Choose Your Own Adventure
Bend, Oregon has a lot to offer for a weekend stay. For the outdoor enthusiast, there is a fantastic array of pursuits available, as this is known as one of Oregon’s outdoor meccas. There is also a lot available for those who enjoy a slower, more relaxed weekend away.
See What is the Pacific Northwest {for travelers}
Map
Here is a map with all the locations mentioned below.
| Destination: | Distance From: |
| Mt Bachelor, OR | 20 miles |
| Sisters, OR | 22 miles |
| Prineville, OR | 36 miles |
| Crater Lake National Park | 90 miles |
| Eugene, OR | 128 miles |
| Portland, OR | 175 miles |
| Ashland, OR | 185 miles |
Friday
Option 1
Take a walk up Pilot Butte
Pilot Butte is a cinder cone on the East side of Bend. With a casual walking trail, this nature walk has a great view of Bend and the opportunity to learn about the local fauna and flora.
For park brochure, map, and nature guide visit the Oregon State Parks guide.
Option 2
Outdoor- Smith Rock Hike
Smith Rock State Park has a system of trails, including something for everyone. With a walkway ramp meandering down to the river bed at the base of Smith Rock, it is easily accessible, though very steep.
Choose from a 7-mile loop around the entirety of Smith Rock (this is great for views of the rock itself), or shorter hikes closer to the base and over the top of Smith Rock for views of the surrounding area.
Visit Smith Rock for more information about hiking or exploring this beautiful location.
Option 3
Pub Crawl
Dinner
Option 1 – Deschutes Brewing
Pub style foods- burgers, sandwiches. Beer and wine. This happens to be our favorite restaurant in the area. Especially after a long hike.
Option 2- McMenamins St. Francis School
An old school turned into one of McMenamins many restaurant/hotel campuses. This location has a quiet, pleasant restaurant, including pub-style foods.
Option 3- Wild Oregon
A farm-to-table restaurant offering fresh foods from farm-raised produce.
Saturday
Breakfast
Option 1 – Strictly Organic Coffee Co.
Coffee house and breakfast/lunch stop.
Option 2 – Mothers Juice Cafe
Freshly made juices, smoothies, bowls, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more whole food options.
Option 3 – McKay Cottage Restaurant
Casual neighborhood breakfast stop. Comfort breakfast foods- pancakes, omelets, hash browns eggs and bacon, and many more tasty options.
Option 1
Indoors – Deschutes Historical Museum
Learn about the local history and people of the Bend area.
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm.
General admission is $5.
Option 2
Outdoors – Lava Butte and Lava River Cave
Located South of Bend, Lava Butte is a cinder cone that juts up overlooking the surrounding countryside. There is a 3.8-mile hike from the visitor center to the lookout tower on top of Lava Butte.
Located near Lava Butte is Lava River Cave, which is part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Lava River Cave is 150 feet below the surface and is a smooth-walled tube that visitors can walkthrough. Bring your flashlight.
May 23rd – September 1st, the Lava River Cave is open from 9 am-5 pm.
This location does require a parking pass or a $ 5-day pass fee.
For more information on Lava River Cave, visit the Forest Service website. For more on the hike, visit AllTrails.com.
Option 3
Outdoors – Northwest Crossing Saturday Farmers Market
Saturdays from 10 am-2 pm (June-Sept)
Located on the West side of Bend near Compass park.
Lunch
Option 1 – Picnic in Drake Park
Drake Park is alongside Mirror Pond and the Deschutes River.
Enjoy a picnic lunch by the pond.
Option 2 – Pick up some fruits and snacks at the local farmers market
Visit the Northwest Crossing Saturday Farmers Market for some local fresh foods and enjoy them on the go.
Option 3 – Eat at one of the breweries
Bend has a lot of breweries to choose from. Not all have food. Visit Beer Me Bend! for a directory of all the breweries in the Bend area.
Option 1
Indoors – High Desert Museum
Wildlife and Living History museum. The museum offers a main exhibit that changes regularly. There are also several permanent exhibits, including the Desertarium, Spirit of the West, and Porcupines (yes, the porcupines are alive).
Open daily:
Winter hours are 10 am-4 pm (Nov. 1st-March 31st)
Summer hours are 9 am-5 pm (April 1st-Oct 31st)
General admission is $17; kids are $10.
For more information, visit the High Desert Museum website.
Option 2
Outdoors – Go for a bike ride
Dinner
Downtown shops and eating directory: Downtown Bend Business Directory.
Dessert
Option 1 – Bonta- Gelato
Delicious gelato in unique flavors.
Sunday
Special breakfast options
Option 1 – The Victorian Cafe
For a fancy breakfast. Plates run between $12-20.
Option 2 – The Sparrow Bakery
Breakfast sandwiches, traditional sandwiches, salads, and bread.
Option 3 – Old St. Francis Pub
Homey breakfast options.
Tea houses
Option 1 – Humm Kombucha Tasting Room
If you are a fan of kombucha, visit Humm’s tasting room to test out their flavors, and a few you can only get at their store.
Option 2 – Townshends Tea House
Offering an extensive menu of tea options and tea preparations, this is a quiet stop to refresh and recharge before continuing your adventures.
My favorite drink is the chocolate chipotle chai tea, served hot or cold- both are good.
Coffee houses
Option 1 – Back Porch Coffee Roasters
There are multiple Back Porch Coffee Roaster locations in Bend. This makes it convenient to find one near you.
Option 2 – Thump Coffee
Option 3 – Wild Roots Coffee House
Option 1
Indoor – Shopping
Bend is broken into several “districts” when it comes to shopping. There is the Old Mill District, Downtown Bend, and the surrounding area.
Old Mill District
Downtown Bend– things to do and shop directory.
Gear Fix– Outdoor enthusiasts, this is the place for you, especially if you like outdoor gear. Kind of like a thrift store for outdoor gear. Offering bike repairs and a wide range of second-hand outdoor gear, this is a fun place to dig around for a treasure to add to your outdoor gear stock. Examples of things we saw when visiting- skis, climbing shoes, sleeping bags and pads, backpacks, shoes, clothing, and much more.
Option 2
Outdoor- Tumalo Falls hike
Located about 30 minutes from Bend.
This is a short walk from the car to the waterfall overlook.
Continue from the overlook up a trail to follow the river to Middle Fork Tumalo Falls. This is a 7-mile loop. For more on this hike, visit Oregon Hikers.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Bend, Oregon.
More Resources
A Weekend in Ashland: Choose Your Own Adventure
