Where to eat, what to do, where to stay, and which breweries are worth the stop — from two locals who’ve tried it all.
We’re Nicole and Glenn. We’ve spent years hiking, eating, and drinking our way around Central Oregon, so you can skip the TripAdvisor and Reddit rabbit holes.
12+restaurants ranked
16breweries reviewed
20+hikes scouted
8golf courses rated
Each guide is a full, ranked breakdown. Here are our top picks from each to get you started.
From Westside favorites to downtown date-night spots and the Podski food cart lot.
1. Jackson’s CornerCasual favorite
2. Hawkeye and HuckleberryCocktails + dinner
3. BosaItalian + French
Floating the Deschutes, the Cascade Lakes, volcano country, and world-class trails.
1. Float the Deschutes RiverSummer must
2. Newberry Volcanic MonumentHalf day
3. The Cascade LakesScenic drive
The best neighborhoods to base yourself in, plus resorts and vacation rentals.
Bend is one of America’s great beer towns. Here’s where to start, ranked by two locals.
1. Crux Fermentation ProjectSunset views
2. Deschutes BreweryBend’s original
3. 10 Barrel BrewingWestside pub
Pro tip: grab a Bend Ale Trail passport and collect stamps as you go.
If you only do a handful of things in Bend, make it these.
| Pick | Best for | Cost | Time | Why we love it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Float the Deschutes River | Everyone, in summer | Free–$ | 2–3 hrs | Bend’s signature summer ritual |
| Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway | Scenery seekers | Free | Half day | Alpine lakes with volcano views |
| Green Lakes hike | Hikers | Permit (summer) | 5–6 hrs | Our #1 hike near Bend |
| Smith Rock State Park | Hikers, climbers | Day-use fee | 3–4 hrs | Oregon’s most dramatic day hike |
| Newberry Volcanic Monument | Families | Recreation pass | Half day | Lava flows, caves, and an obsidian field |
| Crux Fermentation Project | Beer lovers | $$ | 2 hrs | Our #1 Bend brewery, best at sunset |
| Old Mill District | Shopping, dinner | Free | 2–3 hrs | Riverside shops, trails, and the amphitheater |
| Dinner at Hawkeye and Huckleberry | Date night | $$$ | 2 hrs | One of Bend’s best newer spots |
Pick the trip that fits you. Each step links to the full review.
Central Oregon’s high desert, about 3 hours from Portland. Redmond Airport (RDM) is about 18 miles north.
A long weekend covers the highlights. A full week lets you add the Cascade Lakes, Smith Rock, and Crater Lake.
Downtown and the Old Mill are walkable and bikeable. You’ll need a car for trailheads, lakes, and Mt. Bachelor.
About 107,000 in the city (Census, 2024 est.), Central Oregon’s largest city.
Golf season opens, with spring skiing on Mt. Bachelor
River floats, high-country hikes, and the Cascade Lakes
Fewer crowds, crisp trails, and fresh-hop beer
Skiing and snowshoeing at Mt. Bachelor
Yes. World-class hiking, a river through the middle of town, mountains and lakes within an hour, and one of the country’s best beer scenes make Bend a great trip in any season.
Summer for floating, lakes, and high-country hikes; winter for skiing. Late spring and early fall bring fewer crowds and great golf and hiking weather.
Stay downtown or near the Old Mill to walk to dinner. See our guide to where to stay, plus our picks for resorts and Airbnbs.
About 3 hours by car. Redmond Airport (RDM), about 18 miles north of Bend, is the closest commercial airport.
Not downtown or in the Old Mill. You will for trailheads, the Cascade Lakes, Smith Rock, and Mt. Bachelor.
