Bend Tour Company
Segway, E-Bike, Heli Tours, Art Safari, Beer Tap Tours
History & Heritage
The Bend Tour Company offers Segway Tours, E-Cruiser Tours, E-Bike Tours, Heli-Tours, Ale Trail & Beer Taps Tours, Art Safari and Sunset Spectacular Tours. The Bend Tour Company offers informative and entertaining explorations of Bend’s past and present. The tours highlight Bend’s great history, and its wonderful sights and attractions, exceptional restaurants and unique shopping opportunities.
Guided tours take guests past the many historic homes and buildings throughout Bend’s Old Mill Quarter, Downtown and West Side neighborhoods. Guests glide along the magnificent Deschutes River and through the beauty of Farewell Bend, McKay and Drake Parks and around and over exquisite Mirror Pond. Did we mention you get to ride a SEGWAY?
Our Sunset Spectacular Tours are just that… SPECTACULAR! The tours include all of the great history, sights, shops, restaurants, breweries and attractions included in many of our other tours, plus stunning views of our incredible summer sunsets over Oregon’s magnificent Cascades mountain range! Choose to experience the Summer Spectacular Tours on our SEGWAYs, Cycle ‘Rounds, E-Cruisers, or Electric Bikes. You simply can’t go wrong with these tours!
Electric Bike Tours: Our partners Bend Electric Bikes and Let It Ride Pedego Bikes – Mount our Electric Bikes and experience the heart of Bend as you travel through the parks and along the river from the saddle of one of our super comfortable Pedego electric bikes and Bend Electric Bikes. Your tour guide will take you places that most don’t see as you enjoy the ride on your electric cruiser style bikes learning where to shop, dine and play in sunny Central Oregon. You’ll enjoy the sights of Downtown Bend, the Old Mill District, beautiful nature trails along the river, historic Drake Park and all of the award winning breweries along Bends famous Ale Trail.
Big Mountain Heli Tours: Known as the “outdoor playground of the West,” our town is world famous for both its outdoor pursuits and its pristine beauty – but that’s just half of the story. Bend has a second, unlimited, playground that starts at 10,000 feet. It’s a place of unparalleled vistas that stretch for miles, sunsets that take your breath away, millions of years of volcanic history, and unfettered access to remote and unusual locations in the Central Oregon high desert. Big Mountain Heli Tours, in partnership with Bend’s premier flight school, Leading Edge Aviation, is staffed by highly experienced commercial pilots and mechanics who have a passion for flying helicopters in and around Bend’s big blue mountain playground. Big Mountain Heli Tours was created to showcase the very best of Bend and Central Oregon to the estimated 3 million guests who visit us each year.
The unparalleled mobility of the Eco-friendly tours from Bend Tour Company offers groups to glide safely along the pathways of Bend, providing a truly entertaining and unique sightseeing experience with extraordinary access to everything that Bend has to offer!
Segway, E-Bike, Heli Tours, Art Safari, Beer Tap Tours
The Crooked River Roundup and Fair Association brings two of the largest events to Prineville, Oregon every year. Thousands of people from all across the United States attend these events and many make the rodeo or the races their destination vacation!
The CRR is led by a board of volunteers who work hard to continue to make these events the success they are. Paired with local and national sponsors, the events continue to grow in popularity with the contestants and the fans.
Make Prineville YOUR destination this summer!
The Crooked River Roundup is a PRCA sanctioned rodeo. For more information on the PRCA you can click here.
The Crooked River Roundup is a non-profit organization that is dependent upon local and national support to provide funding for two of the largest events in Crook County. We are offering new opportunities for businesses to be involved as sponsors. Whether you are new to giving or an old ‘hat’ at it, please click HERE to see what is new for this year.
Recommended by TRIP ADVISOR, The Erickson Aircraft Collection proudly displays a vintage aircraft collection started by Jack Erickson in 1983. The collection features over twenty-five rare aircraft, most of which are still in flying condition, such as the P-38 Lightning, P-51 Mustang, Ki43 Hayabusa, F4U Corsair, SBD Dauntless, Grumman Duck, Me-109, FW-190, B-17 Flying Fortress and many more. The Erickson Aircraft Collection is the Pacific Northwest’s premier Flying Collection.
