Sisters is most obviously connected to the Wild West. After all, buildings around town are designed to look like they’re straight out of the late 1800s. But the charming community builds on that nod to history with an exciting present that encompasses outdoor activities, natural sites, cultural attractions, and culinary offerings.
From independent movie theaters and a bustling farmers market to sweeping viewpoints and a historic fish hatchery, there is no shortage of unique things to do in Sisters, Oregon. Here’s a sampling of some of those top activities:
- Sisters Movie House
- The Barn Food Carts & Beer Garden
- Sisters Farmers Market
- Peterson Ridge Trail System
- Dee Wright Observatory
- Metolius River Headwaters
- Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery
- Three Sisters Viewpoint
- Plan Your Unique Trip to Sisters
Keep reading for ideas and inspiration for when you visit Sisters.
1. Sisters Movie House
Enjoy a night out when you see what’s playing at the Sisters Movie House. Housed in a large barn befitting the community’s Wild West-inspired architecture, the locally owned theater hosts four screens that routinely show the latest hits, documentaries, indie flicks, and more. Pair your movie with all the classic concessions, as well as a café menu that includes flatbreads, paninis, wraps, burgers, and light snacks.
Sisters Movie House shares a parking lot with Three Creeks Brew Pub, which dishes pizza, pasta, and thoughtful pub fare alongside a selection of local craft beers. Just next door is FivePine Lodge and Spa, which offers an idyllic romantic getaway with luxe cabins, spacious suites, and a full menu of relaxing spa services.
2. The Barn Food Carts & Beer Garden
In recent years, The Barn food cart pod has become one of the top Sisters, Oregon, attractions—thanks to an idyllic setting, prime location, and eclectic lineup of food and drink.
The food-cart pod sits in the heart of downtown Sisters, and its centerpiece is a large, wooden, barn-like structure that hosts a taproom pouring craft beer, cider, wine, and more. Just outside, a handful of food carts dish a wide range of cuisines, plenty of dog-friendly outdoor seating encourages lingering, and a small stage routinely hosts local and regional musicians.
The Barn sits about three blocks away from another food-cart pod at Eurosports, where local chefs get creative with new dishes, classic comfort fare, and light bites from around the world. Learn more about dining in Sisters, Oregon, for a look at the region’s food scene.
3. Sisters Farmers Market
Growers, producers, and artisans from throughout Central Oregon come together at the Sisters Farmers Market, offering a taste of the region’s bounty and the chance to support homegrown entrepreneurs.
The market takes over Fir Street Park on Sundays between June and October; there, more than 50 farmers, growers, makers, and producers gather to sell everything from fresh produce and choice-cut meats to baked goods, flowers, and soap crafted from goat’s milk. Most of the time, you’re buying from the people who grew, cut, baked, or crafted the items you’re purchasing. Live musicians provide a pleasant soundtrack to the proceedings.
4. Peterson Ridge Trail System
One of the wonderful things about visiting Central Oregon is that you’re never far from outdoor adventure. And in the case of the Peterson Ridge Trail System, you need only cross Whychus Creek at the southern edge of downtown Sisters to reach a sprawling network of top-rated hiking and mountain biking trails. One quick look at the Peterson Ridge Trail Map reveals countless opportunities for epic trips across more than 20 miles of trails—all of it surrounded by forests of ponderosa pine and buoyed by wide-open vistas of the Three Sisters.
5. Dee Wright Observatory
Day or not, Dee Wright Observatory offers a feast for the senses along the McKenzie Pass Highway just south of town—and is undeniably one of the top things to do in Sisters, Oregon.
The observatory was built in 1935 from jet-black lava rock and today sits, surrounded by several miles of lava flows, near the summit of McKenzie Pass. Accessible between late June and late October or early November, the observatory offers 360-degree views of nearby Cascade peaks from its summit. Along the way, interpretive panels explain the historical importance of McKenzie Pass and the natural events that led to the impressive lava flows before you.
From the summit, a peak finder identifies more than a dozen mountains—including the Three Sisters, Mount Washington, and (on a clear day) Mount Hood. Those snow-capped summits look impressive under bluebird skies, but a nighttime visit leads to some of the area’s best stargazing.
6. Metolius River Headwaters
The Metolius River is a remarkable waterway. It begins near Sisters, flows northward through pine forests, and emerges in the Central Oregon high desert before colliding with the Deschutes and Crooked rivers to form Lake Billy Chinook.
See where it all begins with a quick stop at the Head of the Metolius Observation Site. There, a short trail leads to the spring, which emerges near Black Butte in the Cascade Range—and in the heart of a quiet forest.
On your way there, stop by the Camp Sherman Store for a hearty sandwich, camping supplies, fishing gear, and the scoop on where the trout are biting. (The Metolius River is, after all, a blue-ribbon fishery.) And if you’re looking to spend the night nearby, treat yourself to one of the historic cabins at Lake Creek Lodge, a century-old resort that imbues each of its stays with a touch of luxury.
7. Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery
Looking to help your little ones connect with the natural world? Plan a visit to the Wizard Falls Hatchery, which resides along the Metolius River and has been raising several species since 1947. The hatchery raises rainbow trout, which is released in the Deschutes River and across southeast Oregon, as well as Chinook and steelhead. You’ll almost certainly spy fish swimming about throughout the year, so there’s never a bad time to visit; bring a few quarters to the family-friendly attraction for machines that dispense fish food.
Learn more, and start planning your visit, with the Wizard Falls Hatchery Visitors’ Guide.
8. Three Sisters Viewpoint
At some point on your visit, you will almost certainly drive the stretch of Highway 20 between Bend and Sisters. When you do, take a few moments to pull over and admire wide-open vistas from the Three Sisters Viewpoint.
The roadside pullout hosts an interpretive panel, but not much else. Even so: On a sunny day, especially around sunset, panoramic views of the Three Sisters and Broken Top—seemingly just across the meadow—are positively sublime. You might even spy some of the resident elk that patrol the area’s fields and forests, as well. That closeness to nature is, after all, one of the top reasons to visit Sisters.
Plan Your Unique Trip to Sisters
Getting excited to visit? You’ll find plenty of things to do in Sisters all year long—whether you’re looking to get outdoors, wanting to attend an annual festival, or are searching for a more relaxing vacation.
To help inspire that next trip, check out our guide on where to stay in Central Oregon—complete with the lowdown on restored motels, boutique hotels, luxurious resorts, and rustic-inspired lodges to suit every taste and budget. We’ve also put together a look at planning a trip to Oregon, which includes top sites, insider tips, and other helpful items.
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