Browsing Tag

Central Oregon

Winter might be the best season to visit Bend. Whether you’re into snowboarding or skiing, the options are obvious with Mt. Bachelor being just a quick jaunt up the Cascade Lakes Highway. Maybe you’ve already experienced the mountain or just have other ventures in mind… Bend will deliver!

Ice Skating

Ice skating is the quintessential winter activity, especially around the holiday season. The Pavilion is Bend’s NHL-sized ice sheet that has open skating, curling lessons, and local hockey league games. Skates can be rented and there are locker rooms on site. Warm up after all your ice-capades with a visit to the warming room. There is a fireplace and an outdoor fire pit to help you enjoy your time off the ice. The Pavilion is home to the Winter Solstice celebration, an event featuring hot cocoa, raffles, photo booth, skate sessions, and performances by the Bend Ice Figure Skating Club. Check out the Pavilion’s schedule of events here.

If you’re interested in taking a little drive, another option for ice skating is available at Seventh Mountain Resort just outside of Bend. Here you will indulge your inner child as you glide around the ice under the cosmic lights, pausing to take a break while sipping a cocktail from the rink-side bar. Make a weekend of it and stay in one of the elegant suites at Seventh Mountain.

Get Outside

There are a myriad of outdoor activities available to Bend visitors in the winter. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, and sledding are just some of the things you can get yourself into. If you’re interested in gear rentals, check out Powder House Ski & Snowboard. They will get you set up with everything you need, and they’re conveniently located on your way up to the mountains. Check in with the employees there for guidance regarding trails and permits for your winter fun.

If you’re feeling up for a bit of an adventure, a tour with Wanderlust Tours might be just the ticket. Wanderlust offers moonlight snowshoeing and stargazing excursions as well as their Bonfire on the Snow tour. With this trip, a naturalist will guide you through the forest and into a hand-carved snow amphitheater where a bonfire and drinks will be enjoyed under the gorgeous winter sky. You’ll be able to learn about the forests, wildlife, and do a bit of stargazing while enjoying local spirits and hot drinks. Check out Wanderlust’s winter tours here.

If you prefer to guide your own winter adventure, we’ve done some of the work for you. Click here for our piece on the 7 best hiking trails in Bend.

Mt. Bachelor

It would be remiss to mention wintertime in Bend without bringing up Mt. Bachelor. Mt. Bachelor serves up a winter wonderland for gravity sports enthusiasts. Offering lessons for both adults and kids (as well as childcare if your tot is too young to play on the mountain), Mt. Bachelor is welcoming to seasoned athletes and newcomers. If you’re going to be on the mountain to look for a unique experience, book a sled dog ride! Join an experienced Iditarod racer for an unforgettable trip gliding across the snow, learn about sledding, and take in the epic views of the Cascades. Check out Mt. Bachelor’s website for more details and scheduling.

Winter Fest

The Oregon Winter Fest is an annual tradition that happens in Bend. Featuring 3 days of music, family activities, food, and entertainment, this event is a must-see. There are fire pits, ice sculptures, a wine walk, and hot cocoa run. There is no such thing as bad weather in Bend, just improper clothing! This festival celebrates all things winter and occurs in February each year. The Rail Jam is sponsored by 10 Barrel Brewing and offers participants the chance to shred the rail. Enjoy a stroll through the marketplace or check out the Polar Market sporting goods expo to get your gear for Bend’s recreation. The festival caters to all ages with a family play zone with bounce houses and the OMSI science tent. Winter Fest is a great way to experience everything that Bend has to offer both locals and visitors.

Relax

Maybe you’ve spent all day at the mountain, or trekking through the snow in snowshoes. What better way to treat yourself after a long day of fun than with a nice, hot soak?

McMenamin’s Old St. Francis soaking pool is a sparkling turquoise oasis. With an open ceiling, you can watch the snow fall in to the steamy, glittering soaking pool. Take some time after your soak to venture out to O’Kane’s Pub on the McMenamin’s grounds. O’Kanes has fire pits outside where you can warm up from the inside out with a seasonal cocktail. Head through the old church doors to imbibe the house distillery flights. If you take the time to wander around McMenamin’s, you might stumble upon a broom closet… Push through the unassuming door to discover what’s being served up on the other side!

Perhaps your tastes lean toward the refined, or you just want to experience over 400 varieties of whiskey…Stihl Whiskey Bar has what you’re looking for. Stihl boasts a carefully crafted menu and a vast array of whiskeys and cocktails to suit every need.

You can’t go wrong in the dining arena while strolling around downtown Bend. Check out our article about Bend’s best places to eat and discover your new favorite spot.

The winter season in Bend is a great time to get outside or indulge in some relaxation and luxury. Let us know your favorite winter activities in Bend in the comments below!

Finding Things to do in Bend and Beyond

If your finding it hard to find some things to do in Bend this weekend, consider checking out Smith Rock and its surrounding areas. It’s just a short drive away and hosts word-class rock climbing, along with some great spots to sample local craft beer, coffee and food.

Explore our page to find even more of the best things to do in Bend, Oregon and its surrounding areas!

Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock State Park is one of the crown jewels of central Oregon. Situated less than 30 miles from ever-popular Bend, Smith Rock comes with a wide variety of attractions, from hiking to sport climbing. Whether you are vacationing with the family, looking for adventure with friends, or just have time for a quick stop on your way to Bend, there is something memorable here for everyone. Begin your trip at the Welcome Center yurt to learn about the history and geology of the park. Parking passes for day use are five dollars at the self-serve kiosk, or you can acquire an Oregon State Parks pass (get yours today) from the camp host on-site, which opens up all Oregon State Parks to you. Summer is high season at the park, and parking can be difficult, so plan to carpool if you are going with friends.

