If you are on the lookout for a great time to visit Bend, look no further than Memorial Day Weekend. This holiday is always the unofficial start to the summer season. Many kids are finally done with school for the year and adults tend to have some days free from work. Bend features many exciting summer activities and events that can be found over the weekend. Take a look at what to expect on your Memorial Day in Bend this year:
Deschutes Memorial Gardens Service
Memorial Day is an annual holiday where we remember our armed forces and those who have been lost in their service. Bend hosts the annual Deschutes Memorial Gardens Service that takes place each year here in the area. This all-day event begins at 8:00 AM and is a live reading of the names of soldiers lost during the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts since 2001. Each fallen solider has their name, age, and hometown read out loud and takes over 15 hours to complete. Stop by at any point in the day to pay your respects to the nearly 7,500 soldiers lost in this timeframe. This is a great way to be a part of the community and respect Memorial Day.
Hike Up to Tumalo Falls
Memorial Day Weekend is also a great time to enjoy the summer activities with your family here in the area. Oregon is known to have some stunning waterfalls here in the state and one of its most popular is here around Bend. Tumalo Falls is an incredible 97-foot waterfall that is a joy to see in person. Visitors are able to pull up to the base of the waterfall and enjoy the stunning views. One of the best ways to experience Tumalo Falls without the summer crowd is to hike up closer to the top.
Tumalo Creek Trail to Tumalo Falls is a 6.4-mile-long hike that takes most individuals around less than two and a half hours to complete. The trail is a moderately challenging hike that will reward trekkers with some of the best waterfall view they have ever seen. There are picnic areas so you can bring up a meal to share with the family. There is also a bathroom located at the falls too. This beautiful maintained trail can have dogs on a leash as well. Come experience Tumalo Falls this Memorial Day.
Paddling on Tumalo Creek
The summer season calls for a little bit of time out on the water. During your visit head on over to Tumalo Creek to enjoy kayaking or paddle boarding. This is a calm spot for the Deschutes River allowing most individuals to easily take to the water and begin exploring. The best way to do just that is by picking up a rental from Tumalo Creek Rentals that offer stand up paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and more. You will find their rental check out to be easy and cost friendly. This is a great way to experience the Deschutes River.
Fishing at Hosmer Lake
Another great outdoor activity that will help you relax over Memorial Day Weekend is fishing. Hosmer Lake is nearby and offers a great spot to fish up Atlantic salmon, brook trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout. This stillwater lake has been known to be a fantastic spot for fishing especially when you have a fishing guide. Fly and Field Outfielders are the local fly fishing experts who know the lake like the back of their hand. Hosmer Lake is just under 200 acres in size making it fairly smaller with fly fishing being the only acceptable fishing only. Fly and Field will show you the best spots to fish from and provide the equipment and required license too. You are sure to reel up a trophy size catch with a little bit of patience. Book a reservation with a guided fishing experience today.
Hit the Bend Ale Trail
One great way to cool off for the holiday weekend is by hitting the Bend Ale Trail. It is no secret that Bend offers an abundance of local craft breweries some of which are state favorites. The famous Bend Ale Trail connects these breweries that are close enough to walk to. You will find local favorites including Deschutes Brewery, Crux Fermentation Project, and Boneyard Beer all close by our vacation rentals. Stop by for a pint or trying out a tasting flight to enjoy a little bit of everything.
More Fun Is Here in Bend for Memorial Day
All of this and so much more can be yours this Memorial Day Weekend in Bend. Secure one of our vacation rentals today before they are all reserved for the popular travel period. You will find Bend to be one of your favorite travel destinations.
Have you been thinking about how you and your family are going to spend the Easter holiday this year? If you want to create a new family tradition for Easter this year, consider making your way to Bend. Our vacation destination is in beautiful Oregon and the spring season is one of our favorite times of year. You will find an inviting community along with Easter events and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Here is how you can enjoy your Easter in Bend this year:
Easter Egg Hunt at Juniper Preserve
Central Oregon is home to many different communities and attractions. One of them is the Juniper Preserve that will once again be showcasing an Easter event this year. Juniper Preserve hosts an annual Easter Egg Hunt that is perfect for children of all ages. The event entails a classic Easter Egg Hunt where countless colorful eggs, some with hidden treasures inside, will be hidden all around the preserve. The kids will have the chance to explore this lush surrounding while the adults can snap pics of the kids having a blast. The Easter Bunny will also be on hand, hopping around for family photos. Entry into the event is $10 per person with children ages 2 and under getting in for free; all proceeds help with the preservation efforts of Juniper Preserve so future generations can see its timeless beauty. There is also an Easter Brunch that requires reservations where you can enjoy a decadent meal.
