Come discover how our local geology, ecology, climate, and culture are all interwoven at the Lava Lands Visitor Center. The latest information on various topics including volcanic activity in the Cascade Mountains and Paleo-Indian technology is available and hands on activities will delight both young and old.
Regions: Central Oregon
If you enjoy scenic views of deep river canyons or rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park is the place for you. There are several thousand climbs in the park. More than a thousand are bolted routes. There are also miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Along your trip through the canyon, you might see golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otter and beaver.
Goody's is a family run tradition of handmade chocolates, candies and ice cream. First created by Marne and Marion Palmateer in Sunriver, in 1984, Goody's Candy Store very quickly became a legendary and loved Central Oregon tradition selling assorted candies purchased for resale.
The Blacksmith Restaurant serves distinctive new ranch cuisine in the historic Pearson Blacksmith Shop in Downtown Bend. The newly-renovated restaurant will make diners nostalgic for the comfort foods of the past with a contemporary spin. Executive chef Gavin McMichael features a seasonally changing menu, creating new classics like: “Lobster Corndogs,” “Not Your Mother’s Meatloaf” and “Northwest Cheesesteak.”
A 89-foot waterfall on Tumalo Creek about 20 miles outside of Bend. The park at the base of the falls offers hiking trails, fishing, picnic areas and restrooms. Along the way to the falls are informational kiosks that make it a great trip if you want to learn about the ecology of creeks, forests and fish habitat.
Juniper Swim & Fitness Center is owned and operated by Bend Park & Recreation District. Juniper is a community health, fitness and recreation facility open to people of all ages and abilities. The state of the art facilities and quality fitness programs ensure you Get Fit & Have Fun!
A 2 ½ acre garden store that features greenhouses, antiques, tips and a wide arrange of gardening tools and supplies. They even deliver dirt, gravel and barkdust to local customers, but for those out of town visitors, you can find unique gifts and plants that will thrive in just about any North American climate.
This is a Central Oregon attraction that has been around for decades and features large sculptures of buildings made out of gems, glass and stone from the area. It is currently under renovation, but is still an amazing site to check out if you are in the Redmond/Bend area.
Kids dig it when they can prowl through the woods. Track a porcupine. Touch a reptile. Or go eye-to-eye with a Great Horned Owl.
If you want to immerse yourself in a subalpine pine forest where the air has that high-Cascades tang; to stay in a clean, quiet campground next to a twisting, cold river brimming with trout (and a nearby legendary fly fishing spot) and surrounded by miles of waiting-to-be-explored wilderness; to sit smack in the middle of dozens of high-mountain lakes (in winter, near some of the best ski-spots in the land); to see eagles or red-tailed hawks grabbing breakfast right in front of you; or, to just sit in a campsite pondering what you might do tomorrow ...