Fit Two Travel is one of our favorite married couple travel blogs. Not only do they give great insights on the places they visit, you can tell they have a great time everywhere they go. Whether its in the outdoors hiking, or exploring breweries, Tip & Tarah are adventuring every chance they get.

They granted us permission to share this article they wrote. Hope you enjoy it as we did. Also check out their site www.fittwotravel.com and follow their amazing adventures. 

We envision ourselves with our Baja Llama Hawaiian shirts enjoying a beer at one of Bend's many breweries after one of their recommended sweaty hikes. 

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Bend is a hot destination. Located in Central Oregon, there is plenty of sunshine, mountains and gorgeous scenery. Bend is home to plenty of hiking trails, dog parks and biking paths, so there is no excuse not to get some exercise while you’re visiting Bend. Bend has over 300 days of sunshine a year, but can reach close to 2 feet of snow during the winter. Bend is easily one of our favorite places to explore in Oregon. There’s so much to see and do, and the scenery is just amazing.  You can never run out of things to do in Bend, Oregon but here are the most important ones.

 

Things to do in Bend, Oregon

Drink Beer

Central Oregon has the highest amount of breweries per capita in the country, including 26 in Bend, so there are plenty of places to grab a nice cold beer. And if you don’t like beer, heaven forbid, there are plenty of wines and ciders to drink as well.

Where to drink in Bend

10 BARREL BREWERY

Started in 2006 in Bend, Oregon. Now with 2 locations in Bend, one on the east side and one on the west side. Minors are welcome all hours. Also locations in Portland, Denver, Boise and San Diego.

• Open Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-12am
• Location
  • East Side: 62950 Northeast 18th Street, Bend, Oregon 97701
  • West Side: 1135 Northwest Galveston Avenue, Bend, Oregon 97701

BEND BREWING COMPANY

The second oldest brewery in Bend. Located right downtown off the Deschutes River, its in a prime location to have a drink while shopping around town.

• Open daily 11:30am-10:30pm with happy hour Mon-Fri 4pm-6pm
• Location: 1019 NW Brooks St, Bend, OR 97703

GOOD LIFE BREWING

The Goodlife Brewery opened in Bend in 2011, but became the first brewery in Bend to can beer. Goodlife beer can be found in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Hawaii, and Vermont.

• Open Daily 12pm-10pm
• Location: 70 SW Century Drive, Bend, OR 97702
  
  

 

DESCHUTES BREWERY

This is the original Bend brew pub! The brewery opened in Bend in 1988 and has now expanded to 2 stories. Deschutes Brewery is Oregon’s largest privately owned craft brewery. Includes beers that recognized nationally like Mirror Pond pale ale and Black butte porter.

• Open:  Daily 11am-11pm
• Location: 1044 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703

 

Go Hiking

Central Oregon has some of the most beautiful hikes in Oregon. Central Oregon has lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and even caves. There is everything from easy to advanced, so pick your level and theres a hike for you.

 

Where to hike in Bend

SMITH ROCK HIKE

Smith Rock State Park is only 20 minutes outside of Bend, in Terreborne. Its one of the 7 natural wonders of Oregon and its definitely a must-see (and must-hike) if you are in Southern Oregon. Smith Rock has some of the most scenic landscapes. Not only are there multiple hiking trails at Smith Rock, but there is also rock climbing and mountain biking. This is probably our top hike in all of Oregon!

TUMALO FALLS HIKE

Tumalo Falls stands at nearly 100 feet tall, making it the most popular waterfall in the Bend area. Its a beautiful hike and relatively easy which means it will be crowded. The hike is about 7 miles roundtrip, but very little elevation gain.

PILOT BUTTE PARK

An easy 1.8 mile out and back trail for panoramic views. Once at the top, you’ll be greeted with views of Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood, Broken Top and other gorgeous peaks. You can also drive up to the top if you don’t feel like hiking.

 

Bring your dog

Bend has with plenty of dog-friendly parks and hotels.  Bend was recently rated one of the most dog-friendly cities in the US. Bend has 8 off-leash dog parks Pine Nursery Park has over 18 acres of off-leash area to take your dog, including a small dog park located inside. Its the perfect park to walk, run, and jump around with your dogs. Lots of restaurants and breweries are dog-friendly.

If you’re looking for a pet-friendly place to stay in Bend, try Wall Street Suites or The Oxford Hotel.

 

Adventure Outdoors

Bend has a little bit of everything for the adventuring soul. Take your pick from biking, rock climbing, hiking, skiing, or even white water rafting down the Deschutes River. Bend is a bikers paradise. From relaxing cruiser bikes, to serious mountain bikers, there are plenty of trails to explore. Ib fact, Bend isn’t dubbed “Bike town USA” for no reason. Mt. Bachelor is only a 20 minute drive from Bend, where you can ski or snowboard. Mt Bachelor is one of the northwest’s biggest and best ski destinations.

Bend is also only 1.5 hours away from Crater Lake, one of the bluest lakes you’ll ever lay eyes on. Its the perfect trip from Bend.

 

Where to Eat in Bend

Mckay Cottage Restaurant

We were incredibly sad that we happened to land at McKay Cottage on our way home. Had we found it earlier, we probably would have eaten every meal there. They have a nice little patio with fire pits in the middle of the table, so no matter how cold it is, you can still enjoy the sunshine. Delicious irish coffees and huge portion sizes, we were very satisfied for our drive home. Can be very busy at certain times and on the weekends, so get there early or be prepared to wait. Voted best breakfast in Bend Oregon every year since 2011.

• Serves breakfast and lunch daily 7am-2pm
• Address: 62910 O.B. Riley Rd. 340, Bend, OR 97701

900 Wall

A downtown restaurant perfect for a special occasion. Delicious food and great service, if you’re looking for a place to enjoy a nice dinner, 900 Wall is the place to go. With tasty cocktails and wines, locally sourced meat, and wild fish, you can’t go wrong. Also has gluten free options.

• Open everyday 3pm-Close
• Address: 900 NW Wall Street, Bend, OR 97701

Pine Tavern Restaurant and Bar

Located in the heart of the city, right next to Mirror Pond, Pine Tavern was founded in 1936, and is one of the places all visitors must stop at to truly experience Bend.  As the name suggests, there is a giant ponderosa pine tree growing in the middle of the dining area. One of the landmarks of Bend, Oregon.

• Open Daily 11am-10pm
• Address: 967 NW Brooks Street, Bend, Oregon

 

 

If you’re reading this, and you still don’t want to come to Bend, something is wrong with you! Bend is one of our favorite cities in Portland. Its an easy road trip, as Bend is only 175 miles outside of Portland, or you can also catch a flight to Redmond and then drive to Bend. Bend has lots of sunshine, but the winters are snowy perfect for snowboarding, so there is never a bad time to visit! Come to Bend, stuff your face, do some hikes, drink some beer. There’s nothing better!  If we had to pick a favorite thing about Bend, it would have to be the hiking, with the beers a close second!