The museum features one of the top collection of vintage warbirds in the country and offers a ride/membership program called “Soaring with the Warbirds”. Take a ride in a WWII aircraft and experience history in flight. Our top-notch pilots fly you out over areas such as Lake Billy Chinook, up close and personal with Mt. Jefferson, Haystack Reservoir, Lake Simtustus, Smith Rock, or where ever you want to fly within our 20-minute time limit. In the air, you can experience the beauty of Central Oregon from a totally different perspective and have the experience of a lifetime.
Location
We are located at the Madras Municipal Airport on NW Berg Drive. To get to the hangar, take the NW Cherry Lane exit just off highway 26 and turn right on NW Berg. If you are navigating to the museum using Google Maps or other mapping services, just type in “Madras Municipal Airport” and follow NW Berg all the way down. In most cases, NW Airport Way has yet to be changed to NW Berg.
The roots of the Airshow of the Cascades started more than 30 years ago when pilot Ron Ochs held “fly-ins” at his ranch just north of Madras. One plane at a time and through homegrown hard work, the Airshow now draws upwards of 15,000 people.
With the help of our sponsors Willow Canyon Properties, Steve Forster/RE/MAX Out West Realty and the Airshow of the Cascades, we look to continue this spirit by taking a night to celebrate the many volunteers, businesses and members of the Central Oregon community that keep the tradition of aviation alive in Jefferson County.
COME SEE OUR WWII WARBIRDS
The Boeing Stearman PT-17 was typical of the biplane primary trainer used during the late 1930s and World War II and one of the most revered by pilots. Powered by a 240 hp seven-cylinder Continental engine, it was respected for its ruggedness, ease of maintenance, low operational costs, and flight characteristics. Challenging to an inexperienced pilot was its tendency to ground-loop in crosswinds. Over 10,000 were built for both the U.S. Army Air Force and the U.S. Navy and today many have found a new lease of life on the warbird circuit or serving as agricultural crop dusters and spraying aircraft.
SPECIFIC HISTORY
The aircraft on display is a typical Boeing PT-17, USAAF serial number 42-16242. This aircraft was purchased surplus from the U.S. Government in February 1946 for $770.00 by a commercial aviation company and used as a pilot trainer until it was sold in January 1955. Over the next 32 years, it would be bought and re-sold seven times before coming to the Museum’s collection in 1992.
Step back in time to Oregon’s homestead era of the early 1900s at the Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum!
The Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum is a display of preserved and protected homestead-era structures that have been moved from their original locations to the museum site just west of the town of Fort Rock. The buildings and structures have been renovated for entry and furnished in early 1900s decor so visitors can experience what life was like in eastern Oregon before electricity arrived. A village has been created including period homes, school, church, store, garden and more. Vintage farm equipment and a blacksmith shop creates a sense of hard labor of the time. A self-guided tour offers visitors this unique setting.
Many dub Fort Rock a ghost town and the cemetery is haunted according to local lore. Nestled at the base of Fort Rock, you’ll find the resting place of many pioneers of the area. The Fort Rock Cemetery is the eternal home to those who have coveted living in the area, those who struggled to make and enjoy a life here. This century gone natural setting is nothing fancy, nothing ordinary. The wind seems to always howl, take a walk through and discover legendary Fort Rock history. Some say the windy existence has created shadowy spirits spiraling about in the night. It has been recognized legendary cowboy, Reub Long’s ghost has been seen riding his horse around the grounds! Darkness brings solitude and imagination. Noted as one of the most haunted places in the Northwest, you decide. It’s personal!
Supporters describe the museum rich and alive with Oregon’s homestead time, a great way to relive history. Children and adults alike can learn from this special experience! The museum is managed strictly by volunteers. Reviews are extraordinary.
Open Summer Season from Memorial Day to Sept 10
Thursday – Sunday
11 AM – 5 PM
Last tour 4:30 pm
Admission: $5. Adults; $3. children 12 & under; 5 and under free!
Visit the gift store at The Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum. There you can shop tax-free for t-shirts, souvenirs, many publications and books of history of homesteaders, the area, wildlife and more!
