A
Ariel Frager
Guest
- Thread Author
- #1
Families looking for an active four-season adventure getaway, look no further than Bend, Oregon.
The mid-size mountain town of about 100,000 people attracts visitors seeking out all the best outdoor opportunities Oregon has to offer from skiing, mountain biking, white water rafting, hiking, rock climbing, and golfing. Best of all, since Bend is located in the Central Oregon high desert, there is on average 11 to 13 inches of precipitation of rain and the liquid equivalent of snow a year. Compare that to 36 to 43 inches of rain a year in Portland, and Bend feels like the sunshine capital of Oregon.
The suggestion of visiting a museum was met with groans from my companions before dropping by the High Desert Museum. We quickly learned how misplaced those groans were. Located on 135 acres just outside of Bend, the museum features both permanent exhibits, animal encounters and rotating exhibits that teach visitors about the cultural, ecological and natural history of the high desert.
I particularly enjoyed the By Hand Through Memory exhibit, showcasing the artifacts from Plateau Tribal Nations, and the Spirit of the West exhibit. The rooms of the Spirit of the West are made to represent critical spaces of Oregon’s history including a settler’s cabin, Hudson’s Bay Company fort, and the thriving town of Silver City — all with meticulous attention to detail and historically accurate antiques.
The summit after hiking to the top of Black Butte
As a destination ski resort, Mt. Bachelor is one of the largest North American ski areas with over 4,300 acres of skiable terrain. There are runs for every level and mountain top 360-degree views. Skiing in the high desert means the weather is often cooperative with weekly blue bird days. Mt. Bachelor is on the Ikon Pass, making the resort accessible to out-of-state ski tourists.
During the summer months, like many ski resorts, Mt. Bachelor has created a set of mountain bike downhill trails that have cyclists riding the chair lifts and bombing down the descents. There are plenty of great hiking trails on Mt. Bachelor to be discovered during the summer as well.
Known as the birthplace of modern rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park is located between the communities of Terrebonne and Redmond, 26 miles north of Bend. Long considered a rock climbing mecca due to the volcanic rock, picturesque canyon views, and climbing routes from beginning to expert, Smith Rock is a great place to watch or try rock climbing. There are also excellent hikes in the park including short, steep hikes like Misery Ridge, and longer hikes to see the entire park like Summit Loop.
Parents can help their kids understand the woebegone days before video streaming with a visit to the last Blockbuster. In 2019, the Blockbuster franchise closed all its remaining stores apart from the independently owned Blockbuster in Bend. The Bend store is thriving, and folks can wander the aisles and remember how hard it used to be to decide which video to rent.
Bend definitely is a vibe. Visitors and locals alike always appear to have just come down off the mountain from any of the variety of outdoor athletic options in the area.
To get the look, head to downtown Bend with its small concentrated grid of streets chock full of cute shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, and bookstores. Another option is the outdoor mall gathering center of the Old Mill District, located along the Deschutes River where visitors will find big brand retailers, restaurants, and a movie theater.
In downtown Bend, you’ll find Evrgreen Clothing and its neighboring brother store, Revolvr, which stocks a host of hip brands. The curated boutiques showcased high quality clothes that suit an active lifestyle. Both stores carry U.K. outdoor/lifestyle label Finisterre, a brand that focuses on sustainable, functional outdoor wear. I love their Nimbus Down Jacket, made with super soft outer material that are recycled fishing nets. They make really nice jumpers (British slang for sweaters), too.
While there are several locally owned stores that feature all the best outdoor brands, Mountain Supply has top-notch staff that can help folks find their next best jacket, rent skis, or buy a new mountain bike. I am partial to my Arc’teryx Beta SL Goretex raincoat for hiking and year round Oregon-wear.
The store that I fell in love with in Bend was Fjallraven. The Swedish outdoor retailer makes the most rugged and flattering outerwear. The essential items for hiking and exploring Bend are the host of Fjallraven Trekking Trousers. But everything from down jackets to Nordic sweaters and the cute schoolgirl backpacks that were all the rage in the early 2000s are well made and timeless.
Good pub food, plus a fun and kid-friendly atmosphere, can be a tough combo. Even so, the folks at Crux Fermentation Project found a sweet spot with excellent food, and plenty of space for kids to run wild and free, both inside and outside the industrial-designed restaurant. The adjacent courtyard has a host of food carts and a giant fire pit. Even though I am not much of a beer drinker these days, the Crux Japanese rice lagers won me over.
For an upscale take on southern cooking, downtown Bend’s Zydeco Kitchen dials in the tasty comfort foods like baby back ribs and jambalaya elevated with local ingredients. The bar has a great selection of cocktails and an extensive wine list.
