Experiences

central oregon

Beauty in the extremes

This is where 10,000-foot snow capped mountains flanked with towering pines and lush manzanita meet the rolling desert of juniper and sage that is Eastern Oregon.

In May it is possible to ski, golf, mountain bike, paddleboard and fly fish on any day.  Here, the hottest summer day gives way to cool 50-degree evenings. Fed by high alpine lakes and deep Cascade aquifers, the Deschutes River carves its way north through basalt canyons to the Columbia River, offering some of the best trout and steelhead runs in America.

Paddleboarding

Rent or bring your own at Elk Lake Resort

Or rent a board and paddle on the Deschutes with Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe

Mountain Biking

Take a guided tour with Cog Wild Bicycle Tours

Or plan your own trip with Pine Mountain Sports rentals

Snow sports 

Mt. Bachelor, the fifth largest ski area in the US offers skiing, snowboarding, cross country, dog sleds:

Snowmobile to Paulina or Crater Lake with Wanderlust Tours

Or go on your own with the Powder House rentals

fly fishing

Take a guided trip with Fly and Field Outfitters

Grab your own gear at The Patient Angler Fly Shop

Or enjoy a brew while you grab your gear at Fin & Fire Fly Shop

golf courses

Central Oregon is home to over two dozen golf courses. For this reason, it often referred to as the "Palm Springs of the North." From Tetherow to Sunriver to Brasada Ranch, there are plenty of premium options to choose from. Click through the slideshow on the left to see a few of our favorites. 

apre-adventures

End the day with a catered dinner at Brookswood, along the banks of the Deschutes River or on the flanks of Mt. Bachelor. In town, choose from dozens of local breweries, pubs and restaurants you won’t find anywhere else on earth

Listed below are a few of our favorites. 

Crux fermentation project

"We’re Crux Fermentation Project— housed in a former AAMCO Transmission Plant and inspired by our location right in the heart of Bend, Oregon. Our brewery is a one-of-a-kind, built for non-traditional brewing methods like decoction mashing, open fermentation and barrel aging, and for leveraging the limitless possibilities that wild yeast strains and experimental hops present."

Deschutes brewery

"Our original Public House has been a vibrant fixture of the downtown Bend, Oregon scene since 1988. Not only were our very first beers brewed here – think Black Butte Porter and Jubelale – but we quickly became a gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. While the beer speaks for itself through a total of 19 taps, our chefs also put the same quality and hand-crafted excellence into the cuisine. Our beer-centric menu features fresh ingredients, many sourced from local farmers, foragers and ranchers with whom the team has built strong relationships over the years. Most menu items are hand-crafted from scratch whenever possible, and several items are made with spent grain from the brewing process.  Come visit us at Bend’s original brew pub and see where it all began." 

o'kanes whiskey & cigar bar

"Set in the schoolhouse’s former garage, O’Kanes is now adorned with church doors – one of which dates back to before the turn of the 20th century – and natural light flooding the numerous stained glass windows. The rare, historic Povey stained-glass windows were salvaged from a former Elks Lodge in Portland. Cozy up to the 1896 Round Oak stove for warmth, or join the party around the outdoor firepits year-round."

boneyard beer pub

"Boneyard Beer was started with one goal in mind - make great beer. Their system is pieced together, second-hand brewing equipment that they pulled from the 'boneyard.'"

Cycle pub

"The original Cycle Pub that started it all in Bend! With stylish good looks, and a true pub-like feel, the Cycle Pub is a great way to tour the Bend Ale Trail, and experience world class craft beer up close and personal. Bend, Oregon is known for cycling. And world class microbreweries. Cycle Pub gives you an opportunity to enjoy these two passions, and create an experience you and your fellow riders will never forget."

ariana restaurant

"Located in a craftsman bungalow on the Westside of Bend you’ll find Ariana. This beautiful little gem in the heart of Oregon has become known for Chef Andres and Ariana Fernandez’ fresh perspectives on classic dishes. Known for utilizing the bounty of culinary products available in the northwest as well as local farmers and purveyors in Central Oregon."

zydeco kitchen and cocktails

"Located in the heart of downtown Bend, Zydeco is a purveyor of fine American dining from the esteemed Chef Steve Helt. ZYDECO kitchen & cocktails features great American food with a Southern twist, focusing on quality ingredients that are hormone-free, pesticide-free and organic. Zydeco kitchen & cocktails also features a full Gluten Free menu for guests with allergies to wheat."

jackalope grill 

"The Jackalope Grill is dedicated to old-fashioned warmth and affordability while delivering superior food and service. They make a concerted effort to feature sustainably produced, fresh, local and organic products and source predominantly from family owned and operated businesses."

spork

"Spork started in 2009 as a globally-inspired green-conscious mobile streetfood kitchen housed in a 1962 Airstream Tradewind that sailed the streets and events of Central Oregon serving creative delicious global cuisine and was voted Best Chow Cart in Bend every year in the Source Reader Poll.  In 2013 we added a 50 seat (plus patio) brick and mortar casual counter service location on NW Newport Avenue (at 10th) in Bend that's festive and open daily for lunch, dinner, and cocktails and aims to bring inspired food, drink, ambiance and hospitality to a casual setting."