Stories from Central Oregon
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New Restaurants in Bend, Oregon (2024)
The dining scene in Bend, Oregon is constantly evolving, as new restaurants, cafes and pubs open up to feed the community and serve as lively gathering spaces for breakfast, lunch or dinner out on the town. New restaurants are often under development and construction to keep up with Bend’s growing population and visitor base…
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More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
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The Top Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon, has long been beloved by furry canines and their eager parents. According to BringFido.com, more than 100 restaurants, brewpubs and food cart pods across the city offer dog-friendly patios and other accommodations; pups enjoy exercising on the city’s many hiking trails; and no less than Dog Fancy magazine once named Bend the dog-friendliest town in America.
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The Ultimate Summer Guide to Black Butte Ranch
There’s never a bad time to visit Black Butte Ranch—the 1,800-acre resort community is a gem all year long—but there’s something undeniably special about summer. Maybe it’s the sun-kissed Cascade peaks that tower over the ranch, all the outdoor activities at your doorstep, crisp nights around the fire pit at your vacation home, or curated activities for everyone in the family.
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Winter Tours You Have to Try in Bend and Central Oregon
Twinkling lights, fresh snow and fire pits bringing people together; it’s winter in Central Oregon! Bend and the surrounding towns within Central Oregon are great places to cozy up when the snow falls, and even better places to take part in winter recreation. Locals love to explore the nearby Cascade Mountains, with Mount Bachelor and plenty of sno parks located just a 30 minute drive away. Back in town, there are several breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries waiting to be sampled. With so much to do, it can be tough to know where to start. Luckily, tours in Central Oregon that showcase the best outdoor and indoor recreation are available to help visitors make the most of their winter vacations.
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Top State Parks to Visit in Central Oregon
A trip to Central Oregon is usually one with ample time spent in the great outdoors. From the expansive high desert landscape to the Deschutes National Forest and all the rivers, lakes and sometimes volcanos in between, Central Oregon is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. What better way to explore the region than to take a tour of the local state parks? To get started, check out these six state parks to get an idea of what Central Oregon is all about.
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Meet the Central Oregon Makers
Central Oregonians are a collection of dreamers, doers, storytellers and innovators who have all chosen this beautiful place as home. The result is a thriving community of makers who help weave the cultural fabric of this unique area. To showcase the depth of creativity that flows here, Visit Central Oregon created the "Central Oregon Makers" campaign. The hope is that the content inspires others to seek out and support the people who bring the Central Oregon region to life. See videos of each of these Central Oregon Makers here.
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How the Central Cascades Wilderness Permit System Will Preserve Trails for Future Generations
To say that the Deschutes National Forest has seen higher use in recent years is kind of like saying that Central Oregon offers “some” outdoor recreation or that we have a “decent” craft beer scene: technically the truth, but nowhere near capturing the whole story. In fact, the Deschutes National Forest saw a record 3.3 million visitors in 2018, the most recent year for which data was available, and officials estimate that visitorship was a whopping 40% higher in 2020 — with few signs the surge will slow anytime soon.
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Best Snowshoeing Trails in Bend
Bend and Central Oregon are great places to visit in winter for myriad reasons: Mt. Bachelor is the sixth-largest ski resort in North America, fire pits turn up the heat on brisk afternoons, and rejuvenating day spas offer the chance to unplug from it all.
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A Weekend of Wellness in Bend & Sisters
When was the last time you treated yourself? Wellness shouldn’t be a once-in-a-while practice. Meditation, yoga, massage, fitness classes, and pampering reduce cortisol levels, calm the heart rate, boost those happy hormones, and empty our minds. So, safe to say, it’s pretty important. Lucky for you, we made it easy to plan a full weekend reset in Bend and Sisters so you can jumpstart your healthy habits. Read on to get relaxed.
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Top Restaurants with a View in Bend and Central Oregon
Central Oregon has some of the most interesting and breathtaking landscapes around. Enjoying a view of the Deschutes River rushing through the high desert, or breathing the fresh mountain air of an alpine scene doesn't have to be a long way from town—or without an incredible meal. Here are the best restaurants in Bend and Central Oregon to pair a delicious dining experience with a spectacular view.
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Choose Bend for An Unforgettably Unique Place to Stay
Whether you spend your day window-shopping at boutiques in downtown Bend, exploring the high desert or mountain trails in the Cascades, or relaxing poolside on yet another sun-kissed weekend, chances are good that you’ll want somewhere cozy and comfortable to lay your head at night.
