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Bend Oregon

There are plenty of things to do in Bend during the Summer months. While Bend is a mecca for outdoor lovers and beer drinkers alike. Summer time is the prime time to enjoy many outdoor festivals, concerts, and beer-centric events.

While Bend’s scene is hopping and the sheer number of events could fill numerous posts, we’re going to focus on the main draws as well as some family-friendly happenings.

The Bend Brewfest– Bend Brewfest is 3 days of craft beer bliss. With over 200 craft beers, cider, and wine ready for your tastebuds, you can’t go wrong checking this one out. This event is staged at the Les Schwab Amphitheater every year. Purchase a souvenir mug (required for tastings) and beer tokens and get rolling! This event is family friendly until 5pm, but continues for the 21+ crowd until 11pm. Check out the Bend Brewfest website for more detailed information.

Bend Farmer’s Market– The market runs from May to October at the downtown location. Here you can purchase fresh local produce, meat, flower bouquets, baked goods and artisanal crafts. The market is located in Brooks Alley behind the Tower Theater.

Whitewater Park– Near the Old Mill District in the Deschutes River, Whitewater Park is the perfect solution for a hot summer day. The park is made up of 3 different channels that provide for human recreation as well as ecological conservation. You can kayak, canoe, or tube float down the river. Maybe a river surfing lesson is more your speed? We’ve got you covered. Check out the park’s website for maps and details.

Les Schwab Amphitheater– The amphitheater gets a slew of big-name acts throughout the summer, as well as playing host to the free summer Sunday concerts. Enjoy live music on the river, just feet away from the Old Mill District’s shopping and food options.

Theater in the Park– Who needs a theater hall! Enjoy amazing theatrical performances in Bend’s picturesque Drake Park. What better venue than the banks of the Deschutes? In year’s past the event has primarily showcased Shakespearean works, with a change in focus for 2018.

First Friday Art Walk– Every first Friday of the month, take a jaunt downtown or through the Old Mill District to see local art exhibits, artist talks, live music, and beer and wine tasting. Local shops are matched with artists and business hours are extended to showcase all that Bend’s artists have to offer.

Bend Summer Festival– Going strong for 28 years, the Bend Summer Festival attracts nearly 40,000 festival-goers for a weekend of fun. The festival is hosted in a cordoned-off downtown corridor with 3 stages for live music, as well as a Center Ring showing off the local talent such as aerial arts and dancing. There is a Family Fun Street with bouncy houses and kid-friendly activities. Check out Food & Libations Street to partake in some of Bend’s best beer and food cart vendors. If you pick one event to be in Bend for this summer, this is it.

Outdoor Recreation- One of the things Bend is known for is the multitude of outdoor activities at your fingertips. From golfing to hiking, cycling, paddling, fishing, or floating, there is something for everyone. There are plenty of outfits that can help you decide where to go and what to do, along with tour companies and gear rental shops. Check out some of the options here.

High Desert Museum- Whether you’re a kid or an adult, the museum is a load of fun for the entire family. Check out the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center and get up close and personal with a feeding raptor. The Reptile Encounter offers a chance to touch some of the lizards that call the high desert home. Watch otters wrestle in the Autzen Otter Exhibit or sit in on one of the many talks the museum hosts where you can learn about wild mustangs, fish, or High Desert history. Check out their website for the daily schedule and rotating exhibits.

Munch and Music– Happening every Thursday night from July through August. Munch and Music is a free family-friendly live concert event in Drake Park. Music begins at 5:30 and food vendors, local artisans, crafts, and bouncy houses round out the evenings.

The Little Woody Barrel-Aged Beer, Cider & Whiskey Festival– Celebrating craft barrel-aged beers, ciders, and whiskeys from the Northwest. Featuring 20+ breweries along with whiskey distillers, the festival highlights the historic technique of cask-aging. Minors are welcome until 6pm.

BEND HAS IT ALL

From floating the river to strolling around town or hitting the highway to one of the Cascade Lakes, Bend has something for everyone while the weather is good. And it’s usually pretty good! With 300+ days of sun each year, summer isn’t the only time to find yourself playing in Bend. Check out our blog post on off-season happenings to get some inspiration.

Bend’s food and drink has improved rapidly over the years. With many ethnic food options, a thriving food cart scene at The Lot, craft beer, and several bakeries, sometimes the options can be overwhelming when you just want to eat some good food. In an effort to highlight the best that Bend has to offer, we’ve curated a list of the best places to eat and standout joints here.

