There are places in the world that feel like they were designed specifically for people who refuse to sit still. Bend, Oregon is one of them.

Bend is surrounded by and built on volcanoes, literally. It’s one of only six cities in the U.S. with a volcano that sits directly within the city limits. Pilot Butte rises 500 feet above ground and is an extinct cinder cone volcano.

The city is located in the high desert of central Oregon with the snow-capped Cascade Mountains as its backdrop. It’s rugged and refined at the same time and the kind of place where you can spend the morning skiing, the afternoon floating a river, and the evening sampling world-class craft beer, all without traveling very far at all.

Bend was originally inhabited by Native Americans. In 1870, European Americans arrived and John Young Todd named some local land “Farewell Bend Ranch”. The name was shortened to Bend later that century.

The city was incorporated in 1904 and the early part of the 20th Century there was a strong logging community. The middle part of the century was a struggle but since then, Bend has become a major tourist attraction and a thriving place. It is Oregon’s most 6th most populus city.

The beauty in the area is just stunning. It’s the type of place where you can stay extremely busy with outdoor recreation or you can just relax and enjoy the surroundings. The Cascade Mountains, Deschutes River, and Deschutes National Forest offer so much natural inspiration, it’s incredible.

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Bend sits at an elevation of roughly 3,600 feet, which means the air is crisp, the skies are strikingly clear, and the weather can shift quickly depending on the season.

The city averages more than 300 days of sunshine per year, making it one of the sunniest spots in the Pacific Northwest.

The Deschutes River runs right through the heart of the city, and the outdoor culture is a part of everyday life. Bend consistently ranks among the top cities in the country for outdoor recreation, quality of life, and craft brewing. With a population of around 100,000, it has the energy of a vibrant small city without the overwhelm of a major metropolitan area.

If you visit Bend in the summer, tubing the Deschutes River is non-negotiable. This beloved local tradition involves floating lazily down a gentle stretch of the river on an inner tube, surrounded by pine trees, blue skies, and mountains in the horizon. It’s the kind of happiness that only comes from being outside on a warm day with nowhere you need to be.

Several outfitters in town rent tubes by the hour, and shuttle services make the logistics simple. The float typically takes a couple of hours, and the vibe is relaxed. Locals and visitors share the river equally, and it quickly becomes clear why this is one of the most cherished summer rituals in central Oregon.

Go on a weekday if you can. The river gets busy on weekends. Floating down the river is one of our favorite things to do in Bend.

Downtown Bend is walkable, charming, and full of life. The main drag is lined with independent boutiques, coffee shops, galleries, and restaurants that reflect the creative, outdoorsy spirit the city is known for.

The Old Mill District, a beautifully converted former lumber mill along the river, is a wonderful place to wander, shop, and grab a meal with a view.

Mirror Pond sits right in the heart of the city and offers a serene spot for a morning walk or an evening stroll with the mountains reflected in the water behind you.

Bend has more breweries per capita than almost anywhere else in the country, and the craft beer culture here is taken seriously.

Deschutes Brewery is perhaps the most well-known and is a wonderful place to start, but the trail does not end there. Crux Fermentation Project, Sunriver Brewing, and GoodLife Brewing are just a few of the spots worth adding to your list.

Many breweries have expansive outdoor patios, food menus, and live music on weekends, making them genuine gathering places rather than just places to grab a pint.

Smith Rock State Park has stunning volcanic rock formations that tower above the winding Crooked River below.

It is a world-renowned destination for rock climbers of all skill levels, with hundreds of established routes carved into the ancient tuff and basalt walls.

The park also offers exceptional hiking, wildlife watching, and some of the most photographable scenery in all of Oregon. Our favorite hike here was the Misery Ridge Trail…it’s not as bad as it sounds.

Smith Rock is approximately 30 minutes northeast of downtown Bend, making it a very easy and worthwhile day trip from the city.

If you’re looking for a relaxing place to kayak, paddleboard, or simply to just enjoy nature, then Sparks Lake is the perfect place. We loved spending time with our family here and soaking in the views. South Sister and Broken Top volcanoes can be seen from this lake.

