Browsing Tag

Things to do in 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!

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.