Sparrow Bakery

The famous Ocean Roll and cappuccino

Sparrow Bakery is one of Bend’s hot spots for breakfast and baked goods. Sparrow showcases items ranging from artisan breads to elaborate pastries and pies, but the shining star is their signature Ocean Roll. A flaky, delectable sweet roll with a cardamom sugar filling, you cannot go wrong ordering one of these. You haven’t been to Bend if you haven’t had an Ocean Roll! Sparrow also features a roster of local coffee roasters on espresso and serves up a mean cappuccino which complements any one of their pastries quite well. Their menu consists of soups, sandwiches, and other daily specials. The Scott Street location is the original Sparrow location and has been open since 2006. You can now find Sparrow at their second location in Northwest Crossing, which is a great option since Scott Street’s itty-bitty space can sometimes be overflowing with ravenous customers on the weekends. The outdoor seating area has propane heaters and sits on a lovely brick patio. Be sure to hop next-door to the Workhouse to be wowed by the local crafters and makers who have set up shop in this workshop/gallery space.

Parrilla Grill

Parrilla has the grungy, no-frills feel of a local dive-bar but with astounding value and fresh, flavorful food. Parrilla Grill has been open since 2000 and has become a go-to for college students and people hitting the slopes at Mt. Bachelor. Expect a line, come hungry (and thirsty! $1 PBR’s all day every day). The wraps and bowls that are served up here can be customized to your particular palate and dietary needs, with protein options from tofu to beef to salmon. Gluten free? Ask for your burrito to come in a bowl instead! Each wrap comes standard with recommended salsas and sauces, although if you have a particular aversion they can leave it off with no problem. Parrilla is known for Uncle Wedgie’s Margarita, and although it comes in a plastic cup, don’t let it fool you, the booze is strong with this one. Seven different rotating taps feature many of the local breweries of Bend, as well as two rotating kombucha taps. An imaginative kids’ menu keeps everyone in the family happy.

Wild Rose Thai

Wild Rose is a family owned and operated northern Thai restaurant. The ambience alone is worth the trip. The decor inside is a bit bohemian with dried flowers hanging from the ceilings and tables filling the entire space. While you might have to put your name on a waiting list to get in, the food is totally worth the wait and comes out with mindblowing speed. The menu is crafted from decades of family recipes with the addition of the Chef’s own signature spins on traditional northern Thai cuisine. No Pad Thai here! Be sure to take a seat at the bar and check out their imaginative cocktail list.

Jackson’s Corner

If local, sustainably sourced food is your game, then Jackson’s Corner has you covered. They believe in consciously sourcing the ingredients for their menu items. The original location on the westside of Bend boasts a wood-fired oven where they pump out delicious pizzas on their house-made dough. Just around the corner from the restaurant you can stop in to the production bread-baking facility and take a gander at the beautiful loaves that Jackson’s bakes fresh every day. Their menu changes seasonally with the available ingredients, but you can always find a range of wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and pasta dishes using fresh, house-made pasta. Jackson’s commitment to locally sourced ingredients is reflected in the pride with which each dish is plated and served. Check out their website for a list of Oregon farmers that supply Jackson’s Corner with everything from greens to beef.

Spork

The winner of several “Best Of” categories from the local Source Weekly newspaper as well as being written up in the New York Times, Spork is not to be missed. From humble beginnings in an Airstream trailer converted into a food kitchen, Spork’s brick and mortar location on the westside is busy, and for good reason. Spork’s menu is designed by chef and owner Jeff Hunt and is globally inspired from many traditions across the world. With Mexican pozole to Peruvian lomo saltado, Thai green curry and Korean barbecue, the menu options abound. Spork also boasts daily specials, a slew of house cocktails, and of course draft beer. Spork offers takeout options and catering services.

Have a favorite Bend restaurant that didn’t make the list? Let us know in the comments below! We are always updating our lists of the best places to eat.

As you may already know, there are plenty of things to do in Bend Oregon. So much so that you may be at a lost for what approach to take. Dig into this article and take some note. We hope to give you some ideas as you plan your day in Bend.

Things To Do In Bend: Downtown Bend

At the heart of the Bend city experience is it’s Downtown area. Otherwise known as Wall Street (click for map view), this area has plenty of shopping, restaurants and entertainment.

The Tower Theatre is just a stones throw away from Drake Park and the Deschutes River. The theatre plays hosts to many different concerts and film events throughout the year, including the annual Bend Film Festival, which is held in October.