Elevating Asian street food classic menu items, JIA Asian Street Kitchen highlights the foods of Vietnam, Laos, China, and Thailand to create a fun and delicious atmosphere that welcomes children. Sharing plates makes dining fun for everyone in the family.
What is it called when an older roadside motel is transformed into a hipster paradise? In the case of Bend, it’s called the Campfire Hotel. The owners have a keen eye for design and turned a basic structure into a fun, vibey, hang out place. Centering on the pool and giant gas fire pit, the Campfire Hotel strives to create community and connection. Don’t miss out on the Lobby Lounge bar, The Canteen, or sister bar around the corner, The Dogwood at the Pine Shed. While kids are most welcome at the Campfire Hotel, it is more ideally suited for families traveling with teens or young adults.
For a luxurious Bend hotel experience located in the heart of downtown, look no further than Oxford Hotel. The suites are gigantic spaces with full kitchens, living rooms, and spacious master bedroom and bath. The attached restaurant and bar, Roam, serves a tasty breakfast. Directly across the street you can find an excellent cup of coffee at Thump Coffee and Roasters.
Black Butte Ranch, located just outside the nearby town of Sisters (22 miles northwest), provides yet another quintessential Central Oregon experience. The communal gathering of about 1,250 privately owned cabins, condos, and houses located on 1,800 acres is a vacation resort with plenty of activities to suit all members of the family. The Ranch has five pools, a spa, two golf courses, tennis, pickleball, horseback riding, and other fun activities.
Photos by Ariel Frager
—
About the Author: Ariel Frager loves to get outside to play, be it surfing, traveling the world or walking the dog. She is a school counselor and mental health therapist during the week and pursues her passion for exploring new places and cultures as a travel writer. Ariel’s writing has been published in a variety of print and online outlets including: Travel + Leisure, Gear Junkie, Bearfoot Theory, Family Vacationist and others. Ariel writes about outdoor and family adventures in her beloved Pacific Northwest and beyond. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her family.
The post Year-Round Mountain Town Fun: Family Travel in Bend, Oregon appeared first on Road Trips For Families.
The mid-size mountain town of about 100,000 people attracts visitors seeking out all the best outdoor opportunities Oregon has to offer from skiing, mountain biking, white water rafting, hiking, rock climbing, and golfing. Best of all, since Bend is located in the Central Oregon high desert, there is on average 11 to 13 inches of precipitation of rain and the liquid equivalent of snow a year. Compare that to 36 to 43 inches of rain a year in Portland, and Bend feels like the sunshine capital of Oregon.
Things to Do in Bend with Kids of All Ages
Exploring the High Desert Museum
The suggestion of visiting a museum was met with groans from my companions before dropping by the High Desert Museum. We quickly learned how misplaced those groans were. Located on 135 acres just outside of Bend, the museum features both permanent exhibits, animal encounters and rotating exhibits that teach visitors about the cultural, ecological and natural history of the high desert.
I particularly enjoyed the By Hand Through Memory exhibit, showcasing the artifacts from Plateau Tribal Nations, and the Spirit of the West exhibit. The rooms of the Spirit of the West are made to represent critical spaces of Oregon’s history including a settler’s cabin, Hudson’s Bay Company fort, and the thriving town of Silver City — all with meticulous attention to detail and historically accurate antiques.
The summit after hiking to the top of Black Butte
Skiing at Mt. Bachelor
As a destination ski resort, Mt. Bachelor is one of the largest North American ski areas with over 4,300 acres of skiable terrain. There are runs for every level and mountain top 360-degree views. Skiing in the high desert means the weather is often cooperative with weekly blue bird days. Mt. Bachelor is on the Ikon Pass, making the resort accessible to out-of-state ski tourists.
During the summer months, like many ski resorts, Mt. Bachelor has created a set of mountain bike downhill trails that have cyclists riding the chair lifts and bombing down the descents. There are plenty of great hiking trails on Mt. Bachelor to be discovered during the summer as well.
Rock Climbing at Smith Rock State Park
Known as the birthplace of modern rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park is located between the communities of Terrebonne and Redmond, 26 miles north of Bend. Long considered a rock climbing mecca due to the volcanic rock, picturesque canyon views, and climbing routes from beginning to expert, Smith Rock is a great place to watch or try rock climbing. There are also excellent hikes in the park including short, steep hikes like Misery Ridge, and longer hikes to see the entire park like Summit Loop.
