Bend Travel Guide

Situated on the Deschutes River, Bend is a small city in Central Oregon known for its luscious nature and year-round mild climate. Originally called 'Farewell Bend', the city has a keen focus on community and innovation -- giving the community a friendly vibe. There are tons of great outdoor activities in the surrounding area, from hiking to skiing to kayaking, and it’s easy to see why many people think of Bend as the perfect vacation destination.

Things to Do in Bend

Soak up some culture at the High Desert Museum, stepping back in time through interactive exhibits and workshops, as well as the occasional presentation. Kayak or paddle in the stunning Deschutes River, or explore some of the area’s interesting lava and cave formations, caused by the area’s volcanic geology. When it's time to relax, round-off the day with a visit to one of Bend’s many beer breweries -- there’s a huge list to choose from considering that the city has the most breweries per capita in the state. It even has various annual beer events and a Bend Ale Trail beer tour. Bend is also home to a selection of great restaurants with everything from traditional American options through to international cuisine.

West of Bend is Mount Bachelor ski resort, which offers stunning mountain views and perfect conditions for winter sports such as skiing. In the winter travelers can also go tubing, go on snow hikes and sled dog rides.

Best Time to Visit Bend

Bend is popular over summer from June to September, where temperatures sit in the early 80s. Fall is equally busy, as people flock to see the foliage in October, where temperatures are around the early 60s. If you like hiking, visit in spring when you can see new spring flowers in bloom. There are several golf courses in the area, which are best visited in the summer months.

A Local's Guide to Bend vacation rentals

Bend, Oregon is a small city located along the Deschutes River. Bend is known as a playground and mecca for any outdoor enthusiast. For active travelers or those who simply cannot resist a stunning view, Bend is the ideal location for a vacation rental. As Bend experiences around 300 days of sunshine each year, almost any time is a great time to go.

Nature & Outdoors

Due west, are the lakes and peaks of the cascade mountains, including the noteworthy Mount Bachelor Ski Resort. The Deschutes National Forest has plenty of trails for hiking, walking, and mountain biking. It’s home to a huge network of forested bike trails, and there are plenty of places where you can rent a bike in the city -- and what better way is there than to explore nature on two wheels? Pilot Butte offers scenic views atop an extinct volcano. And the Deschutes River offers world class kayaking and rafting. The river has crystal clear waters that are also a delight to swim in.

Bend is a high desert city. So, in addition to the river, trail, and mountain access, Bend is home to extensive and wild Badlands. The expansive desert area includes breathtaking lava rock formations, old-growth juniper trees, and panoramic views of the buttes to the east.

The area surrounding Bend is home to several really interesting cave formations. Bend’s volcanic geology means that there are some great lava tubes and caves throughout the city. The best caves to visit are the Skylight Cave, the Redmond Caves, and the Lava River Cave.

Another top thing to do while in Bend is to visit Drake Park, which is thought of as ‘one of the best parks in Oregon’. It’s a large, grassy park that sits next to Mirror Pond and it’s close to downtown. The park is home to a rustic wooden bridge and the river is home to a large population of geese (don’t forget to bring some bread to feed them!) It’s a great place to visit with the family, or to have a picnic. If you feel like an easy walk, take the paved pathway alongside Drake Park and walk to downtown Bend.

Meanwhile, if waterfalls are your thing, you simply have to check out Tumalo Falls, which is an 89-foot waterfall. There is a short trail around the waterfall, offering several different viewpoints where you can see the mighty tumbling water.

For Bend, Oregan, vacation rentals, you’ll find everything from cute cabins for two, through to larger rental homes with a swimming pool, perfect for the family. If you’re looking to splash out, why not rent a home or apartment with a hot tub and stunning mountain scenery. Is there anything more romantic than kicking back in hot water, under a canopy of stars and surrounding mountains? There are also plenty of simple, functional apartments, which are great if you’re planning a vacation on a budget. Meanwhile, there are plenty of camping options in the surrounding mountains and close to the Deschutes River, if you want to feel closer to nature.

Shopping & Dining

Within Bend’s charming downtown area, travelers will find everything they need from shopping and bars to excellent restaurants. Almost as impressive as Bend’s spectacular views and outdoors scene is the diverse food scene. As Bend is Oregon’s biggest city outside the Willamette Valley, it means there are tons of things to do, especially when it comes to eating and drinking. With one of the most eateries per capita in the nation, Bend, Oregon is sure to please the appetite of any traveler. In addition to their budding food scene, Bend Oregon has a growing craft beer community that includes several local breweries and brewpubs. Some of the best places to eat include the Sparrow Bakery and the Lot Food Cart Pod, with street food eats. Meanwhile, for beer, head to Atlas Cider, or Bend Brewing. To try something different, head to Humm Kombucha, where you can sample a variety of different fruity kombuchas. There’s also Crater Lake Spirits, which is a tasting room in downtown Bend. They serve up great cocktails and infused spirits.

When it's time to go shopping, head to the Old Mill District, which was once home to two large timber mills and today is a bustling shopping area. While there, you can hit the Deschutes River on a kayak or paddleboard, as the river runs next to the Old Mill District. It's also a nice to just stroll around on the pavement browsing in shops or having a coffee in one of its cafes.

Cabins in Bend

The beautiful town of Bend, located in central Oregon, is a hiking and biking dream, as well as a popular place to get a vacation rental. Surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains and on the coast of the Deschutes River, there are many activities to do here.

Downtown Bend provides a little culture, and here, visitors can learn more about the area in the High Desert Museum. There are also many rentals in downtown, being accessible to all the attractions. The Old Mill District is where the much of the shopping and dining facilities are located, while nearby, La Pine makes a fun city day trip.

Outdoor enthusiasts in Bend enjoy the mountain biking, playing on the golf courses, and hiking the mighty Cascade Mountain. Mt Bachelor skiing is the sixth largest ski resort in North America and has great facilities available. There are also many Bend cabin rentals in or around the resort.

Pet-friendly rustic cabins border the national forest, a tranquil place to go for a walk. Alternatively, opt for a more luxurious vacation home complete with a hot tub and enjoy a glass of champagne under the night stars.