Subscribe to Explore With Finesse!
Get access to subscriber-only travel resources, giveaways, and blog updates that will transform the way you plan and experience your adventures.
*We keep your data confidential!
Subscribe to Explore With Finesse!
Get access to subscriber-only travel resources, giveaways, and blog updates that will transform the way you plan and experience your adventures.
*We keep your data confidential!
When it comes to finding your next best vacation destination, many factors need to be considered. Do you prefer luxury or are you ok with roughing it? Is your ideal day spent poolside with a cold beverage in hand or are you itching to jump out of bed at the crack of dawn, ready to tackle that 10-mile hike? Maybe you fall somewhere in between.
Well, I have great news for you. Bend, Oregon is the perfect location for you no matter what you’re into!
It’s loaded with any, and all types of, activities you can imagine. From the ultra-fancy to the down and dirty, Bend has you covered. Even if you don’t want to do much, the beautiful surrounding landscape will be enough to put a smile on your face. There’s a reason Bend receives more than a million tourists per year, despite having a relatively small population size of 100,000 or so. That reason? All the awesome things to do of course!
Bend offers an added layer of diversity, depending on the time of year you plan to visit. If you come during the summer and partake in all the warm weather activities, re-visiting in winter changes everything. Believe me, after 33 inches of annual snowfall, it’s a brand-new experience!
I love Bend. It’s such a great town. There are countless reasons, but some of my favorites are it’s far from other big cities, it receives about 300 days of sun (double that of the coast) and it’s relatively unknown. I would hazard a guess if you asked 100 people, only a few would say they’ve even heard of it. It’s the perfect mix of popularity amongst thrill-seekers and obscurity with everyone else. I can’t recommend it enough!
If you’re looking for your next getaway and need a place that caters to every whim you can possibly imagine, you have to check out Bend, Oregon. At the very least, do a bit of research which leads me to the point of this post.
In it, I’ve compiled a diverse and entertaining list that should give you a sense of “all things Bend”. I won’t cater to a specific type of audience but rather cover a bit of everything. There’s bound to be an interest or two that’s right up your alley.
By the end of this article, you should be itching to jump on a plane or take a road trip to this wonderful town! I truly hope you enjoy reading through my top 10 things to do in and around this amazing city!
Ok, enough talk, let’s get into the top 10 things to do in Bend, Oregon!
Table of Contents
Top Things to Do in Bend, Oregon
1. Indulge in a Craft Beer Paradise
If you occasionally love sipping on a cold one and usually shy away from generic store-brand beers, this is the town for you! The dozens of local breweries, and counting, serve up a seemingly endless list of lagers, ales, stouts, and IPAs with new concoctions offered every day.
There are so many types in fact that according to Forbes Magazine’s article on the “World’s Best Beers – The 2024 World Beer Cup”, Bend’s breweries took 14 gold, silver, or bronze place finishes. Wins included categories such as best honey beer or German-style sours. Out of 97 possible, the 14 wins equate to about 15% of total awards given. It’s not too shabby if you ask me!
For a breakdown of the individual breweries and suggestions on what to pick first, check out this article on “Bend Area Breweries: Where to Go and What to Get”. It doesn’t list every single brewery in the city, but it’s a great starting point.
2. Join One of the Endless Guided Tour Options
From chocolate and wine tastings to ATV off-roading, there are plenty of tours with willing guides who’ll give you the experience of a lifetime. Interested in a horseback ride around the backcountry? No problem. Maybe you’re a history buff who’d rather learn about the city during a heritage walk. They have it. How about a view from high in the sky on one of their blood-pumping helicopter rides? Yep!
The point is, you’d need to stay for weeks and weeks to exhaust every available option. There are so many!
They even host city-wide scavenger hunts with options for all ages. They have a variety of quests designed for kids, active families, or curious adults who want to include a few drinks while on their mission. A fun way to get a group going! Highly recommend!
If you have absolutely no idea what to do or where to start, no problem. There are many online resources to help you choose. Check out some of these great options for the activity that suits you best!
3. Explore a Lava Tube
Talk about something unique! If you’re not claustrophobic, or a little but willing to step out of your comfort zone a bit, consider spelunking through some of the ancient lava tubes found around the surrounding area. There are a handful to choose from, but the highlighted option has to go to the 7,000-ft Lava River Cave. It’s the longest continuous lava tube in all of Oregon and shouldn’t be missed!
No matter which you choose, know that most of the public caves are only open from May to September, and for good reason. The last thing you want is to be trapped underground when a severe storm rumbles in!
And don’t worry about the bats, they’re supposed to be there!
4. Treat Yourself to a Relaxing Spa Day
How does a nice mellow day full of top-of-the-line pampering sound? Not bad right? Well, resorts like Brasada, Juniper Preserve, and Five Pine Lodge and Cabins are more than happy to accommodate you with their deep massages, refreshing facials, stimulating pedicures, steamy saunas, or hot tub soaks.
Great for newlyweds, recent couples, or long-term partners, Bend, Oregon has tons of luxurious spots to satisfy your wants and desires.
As a bonus, most of these resorts offer specialized programs that focus on holistic approaches. There are numerous meditation, yoga, fitness, and nutrition classes you can take to better your mind and spirit.
The level of health and wellness these spas provide is hard to match. You’ll undoubtedly be well taken care of.
5. Bungee Jump The Tallest Spot in North America
On the flip side of the coin, adrenaline junkies the world over won’t be able to pass up diving off the 300-ft Crooked River High Bridge strapped to nothing but a rubber cord! Seconds will feel like hours as you step off and feel the weightlessness gravity provides. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
But if you’re willing to risk it a little and free-fall the 200-250 ft before bouncing back what feels like mere inches above the water, sign up with Central Oregon Bungee Adventures today before you change your mind. I promise it’s something you’ll never, ever forget!
