Stories from Central Oregon
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New Restaurants in Bend, Oregon
The dining scene in Bend, Oregon is constantly evolving, as new restaurants, cafes and pubs open up to feed the community and serve as lively gathering spaces for breakfast, lunch or dinner out on the town. New restaurants are often under development and construction to keep up with Bend’s growing population and visitor base…
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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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Tour the Central Oregon Mural Trail
Take a scenic tour around Central Oregon, and among the lush forests, arid high desert landscapes and bright blue skies, you’ll start to notice stunning murals dotting the region. The murals, each with distinct symbols unique to the town, reflect the spirit of Central Oregon in animated colors and design. Artists Katie Daisy and Karen Eland began the “Greetings From…” series with inspiration from vintage postcards. Now, nearly every town in Central Oregon hosts a large hand painted mural with stunning details specifically designed for that town. Follow the Central Oregon Mural Trail and discover hidden treasures in each high desert town along the way.
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Top Museums in Bend and Central Oregon
Bend is undoubtedly beloved for its outdoor recreation and world-class craft beer scene—but the city’s museums offer a rich exploration of regional history, culture, wildlife, and more. It’s possible, after all, to learn about the area’s earliest inhabitants, see birds of prey up-close, and gaze at the starry night sky—all in one day. More often than not, these museums are staffed by passionate docents and filled with fascinating exhibits, multimedia displays, and curious artifacts.
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Discover Fishing Near Maupin, Oregon
It's no exaggeration to say that Maupin is a world-class fly-fishing destination. The city of just 400 year-round residents is cut in half by the Deschutes River, sits in the midst of a khaki-colored canyon, and provides easy access to fishing holes up and down the Lower Deschutes.
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Late Summer in Sisters, Oregon: Day Trips & Town Tips
Here in Central Oregon, summer hits its stride in late June and keeps rolling on through September. There’s still plenty of time left to check all your sunny adventures off the list! No matter when you arrive, Sisters, Oregon is a treat and must-see. Less than 3000 people live here year-round, but myriads more pass through to soak in the scenery and play in the surroundings – and boy, are there a lot of places to see. From cozy lake and downtown strolls to breathtaking waterfalls, lava scenes, and scenic drives, you’ve got your work cut out for you. See what all the hype is about. Whether you’re looking for a day trip (or three), overnight, or long weekend stay with the family, we’ve got your itinerary covered.
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Why is Bend, Oregon So Popular?
Bend and the broader Central Oregon region are unlike anywhere in the state. Nowhere else in Oregon, after all, can you hike to alpine lakes, ride bikes through the sprawling high desert, and celebrate with creative cuisines and award-winning craft beers—all in one day. Couple that with a sunny climate and plenty of Bend, Oregon, tourist attractions, and it’s easy to see why this region resonates so broadly.
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A Summer Weekend in Prineville
Here in the high desert, small-town charm is easy to come by. But what happens when you combine a rich legacy of the old West, affordable vacationing, and a tight-knit community? You get Prineville – a town of just around 10,000 people in Central Oregon.
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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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Top Unique Attractions Near Sunriver, Oregon
Sunriver sits at a fascinating place in the Central Oregon landscape—in more ways than one. Just about 17 miles south of Bend, the cozy community resides along the forested banks of the Deschutes River, sits surrounded by ponderosa pines as far as the eye can see, and is at the foot of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
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Ideas for Planning the Best Oregon Road Trip
Planning a road trip through Oregon? We don’t blame you: The Beaver State is home to dramatic landscapes that include rugged rock formations on the Oregon Coast, lush forests and thundering waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, expansive high deserts in Central Oregon, and the impossibly blue hue of Crater Lake.
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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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Top Sno-Parks in Central Oregon Near Bend
Central Oregon sits at the doorstep of the Cascade Range, which is blanketed every winter in a scenic blanket of snow—turning the region into a playground for locals and visitors alike. Often, these play areas come in the form of Sno-Parks, which are exactly what they sound like: forested winter wonderlands where visitors can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, hop on a snowmobile, or even try tubing and sledding on snowy hillsides. More often than not, these Sno-Parks are home to small warming shelters where visitors can step out of the cold and get cozy next to a roaring fire.
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Local's Guide to the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
Views of the Cascade Range abound all over Central Oregon, but are never more dramatic than from along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway—a seasonal highway that heads southwest of Bend and into the heart of the mountains. Along the way, visitors can swim or paddle in more than a dozen alpine lakes, admire views of the snow-capped peaks that seem to rise from their shorelines, camp under starry night skies and traverse some of the region’s best-loved hiking trails.
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Best Mountain Towns in Oregon
There’s something magical about visiting a charming mountain town. You get to spend your days hitting the slopes, hiking trails to stunning viewpoints, or paddling crystal-clear alpine lakes. You can while away an afternoon around the fire pit at a neighborhood brewpub, then you can take an evening to dine at cozy restaurants and enjoy historic downtown cores—all with snow-capped peaks towering above.
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Made in Central Oregon
Whether souvenir shopping is on the agenda during a trip to Central Oregon, or the holiday gift giving season is once again creeping up, there is no shortage of shopping here in the high desert. While it has become easier than ever to shop from behind a screen, there’s a special feeling that comes with shopping local—whether it's for art, local specialty foods or experiences that showcase the best of Central Oregon.
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The Three Sisters Mountains in Oregon
On a clear day from viewpoints throughout Central Oregon, the Three Sisters mountains command attention as the gorgeous snow-capped peaks seen to the west. Each of this trio of volcanic peaks reaches more than 10,000 feet in elevation, and have become a part of Central Oregon culture. The Three Sisters draw visitors seeking mountain climbers hoping to ascend the peaks, those seeking nearby hiking, camping and mountain biking, landscape photographers and anyone who appreciates a gorgeous view.
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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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Complete Guide to Music Festivals in Bend & Central Oregon
Summer is fast approaching, which means the start of music festival season around Bend and Central Oregon—when up-and-coming acts, regional favorites, and national touring artists alike descend on the region for multi-day extravaganzas full of good music and memorable experiences.
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Complete Guide to Food Trucks in Bend and the Surrounding Area
Over recent years, Bend, Oregon has become a foodie paradise. Aside from the nationally renowned chefs and the blossoming restaurant scene that offers tons of dining options, foodies now flock to Bend for a more indie dining experience. The food truck trend has proven to be much more than a trend, as more and more pods of deliciousness pop up around town. These pods typically include a variety of food trucks situated around a central location that more often than not acts as a tap house. Many of them offer indoor and outdoor seating, a variety of beer, wine and cider along with firepits, stages for musical performances and more. With so many spots each offering different food trucks to try, it might be tough to figure out where to start. Read on for a list of some highly recommended spots to try out, and start your own foodie adventure.
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Top 5 Unique Things to Do in Terrebonne, Oregon
The community of Terrebonne is perhaps more famous among Central Oregon locals and enthusiastic visitors for what surrounds it, rather than what you’ll find in the town of 1,200. That’s because the cozy city, just six miles north of Redmond and 23 miles north of Bend, sits at the doorstep to some of Central Oregon’s best outdoor adventures—including dramatic viewpoints, rhyolite rock formations, and the Crooked River winding through it all.