In many ways, Bend feels like the perfect small town. It’s charming, sunny year-round and the scenery is breathtaking. The best part? There’s so many incredible things to do in Bend, Oregon for those in desperate need of a relaxing weekend.
I’ve visited Bend more than 40 times (in every season) and wanted to share my personal list of the best things to do in Bend to make trip planning a little easier. I hope you find this post helpful, please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, I’m always happy to help!
For those asking, here’s the hotel we usually stay at while visiting Bend. Sold out? More great hotel options.
Tips for Visiting Bend
Don’t forget your sunscreen
- A lot of the best things to do in Bend take place in the great outdoors and oftentimes shade is hard to come by. As such, proper sunscreen is a must, I swear by this sunscreen, it’s the only one I use. I discovered it in France and refuse to leave the house without it!
Hiking permits are required for some hiking trails
- Most folks end up visiting Bend for the hiking trails. The natural areas near Bend have seen a 300% increase in recreational use in the past five years. In an effort to mitigate the damaging impacts of overuse, permits are required at certain trailheads. Learn more here.
Best Things to Do in Bend, Oregon
Table of Contents: Best Things to Do in Bend, Oregon
Table of Contents: Best Things to Do in Bend, Oregon
- Tips for Visiting Bend
- Best Things to Do in Bend, Oregon
- Explore the Old Mill District
- Walk the Deschutes River Trail
- Float the Deschutes River
- Wine Tasting at Viaggio Wine Bar
- Enjoy the Bend Ale Trail
- Explore the High Desert Museum
- Catch a Concert at Hayden Homes Amphitheater
- Explore Downtown Bend
- Enjoy Cocktails at a Local Bar
- McMenamins Old St. Francis School
- Enjoy the City’s Robust Art Scene
- Best Time to Visit Bend, Oregon
- Visiting Bend Longer? Nearby Activities
- Adventurous Things to Do in Bend
- Best Things to Do in Bend, Oregon (Post Summary)
Explore the Old Mill District
We can’t talk about the best things to do in Bend without mentioning the historic Old Mill District located downtown. The area was once home to two lumber mills that were crucial to the local economy until the 20th century.
When the mills ceased operations, the vacant industrial lots were a blight on the neighborhood. Years later, the area was revitalized and transformed into a lively mixed-use district full of small shops, restaurants, art galleries and cafes.
Walk the Deschutes River Trail
Walking the Deschutes River Trail in the Old Mill District is one of my favorite things to do in Bend. The aptly-named trail hugs the Deschutes River and offers panoramic views as it winds through the city. You’ll find yourself rubbing elbows with walkers, bikers, and joggers — everyone eager to get the last rays of sunshine for the day.
I suggest grabbing a coffee from Sister’s and taking a leisurely mile-long stroll from the Old Mill District to Drake Park. It’ll take about 25-minutes (one-way) and is a very relaxing way to start the day.
Float the Deschutes River
If you spend a mere 5 minutes strolling through town, you’ll quickly realize that half the town is floating downriver. The reason? It’s easy to do while visiting Bend because renting a floating tube is a quick and hassle-free experience.
During our recent month-long stay in Bend, we floated the river four times (several friends came to visit). We rented floating tubes from Tumalo Creek and the entire process was a breeze. Surprisingly, it wasn’t super expensive either ($24/person).
Floating the river while visiting Bend (here’s how it works):
- Park the car at the “Park & Float” located at 1000 SW Bradbury
- Connect with the friendly staff to reserve a floatie (or make reservations online in advance)
- You’ll get a quick safety demo and then board a shuttle that drops you off at the starting point
- Float the river for 1.5 hours (Drake Park is the end point), where a shuttle will pick you up and take you back to the “Park & Float”
This is such an iconic Bend activity, there’s no denying that floating the river is one of the best things to do in Bend.
Wine Tasting at Viaggio Wine Bar
I never pass on the opportunity to swing by Viaggio Wine Bar whenever I’m visiting Bend. This approachable wine bar (and shop) was opened in 2022 by an experienced Sommelier named Benjamin Richardson. This guy’s knowledge of wine is next level.
Richardson’s impressive past has some key milestones that can’t be overlooked. From training under the wing of Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey (named Sommelier of the Year in 2015 by Wine Enthusiast) to helming the wine program at a three-starred Michelin restaurant, safe to say he’s been around the block.
From there, Richardson became the Estate Director at Faila Wines in St. Helena, California before ultimately settling down in Bend to focus on his family. If you want to pick his brain, head to Viaggio for an incredible wine selection.
