Elizabeth's Guidebook
Sightseeing
So, it’s all outdoor stuff here. Bend delivers on outdoor FUN!
Breathtaking views, world renowned rock climbing, and lots of hiking options at various skill levels. If you like a good heart-pumping hike then don’t miss Misery Ridge.
469 locals recommend
Smith Rock State Park
Breathtaking views, world renowned rock climbing, and lots of hiking options at various skill levels. If you like a good heart-pumping hike then don’t miss Misery Ridge.
You can hike or drive to the top for epic 360 views. Highly recommend this quick and in town 1 mile hike.
141 locals recommend
Pilot Butte
You can hike or drive to the top for epic 360 views. Highly recommend this quick and in town 1 mile hike.
In town hike/walk with out of town feels. Stroll along the river, breath in the fresh air and clear the mind! Probably my favorite in town 3 miler. I like to start at Farewell Bend park Bridge. You can actually walk for quite agile along the Deschutes River as it winds throughout town.
64 locals recommend
Deschutes River Trail
Deschutes River TrailIn town hike/walk with out of town feels. Stroll along the river, breath in the fresh air and clear the mind! Probably my favorite in town 3 miler. I like to start at Farewell Bend park Bridge. You can actually walk for quite agile along the Deschutes River as it winds throughout town.
Family friendly, and quite a unique experience. Wander through the surreal lava fields. It is other worldly.
72 locals recommend
Lava Lands Visitor Center
58201 US-97Family friendly, and quite a unique experience. Wander through the surreal lava fields. It is other worldly.
Beauty of a waterfall that is not too far out of town! You can drive to the falls or enjoy the relatively easy hike.
214 locals recommend
Tumalo Falls
Beauty of a waterfall that is not too far out of town! You can drive to the falls or enjoy the relatively easy hike.
Bachelor and the 3 Sisters
Mt Bachleor has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Oregon. There are also several Snow parks that are great for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. The snow parks also have warming huts that you can hike/ski to for a quick break. Snow parks require a day use pass Oct-April which can be purchased in town at Bend Visitor Center or at any Oregon DMV office or online and at local retailers like Mountain Supply. During the Summer many of the bigger and more popular hike on MT Bachleor and the Three Sisters Wilderness require day passes or passes for overnight use. Those passes must be purchased a week in advance at www.fs.usda.gov.com.
Mount Bachelor
Three Sisters Wilderness
Swampy Lakes Sno-Park and Trail Head
My favorite for snowshoeing.
Virginia Meissner Sno Park
Best for cross country skiing
Absolutely stunning, moderately rated 9.1 mile out and back hike. Make sure to check trail conditions before heading up the mountain. There is often snow in the ground at the upper parts of the trail through June. I rely on AllTrails for hike conditions. You also need a permit to hike or camp. You’ll need to get the permit in advance (1 week). See link below for details.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=38872
Green Lakes
Absolutely stunning, moderately rated 9.1 mile out and back hike. Make sure to check trail conditions before heading up the mountain. There is often snow in the ground at the upper parts of the trail through June. I rely on AllTrails for hike conditions. You also need a permit to hike or camp. You’ll need to get the permit in advance (1 week). See link below for details.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=38872
Great family friendly spot for overnight stays or a day time adventure. Elk Lake is home to a variety of summer and winter activities. From kayaking and fishing to snowmobiling and snowshoeing, Elk Lake has lots to offer all year long. Elk Lake Resort has rental equipment available, so you don’t have to rent in town and haul up the mountain.
41 locals recommend
Elk Lake
Great family friendly spot for overnight stays or a day time adventure. Elk Lake is home to a variety of summer and winter activities. From kayaking and fishing to snowmobiling and snowshoeing, Elk Lake has lots to offer all year long. Elk Lake Resort has rental equipment available, so you don’t have to rent in town and haul up the mountain.
Breweries
We love our beer here in Oregon!
Large venue, often with live music! They grow lots of their herbs and veggies onsite. AND you can stargaze at their 3 story “Hopservatory.”
119 locals recommend
Worthy Brewing Company
495 NE Bellevue DrLarge venue, often with live music! They grow lots of their herbs and veggies onsite. AND you can stargaze at their 3 story “Hopservatory.”
