Bend Oregon is a Cool Spot For a Hot Day
Bend, Oregon, is a big city with a small town feel. It is the perfect place to spend time relaxing and recharging your worn down office zone batteries. From the rambling river that flows alongside a park in downtown to the year round recreation activities available, you can find plenty to do in Bend.
You would think this would have been one of the first areas to be settled due to its beauty and location but there were no visitors to the area until 1834. It was then that a group hunting beaver came into town and, slowly, the area became settled. Eventually miners staked sites near the river and travelers visited on their way through town.
Entertainment is found throughout the year with concerts in Drake Park held frequently. Two museums in the city feature excellent exhibits of the area. Bend has attracted talented artists, leading to art hop walking tours and many filled art galleries.
If shopping is your thing there are shopping malls, an outlet mall, and many great boutiques in downtown. The microbreweries are famous in this area so bring your taste buds with you when you visit.
If you are the adventurous type, great camping can be found along Deschutes River just west of the relaxing town of Bend, Oregon. One spot in particular is Tumalo State Park. It is close enough to the town for convenience but escapes the bustle, bringing solitude and nature close to you.
There is great trout fishing along the river, biking and hiking trails run alongside it, golf courses, alpine lakes, canoeing and rafting trips are all convenient to the site. Or, if you want, just grab a float and dangle your feet in the cool water. Deer will come close to your site during the summer.
You can rent a Yurt or bring your own tent or RV to Tumalo. If camping isn’t for you, try one of the great resorts in the area. The Riverhouse is a beautiful choice.
For food, Pilot Butte Drive In is reasonable, has great food, and is the most unique restaurant in Bend. The Riverhouse also has a great steakhouse restaurant called Crossings. It is upscale but the food is excellent.
There are bus services to the city, an airport, rail service, or if driving, from the north, take interstate 5 south to the Interstate 505 south to the 80 west, from the south, take interstate 5 north to the 97 north.
However you get there, just be sure to pack some good hiking boots and outdoor clothes because this is the city that showcases what Oregon is all about.
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