Stories from Central Oregon
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Top 10 Winter Activities in Bend and Central Oregon (Besides Skiing)
Central Oregon is a mountain lover’s dream. No matter the season, you can expect constant adventure at your fingertips. But, make no mistake: Winter is not just for the thrill seekers. Luckily, Bend, Oregon has far more to offer in the chilly months than Mt. Bachelor, its world-renowned ski resort and backcountry mecca…
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More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
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Find the Best Golf Courses in Sisters, Oregon
Sisters, Oregon, is an idyllic mountain town with tons of Western charm that sits at the base of the mighty Cascade Range, with access to both the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests. Golfing, a popular addition to the list of things to do in Sisters often means surrounding yourself with mature ponderosa pine forests, babbling creeks with wildflowers lining the banks, and fewer crowds and lines. You really can’t go wrong golfing in Central Oregon, but read on for a list of the best golfing in Sisters.
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The Best Hiking Around Sunriver, Oregon
Sunriver, Oregon is known for two things that might not come as a surprise: ample sunshine, and plenty of rivers and waterways. Nestled in the Deschutes National Forest at the base of the Cascade Range, Sunriver is a perfect destination for people who want to explore and see the best of the local landscape. The surrounding area is filled with tall pines and forested lands with meadows dotted throughout. The forest often gives way to a dry and volcanic landscape, contrasted by the refreshing rivers, lakes and ponds that can be enjoyed on a hot summer day. Want to get going? Here are five jaw-dropping hikes for you to try in and near Sunriver.
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Stay, Play, & Golf at Tetherow Resort
We all have our own way of heralding the arrival of spring. For some, it means swapping the cross-country skis for mountain bike pads and helmet. For others, spring is a time to get reacquainted with our garden and plan for the seasons ahead. But for others, this is the time of year to dust off those golf clubs and hit the links.
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Q/A with Renowned Tetherow Course Designer
Fescue is not unfamiliar to American golfers. But traditionally, the faded greenish-brown turf was most commonly experienced by American through TV — once a year while watching the British Open.
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Best Waterfalls Around Bend That Are Worth Seeing
Arguably Bend’s most popular waterfall hike, Tumalo Falls is only a 30 minute drive from town up Skyliners Road to Forest Road 4603. When the falls are open in the summer, it’s an easy quarter-mile hike on the North Fork Trail. The trail–paved and wheelchair accessible at the observation deck–leads visitors to views of the spectacular 97-foot waterfall.
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Top Restaurants with a View in Bend and Central Oregon
Central Oregon has some of the most interesting and breathtaking landscapes around. Enjoying a view of the Deschutes River rushing through the high desert, or breathing the fresh mountain air of an alpine scene doesn't have to be a long way from town—or without an incredible meal. Here are the best restaurants in Bend and Central Oregon to pair a delicious dining experience with a spectacular view.
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Redmond, Oregon's Food Scene
The city of Redmond, Oregon, is a haven in Central Oregon’s high desert, surrounded by farms, ranches and outdoor fun aplenty. In recent years, Redmond’s dining scene has greatly grown as the city continues to see new and innovative bars, restaurants, breweries, food trucks and more. From classic drive-in burger joints to authentic Mexican cuisine, craft cocktails and farm-to-table eats, Redmond surely has something for you to savor.
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Best Family Friendly Restaurants in Sunriver
With an endless amount of activities available it’s no surprise that Sunriver has been a go-to destination for families for decades. From golf courses to stunning bike trails to water slides, every member of the family is bound to be entertained.
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Why Central Oregon Is the Best Place to Stargaze in Oregon
Are you an astrotourist? While the word might make you think of futuristic travelers jetting off in a spaceship to the stars, astrotourism is actually an experience you can have right here, right now, on Earth.
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Best Snowshoeing Trails in Bend
Bend and Central Oregon are great places to visit in winter for myriad reasons: Mt. Bachelor is the sixth-largest ski resort in North America, fire pits turn up the heat on brisk afternoons, and rejuvenating day spas offer the chance to unplug from it all.
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Elevation & Altitude in Bend, Oregon
When you visit Bend, Sisters, or other cities in Central Oregon, you might notice yourself a bit more out of breath than usual. Even those in good shape find themselves breathing a bit harder while hiking to alpine lakes, shredding our fast and flowy mountain bike trails, and snowshoeing through our peaceful forests.
