Overview
Bend is the county seat of Deschutes County in Central Oregon.
11 sights · 9 things to do · 10 places to eat · 8 bars & cafés · 10 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bend
High Desert Museum
The High Desert Museum is just south of Bend on Highway 97. The High Desert Museum is a great way to gain educational experience about some of the animals and habitat that go along with Central Oregon.
Deschutes Historical Museum
Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint
A 500-foot-tall cinder cone in the center of Bend that offers an excellent view of the city and surroundings. Pilot Butte makes Bend one of the few cities in the U.S. to have a volcano within its boundaries. Drive or hik…
Drake Park and Mirror Pond
Tumalo State Park
Newberry National Volcanic Monument
See lava flows, explore lava caves and ice caves, fishing for trophy rainbow and brown trout in the two alpine lakes at the Newberry caldera (East Lake & Paulina Lake) and explore the massive Obsidian Flow, where ver…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jul–Sep. Summer highs reach about 69°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Crater Lake National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RDM Roberts Field, Redmond — 16 mi away. Directions
- EUG Eugene Airport, Eugene — 95 mi away. Directions
- PDX Portland International Airport, Portland — 123 mi away (major hub). Directions
* American Eagle : (Phoenix) * Breeze : (Burbank, Las Vegas & Provo) * Alaska Airlines/Horizon: (Portland, Burbank, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco) * Delta Connection (Seattle, Salt Lake City) * United / United Express: (Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco) CoBreeze Bus and other bus companies serving the area also serve the airport in addition to Hawthorne Station in Bend and the Redmond Transit Hub (see below under 'By bus'). The next nearest airport for commercial flights with additional airlines from more places is at Portland International AirportPDX 160 mi northwest of town, which is also served by Cobreeze bus.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $119–$125 a night (typical $125), from 3 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $20 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$160, mid-range ~$200, comfortable ~$290.
Options are grouped as Resorts in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning High Desert Museum, Hayden Homes Amphitheater, Deschutes Historical Museum
- Lunch Anthony's
- Afternoon Historic Tower Theatre, Drake Park and Mirror Pond
- Dinner Miyagi Ramen
- Evening Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room
Day 2
- Morning Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Pine Mountain Observatory, Deschutes River
- Lunch Longboard Louie's
- Afternoon Bend Kayak School and Rentals, Timberline Mountain Guides
- Dinner Bontà Natural Artisan Gelato
- Evening Worthy Brewing
Day 3
- Morning Cultus Lake, Elk Lake, Mt. Bachelor
- Lunch The Sparrow Bakery Northwest
- Afternoon High Desert River Outfitters, Big Mountain Heli Tours
- Dinner Pine Tavern Restaurant & Bar
- Evening 10 Barrel Brewing
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Bend has a great selection of restaurants located all over town. Downtown has dozens of restaurants on its own to suit anyone's taste, and a short drive, bike, or walk across the river or down to the Old Mill District will turn up even more options. Most of the brewery pubs and tasting rooms offer quality food as well, so check the #Breweries section for more details.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The city of Bend, which is nestled between the Cascade Range and the Maury Mountains, is a vacation destination in both summer and winter, known for its year-round offering of outdoor activities.
Visitor information
Get in
By plane
Go Redmond Municipal Airport (Roberts Field RDM)
It is the major airport for commercial flights serving Redmond, Bend, Sunriver, Prineville and the surrounding communities in Central Oregon. The airport is 16.5 mi north of town along US Hwy 97 in the southeastern part of Redmond. It is served by:
* American Eagle : (Phoenix) * Breeze : (Burbank, Las Vegas & Provo) * Alaska Airlines/Horizon: (Portland, Burbank, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco) * Delta Connection (Seattle, Salt Lake City) * United / United Express: (Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco) CoBreeze Bus and other bus companies serving the area also serve the airport in addition to Hawthorne Station in Bend and the Redmond Transit Hub (see below under 'By bus'). The next nearest airport for commercial flights with additional airlines from more places is at Portland International AirportPDX 160 mi northwest of town, which is also served by Cobreeze bus.
In town, there's a city-owned Bend Municipal Airport BDN for public general aviation use. The airport is 8 mi northeast of the city center at NE Butler Market Rd & Powell Butte Hwy.