Outdoor and indoor seating! Good beer, full menu but they recently updated menu for the worse, but I believe they still have Polenta Tots✨✨!
76 locals recommend
Boneyard Beer
37 NW Lake PlOutdoor and indoor seating! Good beer, full menu but they recently updated menu for the worse, but I believe they still have Polenta Tots✨✨!
Two locations: one in Bend on Galveston and one in Sunriver.
64 locals recommend
Sunriver Brewing Co. Galveston Pub
1005 NW Galveston AveTwo locations: one in Bend on Galveston and one in Sunriver.
Makers of my favorite easy drinking beer- SweetAs! Food carts on site.
76 locals recommend
GoodLife Brewing Company
70 SW Century DrMakers of my favorite easy drinking beer- SweetAs! Food carts on site.
Surrounded by food carts and outdoor seating. Aina good art has some killer Poke.
23 locals recommend
Bevel Craft Brewing
911 SE Armour RdSurrounded by food carts and outdoor seating. Aina good art has some killer Poke.
Immersion Brewing
550 SW Industrial WayGreat beer and apparently some delicious nachos.
Awesome outdoor area, several food carts! Don’t skip the El Sancho Tacos.
246 locals recommend
Crux Fermentation Project
50 SW Division StAwesome outdoor area, several food carts! Don’t skip the El Sancho Tacos.
In the heart of Downtown! The one that set the standard for all the rest.
208 locals recommend
Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House
1044 NW Bond StIn the heart of Downtown! The one that set the standard for all the rest.
Boss Rambler Beer Club
1009 NW Galveston AveSuper hip spot, creative brews.
Inside and outside seating with multiple fire pits. Food is just okay- in my opinion.
211 locals recommend
10 Barrel Brewery
1135 NW Galveston AveInside and outside seating with multiple fire pits. Food is just okay- in my opinion.
Food Cart Pods
We love our food truck pods 365 days of the year! You’ll find a beer bar surrounded by food trucks and outdoor/indoor seating. Below is a quick list of some of our favorite spots below.
Don’t miss NorthFresh Sushi (worth the wait). Shimshom is also delicious. I hear the pizza spot is good but haven’t tried personally. My favorite drink from the beer bar is a half hard seltzer and half cider blend.
39 locals recommend
Midtown Yacht Club
1661 Northeast 4th StreetDon’t miss NorthFresh Sushi (worth the wait). Shimshom is also delicious. I hear the pizza spot is good but haven’t tried personally. My favorite drink from the beer bar is a half hard seltzer and half cider blend.
Close to the action! Right across the street from the Box Factory and not to far from downtown as well.
37 locals recommend
The Podski Food Cart Lot
536 NW Arizona AveClose to the action! Right across the street from the Box Factory and not to far from downtown as well.
Large food pod with live music on the weekends. Lots of parking in the parking lot next door!
51 locals recommend
On Tap
1424 NE Cushing DrLarge food pod with live music on the weekends. Lots of parking in the parking lot next door!
The Lot
745 NW Columbia StHeated seats and covered seating.
Food scene
Famous Brunch spot! There is usually a wait, but they do have a great spot to wait equipped with fire pits and an outdoor bar to make waiting a little more pleasant. They have a mean Bloody Mary.
149 locals recommend
The Victorian Café
1404 NW Galveston AveFamous Brunch spot! There is usually a wait, but they do have a great spot to wait equipped with fire pits and an outdoor bar to make waiting a little more pleasant. They have a mean Bloody Mary.
A favorite! Healthy juices and food options for breakfast and lunch - close at 3pm. We love Renee’s chicken dish! They also sell our favorite cookies!
49 locals recommend
Mother’s Juice Cafe
1255 NW Galveston AveA favorite! Healthy juices and food options for breakfast and lunch - close at 3pm. We love Renee’s chicken dish! They also sell our favorite cookies!
A Bend staple! 3 locations, but this is closest and out favorite! There is another location on the West side and a tacos only food truck at Crux Brewery. The tacos are obviously great! Margaritas are good and if you are going for it, or have friends in tow you can grab a pitcher of any Marg you like!
