Weekend Itinerary Ideas for Bend
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Sparks Lake
Get Outta Town:
This is one of our favorite things to do in Bend. Get some dirt in your shoes and smell the clean air mixed with Juniper and Pines. This is a well-known fragrance the locals fondly connect to Bend.
Before you hit the trails here are what passes you will need:
Northwest Forest Pass : $5 day, $30 Annual. This Pass will cover parking for all of the trails listed below with the exception of Smith Rock. You can get it easily downtown at REI.
*In addition to the NW Forrest Pass, select trails (marked on the list with an astrik) in the Three Sisters Wilderness will need a day use permit from recreation.gov.
These are listed from easiest to hardest.
No Name Lake Hike (see below)
The Deschutes River Trail- all time, #1, go-to for pretty much everyone! It’s easy, scenic, and follows the river the whole time. Part of the time you will feel like you’re far from town and the other part will connect you to the Old Mill District where lots of fun happens- shopping, concerts, paddling, and the iconic Bend Flag Bridge. The full loop is 3-4 miles depending on where you start. Here is a TikTok I made about it. You don’t need any pass for this one.
Pilot Butte Right in the middle of town, just shy of a mile & 500ft of elevation, it doesn’t get easier for a quick 360 degree sunrise or sunset view. You can drive it or hike it!
The drive start and hike start are in two different locations. Maps will take you to the drive start, but if you want to park and walk it, here is the hike start.
Tumalo falls- this is a must. It’s incredibly easy to get to, and you can make it as long or as short as you want. You can go behind the waterfall or hike the trail for miles…
Smith Rock - Basically one of the seven wonders of the world. Epic hike and rock climbers’ paradise. State Park Day Pass Required This is different than the Forest Pass. The day pass is $5 and is specific to Oregon State Parks. It is available online or on location @ 3 different fee stations. Credit Card or exact cash only (no coins).
Tumalo Mountain- If you’re wanting a good hike that’s not too easy or too hard and has good views, this is the one. Easy parking. Once at the top you feel like you’re right up in the mountains and can almost touch them. About 4 miles round trip.
No Name Lake [Hike]* From mountain streams, to the picturesque lake, it keeps surprising you as you go. I “summited” this one at sunset and it brought tears to my eyes. If you punch it into AllTrails you can start at different locations, depending on how long you want to make it.
Permit Here (not the Forest pass, you need a day pass)
Salud Raw Food
Food & Drink:
Food:
Bo’s- this is currently my favorite food in town. Super casual. Order at the window of the little blue house and pick up out back at their food truck.
Salud Raw Food- This was my favorite spot for a while! The owner is very sweet and usually working and it’s just a super wholesome [vegan] place with out-of-this-world flavors! Usually open until 3. It’s lighter food, for breakfast or lunch. Great smoothies and the dessert are always a work of art, so unique and DELICIOUS. You always feel good and fresh after eating here.
Order a Bronco Burrito from Strictly Organic- One of my quick but delicious go-to’s. I always get turkey bacon, whole wheat tortilla and green sauce. You won’t regret it!
The Lemon Tree- One of a kind cafe’ with a Mediterranean vibe which is fun. Always a long line, so be sure to arrive early!
The Lemon Tree
McKay’s Cottage- voted the best breakfast in town!! Open until 2pm. I love coming here for a cozy AM breakfast. Honestly, as good as the breakfast is, that’s not even my favorite part. There is usually a wait, and it’s first come first serve…… which is actually really fun…. because you get free Thump coffee (served on the porch) and I buy a Marian Berry scone from the front counter while I wait… being cozy, drinking coffee and eating a scone, especially when it’s brisk outside, ends up making some of the best memories.
“The Lot” Lots of food trucks and heated concrete benches for when it gets chilly in the evenings. Beer on tap. Fricken Faco green bus here has fish tacos that are some of the best I’ve ever had!
“The Podski”- another popular food truck area! The Nacho Crunchwrap from Toasty’s is even better than Taco Bell’s and it’s vegan, so you feel good about this choice. lol
Wild Rose- is voted the best takeout in Bend but also such a fun vibe and the food actually comes out faster than you expect! It’s Northern Thai. The best thing I’ve gotten there is the Crab Fried Rice. Also love their street noodles and a basil something, I forgot the name. lol You have to make reservations via their site which I linked in the title.
