Central Oregon is known the world over for its outdoor attractions — but the fun doesn’t stop when you get off the river, return to the trailhead, or hop off your bike.
No matter your tastes or interests, indoor fun abounds year-round throughout Central Oregon. Memorable ideas include immersive museums, bustling tasting rooms, arts-and-crafts studios, local boutiques, and — believe it or not — the sole remaining Blockbuster Video store.
To help plan your next adventure, we’ve rounded up 10 ideas for exploring the “great indoors” throughout Central Oregon:
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Here are 10 ways to make memories and enjoy the region’s indoor adventures.
Local Shops and Museums Offer Lazy-Day Fun
Sample different flavors of Central Oregon culture at museums that bring the region’s past to life — and connect with shops that feature stylish apparel and well-loved books.
1. Wide-Ranging Historic Experiences
Central Oregon has a rich history — one that’s on display at award-winning museums throughout the region. Just south of Bend, the High Desert Museum tells the story of the region’s past and present through Native American artifacts and photographs, changing and rotating interactive exhibits, and dozens of live animals suited to our dry climate — including numerous lizards and snakes, and a porcupine and bobcat, which can both be viewed indoors.
Further north, the Museum at Warm Springs provides an in-depth look at the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs with replica dwellings, historic photographs, and interpretive panels that trace thousands of years of history. Learn more about the region’s past, present, and future with our guide to museums and galleries in Central Oregon.
For a different kind of historical experience, McMenamins Old St. Francis School resides in a 1936 Catholic schoolhouse in downtown Bend; it hosts rooms in former classrooms, a handful of on-site restaurants with plenty of outdoor seating, a lively events calendar, and a 150-seat movie theater in the old parish hall.
2. Local Boutiques and Bookstores
Whether you’re shopping the latest fashions or the biggest bestsellers, you’ll find plenty of locally owned shops throughout Central Oregon.
Prineville, especially, hosts a few thoughtful stores that embody Central Oregon’s high-desert spirit. The Wild Rose Boutique specializes in women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories — while the long-running Prineville Men’s Wear brings together durable denim shirts, jeans, cowboy hats, and other West-inspired apparel.
If you’re looking to kick back with an exciting page-turner, Roundabout Books & Cafe stocks top titles and routinely hosts live events with local authors in Bend. Also in Bend, find locally made art and goods in the Old Iron Works District that make for the perfect souvenir or gift. Further south, the dog-friendly Sunriver Books & Music sells a wide range of titles across a variety of genres in The Village at Sunriver.
3. Fun Activities For the Whole Family
Kick it old school with a variety of family activities in Central Oregon.
Strap on a pair of bowling shoes and find the perfect ball at Madras Bowl & Pizza, which pairs its beloved bowling lanes with a snack bar that serves classic pies, chicken strips, and other kid-friendly fare.
At the northern edge of Bend, the indoor highlights at Sun Mountain Fun Center include an 18-lane bowling alley, a multi-level laser tag arena, a four-person virtual reality game, and an arcade filled with popular titles and charming classics — like air hockey and Skee-Ball machines.
Relax and Refresh at Spas, Yoga Classes, and More
Kick back at luxurious resorts in Central Oregon, pamper yourself at thoughtful day spas, and work up a sweat at gyms around the region. Whatever self-care means to you, here are a few ideas to inspire your next relaxing getaway in Central Oregon.
4. Resort Spas Pamper Guests
Numerous Central Oregon resorts offer a wide range of amenities — including on-site spas that provide a variety of refreshing and rejuvenating services.
The Spa at Sunriver Resort uses products with locally grown ingredients to provide massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and more. Just outside Sisters, The Spa at Black Butte Ranch provides a wide range of massages, facial treatments, hand and foot treatments, and other relaxing experiences. Between Bend and Redmond, Juniper Spa at Juniper Preserve complements its signature services with a barrel sauna, guided breathwork, sound baths, and other wellness-minded offerings. And Spa Brasada, housed at Brasada Ranch, draws inspiration from the surrounding high desert for its facials, body treatments, and other services.
5. Thoughtful Mix of Wellness Experiences at Local Day Spas
Even if you’re not staying at one of our lavish resorts, a variety of day spas help travelers feel their best throughout Central Oregon.