80 locals recommend
El Sancho Taco Shop East
335 NE Dekalb AveA Bend staple! 3 locations, but this is closest and out favorite! There is another location on the West side and a tacos only food truck at Crux Brewery. The tacos are obviously great! Margaritas are good and if you are going for it, or have friends in tow you can grab a pitcher of any Marg you like!
Our favorite breakfast and lunch spot. Creative dishes made with local ingredients and good vibes overall.
140 locals recommend
Chow
1110 NW Newport AveOur favorite breakfast and lunch spot. Creative dishes made with local ingredients and good vibes overall.
Spork
937 NW Newport AveVibrant restaurant serving Asian Fusion and craft cocktails.
Family run restaurant serving authentic Northern Thai dishes in a warm and lively atmosphere. If you like spicy food, this will be your spot.
160 locals recommend
Wild Rose Northern Thai Eats
150 NW Oregon AveFamily run restaurant serving authentic Northern Thai dishes in a warm and lively atmosphere. If you like spicy food, this will be your spot.
Fancy night out! This beautiful little gem is housed in a cozy craftsman’s bungalow and serves fresh perspectives on classic dishes.
81 locals recommend
Ariana Restaurant
1304 NW Galveston AveFancy night out! This beautiful little gem is housed in a cozy craftsman’s bungalow and serves fresh perspectives on classic dishes.
High end steak house serving thoughtfully sourced cuts, cocktails and local wines. They source the highest quality beef from around the globe.
48 locals recommend
Bos Taurus
163 NW Minnesota AveHigh end steak house serving thoughtfully sourced cuts, cocktails and local wines. They source the highest quality beef from around the globe.
Easygoing all-day stop for local, seasonal meals with indoor and outdoor seating. We dig their pizza.
203 locals recommend
Jackson's Corner
845 NW Delaware AveEasygoing all-day stop for local, seasonal meals with indoor and outdoor seating. We dig their pizza.
Sleek and modern Asian fusion and sushi restaurant in downtown Bend.
23 locals recommend
5 Fusion & Sushi Bar
821 NW Wall StSleek and modern Asian fusion and sushi restaurant in downtown Bend.
Drinks - AM and PM
Coffee and Cocktails
Quality driven coffee roasters. They pour their heart into in. Two super cute and hip locations downtown and on the east side. East side location is newer and a bit larger if you need work space.
58 locals recommend
Lone Pine Coffee Roasters
910 NW Harriman StQuality driven coffee roasters. They pour their heart into in. Two super cute and hip locations downtown and on the east side. East side location is newer and a bit larger if you need work space.
“A funky little haunt in downtown Bend.” They strive to bring the outside in while serving up tasty cocktails.
49 locals recommend
Velvet Lounge
805 NW Wall St“A funky little haunt in downtown Bend.” They strive to bring the outside in while serving up tasty cocktails.
Sophisticated debauchery. Top notch drinks, great vibe with a friendly and knowledgeable staff!
22 locals recommend
San Simón
845 NW Tin Pan AlleySophisticated debauchery. Top notch drinks, great vibe with a friendly and knowledgeable staff!
Located in the heart of Downtown, they are know for their uber-creative cocktails. There can be a wait, get a name on the list and have a warm up drink elsewhere.
52 locals recommend
The Dogwood Cocktail Cabin
147 NW Minnesota AveLocated in the heart of Downtown, they are know for their uber-creative cocktails. There can be a wait, get a name on the list and have a warm up drink elsewhere.
This historical building was renovated into a coffee shop and taproom and is located right on the river next to Bend’s iconic Drake park.
6 locals recommend
The Commons Cafe and Taproom
875 NW Brooks StThis historical building was renovated into a coffee shop and taproom and is located right on the river next to Bend’s iconic Drake park.
City advice
What to pack
Bring layers!
Because we are in the high desert, even summer nights can cool down a bit. Make sure to bring layers.
What to pack
Get reservations
Summer months can be really busy here in Bend. If you want to eat somewhere special, don’t chance it, book in advance.
Getting around
Round-Abouts
They are everywhere here in Bend. At first you hate them, then they grow on you. Best advise I can give is to use your turn signal!