Love the outdoors, craft beer, and mountain views? Head to Bend! Set in Central Oregon, Bend is an adventure-lover’s paradise with hiking, biking, skiing, and paddling all year long. Add in a lively downtown, local breweries, and nearby volcanic wonders, and you’ve got a destination that delivers big.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Bend depends on your vibe—summer and fall (June to October) are ideal for hiking, river activities, and festivals, while winter (December to March) is perfect for skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor.
How to Get There
- By Car: Bend is located off U.S. Route 97, about 3.5 hours southeast of Portland and 2.5 hours from Eugene.
- By Air: Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) is just 20 minutes away, with direct flights from major western U.S. cities.
- By Bus: Cascades East Transit and other regional shuttles connect Bend to nearby cities and trails.
Where to Stay
- Oxford Hotel – Eco-chic boutique hotel downtown with modern comforts and walkable access to restaurants and shops.
- McMenamins Old St. Francis School – Quirky, historic school-turned-hotel with a pub, soaking pool, and secret rooms to discover.
- Tetherow Resort – Stylish lodging near golf, trails, and Mt. Bachelor, with stunning views of the Cascades.
Top Attractions
1. High Desert Museum
Rating: ★★★★★
Bring the kids to see a new baby porcupine, the 1904 Miller Family Ranch, or some fierce birds of prey at the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center. They are all part of the High Desert Museum, a unique nature preserve set on 135 forested acres on the outskirts of Bend. The museum opened in 1982 in order to showcase and protect the West high desert habitat through permanent and temporary exhibits, live animals, historic sets, and so much more. The museum has something for everyone, from the otters, bobcats, and badgers for the animal lovers and a real American West stagecoach for the history buffs to an exciting make-believe high desert habitat for the kids to climb and explore. The High Desert Museum is one of the top Bend attractions.
59800 South Highway 97, Bend, OR 97702, 541-382-4754
2. Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Newberry National Volcanic Monument is part of the Deschutes National Forest and consists of spectacular landscape formations that were created after a series of eruptions of the Newberry Volcano. The last major eruption happened about 75,000 years ago when the volcano’s explosion formed the Newberry caldera. Newberry National Volcanic Monument is one of the best things to do in Bend, Oregon.
The last eruption at Newberry occurred about 1,300 years ago. The monument, created in 1990, includes the Newberry caldera, the upper slopes of the volcano, and its northwest rift zone. It stretches across 55,500 acres and is very popular for fishing, camping, and hiking.
3. Tumalo Falls
Towering above the Tumalo Creek is the 100 foot tall Tumalo Falls. The falls are a popular spot with both tourists and locals alike, and it is easy to see why. Beautiful, pristine waters flow into the canyon below, creating stunning scenery. Hike along the river and find a place to sit and simply watch the world go by. Farther upstream, you will come across several smaller waterfalls and natural rapids.
You can hike along the trail as far as the Bend Watershed, which will require fording the creek. Tumalo Creek is the perfect place to explore and enjoy the sun.
Recommended Activities for Families
4. Deschutes Historical Museum
The Deschutes Historical Museum explores the past of Deschutes Country with a focus on Native American tribal history, early exploration and fur trapping, homesteading the High Desert, logging and Forest Service history, and life throughout Deschutes Country over the years.
Displays are visual, utilizing a wide range of mediums. Photographs, artifacts, paintings, letters, and dioramas allow you to travel back in time to these important parts of Oregon’s history. The museum is one of seven stops along the Bend heritage walk and is a must do for any history enthusiast.
129 NW Idaho Ave, Bend, Oregon 97701, 541-389-1813
5. Pilot Butte
High up above the desert floor, Pilot Butte once served as a landmark that guided pioneers in their wagon trains on their way to a safe crossing of the Deschutes River. This old cinder cone resulted from one of the explosions of the Newberry volcano and now serves as a spot from where visitors can watch absolutely spectacular sunsets, giving the snow on the nearby Cascade Mountains a golden glow.
You can see all around the high desert to the Three Sisters, Black Butte, Mount Hood, and Mt. Jefferson. There are three easy trails up the butte surrounded by sage and juniper.
6. Lava River Cave
Hidden amongst large ponderosa pines, sagebrush, and snowbush you will find the entrance to the Lava River Cave. A natural cave formed over 80,000 years ago, the cave is the longest continuous lave tube in Oregon at a staggering 5,211 feet. Here you will descend 126 steps down to the start of the cave. Ice stalactites suspend from the ceiling even in summer, giving it an otherworldly feel. If you are looking for fun things to do in Bend, Oregon with kids, this is a great place to explore.
The lava tube continues to change in texture, size, and temperature the farther inside you venture, so grab your lantern and jacket and explore the natural wonder.
Lava River Cave, 97 Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Bend, Oregon 97701, 541-383-5700
Attractions for Couples
7. Mt Bachelor Ski Area
Mt Bachelor has it all – beautiful snowcapped mountains, luxurious accommodation, warm, hearty food, and world class ski fields. Feeling rusty? Have a quick refresher skiing lesson before heading out onto the powder, or spend quality time with your children Snowblast Tubing. Race full speed on an 800-foot ride down the mountain with only a tube between you and the snow.
Available all year round is the popular sled dog ride. Dash through the snow pulled by a team of dogs and head out into the wilderness. Prefer to stick to your own two feet? Try a free snowshoe tour of the mountain. With so much to do, you won’t have time to feel the cold!
13000 SW Century Drive, Bend, Oregon 97702, 800-829-2442
8. Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Situated on the west banks of the Deschutes River is Hayden Homes Amphitheater in the historic old Mill District. The amphitheater is large and open aired, and it can accommodate up to 8,000 patrons for regular concerts and events. The vibe is eclectic, and some of the biggest names in entertainment have played here, including Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, and Bob Dylan.
During the summer, sit in the sun and listen to the sound of the orchestra play, go to free concerts by local and national performers, or attend the second largest brewfest in the Northwest each August. Visit their website for a calendar of events.
344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr, Bend, OR 97702, 541-312-8510
9. Deschutes National Forest
Bordering the Cascade Range from the east, the Deschutes National Forest is a combination of land from the Blue Mountains and Cascade and Fremont National Forest, totaling over 1.8 million acres. The landscape is diverse, from towering cinder cones, lava flows, and lava tubes located within the Newberry Volcanic Monument area to areas of vast open land and dense forests.
There is a wide range of activities on offer that draw over three million visitors each year. Spend your days boating, fishing, wildlife spotting, and hiking as well as horseback riding and mountain biking on the extensive trails. With so much to do, take your time to explore such a beautiful location.
63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend, Oregon 97701, 541-383-5300
10. Wanderlust Tours
Discovering the wild nature around Bend will be a very special experience with the trained naturalists of Wanderlust Tours. From exploring the magical caves created by numerous instances of volcanic activity in the area to the romantic moonlight canoe rides on the Hosmer Lake, they have options for every taste.
During the winter, explore the trails around Bend on snowshoes, ending your adventure with a great bonfire in an amphitheater carved in snow. The "Bend Brew Bus" tour takes visitors to four different breweries in town. You will have fun, learn a bit about the history and culture of the area, and meet some new people, and you won’t be able to wait to do it all again.
Plan Your Trip