Rent a Movie at the Last Blockbuster
Parents can help their kids understand the woebegone days before video streaming with a visit to the last Blockbuster. In 2019, the Blockbuster franchise closed all its remaining stores apart from the independently owned Blockbuster in Bend. The Bend store is thriving, and folks can wander the aisles and remember how hard it used to be to decide which video to rent.
Get the Mountain Town Look
Bend definitely is a vibe. Visitors and locals alike always appear to have just come down off the mountain from any of the variety of outdoor athletic options in the area.
Shopping for Everyday Apparel in Bend
To get the look, head to downtown Bend with its small concentrated grid of streets chock full of cute shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, and bookstores. Another option is the outdoor mall gathering center of the Old Mill District, located along the Deschutes River where visitors will find big brand retailers, restaurants, and a movie theater.
In downtown Bend, you’ll find Evrgreen Clothing and its neighboring brother store, Revolvr, which stocks a host of hip brands. The curated boutiques showcased high quality clothes that suit an active lifestyle. Both stores carry U.K. outdoor/lifestyle label Finisterre, a brand that focuses on sustainable, functional outdoor wear. I love their Nimbus Down Jacket, made with super soft outer material that are recycled fishing nets. They make really nice jumpers (British slang for sweaters), too.
More Outdoor Clothing Essentials
While there are several locally owned stores that feature all the best outdoor brands, Mountain Supply has top-notch staff that can help folks find their next best jacket, rent skis, or buy a new mountain bike. I am partial to my Arc’teryx Beta SL Goretex raincoat for hiking and year round Oregon-wear.
The store that I fell in love with in Bend was Fjallraven. The Swedish outdoor retailer makes the most rugged and flattering outerwear. The essential items for hiking and exploring Bend are the host of Fjallraven Trekking Trousers. But everything from down jackets to Nordic sweaters and the cute schoolgirl backpacks that were all the rage in the early 2000s are well made and timeless.
Where to Eat in Bend, Oregon
Good pub food, plus a fun and kid-friendly atmosphere, can be a tough combo. Even so, the folks at Crux Fermentation Project found a sweet spot with excellent food, and plenty of space for kids to run wild and free, both inside and outside the industrial-designed restaurant. The adjacent courtyard has a host of food carts and a giant fire pit. Even though I am not much of a beer drinker these days, the Crux Japanese rice lagers won me over.
For an upscale take on southern cooking, downtown Bend’s Zydeco Kitchen dials in the tasty comfort foods like baby back ribs and jambalaya elevated with local ingredients. The bar has a great selection of cocktails and an extensive wine list.
Elevating Asian street food classic menu items, JIA Asian Street Kitchen highlights the foods of Vietnam, Laos, China, and Thailand to create a fun and delicious atmosphere that welcomes children. Sharing plates makes dining fun for everyone in the family.
Where to Stay in Bend, Oregon
What is it called when an older roadside motel is transformed into a hipster paradise? In the case of Bend, it’s called the Campfire Hotel. The owners have a keen eye for design and turned a basic structure into a fun, vibey, hang out place. Centering on the pool and giant gas fire pit, the Campfire Hotel strives to create community and connection. Don’t miss out on the Lobby Lounge bar, The Canteen, or sister bar around the corner, The Dogwood at the Pine Shed. While kids are most welcome at the Campfire Hotel, it is more ideally suited for families traveling with teens or young adults.
For a luxurious Bend hotel experience located in the heart of downtown, look no further than Oxford Hotel. The suites are gigantic spaces with full kitchens, living rooms, and spacious master bedroom and bath. The attached restaurant and bar, Roam, serves a tasty breakfast. Directly across the street you can find an excellent cup of coffee at Thump Coffee and Roasters.
Black Butte Ranch, located just outside the nearby town of Sisters (22 miles northwest), provides yet another quintessential Central Oregon experience. The communal gathering of about 1,250 privately owned cabins, condos, and houses located on 1,800 acres is a vacation resort with plenty of activities to suit all members of the family. The Ranch has five pools, a spa, two golf courses, tennis, pickleball, horseback riding, and other fun activities.
Photos by Ariel Frager
—
About the Author: Ariel Frager loves to get outside to play, be it surfing, traveling the world or walking the dog. She is a school counselor and mental health therapist during the week and pursues her passion for exploring new places and cultures as a travel writer. Ariel’s writing has been published in a variety of print and online outlets including: Travel + Leisure, Gear Junkie, Bearfoot Theory, Family Vacationist and others. Ariel writes about outdoor and family adventures in her beloved Pacific Northwest and beyond. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her family.
The post Year-Round Mountain Town Fun: Family Travel in Bend, Oregon appeared first on Road Trips For Families.
Last edited: