It’s no wonder our town attracts tourists from around the world. Not only does Bend offer a plethora of outdoor attractions, it also offers arts and cultural attractions, a vibrant food and drink scene, homegrown products, and a world-class ski resort. Bend Lifestyle decided to take a look at a few things locals love about our hometown.
Dog Friendly
Known as “Dog Town USA,” Bend is no doubt one of the most dog friendly cities in the country. With the vast number of open trails, dog parks and over forty restaurants that accommodate dogs for patio dining, Bend is the place where dogs are happiest. Cold weather dog breeds are especially content in Bend, as they can play in the snow for at least three to four months per year. VisitBend.com
Craft Beer
Bend has been called “Beer Town USA” and is at the top of the list as one of the best craft beer towns. Homegrown hops combined with other robust ingredients give Bend some of the best varietal beers on the planet. On the famous Bend Ale Trail, try a Mirror Pond Ale from Deschutes Brewery, a RPM from Boneyard Beer, the signature IPA which built the brand and became one of the most popular beers in Oregon. Other award-winning beers of Bend include Blonde Bombshell from Cascade Lakes, IPA 97 from Silver Moon, Sasquatch from 10 Barrel and Stratus IPA from Worthy Brewing. BendAleTrail.com
Sparrow Bakery’s Ocean Roll
If you live in or have visited Bend, then you’ve probably indulged in an Ocean Roll for breakfast, brunch or dessert. This Sparrow Bakery signature indulgent pastry, layered in sugar, vanilla and cardamom, melts in your mouth and keeps you longing for more. Paired with a drip coffee or espresso, Bend’s best kept secret can be found at Sparrow Bakery in Northwest Crossing or satellite locations around town. TheSparrowBakery.net
Bend Parks and Recreation
Bend Parks and Recreation (BPRD), founded in the early 1940’s, is responsible for some of the best parks and indoor recreation facilities in the state. BPRD maintains eighty-four parks and open recreation spaces in Bend city limits. Part of BPRD, the white-water park on the Deschutes River is a local favorite for surfing and offers one of the most unique experiences in Central Oregon. Nearby, The Pavilion offers ice skating during winter months and roller skating during warmer weather. BendParksandRec.org
Food Truck Scene
Over the past ten years, the food truck scene in Bend has exploded! With food truck ‘pods’ in every quadrant of Bend, there are over fifty food trucks offering a large variety of cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner and beyond. Food truck pods include The Podski, Silver Moon, On Tap, River’s Place, Midtown Yacht Club, The Patio at 9th Street, Ponch’s Place and The Lot – Bend’s first food truck pod—and more. VisitCentralOregon.com
Bend Film Festival
Founded in 2003, BendFilm is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission dedicated to celebrating independent cinema’s unique power to enrich lives, promote diversity and inspire change through vibrant educational programs and film festival experiences across Central Oregon. BendFilm’s main event is the annual Bend Film Festival in October. Some BendFilm Festival award-winners are eligible for Academy Award nominations. BendFilm also provides year-round programming at the BendFilm-owned Tin Pan Theater, Tower Theater, and other venues. BendFilm.org
Mt. Bachelor
Not only does Mt. Bachelor hold the title of the seventh largest ski resort in North America with 4,323 skiable acres, but most years Mt. Bachelor offers the longest ski and ride seasons in the country. Winter activities include alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, guided snowshoe tours, sled dog rides and guided ski tours with forest service naturalists. Warmer months offer mountain biking, hiking and ziplining at this world-class resort. MtBachelor.com
Volcanoes, Caves, and Lakes – Oh My!
Bend is not only surrounded by mountains, but also by ancient volcanic debris, deep caves, and a scenic highway to lakes of all sizes. Over a million years ago, Central Oregon’s landscape was molded by volcanic activity. There are as many as four hundred lava tubes in the area and the caves were formed by molten lava when the Newberry Volcano erupted, and the lava flowed north. As the high desert was forming, along with the many lakes, Bend became one of the most sought-out areas for unique outdoor adventures. FS.USDA.gov
Crater Lake Distillery
Born and raised in Bend, Crater Lake Distillery is one of the most popular liquor establishments in Central Oregon. A wide variety of vodkas, whiskeys, ryes, and gins are made in traditional styles with Cascade water and carefully purified. Each bottle is made with care and love for its community and customers. A Crater Lake spirit is the perfect gift or mixer with a variety of flavors like sweet ginger, northwest berry, hatch green chili, and hazelnut espresso spirits. CraterLakeSpirits.com
Pine Tavern
The Pine Tavern was founded in 1936 by Maren Gribskov and Eleanor Bechen. After the Great Depression, Gribskov and Bechen built a thriving restaurant serving a growing population of timber industry workers and their families. During World War II, Pine Tavern customers included soldiers stationed at Camp Abbot (now Sunriver) and the occasional tourist or Mount Bachelor skier. During the 1950’s, the Pine Tavern went under major renovation and enclosed two gigantic Ponderosa Pines in the Garden Room. Over the course of 30 years, the Pine Tavern has become known as one of the finest dining experiences in Central Oregon. PineTavern.com