Fort Rock is located 70 miles southeast of Bend, Oregon, and 45 miles southeast of La Pine, Oregon just off highway 31.
Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum, near Fort Rock St Park Natural Area and Hole In The Ground, Crack in the Ground.
Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum it is a fascinating place to visit!
CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
This one-of-a kind Museum reveals the nature of things in the West’s High Desert through artful exhibits, alluring animals, engaging programs and meaningful history. Otters, porcupines, owls, oh my! Encounter wildlife up close at the High Desert Museum, explore the history and culture of this vast region and take in beautiful art.
The High Desert Museum is a cultural gem that has been inspiring families since 1982 and is consistently rated as a top Central Oregon attraction by Trip Advisor. With 135 acres and more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, it’s a “must see” for anyone traveling through the area.
Get a close-up of native wildlife, such as an otter, burrowing owl, porcupine and badger. Talk with historic characters who share the tales of early Oregon explorers and settlers. Visit an authentic homestead and sawmill from 1904. Experience a close flying encounter with owls, falcons, hawks and even a vulture. Learn about Native American culture and history and delight your children with one of many fun, hands-on programs that bring history and science to life.
The High Desert Museum is located just five minutes south of Bend, Oregon on Hwy 97 and includes a Museum store and café. Open every day except the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Events
High Desert Museum provides the perfect rental venue for a wonderfully memorable special event, whether it be a wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, family reunion, anniversary party, corporate party, trade show or conference.
Weddings & Receptions
Begin your “happily ever after” with a wedding and reception in the serene setting of the High Desert Museum. There is simply no other place like it. Choose from a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, including exhibit halls, for your special day. From set up and tear down to rehearsals and attendants, our wedding package will address all your needs. We were voted the Best Museum or Arts Venue Outside Portland by Oregon Bride Magazine in 2017, 2018 and 2019!
One frequent fisherman on the Metolius River may have summed it up best, calling it “The Last Great Place.”
This tributary of the Deschutes River flows north from it’s natural springs origins near Black Butte and is a fly fishing only, all catch and release river. It might be harder to tell which has it better here, the rainbow, brown and bull trout that thrive in the clear, cold waters or the anglers who call this one of the best places on Earth to cast a fly. Several lodges along the river and nearby fly shops have everything you need to enjoy one of Central Oregon’s jewels.
A four square mile area of black and grey volcanic glass where kids of all ages will enjoy one-mile interpretive walk. At just 1,300 years old, the Big Obsidian Flow is the youngest lava flow in Oregon. Along the trail there are seven interpretive signs which discuss the geology, biology, history, and archaeology of the area. To get there, go 24 miles south of Bend on Hwy 97, then 15 miles east on County Road 21. It’s not far, but people who have visited call it “other worldly.”
A four square mile area of black and grey volcanic glass where kids of all ages will enjoy one-mile interpretive walk. At just 1,300 years old, the Big Obsidian Flow is the youngest lava flow in Oregon. Along the trail there are seven interpretive signs which discuss the geology, biology, history, and archaeology of the area. To get […]
The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation – Warm Springs, Wasco and Northern Paiute, created this museum to sustain their cultures and preserve their traditions for their children and visitors. The museum is a vital part of the Warm Springs tribal community. Once you are done indoors you can stroll the 1/4 mile Twanat Interpretive Trail to learn about the plants, animals, fish and geology.
Culture. History. In Living Color.
Since 1940, the iconic Tower Theatre has been the center of downtown Bend. Fully renovated in 2004, the Art Deco Moderne venue remains Central Oregon’s premier stage. This vibrant community gathering place hosts nationally and internationally acclaimed performances ranging from music, theater comedy, to films, educational opportunities, civic gatherings and social events.
The Tower Theatre is a hub for culture, connections, and artistic experiences. It is “Bend’s Living Room.” Hundreds of nonprofit and community organizations use our stage each year. And the next generation of theatre-goers enjoy LessonPLAN programs that engage their minds and hearts.
The nonprofit Tower Theatre Foundation believes the performing arts strengthen our community and improve our lifestyle. We’re committed to providing top-quality events and educational programs. But the Tower does not run on ticket sales alone. Donations are appreciated.