Richardson’s well-curated menu removes the guesswork completely. Everything on offer is bound to be memorable and inspiring. Don’t sleep on the light bites offered, Richardson works closely with local farmers to procure seasonal produce that sings.
A chance to discover new wines while relaxing at the most charming wine bar in Bend? Of course, this makes my list of the best things to do in Bend.
Further Reading: The 10 Most Charming Wine Bars in Bend (Cheers!)
Enjoy the Bend Ale Trail
My husband and I like to try a new brewery each time we visit Bend, no easy task considering the city is home to more than 30 breweries. To fully appreciate the vibrant brew scene in Bend, I highly suggest participating in the Bend Ale Trail.
Step 1: Pick up a passport (or download the app). Step 2: Navigate from one participating brewery to the next. You’ll get a stamp at each brewery and once you collect enough stamps, you become eligible to receive a prize at the Visitor Center.
It’s a fun Bend activity worth considering if you plan on visiting some breweries anyway. But, if you’d like to take advantage of the city’s beer scene without signing up for the Bend Ale Trail, read on.
You don’t need to participate in the Bend Ale Trail to enjoy great beer while visiting Bend. I’ve been to 25 Bend breweries (so much good beer in this city!) and recently created a list of the 15+ Best Breweries in Bend.
Explore the High Desert Museum
Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room: some folks consider museums a bit dry (dare I say boring?). And I get it, I’ve visited my fair share of (rather dull) museums where the price of admission left me feeling a bit cheated.
However, the High Desert Museum is nothing like that. In fact, I’ll be so bold as to say it’s actually one of the coolest museums I’ve visited to date. As such, I consider this one of the best things to do in Bend for families.
Opened in 1982, this an interactive indoor/outdoor museum that spans 135 acres and promotes the rich cultural heritage of Oregon’s high desert. You’ll find interesting exhibits on the plight of Native Americans and the difficulties of traversing the Oregon Trail.
You’ll also see a handful of cool wildlife exhibits that feature Gila (hee-luh) monsters, a shy porcupine, playful otters and a cheeky little gray fox.
Admission is $20 per adult, which I thought was steep at first, but quickly realized was a fair price to pay for the joyful experience. All told this is one of the top attractions in Bend for a reason (don’t miss out!)
Catch a Concert at Hayden Homes Amphitheater
The never-ending list of talented musicians that add Bend to their roster of summer concerts never ceases to amaze me. Seriously, the performances these past two years have been quite impressive! Tons of our Portland friends end up visiting Bend at least once ever summer to catch a concert.
Located a stone’s throw from the river, you couldn’t miss the Hayden Homes Amphitheater if you tried. The music can be heard around town, but nothing beats spending the evening with friends, booze and live music. We saw Bon Iver in the summer of 2023 and still talk about the great show!
But take note, this is one of the most popular things to do in Bend, so buy tickets in advance if you’re keen to see a well-known artist. Here’s the current lineup here.
Explore Downtown Bend
In my opinion, Bend has two “downtown” areas, the Old Mill District and the official Downtown. We covered the Old Mill District, but downtown is just as cute! The downtown area is peppered with great restaurants, charming small shops and phenomenal breweries.
If you’re visiting Bend during the summer, head downtown on the first Friday of the month for the Downtown Bend First Friday Art Walk where local artists share music, art, wine and food. This is one of the best free things to do in Bend, so I suggest making an effort to see it.
Enjoy Cocktails at a Local Bar
The Dogwood Cocktail Cabin is an easy favorite for mixed drinks. This creative bar offers an array of delightful concoctions, sorted by the type of libation you prefer. If you like whiskey, do not leave without trying the Juan Connery, thank me later. Note: Dogwood Cocktail Cabin is relocated but should re-open this summer (I’ll keep you posted!).
Likewise, San Simón is also considered one of the best bars in Bend. Constantly packed in the evening hours, this is a great spot to spend a few hours with your special someone. The cocktails are expertly crafted and outlandishly creative.
McMenamins Old St. Francis School
Ask any lifelong Oregonian about their favorite McMenamins properties and Old St. Francis School is sure to grace the list. The McMenamin brothers, Brian and Mike, are nothing short of legend in the state. Hailing from Portland, the two brothers have been buying and repurposing historic buildings slated for demolition for four decades.
