Bend Oregon is a vibrant mountain town with lots to offer. It is located to the east of Willamette National Forest, northeast of Deschutes National Forest, and just south of Sisters. The ideal location means there are endless things to do in Bend Oregon. Bend gives visitors a chance to explore the attributes of Oregon that don’t include the ocean—of which there are many—and to experience the best of interior Oregon’s rich rewards.

Bend Oregon activities are centered around the mountainous region’s availability of outdoor recreation based throughout the 32-square-mile region. Interesting desert plants abound to the east, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, and the surrounding scenery, seen from Bend’s 3000+ feet of elevation, is nothing less than inspiring. Cool evenings and nights, bright days, and a low humidity index make outdoor Bend activities a true pleasure in the ideal, mild climate.

Bend Oregon features six distinct neighborhoods, each with a unique configuration. Downtown Bend is the most popular tourist haunt and for plenty of good reasons. Cobblestone walkways and tree-lined avenues create the scenic downtown Bend, along with an array of interesting shops, art galleries, and eateries. There is a rustic feel to the cosmopolitan city that makes it feel as if it’s right out of a storybook. A 1910 dam, Mirror Pond, and the Riverfront Neighborhood exemplify the rich history in Bend Oregon. Colonial and Craftsman homes complete the picture.

Oregon Map

The Old Mill District & Neighborhood offers many things to do in Bend Oregon. Shopping is a delight in the many specialty shops while Bend Oregon activities prevail in the neighborhood’s backdrop of the Deschutes River and the Cascade Mountains. Hiking, climbing, swimming, kayaking, and all sorts of other outdoor sports and leisure pursuits are readily available in this picturesque, recreational haven. History reigns in this district via the historic lumber company site and the triple-chimney sawmill powerhouse. Dining is especially popular in the area, with wood-fire gourmet pizzas, fresh seafood, and other specialties all available. Juniper Ridge, Awbrey Butte, and Northwest Crossing are more interesting and impressive neighborhoods perfect for exploring during vacations in Bend Oregon.

All the best outdoor Bend activities are best tried out in some of Bend’s most natural, outdoor areas. Some of the top things to do in Bend Oregon include golf, fishing, lake and river excursions, spelunking (caving), cycling, hiking, and white-water rafting. Of course, not everyone seeks the thrills and spills that Bend is famous for so it’s lucky that Bend Oregon is so diverse. Bend offers visitors a large scope of day and full-service spas to choose between. Carriage rides, bicycle tours, and horseback riding are geared to those who want to take it easy while taking it all in. Bird watching is another favorite of Bend Oregon activities and it just so happens that Bend is the portal to Oregon Cascades Birding Trail.

Whether luxury is on the agenda or simply an affordable room, Bend hotels come in all shapes and sizes. From swank ski lodges in the winter to charming cottages in Northwest Crossing, Bend has abundant choice in lodging. Bed and breakfasts, a huge variety of vacation rentals, and plenty of hotels and motels cover a large array of options. From Bend Oregon, head northwest to Portland, travel east to Prairie City, or go anywhere in the vicinity from this convenient, central, and exciting mountain community.