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Your Guide to an Epic Lake Billy Chinook Day (plus time well spent in Culver)
Just 35 miles north of Bend and 10 miles south of Madras lies Culver, Oregon—the staging ground for adventures on sparkling Lake Billy Chinook and The Cove Palisades State Park. And while the options on the expansive lake are many, Culver, a sleepy town of less than 2,000, also sits surrounded by world-class golfing, quiet camping, jaw-dropping scenery and excellent wine tasting. Here’s what you need to know for enjoying a jam-packed day or thrilling weekend around Culver and Lake Billy Chinook.
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Best Family Restaurants in Bend, Oregon
Central Oregon can be described as the perfect outdoor playground for adults and kids alike, which makes Bend the perfect destination for your next family vacation. After a long day of hiking, biking, skiing, or simply enjoying the countless sunny days that Bend has to offer, it’s guaranteed that you and the kids will need a place to refuel and relax.
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Where to Play Pickleball in Bend, Oregon
Long a popular pastime in elementary and middle school gyms, pickleball was invented in 1965 in the Pacific Northwest. Broadly speaking, the sport blends elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis; it is played on a tennis-like court, with paddles and perforated plastic balls—and in recent years has earned acclaim for its low barrier of entry, easily understood rules and slow pace that invites camaraderie among players.
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4th of July in Redmond, Oregon (2023)
Every Fourth of July, Redmond residents and visitors alike gather to celebrate the birth of the United States. It’s a festive time in what locals call “Flag City U.S.A.” (more on that later), and the city celebrates accordingly—with a charmingly old-school parade, boisterous fireworks display and more.
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Top Mexican Restaurants in Redmond and Madras
The Central Oregon food scene has earned acclaim in recent years, thanks to an invigorating mix of creative food carts, fashionable fine-dining restaurants, and a growing number of globetrotting eateries that feature authentic cuisine from around the world. That eclectic selection includes a variety of taquerias and Mexican restaurants in Redmond and Madras, both of which host homegrown eateries that craft a mix of classic dishes, modern flavors, and innovative entrées.
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Best Waterfalls Around Bend That Are Worth Seeing
Arguably Bend’s most popular waterfall hike, Tumalo Falls is only a 30 minute drive from town up Skyliners Road to Forest Road 4603. When the falls are open in the summer, it’s an easy quarter-mile hike on the North Fork Trail. The trail–paved and wheelchair accessible at the observation deck–leads visitors to views of the spectacular 97-foot waterfall.
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Where to Wine and Dine in Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon has a reputation as a beer town, the local wine scene has exploded in recent years with several new tasting rooms and nearby vineyards producing award-winning wines. Bend’s wine scene is intertwined with its farm-to-table culinary scene, and as a result, tasting rooms across Bend offer menus featuring fine dining options made from local ingredients. These tasting rooms are often cozy and fire-lit, perfect for any winter time tour through Bend. In the summer, inviting outdoor patios become a lively spot for wine-tasting in the sunshine. Read on to discover some of our favorite spots to wine and dine this year in Bend.
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Things to Do in Bend for Couples
Valentine’s Day may come around in mid-February, but there’s never a bad time to surprise your sweetie or celebrate a special occasion. All year long, Central Oregon hosts a wide range of romantic hotels and resorts that offer easy access to day dates and fun nights out—whether you’re hitting the trail with the love of your life or sleeping in and relaxing with a day at the spa.
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Whitewater Rafting Adventures Near Sunriver
A visit to Sunriver, Oregon calls for getting on the water and soaking up the sunshine. Sunriver is a community based around Sunriver Resort that lives and breathes outdoor recreation. Visitors from all over the world call Sunriver one of their favorite vacation destinations, and much of the reason belongs to the stretch of the Deschutes River that runs through town. When the summer sun is high in the sky, one of the best ways to cool off and get some thrills is to float a whitewater section of the river.
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The Ultimate Bend Winter Vacation at Tetherow Resort
The four-star Tetherow resort has long been known for—among other things—its world-class, 18-hole golf course designed by an award-winning architect. And while the course fills up on sunny spring and summer weekends, Tetherow has bolstered its winter offerings in recent years, transforming itself into one of Central Oregon’s premier year-round destinations.