A weekend in Bend

Getting there

You can reach the city from Portland via a drive of approximately 3.5 hours, which is roughly 160 miles using US-26 or US-97. If you prefer to fly, Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) is located 20 minutes north of Bend.

Where to stay

You have several options for lodging depending on the experience you want. The Oxford Hotel is a higher-end choice that provides you with a complimentary glass of wine upon arrival. For a peaceful riverside retreat, the Riverhouse on the Deschutes is recently renovated and sits minutes from downtown Bend. If you are looking for an upscale stay with access to an award-winning golf course, Tetherow Lodge opened in 2014.

Downtown and the ale trail

Bend has more than 30 breweries. You can explore these through the Bend Ale Trail, where you earn your first sticker and bottle by ordering, checking in, and completing a territory. When you need a break from the breweries, you can visit Drake Park. This is a 13-acre park in downtown Bend that contains Mirror Pond.

River activities and views

A primary summer activity is floating the Deschutes River, and tube rentals are available for this. To get a better perspective of the area, you can take a climb up Pilot Butte. The ascent takes roughly 20 minutes and provides a 360-degree view of the Cascades.

Nearby nature

You should visit Smith Rock State Park, which is located about 30 minutes north of the city. For those who enjoy scenic drives, the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is officially open for the season.

Visit timing and safety

The area is known for having approximately 160 sunny days. Be aware that you may encounter wildfire smoke during some Augusts. Additionally, Stage 2 fire restrictions are currently active for Wilderness areas and the Deschutes National Forest.

Sources

[S1] https://visitbend.com/, https://visitbend.com/ [S2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bend,_Oregon, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bend,_Oregon [S3] https://bend.com/, https://bend.com/ [S4] https://oregonessential.com/bend-oregon-things-to-do/, https://oregonessential.com/bend-oregon-things-to-do/