Pine Tavern and Bend Brewing Company are just down Bond Street from The Tower Theater. Deschutes Brewery Brew Pub and McMenamin’s Old St Francis School are within a close walk as well. You may see a pattern here, yes Breweries are kind of a big deal on the list of things to do in Bend Oregon.

As for coffee shops you have local providers Bellatazza and Thump coffee along with an obligatory Starbucks. Lone Pine Coffee Roasters and Townshends Tea house are nearby. Café Sintra offers coffee and a Portuguese inspired menu of omelets sandwiches and dinner on the weekend (Quick Guide to Portuguese Cuisine).

Other downtown favorites include Pizza Mondo where you can buy a slice and a pint, and Toomie’s which features a wonderful menu of Thai cuisine.

Things to do in Bend Oregon: Drake Park

Mirror Pond at Drake Park may offer one of the calmest sections of the Deschutes River that you can experience. It’s a lovely setting with beautiful homes across the river (check out the real estate), large established trees and walking paths within steps of shopping and restaurants in Bend’s Old town. Don’t be surprised if you see someone fishing the banks of the river from their backyard, or people paddling kayaks, canoes or SUPs through the area.

If you are lucky you might just find a rubber duck hiding in the weeds long the shoreline. Early each fall, The Great Drake Park Duck Race hosts up to 30,000 entries who pay a nominal entry fee to race a duck down the river for charity.

Another fun event is Munch and Music, a food and music festival, that’s been going on for over 25 years.

Fun Fact: How much of the Deschutes River’s water is used for irrigation (Click For Answer)?

Things to do in Bend Oregon: Old Mill District

At one time the Timber Industry ruled in Bend. Today Bend’s industry has shifted as has the focus of the property at The Old Mill District. Premium restaurants and retailers line the Deschutes River in what constitutes a wonderful blend of shops, dining, entertainment, natural wonder and recreation.

Across the river is the Les Schwab Amphitheater, which hosts some of the biggest names in Entertainment. People of all ages often float the river or line the shores to hear the music for free (How to float the river like a pro).

Floating the river is something of a pastime in Bend, but be careful when approaching the Bend Whitewater Park. Of the three channels, only one is for non-experts. The center channel is for experts, while the far right channel (going downstream) is reserved for the wildlife.

Do you need some gear to hit the water in? No worries, REI is one of the anchor stores at The Old Mill District (Click here for Store Hours). If getting wet isn’t your thing, Wheel Fun Rentals offers a selection of pedaled carriages and bicycles that you can rent to explore the area.

Things to do in Bend Oregon: Brewery Tour

Not far from the Old Mill District is the home of Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Pale Ale , Obsidian Stout and Inversion IPA. Deschutes Brewery has been crafting these fine beverages for some time, and they do offer brewery tours.

Central Oregon plays host to over 25 local breweries, so cruising the area and testing out these fine creations is definitely high on the list of things to do in Bend. If you are visiting in the winter months, be sure to ask if Jubelale is on draught.

Things to do in Bend Oregon: Local Museums

Looking for kid friendly things to do in Bend? Head a few miles south to the High Desert Museum. Historic displays of the region along with live animals, and interactive experiences make the High Desert Museum a place to stop on any trip to Central Oregon. It’s a great way to get a grasp on what makes the High Desert of Central Oregon so Special.

The Deschutes Historical Museum is located near Downtown Bend in the Reid School which is on the National Register of Historic Sites. The museum has exhibits on the early days of Bend along with Native and Pioneer artifacts. There is an early example of a classroom, and exhibits on the forestry of Central Oregon.

Fun Fact: Who founded Bend’s first High School? (Click for answer)

Things to do in Bend Oregon: Outlet Mall

On the South end of town, just off Highway 97 are the Bend Factory Stores. Oregon natives Columbia, Nike and Pendleton have stores here along with Coach, Carter’s & Kids and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. There’s nothing like losing yourself in a little air-conditioned shopping spree, especially when it’s tax free. (Click to find a Pendleton store near you)

Things to do in Bend Oregon: Pilot Butte

Lastly or Firstly on the list of things to do in Bend should be a trip up Pilot Butte to survey the land and the many peaks of Central Oregon. Pilot Butte is an approximate 500-foot-tall extinct Volcano, or cinder-cone as it is often referred to.

You may choose one of three trails to the top, or drive your vehicle up a paved road that winds its way to a scenic lookout with parking and sculpted maps to help your orientation.

Fun Fact: Which US State Capital has a Volcano sitting 2900 feet below its surface? (Click for Answer)