In an effort to preserve these historic places, the brothers hire historians to ensure important details aren’t overlooked during restoration. As you can probably tell, I’m a huge fan of their work (and tater tots)
The Old St. Francis School was a Catholic schoolhouse built in 1936 that has since been transformed into the jack of all trades. Today, it’s a hotel (the classrooms were turned into hotel rooms), pub, brewery, moving theater, cigar bar and speakeasy.
All this to say, there’s something for everyone. As such, spending an evening at the Old St. Francis School is one of the best things to do in Bend. The cozy outdoor patio is the only place to be on a summer evening (the fire pits are a nice touch!).
Enjoy the City’s Robust Art Scene
Bend attracts many talented artists eager to share their talents with the local community. The best time to see art on full display is during the Downtown Bend First Friday Art Walk gallery tour mentioned earlier.
Since Bend’s art scene is so robust, seeing great art doesn’t require much effort! You don’t even have to go out of the way to enjoy unique art thanks to the Art in Public Places exhibits around Bend. These exhibits strive to provide culturally stimulating visual experiences for the local community. All the more reason to love Bend!
Best Time to Visit Bend, Oregon
After visiting Bend in all four seasons, I would say that the best time to visit Bend is the spring and summer seasons. Although honestly, Bend is one of those unique places where every season offers something exciting.
Summer is my favorite time to visit Bend because it’s easy to take advantage of the great hikes nearby. The temperatures can get hot mid-day, but there’s always a river to cool off in or a brewery to pop into.
Much like summer, spring is also great time to visit Bend. The temperatures will be mild most of the day but the evenings will get chilly. Wildflowers pepper the scenery and offer a delightful splash of color amidst swaths of healthy forests.
Visiting Bend in autumn is a treat because the fall color is spectacular! What’s more, crowds will have thinned out substantially but the days are typically filled with ample sunshine. Even if temperatures are chilly a jacket will be necessary.
Winter is also a great time to visit Bend Oregon if you love snow sports. If you plan to ski or snowboard at Mt. Bachelor make sure to do your homework a few months in advance. Season passes sell out quickly!
Visiting Bend Longer? Nearby Activities
Drive the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
One of my favorite things about visiting Bend is the unparalleled access to the natural landscapes of Central Oregon. Driving the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is the cream of the crop.
The route starts in downtown Bend and meanders through 66 scenic miles. There’s plenty of opportunities to pop out for sightseeing. This drive is often considered one of the most beautiful in America, hence the “scenic” designation.
The entire drive takes 3-5 hours to complete, depending on stops. The road is open from June to October (or until snowfall closes the route just past Mt. Bachelor).
Join a Wanderlust Tour
Established in 1993, Wanderlust Tours is the premier tour guide for Bend. If you’re looking for half-day tours, I highly suggest checking them out. They cover a plethora of exciting things to do in Bend and the tours range from canoeing to brew hopping and cave tours, you can build your own adventure.
The prices vary per event but tend to range around $80 per person. Custom tours are available as well, for more information, visit the website here.
Visit Sisters, Oregon
Sisters, Oregon is a quaint little town with plenty to see, you can’t afford to miss it during your visit to Bend. One of my favorite coffee shops is Sister’s Coffee and we have been known to go out of our way for their breakfast sandwiches – so good.
Take advantage of the biking trail by renting a bike and exploring the old town on two wheels, make sure to swing by Three Creeks Craft Brewing for delicious brews.
Learn to fly fish
Did you know that Fly Fisher Magazine rated Bend as one of the top 10 fly-fishing towns in America? Stay humble, Bend. The Deschutes River alone offers 252 miles of water to fish in. We see fishermen and fisherwomen peppered throughout the river every time we visit, regardless of the season. Why not learn from the best?
Adventurous Things to Do in Bend
Whether you prefer to hike, run, bike or levitate, Bend has something to offer you. The city center is surrounded by the impressive Cascade Range, healthy forests, volcanic lava flows, cascading waterfalls, hot springs, caves, rivers, lakes, you name it, Bend has it.
With that said, let’s cover adventurous things to do in Bend.
For a comprehensive guide to the best hikes in Bend, Oregon, check out this post. It’s one of our most viewed posts! Better yet, it was shared by Visit Bend.
Visit Newberry National Monument
Visiting the Newberry National Monument should be high on your list of interesting things to do in Bend Oregon whether you’re a history buff or not.
It’s the largest volcano in the Cascade Range and the lava flow is ripe for exploration. There’s a plethora of lava tubes and cinder cones that can be viewed up close through hiking. Exploring the Newberry National Monument is such a unique experience, I’ve visited the site multiple times and still enjoy returning. It’s so cool!