6. Visit the World’s Last Surviving Blockbuster Video Store
In the age of digital streaming, the sight of a hard-copy rental store is more than just rare, it’s almost extinct. People nowadays just sit back, browse 1000s of options available, and click on something immediately. It’s all too easy.
But, If you’re over the age of 20, you probably remember begging your parents for a trip to the local Blockbuster video store and spending a chunk of time choosing the best movie to rent for you and your friends. I know I did.
Back then, Blockbuster was synonymous with home movie rentals, but today is all but dead. Except for one. The only remaining Blockbuster in existence is located in Bend. There you’ll find actual movies you can rent for the night, buy some fun merch, and chat up with the original store owners, who along with their kids, run the store like an old mom-and-pop shop. It’s a great way to walk down memory lane!
7. Gaze at the Stars From the Largest Public Observatory in the Nation
That’s right, the best place in the country to see the stars, planets, moons, and galaxies is right here in Bend, Oregon. The Sunriver Nature Center boasts over 20 telescopes to choose from as you feast your eyes on epic meteor showers, globular clusters, gorgeous nebulae, and surprisingly, our Sun.
The mix of decent elevation, crystal clear skies, and pitch-dark surroundings make this the perfect spot to check out the infinite skies above. The nature center isn’t only for night owls. Fill your day with a nice stroll through the botanical garden, a leisurely bike ride along their nature path, and a hang-out session with the many owls, hawks, and eagles they have on display. Great for curious minds and hearts.
8. Chill Out on a Float along the Deschutes River
Each Summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Deschutes River becomes a haven for water enthusiasts of all kinds. Tubers, kayakers, canoers, paddleboarders, and more spend hours navigating the calm waters from Drake Park to Riverbend Park. It’s the signature summer social event!
Wildly enough, over 250,000 locals and tourists partake in this regional favorite annually. Most riders stick to the slow-moving sections of the river, but those who want to step it up a notch try their luck down the numerous whitewater channels of The Bend Whitewater Park. Don’t worry though, as long as you wear a life jacket, you should be fine.
Either way, there’s a little bit of fun for everyone. Grab your swimsuit, rent a tube, and enjoy the refreshing waters of downtown Bend.
9. Take a Day Trip to Crater Lake National Park
If you can afford the mini detour, I highly recommend spending a day at Crater Lake National Park. It’s only an hour and a half away from downtown Bend but worth the drive. There you can easily spend a few hours exploring, or a few nights camping out, but no matter what you do, you’ll have a great time!
What makes this place so grand is how it formed. About 7,700 years ago, Crater Lake was an active volcano, and like most active volcanoes, blew its top. In doing so, it created a massive void in the Earth we now call a Caldera. Basically a giant hole in the ground. Over time it filled up with rain and snow runoff, producing the beautiful layout we enjoy today.
It’s a rare sight that reminds me of what a fantasy movie would look like in real life. The icy blue waters, intense landscape, and majestic island can only be appreciated with your own eyes. Test your might with a hike up the Garfield Peak or Mount Scott trails, or grab a fishing pole and lure in some rainbow trout or kokanee salmon. The most popular attraction is the famous Rim Drive, a complete loop around the entire lake. Spectacular!
10. Catch a Live Show!
Why not unwind after a long day exploring the exquisite countryside with an entertaining performance at a local theatre? Here you’ll find all types of productions, ranging from comedy and live music to one-man shows and musicals! The roster is always rotating so check in periodically for what they have for you next!
There are a few places you can witness the arts, but the main place to catch the action is at the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend. This historic non-profit venue features a 460-seat arena and offers intimate and captivating experiences with each of its impressive set pieces.
If you want something a little more grandiose, check out the upcoming line-up at one of Oregon’s coolest outdoor auditoriums, the Hayden Homes Amphitheater. Even though it can hold 8,000 people, there’s not a bad seat in the house. If you love concerts, this riverside arena is for you.
Bonus Ideas!
11. Winter Adventures for Snow and Cold Weather Lovers
If you’re a chionophile (yes I had to look that up), then you’ll love Bend during the snow-covered months. There is a wide range of activities to choose from such as the classics – Skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and sledding, with a few new ones thrown into the mix. Have you ever heard of fat biking? It’s mountain biking in the snow. Who knew?!
They even have an ice-skating rink at The Pavillion. This city has it all!
One final suggestion for wintertime fun is their giant festival aptly named “Winterfest”. A grand celebration designed to spread cheer and joy among the devoted townspeople. This magnificent party caters to all ages with such attractions as impressive light shows, ice carvings and fire sculptures, amusement rides, active markets, fun runs, and plenty more. If you’re around in February, this is the event to attend!
Final Thoughts
So how’d I do? Have you fallen completely in love with one of the best adventure towns in the entire country? I surely hope so! As previously mentioned, Bend, Oregon has so many things to do, places to go, and people to meet, you’ll never be left wanting.
It’s great for singles, big families, or giant groups. Work events or much-needed vacations. Summer or Winter, Spring or Fall. There’s always an adventure waiting around any corner.
Who knows? Your first visit might not be your last. I wish you the best of luck and great times in the fabulous city of Bend, Oregon.
Cheers!
Author Bio
Guest post contributed by James Ryan.
James Ryan is a seasoned hiker and adventurer who loves to travel and experience new things. An extrovert and creative at heart, James is most definitely a “People Person”. He started his blog – thejamesguide.com – in the hopes of sharing his knowledge and expertise. Look him up and give him a shout today!
