A BLONDE VINTAGE

I don’t know about you, but every summer I am just itching to head over the mountain to Bend, Oregon! One of our favorite retreats for any season during the year, Bend is known for all of it’s outdoor activities, amazing restaurants, craft breweries and luxe lodging options. Sunshine, incredible views, and good cheer are in abundant supply in this former lumber town. Surrounded by juniper forest, and ponderosa pines, Bend gets nearly 300 sunny days a year, which makes it one of the best vacation destinations in Oregon! You will love your weekend retreat to the area, I promise! Today I’m excited to share with you my Travel Guide to Bend, Oregon!

BEND, OREGON TRAVEL GUIDE

SEE

One thing is for sure, heading to Bend means spending a majority of your time in the great outdoors! Here are a few of my favorite spots.

Mount Bachelor A ten-minute drive from town, Mt. Bachelor has 4,300 acres of lift-accessible ski and snowboarding trails and is open generally from November through May. It also boasts one of the best views in the area from their onsite Summit Restaurant.

Smith Rock State Park About 30 minutes north of Bend, the Crooked River lazily carves its way through the eroded volcanic towers which make for some perfect hiking, biking or rock climbing opportunities.

Les Schwab Amphitheater is a outdoor music and event venue, which during the late Spring and Summer months you’ll want to make sure to check the Les Schwab Amphitheatre schedule for live shows, annual events and various other programming you might not want to miss!

Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway If you want to get outside for some adventure, experience more than a dozen lakes for fly fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding along this Byway.

Wanderlust Tours If you’re not into planning your own adventures, consider checking our Wanderlust Tours which offer everything from Snowshoeing adventures to a starlit canoe tour!

Hike Tumalo Falls  This 89 foot waterfall is easily the tallest and most beautiful near Bend and is a quick 1/2 mile loop trail. It’s located about 20 miles outside of Bend and you’ll want to make sure to go early to get parking.

Deschutes River Trail Easily my favorite trail in all of Bend, this trail is a simple walk from hotels along the southwest side of town. You’ll want to get started early to avoid the crowd, but the trail cusps the gorgeous Deschutes River and makes for the perfect morning walk.

STAY

Pine Ridge Inn, Bend, OR

Nestled within a grove of Ponderosa pines, the Pine Ridge Inn is one of my very favorite hidden gem hotels in Oregon. Honestly, I’m almost kicking myself as I write this for spilling the secret. This sweet, sophisticated calming retreat sits on a ridge overlooking the Deschutes River and is the perfect launch pad for everything you have planned for the weekend. It’s an easy walk to the Old Mill District, the Deschutes River Trail and an abundance of nearby eateries. You won’t want to leave!

Tetherow, Bend, OR

A gorgeous resort close to everything in Bend, this luxury property features three onsite restaurants, an award-winning golf course and is only 7 minutes from the Old Mill District and 20 minutes from Mount Bachelor. It is the perfect spot to see and do everything in and around the Bend area, without giving up the desire for that luxury resort vibe.

Sunriver Resort, Sunriver, OR

For the most magical fall or winter wonderland experience, enjoy a weekend getaway just outside of Bend at Sunriver Resort. This place is the perfect spot to unwind. The resort offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating, sleigh rides and more! There is also an on-site spa, where you can spend the day getting pampered. Sunriver Resort is a great destination for couples and families alike as there is plenty to keep everyone entertained!

Brasada Ranch, Powell Butte, OR

Brasada Ranch is only about 30 minutes outside of Bend and features boutique hotel suites and luxurious vacation rentals that are unlike everything else you’ve come to expect. It is the perfect wintertime destination! This gorgeous resort features cozy cabins, crackling fireplaces, endless outdoor adventures, and panoramic views of the surrounding scenery that will make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a true winter wonderland.  Cozy up in the hot tub, while enjoying a glass of wine, or be a kid again by gathering around the fire pit, roasting up a batch of their homemade marshmallows and pressing them between their from-scratch graham crackers to make s’mores. This is the perfect place to come for a lazy, long weekend.

EAT

When in Bend, you cannot miss the Ocean Roll pastry (cardamom, vanilla, and sugar rolled up in traditional croissant dough) at the Sparrow Bakery or the Salty Queen kouign-amann (caramelized croissant dough topped with smoked salt) at Foxtail Bakeshop. Bonus: Both shops have delicious coffee, so they each make the perfect breakfast spot!

Now, if you’re like me, you have to have coffee before you can even begin to think about what’s on the agenda for the day. Well, you’re in luck! Bend has several local coffee shops which are both roasting and brewing their delicious coffee. To name a few, Thump Coffee, Backporch Coffee and Strictly Organic Coffee are our top three favorites in the area!