Hike Broken Top Trail to No Name Lake
Broken Top Trail to No Name Lake is, hands down, my favorite hike in Bend. We learned about this trail through a local and are forever grateful. But our naivety about this hike is not to say the trail is unpopular. On the contrary, the trail was completely full of hikers when we visited last spring.
Think sweeping, unparalleled views of the beautiful Cascade Range. The high elevation of No Name Lake provides a vantage point that’s hard to beat. And just when you think you’ve reached the pinnacle of beauty you’ll see the expansive Cascade Range as far as the eye can see.
Hiking to No Name Lake is challenging because of the elevation gain but completely worth it. Of all the trails we’ve hiked to date, this one always stands a mile above the rest.
Read: Hiking the EPIC Broken Top Trail in Bend, Oregon
Hike the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park
Hiking the Misery Ridge Trail is one of the best things to do near Bend. The trail is aptly named (it’s challenging!) but it can’t be missed. Heck, even if you don’t plan to hike the entire trail, you should most definitely make an effort to see Smith Rock State Park because the landscape is something else.
Geology is the name of the game here and the iconic rock outcrop known as Smith Rock feels like an alien wander. The entire landscape seems to crop out of nowhere, but it is ripe for exploration and offers a spectacular vantage point of the cascade range.
Read: How to Hike the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock
Spelunking at Lava River Cave
Spelunking is one of the most unique things to do in Bend and thankfully there’s no shortage of caves to choose from. However, if I had to choose a favorite cave, it’d be the Lava River Cave at Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
After the informative session, visitors can rent lanterns for $5 before entering the cave. I suggest bringing your own, this is the one we’ve used the past 10+ years (we love it!).
You’ll follow a little trail that leads directly from the lantern kiosk into the cave, at which point you’ll descend down well-maintained stairs (exactly 55 steps) into the dark abyss where wander awaits you. The temperature drops rapidly upon entering the cave and stays at a cool 40 degrees throughout the hike.
This is one of the best things to do in Bend for families with young children. We saw a lot of kids in the cave.
Hike Tumalo Falls
Tumalo Falls is nestled into a healthy evergreen forest that enhances the dramatic falls. If you’d like to avoid the crowds, I suggest trekking to the upper viewpoint to get a unique vantage point from the top of Tumalo Falls. The hike is a short half mile up and half mile back but offers an opportunity to spot a handful of smaller waterfalls along the way.
Catch Sunset at Sparks Lake
Sparks Lake is surrounded by three iconic peaks: South Sister, Broken Top and Bachelor Butte. But be forewarned, the secret it out. This area gets very busy during the weekends (full parking lot) so arrive early if you want some semblance of solitude.
I suggest catching sunset from the Ray Atkeson Memorial Trail to avoid the crowds — it’s one of the most memorable things to do near Bend. Plus, the hike is very little effort and great reward, the views are something else!
The entire trail is a 2.5-mile loop that hugs the lake, but I normally hike to the viewpoint located less than a mile in. I’ve lost count of the number of sunrises and sunsets I caught from this viewpoint, gets me every time!
Learn to Snowboard at Mt. Bachelor
Mt. Bachelor is the 6th largest ski resort in the country, so if you’re looking for things to do in Bend Oregon during winter, you need not look further. Every year, like clockwork, adventure enthusiasts flock to this iconic mountain for incredible snow sport opportunities.
Skiing or snowboarding not your thing? You can still take advantage of Mt. Bachelor by joining a guided snowshoeing trail and learning about the diverse landscape of Central Oregon. You can also skip the winter season altogether and visit during the summer months and try you hand at the numerous hiking trails or mountain bike!
Best Restaurants in Bend
Bend has an incredible food scene and you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy. Eating is a social event and it’s common to see large groups gathered together late into the evening. Here’s a roundup of my favorite restaurants in Bend:
Breakfast
- McKay Cottage Restaurant is a great spot for breakfast. I wish I could start every day with a meal from this place, and apparently so does half of Bend. This place gets very busy during the brunch hour, but the food is well worth the wait, try their pancakes and you’ll know what I mean. If you choose to brave the line, help yourself to a hot cup of coffee while you wait. There’s a self-serve station by the host.
- Jackson’s Corner became an instant favorite of mine. The warm homemade bread (need I say more?) and the quality ingredients shine through in these delicious meals. We visited the eastside location on a Sunday morning and had to wait an hour, this place gets very busy but there’s a good reason for it.