Sen- this is owned by the same folks as Wild Rose so it’s an instant win. It’s an elevated version, more $ less portions, but worth it! You are right on the river, and it’s magic. The Mama Pad is GOOD! Always love a Thai Iced Tea too.
Crosscut
Drinks:
O’Kanes- (at McMenamins) You will feel like you’ve been taken to an old pub in Ireland if you dip into the bar for a whiskey. My go-to is to just sit outside by the fire out side and order some tots.
Crosscut- all the men’s men love this spot. The firefighters with mustaches usually end up here. It’s a really good looking timber A frame with drinks on tap, fires, and the best pizza [truck] I’ve ever experienced!
Velvet- Casual, hip bar where you can grab a drink in a mason jar and play a round of Jenga.
Flamingo Room- new to Bend and quickly becoming a fan favorite. Such a vibe and no other place like it in town. Mostly bomb drinks, some food. Boys who like to eat will be sad about the food options.
Dogwood- we’ve made it farther down this list so options are getting bougier! This is right on the main drag of Bend, lovely vibe, great drinks! Throw on your favorite cocktail dress if you want.
Domain serene- New to Bend, and about as classy as it gets. If you love wine, this is your place. You will feel like a million buck here and maybe even spend a million on accident if you don’t look closely! haha! If you want the experience, it’s a total blast to grab their $40 flight and an order of fries and you’ll make it out alive with some $ to continue your trip.
Domain Serene
Coffee:
Lone Pine @ NW Harriman St. is a fan favorite. It has a down to earth, mid century modern feel. I always see familiar faces here. The Waffles are famous and a must!! You just eat those suckers plain like a donut. You’ll thank me later. The house made cashew milk ins’t as good as it sounds, all my alternative milk friends agree on this one. Skip!
Looney Bean is my favorite coffee shop, but mostly in the winter when I can sit by the fire inside and work and for their oat milk, sugar-free vanilla latte. Best I’ve ever had!
Thump NWX (York Dr)- this one you’d never just accidentally drive by because it’s tucked behind Hydro and other cool buildings. I love the mountain views you can catch here! Always a good vibe, great indoor and outdoor seating. There is a high school nearby, so just a heads up, you will get an afternoon HS rush.
Lone Pine
Additional Fun:
Concerts at Hayden Homes Ampitheatre- be sure to check who’s playing when you’re in town! If you don’t want to get tickets, at least walk the river nearby and listen. Who knows, you might hear Alison Krauss or Bob Dylan… two of my highlights this summer.
McMenamins: this place is funky but fun. I LOVE to play shuffle board here or watch something at the theatre on a retro couch. You can order food from the restaurant wherever you are on on campus. I't’s legit like a campus with lots of different buildings + amenities. Before COVID, anyone could use the Turkish Salt Pool but now can only use if you have a room reservation. The pool is such a fun experience… it has an open ceiling. In the winter, snow falls into the pool! You can grab one of the many fire pits outside and don’t forget to look for “O’Kanes”, an old Irish looking bar with fire pits and twinkle lights, legit one of my favorite spots to chill in the evenings! McMenamin’s also has a hidden bar upstairs behind a push out wall. Ask a local or receptionist for directions. lol
The Circuit Bouldering Gym, grab a day pass and enjoy! This place is a blast and the community here is very friendly.
Saturday Farmer’s Market in Northwest Crossing.
Downtown Farmer’s Market
The Town of Sisters- if you have time to leave Bend, this is fun and pretty close. I would grab coffee here at Sister’s Coffee, some food at the Sister’s Smokehouse (amazing meats and sandwiches to go), hike Black Butte, and relax at Suttle Lake + Lodge! If you drive halfway up Black Butte, it’s only a 2 mile hike with really pretty views! I also did this at sunset- beautiful!
All of the Lakes up the Cascade Lake Hwy. From Devil’s Lake, Sparks, Hosmer, Elk Lake. They all have something special to offer and it really just depends on what you’re feeling! Bring a hammock or paddle board!
Elk Lake Resort- Great camping here from tents, to dry cabins, to nice houses. It’s fun to watch the sailboats here, it’s one of the bigger lakes around. Reserve Elk Lake Campsites Here (until end of Sept. 8-11 are the best sites right on the water.)
Van Rental- This is owned by a friend of mine. It’s a 2023 pop top van, lots of space and stocked with every luxury item! This would be such a fun way to explore Bend, grab the paddle boards and go!
Sparks Lake