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Explaining the Central Cascades Wilderness Permit Program
Summer in the Central Oregon outdoors will look different this year, due largely to the unveiling of the Central Cascades Wilderness Permit System. Years in the making, the new system will cap the number of day-use and overnight visitors to some of the region’s most popular trails — including Green Lakes and Soda Creek, Broken Top, South Sister, and the Tam MacArthur Rim trails.
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Where to Wine and Dine in Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon has a reputation as a beer town, the local wine scene has exploded in recent years with several new tasting rooms and nearby vineyards producing award-winning wines. Bend’s wine scene is intertwined with its farm-to-table culinary scene, and as a result, tasting rooms across Bend offer menus featuring fine dining options made from local ingredients. These tasting rooms are often cozy and fire-lit, perfect for any winter time tour through Bend. In the summer, inviting outdoor patios become a lively spot for wine-tasting in the sunshine. Read on to discover some of our favorite spots to wine and dine this year in Bend.
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Best Places to See Holiday Lights in Bend and Central Oregon
For some travelers, a trip to Central Oregon isn’t complete without hitting the slopes of Mt. Bachelor, kicking up dust along Phil’s Trail, paddling our alpine lakes, or hiking into our dramatic wilderness areas. For others, our scenic region is an idyllic destination to rest, restore, and recharge with a long weekend or laid-back vacation.
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The Top Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon, has long been beloved by furry canines and their eager parents. According to BringFido.com, more than 100 restaurants, brewpubs and food cart pods across the city offer dog-friendly patios and other accommodations; pups enjoy exercising on the city’s many hiking trails; and no less than Dog Fancy magazine once named Bend the dog-friendliest town in America.
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Camping In and Near Bend, Oregon
Bend is often called a paradise for any avid adventurer or lover of the outdoors, and the reasons are simple. Bend has incredible weather, boasting plenty of sunny days throughout the year, making camping in Central Oregon more enjoyable. Visitors and locals alike love to spend their time in amongst the many mountains, forests, lakes and rivers before resting their heads under the stars. Read on for some of the best camping around Bend and Central Oregon.
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Your Ultimate Guide to Golfing at Black Butte Ranch
Turning off Highway 20, shrouded on both sides by ponderosa pine trees, it doesn’t take long to leave the forests of Central Oregon behind for a wide-open, laid-back vacation at Black Butte Ranch—sitting in the shadow of a half-dozen Cascade peaks. Once you’ve arrived at the ranch and kicked off your shoes, how you enjoy the ranch is limited only by how many vacation days you get to use. But one of the most popular activities at Black Butte Ranch is golfing. You’ll find two championship courses, a creative putting course, and a variety of fun ways to engage with the game—including lessons and clinics, annual events, group discounts, and (for the hearty golfer) stay-and-play packages.
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Winter Tours You Have to Try in Bend and Central Oregon
Twinkling lights, fresh snow and fire pits bringing people together; it’s winter in Central Oregon! Bend and the surrounding towns within Central Oregon are great places to cozy up when the snow falls, and even better places to take part in winter recreation. Locals love to explore the nearby Cascade Mountains, with Mount Bachelor and plenty of sno parks located just a 30 minute drive away. Back in town, there are several breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries waiting to be sampled. With so much to do, it can be tough to know where to start. Luckily, tours in Central Oregon that showcase the best outdoor and indoor recreation are available to help visitors make the most of their winter vacations.
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Top 8 Things to Do in Sunriver in Summer
Whatever you’re looking for from a fun summer vacation, you’ll find it in Sunriver. Just 20 minutes south of Bend, the bustling community sits surrounded by forests of ponderosa pine and offers a full weekend of enjoyment for travelers of all stripes—complete with world-class golf courses, otherworldly natural scenery, lazy river floats and comfortable overnight stays.
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Indulge at Tetherow's Fine Dining Restaurant: Solomon's
With an explosive history of volcanic eruptions, lava flows, and cinder cones covering the region, Central Oregon is no stranger to smoke. But these days, while our volcanoes remain in a state of blissful calm, another kind of smoke is the talk of the town: smoked cocktails, the latest culinary attraction from Solomon’s Restaurant at Tetherow.