Amie & Amy

July 26, 2025 • Bend, OR
62 Days To Go!

Amie & Amy

July 26, 2025 • Bend, OR
62 Days To Go!

Best Things to Do in Bend (Video)

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Day trip to Hood River Fruit Loop

A unique rural farm experience awaits you in the beautiful Hood River Valley, where you will encounter 30 on-the-farm fruit stands, wineries, breweries, cideries, and fields of flowers. The Hood River Valley has a rich agricultural heritage, beginning with the planting of the first fruit trees in 1855, resulting in 14,500 acres of pears, apples, and cherries that cover the valley today. Wander down the 35 miles of scenic country roads on your self-guided tour and create great adventures with family and friends, while exploring the abundance of farm products grown in the valley.

Day Trip to Sahalie and Koosah Falls in Williamette National Forest

An easy family-friendly 2.6 mile (4.1843 km) loop trail connects Koosah and Sahalie Falls. The hike borders the McKenzie River through towering forest. The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to stairs. Koosah Falls drops approximately 70 feet (21 m) into a deep pool. Sahalie Falls is a mass of foaming white water plunging 100 feet (30 m) over a natural lava dam. This famous falls can be spotted in Disney's movie "Homeward Bound". The Sahalie Falls viewing platform is less then 100 feet (30 m) from the parking lot and is wheelchair accessible.


Day trip to Crater Lake National Park

Oregon, USA
(541) 594-3000

Crater Lake National Park is a national park of the United States located in southern Oregon. Established in 1902, Crater Lake is the fifth-oldest national park in the United States and the only national park in Oregon

Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway

Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway, Blue River, OR 97413, USA

Round a bend to find Mount Bachelor looming larger than life—and find its image perfectly reflected in a mile-high lake around another bend—and you'll understand why Scenic America named the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway one of the nation's most important byways. The Byway passes through the heart of central Oregon, with the towering Cascade Mountains providing a constant backdrop for a recreational paradise that offers first class fishing, boating, hiking, rock climbing opportunities and wonderful alpine and Nordic skiing in the winter. The mountains provide practical as well as scenic pleasures; they block moist air from the Pacific, giving this region as many as 250 sunny days a year!

You'll pass along the shores of the renowned Deschutes River and a dozen lakes, as well as many noteworthy geological formations hewn by glacial and volcanic activity. Several old-time lakeside resorts offer respite from the road in the form of an ice cream cone or a comfortable room

Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint

1310 NE Hwy 20, Bend, OR 97701, USA
(800) 551-6949

Hike (or drive) to the summit of an extinct volcano—all without ever leaving Bend city limits—when you visit Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint on the community’s eastside.

The heart of the park is the 480-foot-tall extinct cinder cone, which formed after a volcanic eruption roughly 188,000 years ago. Today, the 480-foot butte is home to a year-round hiking trail, a seasonal road, and epic views in every direction.


Blockbuster

211 NE Revere Ave #3, Bend, OR 97701, USA
(541) 385-9111

Blockbuster, colloquially known as the Last Blockbuster, is a video rental store in Bend, Oregon. In 2018, it became the last Blockbuster store in the United States, and in 2020, it became the world's last remaining retail store using the Blockbuster brand

Visit Sisters, OR

Sisters is a vibrant, artsy community with a charming 1880s facades and small-town ambience. There are lots of restaurant options, an amazing bakery, and a chocolatier.

Wanderlust Tours

61535 S Hwy 97 #13, Bend, OR 97702, USA
(541) 389-8359

Let our award-winning naturalist guides take you paddling on the pristine blue waters of high-elevation mountain lakes, perhaps with the added bonus of some delicious local libations. Head underground to escape the heat in the cool, underground lava tube caves near Bend, Oregon. Watch the moon rise and the stars come out on one of our amazing Cascade Lakes canoe tours. We’re experts in summer adventures Central Oregon!