By car
Bend is served by U.S. Routes 20 and 97. From the west, U.S. 20 carries traffic from Santiam Pass and the Willamette Valley, and from Burns and southeastern Oregon. U.S. 97 passes north-south through the city, carrying traffic from Klamath Falls to the south and the Columbia River Gorge and Yakima to the north.
To get to Bend from Portland, you can take U.S. 26 east from Gresham over Mount Hood to Madras where it meets up with U.S. 97 south, and follow U.S. 97 south through Redmond to Bend. Or you can take I-5 south to Albany, then U.S. 20 east through Santiam Pass and Sisters. Either way will take about three hours, not counting rest stops. Both routes cross the Cascade Range and may receive heavy snow during the winter.
By bus
The main bus station for local public transportation and intercity buses is at the Hawthorne Station on NE 4th & Hawthorne (334 NE Hawthorne). Bus stops for Cascades East Transit are lined up along NE Hawthorne and along NE 4th while the intercity buses pick up at stops 'D' & 'E' along NE 4th, north of Hawthorne towards the alley:
Place Cascade East Transit
Operates local public transportation (Rt #1-11) and intercity buses to the surrounding cities/towns of Redmond (Rt #24), La Pine (#30), Mt Bachelor Ski Resort (#18), Madras (#22 from Redmond), Prineville (#26 from Redmond), Sisters (#29) and Warm Springs (#20 from Madras) from Hawthorne Station
Go Oregon Point (Operated by Pacific Crest Bus Lines)
Tickets can be purchased through their website or through Greyhound.com :
* Eastern Point goes across eastern Oregon to Ontario via Brothers, Hamptons, Riley, Buchanan, Burns, Drewser Jct, Harper, Vale, etc. Passengers can connect to Greyhound Lines (Portland-Boise-Salt Lake City route) in Ontario. Picks up at the Hawthorne Station ONLY.
Get around
To fully enjoy the city of Bend, your best mode of transportation is the bicycle. Bend has extensive bike paths and lanes and walking paths. When visiting downtown Bend, you can park for free for the first two hours during business hours and unlimited hours after 5PM. Downtown is best explored by foot. Parking can be difficult at times but a spacious parking garage is located at the corner of Bond and Oregon Streets.
Outside of Bend, a car is necessary.
By bus
See
Museums
Viewpoints
Parks and Natural Attractions
See Newberry National Volcanic Monument
See lava flows, explore lava caves and ice caves, fishing for trophy rainbow and brown trout in the two alpine lakes at the Newberry caldera (East Lake & Paulina Lake) and explore the massive Obsidian Flow, where very little has been able to grow for several thousand years. There are hiking trails, camping and resorts. Also snow parks, winter cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Visit the Lava Lands Visitor Center for information.
See Smith Rock
Smith Rock State Park encompasses 651 acres on the Oregon high desert plateau which hovers around 3000 feet in elevation. The park and campground are open year-round. A $5 day use permit or a current state park camp receipt is needed for each vehicle. A yearly permit is available for $30. Hiking trails offer spectacular views of the surrounding area. You can spend 30 minutes walking along the river or a half day making a loop on the entire trail system that extends outside of the park. The major rock faces are composed of welded tuff (compressed volcanic ash) reaching a height of up to 550 feet. The picnic and campground areas sit on top of the rimrock which is made up of columnar basalt. There are over 1400 climbing routes in and around the park ranging from some of the best sport climbs in the world to. “Why would anyone want to climb that pile of choss”. People climb year-round, but summer temperatures can reach over 100°F, and in the dead of winter the thermometer stays close to the freezing mark (32°F) during the day. Spring and fall are the most popular climbing months.
See Deschutes River
The Deschutes features ruggedly beautiful scenery, outstanding whitewater boating, and a renowned sport fishery for steelhead, brown trout, and native rainbow trout. The Upper Deschutes features primarily flatwater boating with limited whitewater and excellent trout fishing opportunities. The Middle Deschutes has excellent hiking opportunities with spectacular geologic formations and waterfalls, but boating is limited. The Lower Deschutes offers the greatest opportunities for whitewater rafting and is one of Oregon's premier steelhead and trout fisheries
See Cascade lakes and Mountains
These areas are spectacular. Take a drive on the Cascade Lakes Highway and you can go to Sparks Lake, which is ideal for canoeing and kayaking, the Twin Lakes, Elk Lake and more while taking in some beautiful mountain scenery at the same time. Many of these lakes offer fishing, camping, and trailheads for hiking up into the mountains. Along the Cascade Lakes Highway, you can access trailheads as well as snow parks for snowmobiling in the winter.