Smith Rock State Park is one of the crown jewels of Central Oregon.

Hiking Smith Rock

There are a multitude of options for hiking Smith Rock. For instant gratification, there are plenty of flat walking trails at the top of the canyon with photo-ops to be had everywhere you look. If you’re up for a more challenging expedition, head up Misery Ridge Trail, which begins just across the footbridge at the bottom of the canyon. At just 3/4 of a mile long, there is 1000 feet of elevation gain. Once you reach the top, however, all misery fades from your mind with gorgeous views of the Cascade range as well as an eagle-eye view of the entire park. If you continue on, you can make a loop of it by following Misery Ridge Loop to River Trail, then back out the way you came. This route takes 3-4 hours, depending on your fitness level, and goes down the back side of the rocks and along the river.

If you’re looking to spend most of the day hiking, and are ready for some steep gains, head the opposite way to Burma Road Trail, which brings you around the few giant Ponderosa Pines and around the irrigation canal that runs through the park. Burma Road Trail is also popular with mountain bikers and climbers.

Fun For Kids

Near the entrance to the park is a play area for children, featuring a scaled down version of Monkey Face Rock which kids can try their hands at climbing. There are also picnic benches and trees to spread out for lunch, or perhaps set up a slackline.

Finally, take a look at the maps before you head out, and feel free to spend the day piecing bits of each trail together for your own adventure.

Climbing The Area

Smith Rock is known as the birthplace of sport climbing. There are just under 2000 routes in place at Smith Rock. The variety and quality of routes attracts international climbers to the park during all seasons. Be sure to check out the Welcome Center for the park’s unique climbing history and to read about the big names in the sport that made their way through the park. If you’re a beginning climber or would like a guide, check out Smith Rock Climbing Guides, Inc., which offers instruction for all levels of climbers.

Highlining and Slacklining

Smith Rock is also becoming a known highlining spot. Gaze upward when you’re out and you might be lucky enough to spot what looks like a tightrope being walked by some daring human. Slacklining involves the use of climbing rope strung between two points. Many people will set up between a couple of trees, but the truly daring will post between two high points. Dubbed “highlining”, this is an entrancing activity just to watch even if you aren’t interested in partaking.

Local Wildlife

Smith Rock is home to many birds of prey, such as bald eagles which nest in the pines on the south end of the river trail. There are also golden eagles, prairie falcons, river otters, mule deer, and beaver that can be seen in the park. Bufflehead and mallard ducks as well as Canadian Geese are also common visitors. Bring your binoculars, and make sure to look up while you’re in the park to see the many different nests hanging onto the faces of the rock. Be aware that some climbing routes will close seasonally for nesting raptors, which are easily disturbed by human visitors.

Places to Stay

The Bivy campground at the park is five dollars per night. There are showers and restrooms facilities available for the use of guests. The campground fills quickly, especially in summer, and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. For those that require more creature comforts, Eagle Crest Resort is 15 miles away in Redmond. The resort has all the amenities one could require, such as a sauna and spa. There are many vacation rentals available throughout Central Oregon, and Bend is a short 30 miles down the road with hotels, resorts, and rentals to suit a variety of needs.

Food & Drink

Just before the entrance of the park is Juniper Junction, a climbing supply store that also happens to sell huckleberry ice cream. For a true taste of Oregon flavor, this is a must-do, and is especially rewarding after a hot day of adventuring in the park. If you’re looking for a delicious meal, hit up the Terrebonne Depot. The Depot resides in a restored train station where trains pass by daily. They serve steak, seafood, burgers, and pasta, and use locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. If you’re looking for something more down-home, or perhaps are in need of a milkshake, the Sun Spot Cafe is just a little further from the park, and serves up daily breakfast specials in a tiny diner-like atmosphere. Need coffee? How about a beer? Redpoint Climbing Supply serves up locally roasted coffee inside their gear shop. They also have a rotating selection of beer on tap. Fill up a growler to take home, or just sit and plan out your day at Smith while enjoying a beverage. Right next door is a community studio with massage, yoga, and energy healing.

Grab a latte or iced coffee on your way out to Smith Rock. Proust Coffee in Redmond, OR is a local favorite.

Redmond Oregon – Big(ish) City Vibes

If you are staying in Redmond, there are several options for food and drink. Proust Coffee is located in downtown Redmond and features Belgian-style liege waffles along with specialty coffee. The ambiance in Proust is friendly and warm. Everything is house-made, right down to their syrups and chai!

Step right next door to the Vault Taphouse to try locally-brewed Kobold beer, or go for some award-winning tacos at Westside Taco Co.. West Side Taco Co. is a food truck that shares an outdoor patio with the Vault.

Pig and Pound Public House is a British-style pub just west of the downtown strip, featuring a simple menu and plenty of beer. Go for the bangers and mash if you want to be wowed.

Redmond is following in the steps of Bend and becoming a town well-known for its breweries and pubs.There is shopping available in the downtown corridor, as well as a locally-owned bookstore, Herringbone Books, which has an excellent selection of books as well as regularly scheduled author events.

Redmond has been doing a lot of work to update the downtown core in recent years.

Visit Central Oregon Today

Central Oregon is brimming with all the ingredients for an adventure-filled getaway. From awe-inspiring cliffs at Smith Rock to beer and coffee in town, Central Oregon has got you covered.