Radiant Day Spa boasts two regional locations — one in Bend and one in Sisters — that provide customized massages, facials, waxing, and other services. At FivePine Lodge in Sisters, the Asian-inspired experience at Shibui Spa begins with a cup of hot tea — and may include soaking in the spa’s thermal tub, solo and couples massages, and cleansing facials. In Madras, Daybreak Spa Studio pampers guests with therapeutic massage, a summertime facial that’s infused with lavender and other flora, and other thoughtful offerings.
6. Indoor Fitness Classes and Workshops
Find balance on vacation at a number of yoga studios and barre classes in Central Oregon.
In Bend, Groove Yoga shares its vinyasa yoga teachings through a mix of slower-paced and upbeat classes — with a wide range of options to meet an individual’s energy levels. Redmond’s Love Bird Yoga, meanwhile, is a family-owned studio that incorporates meditation, storytelling, and breathwork into its variety of yoga classes. Barre3 in the Old Mill District draws inspiration from yoga, Pilates, and ballet for a full-body workout — featuring low-impact exercises that can be practiced at any fitness level.
Try Something New in Central Oregon
Up for a new experience? You’ll find plenty of memorable fun throughout Central Oregon — from action-packed gaming to behind-the-scenes brewery tours to DIY and crafting classes.
7. Dining, Entertainment, and Gaming at Indian Head Casino
Feeling lucky? In the heart of Warm Springs, the tribal-owned-and-operated Indian Head Casino offers a variety of table games — including blackjack, craps, and roulette — as well as slot machines, live music, and a pair of on-site restaurants that dish everything from on-the-go grill fare to elk burgers, steelhead, and (on Fridays) prime rib. Learn more about gaming and casinos in Central Oregon.
8. Food and Drink Fun
Craft beer geeks and avid foodies find plenty to love about the growing lineup of craft breweries and creative restaurants in Central Oregon.
If you’d like to dive into the region’s renowned craft beer scene, take a brewery or distillery tour with Wanderlust Tours; all year long, the local outfitter provides behind-the-scenes excursions, paddling tours, and other inventive outings.
Looking to nosh? Try a new-to-you tasting room or dining experience. Sunriver Brewing Company dishes elevated pub fare alongside award-winning craft ales and lagers. In Sisters, Three Creeks Brew Pub serves pizzas that feature beer-infused dough, a globetrotting menu of lunch and dinner dishes (from carnitas tacos to Thai wraps), and a selection of house-made beers. La Pine’s Legend Cider pours 28 taps of fruity ciders, as well as a seasonal cocktail menu and refreshing mocktails; fare from on-site food carts is also available.
Looking to savor Central Oregon’s growing wine scene? Amaterra Kitchen + Social Club pairs the winery’s offerings with a seasonally inspired food menu in downtown Bend. Friends and Vine, based in Sisters, pours a selection of worldly wines in a Western-inspired taproom — and is staffed by friendly pros who are happy to help make the most of your tasting experience.
For a sample of local spirits, the tasting room and bottle shop at Oregon Spirit Distillers encompasses craft cocktails and distillery tours in Bend’s up-and-coming Central District.
9. Hands-on Fun With Arts and Crafts
Let your inner child run free at The Creator Lab in Sunriver — an art studio that invites visitors of all ages to try their hand at painting, candle and soap making, glass fusing, and other creative activities. In Bend’s Old Iron Works Artist District, Mud Lake Studios & Supplies comprises an art gallery, an art supply shop, and studio space for more than 75 artists — all under one roof. Sign up for pottery classes (when available), or browse the selection of curated projects to work on your next piece back home. The region is home to many galleries and shops that offer expertise and supplies for projects of all kinds.
10. Visiting The Last Blockbuster in Bend
Blockbuster Video was everywhere in the 1990s — a legacy that lives on today at the last Blockbuster on earth, located right here in Central Oregon. Yes, the last-ever outpost of the once-ubiquitous video store chain sits on Bend’s eastside; today, it hosts a bit of Hollywood memorabilia, rents new and classic films on DVD and Blu-ray, and sells all manner of branded merchandise. For more, check out the deep dive on Blockbuster Video in Bend.
If you’re feeling inspired, find more ideas for indoor memory-making — including movie theaters, local shops, family-friendly gyms, and more — with our round-up of 19 ways to have fun indoors in Central Oregon.