See Cultus Lake
About 45 minutes outside of Bend, Oregon, on the cascades lake highway. At the lake there are a number of activities and facilities available for tourists, all centered around the crystal clear waters of the lake. At Cultus Lake there are a number of activities available. The resort's main attraction is its water sports. One can rent a number of watercrafts including jet skis, motorboats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and party boats. Gas and oil can be purchased on site. Another popular activity at Cultus is the fishing. The lake is filled with Rainbows, Bass, Mackinaws and Browns. There are also beaches where people can swim and enjoy the water from another perspective. At the lodge there is a restaurant open to the public. They serve a wide variety of food here and it is reasonably priced. One can also purchase groceries, although the selection is limited and prices higher than a supermarket. Cabins are available to rent at Cultus Lake. The cabins are near the lake, and have fireplaces, kitchens and appliances. There are a number of campsites available on and near the lake. They are operated by the National Forest Service, and have a small per night fee. There is running water, toilets and parking available to campers, however there are no RV hook ups.
See Elk Lake
About 11 miles past Mount Bachelor and just a short drive out of Bend. It is known for its mountain scenery and relaxed atmosphere. It has clear water, making it popular to people seeking water activities. The Lake is 405 acres in size, with a depths ranging from 25-75 ft. The elevation of the resort is about 4884 ft. At Elk Lake, fishing is a popular activity. The lake is filled with Kokanee and brook trout. In the summer months the lake is planted with brook trout. Popular fishing techniques include: still-fishing, trolling and fly fishing. Boating is also permitted at Elk Lake. At the resort there are paddle boat, canoes, and sail boats available to rent. Prices for these boats are fairly reasonable and can be checked out by the hour or by the day. Larger motor boats are not allowed to help maintain the peacefulness on the lake. There are a number of boat docks that surround the lake to make launching a boat relatively easy. Swimming is easily accessible at the sunset and beach areas of the lake. If hiking is your choice there are miles of trails that circle the lake. At the resort there is a restaurant open to the public. It serves a wide variety of food, specializing in their hamburgers. For dessert they have a small ice cream parlor with about a dozen different flavors. There is also a small store where groceries can be purchased. Cabins are available to rent, and can be checked out at the main resort. They vary in size and location. Camping can be done at a number of different sites in the area. The different sites include: Little Fawn Campground, Little Fawn Group Camp, Point Campground, and Elk Lake Campground. There are also areas reserved specifically for day use.
Do
Skiing
Do Mt. Bachelor
Bachelor is Central Oregon's best Ski/Snowboard mountain. It was home to the Olympic snowboard trials years back as well. When the summit is open (depending on weather) it is some of the best skiing you will find in Oregon with 360-degree access to the entire mountain. The northwest territory is also great with lots of black diamond runs. It's probably not a bad idea to take some 2-way radios for the other members of your party. The mountain is quite big and keeping track of everyone is sometimes difficult.
Theater
Do Hayden Homes Amphitheater (formerly Les Schwab Amphitheater)
In the summer time Bend offers many Sunday concerts that are performed at the Les Schwab Amphitheater. In the past artists such as Cold Play, Keith Urban, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top and Jack Johnson have performed there. Buy tickets at The Ticket Mill store in the Old Mill District, or online. The Amphitheater also hosts the Bend Brewfest each May, with many local and West Coast beers, ciders, and seltzers.
Tubing
- One of the most popular summer activities you can do is floating in a tube down the Deschutes River that runs through the city. Either bring your own tube or you can rent one from a local outfitter (e.g. Tumalo Creek for $28, which includes the tube rental and a shuttle to and from the river). The typical route is from Riverbend Park to Drake Park which takes around 1.5 hours. On approach to the Colorado Ave bridge, the route splits into the fish ladder (leftmost channel when floating downstream), the whitewater channel (middle), and the habitat channel (right, no public access). The fish ladder features a mild set of rapids which even beginners can go down. The whitewater channel is specifically for experts or people with whitewater experience. If you want to avoid the rapids you can always get out of the water and walk around.
Whitewater Rafting
- Whitewater rafting Bend offers some great Whitewater rafting on the Deschutes River.
