company
495 NE Bellevue DrNearby local brewery with good food and brews. A local favorite.
Love this place. They use local produce and baked goods as well as local brews, wine and other goodies. They have local talent play on Friday and Saturday nights. A must visit.
203 locals recommend
Jackson's Corner
845 NW Delaware AveLove this place. They use local produce and baked goods as well as local brews, wine and other goodies. They have local talent play on Friday and Saturday nights. A must visit.
One of the best restaurants in Bend. A little spendy but worth it. A great date night place or if you are feeling indulgent treat yourself.
177 locals recommend
Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails
919 NW Bond StOne of the best restaurants in Bend. A little spendy but worth it. A great date night place or if you are feeling indulgent treat yourself.
City/town information
Downtown Bend offers a little bit of everything. Great restaurants and food, Breweries, Shopping, The Library, Drake Park etc. You will need to go several times before you see it all.
87 locals recommend
Bend
Downtown Bend offers a little bit of everything. Great restaurants and food, Breweries, Shopping, The Library, Drake Park etc. You will need to go several times before you see it all.