Float or Raft the Deschutes River

In the summer months, Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe rents tubes from the launch area at Riverbend Park and Cascades East Transit runs a Ride the River shuttle service that takes you from Drake Park back to Riverbend Park.


Book a whitewater rafting trip with Sun Country Tours. Test your nerves on the infamous Big Eddy Thriller, a three-mile stretch of the Deschutes River between Bend and Sunriver that includes a series of four Class III rapids and several Class II rapids.

Play a round of golf

Central Oregon is home to 30 courses — and these four award-winning spots are a golfer’s paradise, steeped in beauty with views of the Cascade Mountains, ponderosa pines and ancient lava rock. So it should come as no surprise that three of the courses were ranked among Golf Digest’s top 100.

1. Black Butte Ranch

2. Crosswater at Sunriver Resort

3. Juniper Preserve

4. Tetherow Resort

Explore the Bend Ale Trail

Launched in 2010 as the first beer trail in the West, the Bend Ale Trail has grown to include over 30 breweries and tasting rooms in seven territories. It includes ale houses from Sisters to Prineville to Redmond, and, of course, Bend. Each territory features some of our favorite activities in Central Oregon as well as Drinkable Diversions. Stop by the Bend Visitor Center for a free collectible passport or use the web-based app to start right away.

Explore Bend Wineries

Vineyards may be hard to come by in Central Oregon, but there is no shortage of wineries, especially in Bend. And who doesn’t enjoy a glass of carefully selected wine when on vacation or spending time with friends?

Here you will find quite a variety of wine tasting experiences, from the laid-back, friendly atmosphere of Naked Winery to the wide selection of over 600 labels at The Wine Shop and Beer Tasting Bar.



Relax at Hot Springs or a Spa

1. Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs. They just finished a huge renovation. Unique Resort on over 640,000 acres, owned & operated by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. 1.5 Hr drive from Bend.


2. Spa W - voted Central Oregons Best Day Spa.


3. Anjou Spa - The spa features three specialized rooms: an aromatic steam room infused with eucalyptus oils, a heat and steam room that cycles between bursts of hot and cold steam, and a hot sand room inspired by traditional Korean ondols (warm floors).


4. Jinsei Spa - Voted “Best Day Spa” by Central Oregon Magazine readers, “Best Massage” by The Source Weekly and the choice for our loyal, dedicated clients.




Pickleball!

There are indoor courts at the Pickleball Zone 541-323-0100. There are also indoor courts at Widgi Creek Pickleball 541-797-7070. You will need to reserve a court at both.


There are 16 outdoor courts at Pine Nursery Park. They are free but frequently full. https://bendpickleballclub.com/our-facility-and-location/

Take in a show.

Tower Theater - is a historic performing arts theatre located in downtown Bend.


Tin Pan Theater - Small, single-screen, kid-friendly art-house cinema with beer & snack bar & lineup of unique films.


Volcanic Theater Pub - Intimate theater with comfy sofa seating & local beers offering an eclectic mix of entertainment.


Silver Moon Brewing Company - they frequently have live music. There are also a number of food trucks and full bar.


Hayden Homes Amphitheater - this is out big open air concert venue. Not sure yet if anyone will be here that weekend. https://www.bendconcerts.com/events




Ride the Scenic Lift up Mount Bachelor

Scenic chairlift rides are a summer activity the whole family can enjoy! Your ride begins at 6,300 feet in our West Village base area and takes you on a relaxing ride to the Pine Marten Lodge perched at 7,800 feet. Enjoy drinks or a snack at Scapolo's, hike around, and take in the sights.



Pacific Crest Trail

Pacific Crest Nat'l Scenic Trl, North Bend, WA 98045, USA

If you are feeling super adventurous the PCT runs through the Cascade Mountains and there are a number of trailheads where you can hop on the PCT. I would suggest stopping before you get to Canada :-).


There are permits needed so if anyone is interested let me (Amie) know and I can help you figure that out. There is a big trail angel population in Bend.