Whitewater Kayaking
Do Bend Kayak School and Rentals
Mountain Biking
- Mountain Bike Bend and Central Oregon have hundreds of miles of singletrack perfect for riders of all levels. There are trails for families and beginners and trails for serious mountain bikers wanting to get their ride in. Most of the trails in the Bend area are in the cross country category - great for front and full suspension bikes. The trails are pretty buff with some roots and rocks. There are some steep climbs, but mainly the trails climb for days from town more than 20 miles (32 km) to Mt. Bachelor and beyond. This means there are great routes for downhill and shuttling. Popular trails include Whoops, Funner, Phil's Canyon, Flagline and Mrazek. Progressive, downhill and freeride styles of trail have been built in Bend including the Lair and ODP (Old Dirty Pirate). The Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) maintain the trails and build new ones. Several bike shops in town rent bikes (Hutchs, Pine Mountain Sports, Webcyclery & Sunnyside Sports). Cog Wild Mountain Bike tours also offers tours and shuttles for riders of all levels. Adventure Maps sells great maps of the trails of the Bend area. You can find their maps online or at each bike shop in Bend.
Rock Climbing
Fishing
- Go fishing Bend is in the heart of the Cascades, and due to this location Bend is surrounded by numerous Cascade lakes and the well known Deschutes River. Some of the Cascade lakes hold monster trout exceeding 10 lbs, Crane Prairie is one of these lakes, and it is south of Bend near Sun River. The avid fisherman can experience almost everything when fishing around Bend. The lakes hold a variety of species of fish from Trout, Kokanee, Atlantic Salmon, Bass and other fish. While the famous Deshcutes holds an abundance of fish. The Deschutes flows right through the city of Bend. Some of the better fishing can actually be right in front of the Riverhouse right on the Deschutes off of 3rd St. If getting away from the crowds is what you like the Deschutes offers miles and miles of peaceful fishing spots.
Golf
- Golf There are golf courses in Bend for both high and low handicappers. Bend offers several great golf courses that share amazing scenery. At 3600 feet, the ball always travels higher and longer in Bend!
Tours
Buy
There are numerous shopping opportunities in Bend. Downtown Bend has all different kinds of shops from outdoor gear to clothes.
Shop Blockbuster Video
The multinational video-rental giant may have declared bankruptcy in 2010 and shuttered all its corporate-owned retail outlets, but a few hardy franchisees stubbornly held their own — and after the 2019 closure of the Blockbuster in Morley, Australia, Bend's location has become the last remaining one in the world. Stop in to rent a movie, pick up some popcorn or candy, or simply indulge in some nostalgia for those halcyon pre-streaming days.
Eat
Bend has a great selection of restaurants located all over town. Downtown has dozens of restaurants on its own to suit anyone's taste, and a short drive, bike, or walk across the river or down to the Old Mill District will turn up even more options. Most of the brewery pubs and tasting rooms offer quality food as well, so check the #Breweries section for more details.
Budget
Eat Longboard Louie's
A great burrito shack on the east side of Bend that offers great food at prices college kids can afford. Louie's has all of the character of the locals and it is a couple hundred yards the base of Pilot Butte.
Eat Miyagi Ramen
Great ramen shop centrally located in Bend.
Eat The Sparrow Bakery Northwest
The Sparrow Bakery Northwest is the second of their restaurants in Bend. In addition to Ocean Rolls and breakfast sandwiches, they offer a variety of foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Mid-range
Eat Deschutes Brewery Public House
Notable for its world-renowned dark brews, the Deschutes Brewery Public House offers excellent burgers and sandwiches with a laid-back atmosphere in the heart of downtown Bend. (You can also visit the brewery and get a tour of the beer production facilities).
Eat Wild Rose Northern Thai Eats
Excellent Northern Thai eatery. Being northern style Thai, their specialties are fried chicken wings and stir fries rather than curries and pad thai that you might get at a typical Thai restaurant.
Eat Pine Tavern Restaurant & Bar
Founded in 1936, serves classic American entrées made with fresh local ingredients.
Splurge
Eat Anthony's
A Pacific Northwest regional chain that offers excellent seafood. It has a nice full service bar with about six of the Oregon microbrews on tap. It also has a nice patio area that overlooks the Deschutes River
Eat Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails
Try the Acadian Flatbread from the starter list. Good wine list and full service bar.
Treats
Eat Bontà Natural Artisan Gelato
A wide array of gelato scoops make this a sought-after stop on a hot afternoon.