Just 22 miles west of Bend, Mt. Bachelor is one of the premier ski resorts in the Pacific Northwest. With over 4,300 acres of skiable terrain, a summit elevation above 9,000 feet, and a season that can stretch well into spring, it draws skiers and snowboarders from across the country.

Even if skiing is not your thing, a ride up the scenic chairlift in the warmer months offers stunning views of the Cascades.

About 20 minutes northwest of Bend sits the small town of Sisters, and it is absolutely worth your time.

Named for the three nearby Cascade peaks known as the Three Sisters, this charming western-style town has a population of just a few thousand but is full of character and charm.

The main street is lined with boutiques, art galleries, quilt shops, and restaurants that feel genuinely local rather than made for tourism. Make sure to check out Sno Cap Drive In and get a marionberry milkshake.

Sisters is also surrounded by some of the most stunning mountain scenery in Oregon. The views of the Three Sisters peaks from town are the kind that make you stop and appreciate the view. In late June, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show draws visitors from around the world, and the annual rodeo is a beloved community tradition.

About two hours south of Bend sits one of the most jaw-dropping natural wonders in the United States. Crater Lake, formed in the caldera of an ancient collapsed volcano, holds the title of deepest lake in the country and is famous for a shade of blue so vivid and intense that photographs rarely do it justice.

The drive from Bend is scenic and straightforward, making it a very manageable day trip. Go early, bring layers, and give yourself enough time to walk the rim trail at a slow pace. This one deserves your full attention.

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The closest airport to Bend is the Redmond Airport, officially known as Roberts Field, located about 16 miles north of the city. Several major airlines offer direct or connecting flights from cities across the country, and the airport is small, and easy to navigate.

If you are driving, Bend is about three hours from Portland and offers one of the most scenic road trips in the state. Highway 26 through the Mount Hood corridor is a beautiful route, and the drive itself sets the tone for everything that follows.

Renting a car is highly recommended. Bend is very walkable in its core, but reaching the surrounding attractions, trailheads, and day trip destinations requires wheels.

The Lodge at Eagle Crest Resort - three golf courses, three restaurants, and mountain views

Tetherow Resort - ski property, free shuttle to downtown

Waypoint Hotel - great location, near restaurants

Brasada Ranch - three outdoor pools, full-service spa

Start your mornings at one of the many independent coffee shops that take their craft seriously. Looney Bean and Thump Coffee are local favorites.

Take a drive to Sisters and get delicious scones and muffins from Sisters Bakery.

For breakfast or brunch, McKay Cottage is a popular restaurant with lines out the door on weekends.

Jackson's Corner is a neighborhood staple that serves wood-fired pizza, fresh salads, and some of the best casual food in town in a relaxed, communal atmosphere.

Zydeco Kitchen brings bold Southern and Creole flavors to the high desert and does it remarkably well. For something more upscale, Corbelle offers a thoughtful, locally sourced menu in a beautiful setting.

Save room for a visit to Bonta Natural Artisan Gelato. The flavors rotate seasonally and is a spot not to miss. If you prefer bubble tea, stop by TeaCupFuls for a drink.

And of course, pair as many meals as possible with a pint from one of the local breweries. In Bend, that is simply the right thing to do.

Layers and variability are important for Bend.

Even in summer, mornings and evenings can be genuinely cool at this elevation, so a light fleece or jacket is essential no matter what time of year you visit. During winter months, pack for cold temperatures and bring proper snow gear if you plan to ski or spend time at elevation.

Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or trail runners are a must. You will want to walk, hike, and explore, and the terrain ranges from smooth riverside paths to rocky volcanic trails.

Sunscreen and sunglasses are non-negotiable. The high desert sun is intense and the elevation amplifies it in ways that catch visitors off guard.

If you plan to tube the Deschutes, bring a swimsuit, water shoes, and a dry bag for your phone and valuables. A small daypack works well for most excursions, and a reusable water bottle is a good idea everywhere you go.

Here are a few of our affiliate links to help you when in Bend. It’s no extra cost to you and helps us keep this email free for everyone. 😀

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob