So much of what makes Central Oregon special can be found in Bend. It’s where outdoor activities await at your doorstep (sometimes literally), regional history is covered at thoughtful museums, and relaxation takes many forms. It’s also where mountain views await on brewpub patios, along the fairway at local golf courses, and from inner tubes on the Deschutes River.
To help inspire your next visit to the largest city in Central Oregon, we’ve put together a guide to the top things to do in Bend:
Table of Contents
Escape to Nature
Nature is everywhere around Bend—from in-town parks to nearby national monuments. Get started with these outdoor adventures for enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Dive Into Year-Round Fun at Mt. Bachelor
When discussing the Central Oregon outdoors, there is no better place to start than Mt. Bachelor. Just west Bend and north of Sunriver, the seventh-largest ski resort in the United States is a wintertime playground with more than 4,300 acres of lift-accessible terrain, cross-country skiing trails, sled dog rides, and other snowy activities.
After ski season ends in late May, Mt. Bachelor transforms into a summer destination with hiking trails that head all the way to the summit, lift-accessible mountain bike paths, a zipline that drops 1,400 vertical feet, and elegant sunset dinners at the resort’s Pine Marten Lodge.
Bask In the Great Outdoors at Riley Ranch Nature Reserve
Around Bend, you don’t even need to leave the city for outdoor fun. At the northern edge of town, the myriad landscapes at Riley Ranch Nature Reserve encompass high-desert meadows, forests of juniper and pine, rugged lava flows, and a canyon that’s bisected by the Deschutes River. Enjoy it all from along nearly three miles of hiking trails within the park, and savor sweeping views of the Three Sisters to the west. Note that pups aren’t permitted at Riley Ranch.
Explore Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Did you know that Bend sits atop an active volcano? It’s true: Newberry Volcano is, by volume, the largest volcano in the Cascade Range—covering an area roughly the size of Rhode Island. Experience its aboveground and subterranean attractions throughout Newberry National Volcanic Monument, whose northern border sits just south of Bend. Choose among hikes through lava flows, an underground lava tube, campgrounds and lakeside lodges within Newberry’s bowl-shaped caldera, and much more.
Most attractions are open May or June through October, and some activities require a timed-entry permit—so check the monument’s website for the latest information before planning a visit.
Paddle & Float the Deschutes River
When the weather warms up every summer, Bendites and visitors from around the world converge on the Deschutes River. The river winds its way through the heart of Bend and is a popular source of summer fun; rent a tube, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard through Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe to get started—and read our guide to floating the Deschutes River for everything you need to have a memorable (and safe) day on the water.
Broaden Your Horizon with Local Culture
Central Oregon’s natural history is filled with fascinating twists and turns, members of the modern-day Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs have inhabited the region since time immemorial, and the first European-American emigrants began shaping the region more than 150 years ago. Get acquainted with that wide-ranging history at a few of our popular museums, which are among the top indoor activities in Central Oregon.
Tour the High Desert Museum
You could spend a whole day at the indoor-outdoor High Desert Museum and still only scratch the surface of its captivating offerings. The award-winning museum, one of the top things to do in Bend, hosts a number of interactive exhibits that cover Native American history, the rise of craft beer in Bend and beyond, how various animals navigate the forest at night, and other fascinating topics. Several rotating exhibits complement the permanent offerings, so there’s always something new to see.
You’ll also find live wildlife displays that include porcupines, reptiles, raptors, and adorable river otters; every summer, the museum’s Raptors of the Desert Sky show stars owls, hawks, falcons, and other birds that fly directly over the gathered audience.
Journey Back in Time at the Deschutes Historical Museum
Based in a former schoolhouse, the Deschutes Historical Museum welcomes visitors with an engaging look at how Bend grew into the thriving community it is today. Various exhibits use interpretive panels and artifacts to discuss key aspects of Central Oregon history—like the rise of tourism, local logging, and the growth of mountain biking as one of the region’s top outdoor adventures. Regular public events round out the museum’s programming all year long, and volunteer-led walking tours of downtown Bend are offered May through August.
Slow Down & Unwind
Rest and relaxation looks different for all of us. For some, it means hitting the links bright and early; for others, a laid-back day includes craft beer stops or shopping at locally owned boutiques. However you recharge, here are a few suggestions for taking it easy on your next trip to Bend.
Tee Up for Golfing in Bend
Excited to try golfing in Bend? Good news: You’ll find plenty of courses around town that pair thoughtful designs with sweeping views. Just south of Bend, Widgi Creek Golf Club hosts a public course with tight fairways, a pair of putting greens, a driving range, and on-site professionals happy to help tweak your game. Closer to town, the links-style course at Tetherow Resort was designed by renowned architect David McLay Kidd and offers some of the best golfing in Bend; it winds past forests of pine and rocky lava flows while delivering wide-open views of nearby Cascade peaks. For more courses throughout the region, check out our guide to golf in Central Oregon.
Get a Taste of Central Oregon On the Bend Ale Trail
When Deschutes Brewery opened in downtown Bend in 1988, it kicked off a craft brewing revolution that continues today. These days, you’ll find more than three-dozen breweries churning out a variety of ales and lagers in nearly every community across Central Oregon. Soak it all up—in a responsible manner, of course—by sipping your way through the Bend Ale Trail; the passport program brings together Central Oregon’s biggest breweries and rewards craft-beer fans for getting stamps at enough stops.
Shop & Dine in the Old Mill Disctrict
In Bend’s earliest days, a sawmill processed trees on the banks of the Deschutes River before shipping the lumber around the world. The sawmill is long gone today, but in its place is the Old Mill District—an open-air mall that’s home to more than 50 restaurants, shops, art galleries, and fitness centers just south of downtown Bend.
Grab a pastry at the Hispanic-owned M’s Bakery, see what’s in stock (and in style) at Vanilla Clothing Co., pair your elegant meal with a Prohibition-inspired cocktail at Lady Bird Cultural Society, and let the little ones loose at Free Spirit Yoga Ninja Play. Just across the river, Hayden Homes Amphitheater welcomes big-name musicians and stand-up comedians between late spring and early fall.
Shop Vintage Treasures
From classic thrift stores like Goodwill and Super Thrift to specially-curated vintage shops like Gathered Wears and Old Boy Vintage, Bend is full of pre-loved treasures looking for new homes. Here are a few must-stop shops across Bend:
Gathered Wears
Gathered Wares is a locally owned, woman owned vintage shop. Vintage is at the heart of the offerings, with curated clothing, home goods, furniture and more but also featuring modern selections such as jewelry, greeting cards, perfumes, candles, etc.
This shop is a place to find what you won’t find elsewhere and to inspire adding vintage into your home or on your body.
Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: Open 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Closed Wednesday
- Saturday, Sunday: Open 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Address: 50 SE Scott St, Bend, OR 97702
Instagram: @gatheredwearsshop
Iron Horse Second Hand
Open for over 30 years, Iron Horse is a classic Bend second-hand stop. Iron Horse features a wide selection of vintage clothing vendors, home goods, jewelry, and more. Visit Iron Horse to discover a maze of amazing deals, feel a little nostalgia, and find your next best thrifted treasure.
Hours:
- Tuesday – Saturday: Open 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
- Sunday: Open 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Address: 632 NE 1st St. Bend, Oregon
Instagram: @iron.horse
Revival Vintage
Located on Bend’s west side, Revival Vintage is a hand-curated electric boho vintage boutique full of stunning vintage clothing, home goods, accessories, and more. Since opening in December 2019, Revival Vintage has been voted Best Vintage Clothing Store in Central Oregon by The Source Weekly Reader Poll from 2020-2023. Step back in time as you shop Revival Vintage. Then, grab a cold one at Bend’s west-side 10 Barrel Brewing, right next door!
Hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 11:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Sunday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Address: 550 NW 12th St. Bend, Oregon
Instagram: @revivalvintagebend
Old Boy Vintage
Located in Bend’s historic Hoover Universal Garage Building—one of the cities first auto garages—Old Boy Vintage welcomes shoppers with a wide selection of carefully curated vintage clothing, accessories, arts, and gifts. For folks shopping through Bend’s downtown, Old Boy Vintage is a must-stop for finding one-of-a-kind vintage treasures.
Hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Friday-Sunday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Address: 124 NW Greenwood Ave, Bend, Oregon
Instagram: @oldboyvintage
Discover More Things to Do in Bend
We’ve covered a few of our favorite experiences, but let’s be real: Bend offers several vacations worth of fun. Get inspired with our guide to Bend, which includes helpful planning tips, kid-friendly activities, arts and culture offerings, ideas for things to do in Bend, and more.