Eat Goody's Chocolates and Ice Cream
Goody's is a delightful little candy shop in downtown Bend that offers an array of different sorts of chocolates, candies, milkshakes, ice creams, and popcorn that is perfect for topping off a great meal.
Drink
Bend is home to some of Oregon's most widely known breweries, including Deschutes, Worthy, and 10Barrel. Each have their own taprooms in the city, but there are certainly options beyond just these.
Drink Astro Lounge
Singles bar in downtown area. This is a late night hot spot in Bend.
Drink El Rodeo
Friendly staff, family friendly, consistently fast meal preparation & a local favorite.
Breweries
All of the large breweries based in Bend have their own tasting rooms open. Beer lovers are certainly encouraged to have a "flight a night" at each location during their stay in Bend to taste what everyone has to offer.
Drink Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room
Some great seasonal brews as well as six others that are regularly on tap. The facility is in the heart of downtown Bend, which is next to the Deschutes River. Deschutes Brewery's "Mirror Pond Pale Ale" was once voted the number one microbrew in the United States by Men's Journal. Other Deschutes offerings have also won national and international awards. Free daily tours of the brewery at offered at the top of the hour from 1-4PM. Online reservations are encouraged for tours, but walk-ins are allowed if there's room. Known to local college students the brewery burger and a beer sampler gets you fed and watered in style for cheap.
Drink Bend Brewing Company
The Bend Brewing Company is another great place to grab a drink right in downtown Bend. BBC has also won several awards for their beers. The riverside pub and restaurant overlooks Mirror Pond.
Drink Worthy Brewing
Huge brewery serves burgers and pizza with lots of indoor or outdoor seating. The observatory ("Hopservatory") on the roof is open after 9PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Drink Boneyard Beer Pub
Serving flights of beer and Latin/Asian fusion dishes.
Drink 10 Barrel Brewing
Serves pizza and burgers alongside flights of beer.
Drink Silver Moon Brewing
Great beer and good service. Free Wifi. 10 craft beers available. The Hounds Tooth Amber is one of the best around.
Sleep
Resorts
Resorts with onsite activities and amenities are found in and around Bend.
Stay Eagle Crest Resort
Located between Bend and Redmond, Eagle Crest is known for its three golf courses and wonderful mountain views. The resort has a number of different amenities including, two recreation facilities including racquetball courts, basketball courts, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, weight and cardio center, three pools, two hot tubs (with adult hours only) indoor game room, day spa, café, a mini golf course-that will challenge even the most experienced golfers and a restaurant Niblick and Greenes.
Stay Seventh Mountain Resort
Great resort 15 minutes from ski resort Mt. Bachelor. The resort has two swimming pools, one complete with waterslide and volleyball net. The pool area is accompanied by large hot tubs, a sauna, and dressing rooms. The Inn has lots of activities including white water rafting, hay rides, mountain biking, shuttles to the mountain, and ice skating.
Stay Mt. Bachelor Village Resort
Mt. Bachelor Village is on the way up to Mt. Bachelor and just outside of the city. It's close to the Old Mill District and minutes from downtown. Mt. Bachelor Village has rooms for all from business suits to family condos; during the winter season they have special packages for the winter enthusiast, which could include a ski trip or a snowshoes adventure. Almost all of the rooms face the wild Deschutes River. If you need some exercise, take a walk or run along the river trails, which run right along the river.
Stay Shelter Cove Resort
Resort and resupply stop near Willamette Pass, PCT mile ~1908 (~1.8 miles off-trail); accepts resupply packages via UPS or FedEx, no hold fee. Restaurant, cabins, showers, laundry on site.
Go next
- Crater Lake National Park - home of the deepest lake in the United States. 2 hours south by car.
- In the John Day area about 2.5 hours north east, you can find the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, and the picturesque Painted Hills.
- Bend is the gateway to the Oregon Outback in the southeastern portion of the state. See Eastern Oregon for more info.
Nearby
Sunriver
City / town · 19 listings · 14 mi away
Redmond
City / town · 19 listings · 16 mi away
Mount Bachelor
Park · 20 mi away
Sisters
City / town · 15 listings · 20 mi away
Smith Rock State Park
Park · 1 listings · 23 mi away
La Pine
City / town · 4 listings · 26 mi away
Prineville
City / town · 10 listings · 29 mi away
Lake Billy Chinook
Park · 37 mi away
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