Choosing what to do in Bend, Oregon, could almost be considered a burden. With numerous options for exploring the great outdoors and plenty to discover in town, it’s tough to pick your adventure. From incredible outdoor experiences to mini-adventures within city limits, Bend offers a variety of options for visitors to pack in as much as possible.
Drink Your Way Along the Bend Ale Trail
Thirsty for a beercation? Bend is the top destination for such a holiday. With an official passport and map, visitors can enjoy a brew-loving scavenger hunt like no other city. It isn’t called the largest beer trek in the west for nothing. Start by ordering your paper passport or downloading an app to guide you. There’s even a “Drinkable Diversions” tour, which includes locally made spirits, kombucha, cider, and wine. Cheers to that!
Since 1993, various local companies have delivered top-tier regional eco outings, including paddling, canoe trips, lava tube cave tours, lunar eclipse hikes, and brewery tours. From volcano sunsets to snowshoe tours, outdoor activities are abundant and available seasonally.
Take an Alleyway and Roundabout Art Tour
The award-winning Tin Pan Alley Art Collection can be seen throughout Bend’s historic downtown – look for pieces hidden in parking garages and urban nooks. Use them as conversation starters with your travel companions. While driving around Bend, keep an eye out for the sculpture installations centered in roundabouts. For a comprehensive guide, stopping in at downtown spots can yield helpful information for each art collection.
Check Out Bend’s Budding Arts & Entertainment Scene
Although Bend is still considered a small town, it’s a rising star in the arts and entertainment sector. After a day of burning calories on trails or rivers, consider attending a concert or witnessing performance art. Music venues like Hayden Homes Amphitheater, the Domino Room, and the Volcanic Theater Pub attract popular local talent as well as regional and national musicians.
Bend’s burgeoning burlesque scene promises exciting entertainment, while the stand-up comedy collective will have you laughing with frequent performances at various local venues. Different music genres such as electronic, folk, rockabilly, blues, and even hip-hop find their place on various stages across the high desert.
Drive the Cascade Lakes Highway
With miles of desert to the east, you might be surprised by the abundance of freshwater found near Bend in the alpine lakes at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. Lake after lake line Century Drive, aptly known as Cascade Lakes Highway. More than 10 bodies of water, some hard to navigate via kayak and some expansive, showcase the conifer forest terrain. Lakes like Sparks, Devil’s, Elk, Laval, Cultus, Crane Prairie, and Wikiup present fantastic recreational opportunities. Several lakes even have lodges and resorts, making great spots for a beverage or snack. Whether you prefer a driving tour, a swim, a picnic, or paddling, visiting one or more of these scenic lakes can easily fill a day’s itinerary.
Climb All the Volcanoes
With stunning views from their summits, several volcanoes are easily accessible for adventurous visitors in Bend. The first is Pilot Butte, located in the center of town, where one can trek up the side or drive to the top via a seasonally open paved road. A second option is Lava Butte, about 15 minutes south of Bend on Highway 97, which serves as the entrance to Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
From the top of Lava Butte, views of half-formed lava tubes, levees, and an array of unique lava formations await. Other options include Mount Bachelor and South Sister, accessed via Century Drive. Mount Bachelor is reachable by lift in either winter or summer, while hiking South Sister requires a permit for the 14-mile round-trip trail. This hike is not technically difficult, but many underestimate its challenge. The breathtaking views at the summit are well worth the effort. Remember to bring water and exercise caution on your trek.
Bike to Paulina Plunge
Some consider the Paulina Plunge to be the most unique tour in the high desert, and it’s suitable for novices. This trip offers a downhill mountain biking adventure featuring a waterfall and natural waterslides at Newberry Caldera National Volcanic Monument. Paulina Creek flows down the flank of Newberry, creating the perfect setting for a memorable ride to Paulina Waterfall, where visitors can take a break, picnic, and enjoy the pristine waters.
Tour the Deschutes River
Experience Bend’s centerpiece: the Deschutes River float. Rent an inner tube from local rental spots, hop on a shuttle, and launch your adventure from Riverbend Park. After floating, a shuttle will pick you up at Drake Park and take you back to your vehicle. If floating isn’t appealing, the paved footpath along the river is perfect for traveling by bike, skateboard, or even stroller. This scenic route provides an opportunity to absorb the outdoor beauty of the region.
Not quite ready to navigate the river on your own? Local tour companies offer guided experiences by kayak, canoe, and paddleboard. Additionally, for thrill-seekers, experiencing the Big Eddy Thriller whitewater adventure on the Deschutes River presents a can’t-miss opportunity. Local companies excel in providing exhilarating whitewater tours, ensuring a memorable ride through Bend’s own backyard whitewater roller coaster.