When you’re looking for lunch, look no further than Spork. Once an Airstream food cart cruising the streets of Bend, Spork is now a casual and vibrant restaurant featuring Mexican eats, Asian fusion plates and craft cocktails in a stylish venue, all made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

For dinner…the options are endless, but I’ve narrowed it down to my top three spots! First up, for one of the best meals you’ll probably ever have, look no further than Bos Taurus. This boutique, chef-driven American steakhouse is situated in the heart of downtown in a modern-industrial building featuring high-end, thoughtfully sourced cuts of meat, craft cocktails and a selection of local wines.

If you’re looking for some delicious and trendy cocktails, a delicious spin on traditional comfort food and a inviting atmosphere, Washington Dining & Cocktails is the place. This neighborhood spot has it all going on, a few of my favorite dishes include the Buffalo Cauliflower, Drake Fried Chicken and the Buffalo Chicken Salad. Though one thing you cannot leave without ordering are their Ricotta Donuts… ohhh my goodness. HEAVEN.

Now, if you’re looking for a special occasion dining spot that is sure to impress head over to Ariana. Housed in a cozy Craftsman Bungalow they are known for fresh spins on delicious classic European and American dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients.

BREW

 

Immersion Brewing – This family owned, independent craft beer spot located in the heart of Bend, is a full-scale brewpub with food and 30 beers on tap. It is one of my favorite spots in the area. Their beers are top-notch, their service exceptional and the food delicious! We ended up sharing a sampler tray, two pints and their pub pretzels. Yum!

Crux Fermentation – Smak dab in the middle of Bend, Crux Fermentation features 20+ original craft beers on tap and an expansive panoramic view of the Cascade Mountains which at dusk offers views of Central Oregon’s most incredible sunsets. This is one of our favorite spots to spend time hanging out, and the beer is great!

Deschutes Brewery – Founded in 1988 Dechutes Brewery is an institution in Bend and a must-visit, especially if you have never been! They offer free daily guided brewery tours starting from their Tasting Room, just make sure to book one online before you go!

Sunriver Brewing – With several locations in Bend (and even in Eugene, Oregon) Sunriver Brewing offers high quality food and craft beer are served in cozy settings complete enviable indoor outdoor space. Not only are their beers our fave, but so is the food!

Boss Rambler Beer Club – Located in the heart of Bend’s popular Westside neighborhood, just blocks from the Deschutes River, the Boss Rambler beer club embodies everything we’re looking for: good beer, good hangs, and good people. This spot is a fun place in Bend to spend time and chill, with a delicious cold beverage.

WINE

Stoller Wine Bar – Featuring over 40 wines from the Stoller line up of brands, including Stoller Family Estate, Chehalem, Chemistry, Canned Oregon and History, there is definitely a wine for everyone! We even enjoyed a few small bites during our visit including a cheese and charcuterie board which was delicious! Stoller Wine Bar even offered beer options and Riff Cold Brewed products. We had the best time and their outdoor space was warm and inviting! You could certainly tell people loved the atmosphere as it was busy from he time we arrived till the time we left.

Va Piano Vineyards – Located in the Old Mill district of Bend, Va Piano makes the perfect mid-afternoon stop! Maybe I’m bias (my sweet friend Mauri runs the tasting room!) but I love the relaxed vibe and fun atmosphere of this tasting room, and the wines are always wonderful! Whether you’re looking to try a tasting flight, or sit down and enjoy a glass, each wine is easy drinking and delicious. My personal favorites include their Rosé, Cabernet Franc and Walla Walla Syrah!

Bledsoe Family Winery – Former NFL star Drew Bledsoe and his wife Maura, (who are also Bend residents) own Doubleback and Bledsoe Family wineries, which originally began in Walla Walla where Drew is originally from. If you’ve ever had the privilege of tasting at their Walla Walla tasting room, then you know how wonderful the wines are and how excited I was to finally experience their Bledsoe Family Winery in Bend. Every single wine we enjoyed from the rotating lineup that includes Elizabeth Chardonnay, Healy Rosé (my favorite!), Stolen Horse Syrah, Bledsoe Family Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bledsoe Family Wine was delicious! I personally adored the indoor/outdoor venue space which was comfortable and lively, and it was the perfect place to enjoy the rest of our day. YUM!

 

I hope you enjoyed this Travel Guide to Bend, Oregon! If you’re looking for another weekend getaway in Oregon consider heading out along the coast, and reading my Travel Guide to Pacific City for a little inspiration!

XO,
M

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