- Sparrow Bakery for their famous Ocean Rolls – a signature Bend pastry made from scratch every day of the week. Without giving away the goose, allow me to say the recipe starts with traditional croissant dough made on-site, enhanced with cardamom, sugar and vanilla. It is heavenly, I spent the entire day thinking about it.
Lunch
- Spork (a Mexican-fusion restaurant) is the best choice. The food here is so, so delicious and unique, we went back two days in a row. $20 says you will too. The line is out the door during dinner rush and sometimes late into the evening. Come early, come hungry.
Dinner
- For dinner pick a brewery, any brewery! We like to try a new one each time we visit (there’s so many to choose from!). I can confidently recommend any of the following breweries for great food and even better beer.
Best Coffee in Bend
It would be a disservice not to mention coffee shops worth visiting. Bend takes coffee seriously and the smooth blends prove it. Bonus points for bringing a reusable Hydro Flask!
- Thump Coffee is our new favorite. We swear their coffee beans are infused with spruce tips! We regret not buying a bag of beans to bring home, the coffee is delicious!
- Backporch Coffee offers consistently great coffee with friendly customer service. To cater to our weaknesses, they offer two locations – one on the eastside and one in northwest. Grab a pastry on your way out, nothing better than a buttery croissant before a sunrise hike. Please tell me other people hike before sunrise?!
Hotels in Bend
Bend has a plethora of great hotels to choose from. In recent years the prices have increased but you can still find a deal if you’re willing to visiting Bend during the off season. The following options are my favorite hotels in Bend.
- The Oxford Hotel is hard to beat, mostly because of the complimentary glasses of wine. This hotel is on the higher end in quality and price, but if you’re looking to spoil yourself for the weekend, it’s your best bet.
- Riverhouse on the Deschutes: The Deschutes River runs through this recently renovated property. This hotel offers a slight reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city, while being just a few minutes from downtown. If you’re looking for a relaxing weekend, this is a great option.
- Tetherow Lodge: This lodge is right in the heart of everything! It opened in 2014 and offers premium lodging with great views and an award-winning golf course.
Camping in Bend, Oregon
- Camping is allowed on the outskirts of the city in the national forest. Pitch a tent and invite some friends. Here’s our 10 FAVORITE campsites in Bend.
Best Things to Do in Bend, Oregon (Post Summary)
In sum, these are the best things to do in Bend:
- Explore Bend’s art scene
- Float the river (yes, really)
- Join a Wanderlust Tour
- Enjoy the High Desert Museum
- Drive the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
- Visit the neighboring town of Sisters, Oregon
- Learn to flyfish
- Explore the Old Mill District
- Go spelunking
- Go brewery hopping
- Get drinks at the Dogwood Cocktail Cabin
- Hike the Misery Ridge Trail
- Hike to Tumalo Falls
- Hike to Broken Top
- Catch sunrise/sunset at Spark’s Lake
- Hike Tumalo Peak
- Learn to snowboard at Mt. Bachelor
I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to things to do in Bend. It’s a pleasure sharing one of our favorite places with you.
Antonina
Love all of these and I live here!!! You should try out the Bend History tour along the Deschutes river at Let it Ride Electric bikes!
Hi Michelle, love the idea of getting a tour on a bike, thank you for the suggestion!
10 Barrel is not local, they are owned by Anheiser-Busch. Try any of the other amazing, local breweries listed!
This is a tricky one, I consider 10 Barrel a local brewery because it was started in Bend by two brothers who moved to the area from Portland. The brewery gained a lot of attention and success and the brothers took advantage of an opportunity to sell (to Anheiser-Busch). I’ve been going to 10 Barrel for years and can confirm that the quality hasn’t diminished.
To that end, I completely understand your point about supporting local breweries that don’t have the backing of Anheiser-Busch.
Cheers,
Antonina
They are indeed local. Yes they allowed them to buy them recently. But because who wouldn’t want to grow as a business? This allowed them to easily start shipping beer all over the place. Same owners same brewers. Same amazing food. I also recommend their special seasonal microbrews. Yum!
I completely agree! The brews, vibes and food are great, I still enjoy coming here.
I have lived in Central Oregon most of my life, and haven’t been to some of these places. Shame on me. Have made a list and will check them all out. . . Funny when you live in Gods Country you get kinda spoiled.
Oh I know what you mean! I’ve been traveling to various parts of the state for the past 5 years and some days I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface! Glad to hear you found some new spots to explore. Cheers!