Finding Brunch in Bend
One great way to spend your Easter Weekend in Bend is by finding the best brunch spot in town. The adults are always excited for a little Easter brunch action, and Bend is sure to not disappoint. You will find many fine dining establishments will be offering a brunch special on Easter Sunday that will entice everyone in the family. McMenamins Old St. Francis School is a local favorite that always offers up flavorful dishes in their romantic ambience. Their Easter brunch will come with favorites such as smoked salmon and quiche along with your favorite morning adult beverages such as mimosas. The Victorian Café is another local favorite that has been a Bend staple for their famous Bloody Mary cocktails. They provide seasonal brunch entrees that will win you over, including fluffy pancakes and vegetable frittatas.
You can get direct views of the Deschutes River when you enjoy brunch over at Currents at the Riverhouse. They offer a luxurious Easter brunch buffet that includes a meat carving station along with eggs benedict and everything else you can think of. Easter Brunch is one of the busiest times of the year for restaurants, so make sure to make a reservation in advance when available or expect to wait in line for your table. Either way, it will be a meal you do not want to miss out on.
Plan an Easter Hike
There is no coming to Bend and not visiting our beloved outdoor parks during your stay. Bend is one of the most beautiful parts of Oregon and our local parks are sure to show it. Over Easter Weekend you can take the family out for a hike and see just how beautiful nature is here. Smith Rock State Park is the perfect spot for a family picnic. Pack up your meal and take it on the go where you can enjoy family friendly trails that anyone in your family can navigate. You will find clear skies during the month of April providing you with the perfect backdrop for your picnic. Shevlin Park is another great spot for an Easter hike as well. This park features more open space so you can set up your own Easter activities such as an egg hunt for your family while enjoying the scenic trails. Shevlin Park also has its own picnic area so you can bring your own Easter brunch. Make sure to discard all trash and leftovers appropriately to prevent local wildlife from getting a hold of it.
Snag Some Easter Treats
Make sure to arrive in Bend with a sweet tooth so you can check out the local treat stores in the area. You can end your day of Easter activities with a scoop of handmade ice cream over at Goody’s Chocolate and Ice Cream. Or check out Sparrow Bakery for fresh baked goods including buns and macarons that will win everyone over. A little dessert in your day will put a smile on anyone’s face!
Get Ready to Check Out Bend
There is nothing more special than a spring visit to Bend, especially over Easter Weekend. You can get ready for an exciting trip by booking a stay at your favorite vacation rental in the area.
The holiday season is just around the corner, and with it comes plenty of opportunities to see Bend for the first or 10th time. You will find that any time during the holiday season is a great time to visit Bend but consider making your way here for the New Year’s holiday. New Year’s is always an enjoyable celebration and spending it somewhere inviting such as Bend can make it even better. You will find festive celebrations and also winter activities to enjoy during your stay. Here is what you need to know for a future New Year’s in Bend getaway:
Wanderlust Tours’ Bonfire on the Snow
There are so many ways to celebrate the New Year’s, including a toast of some kind with friends and family. You can do just that and much more when you join Wanderlust Tours for their popular Bonfire on the Snow this year. Wanderlust Tours offers some of the finest tours out into the wilderness surrounding Bend and will be bringing that excitement for a New Year’s bonfire. This is Wanderlust Tours’ biggest event of the year and is always a sellout.
The Bonfire on the Snow is a snowshoe tour experience that will see you and the others on the tour depart from their office and head out into the forest. A snowshoe hike will take you to your eventual destination, an amphitheater built from snow, where a massive bonfire will await you. The snowshoe hike will not be difficult and instead be enjoyable for ages 12 and up.
The amphitheater is a great spot to stare into the night sky, where you will be able to see faraway planets, stars, and constellations like you have never seen before. Bend is a Dark Sky Community, meaning there are restrictions on commercial lights, allowing the area to be one of the best spots to go stargazing.
At the stroke of midnight, the adults can enjoy a champagne toast to kick off the new year. The experience also provides adults with hot cocoa with hazelnut espresso vodka. Kids ages 12 and up are encouraged to join in with kid friendly hot cocoa and locally made desserts. The experience also provides you with snowshoes so you will not have to rent any. Make sure to dress warm and bring your own water for Bonfire on the Snow. This event is sure to sell out, so make sure to book your reservation today with Wanderlust Tours.
Immersion Brewery’s New Year’s Eve
Another great spot in town to celebrate New Year’s is over at Immersion Brewery. This local favorite has been popular for quite some time and their live events end up being truly special. This year will feature Bill & The Box Kid and The Spencer Marlyn Band taking the stage for a live music celebration. There will be two sets of popular dance music to help you boogie into the new year. Make sure to grab a pint of one of Immersion Brewery’s tasty beers. You can also expect a champagne toast that will help you kick off the new year in a delightful way. Immersion Brewery’s New Year’s Eve party starts at 9:00 PM so make sure to get there early!
Hit the Slopes
The month of January is always a popular time for skiing, so make sure to head on up to Mt Bachelor during your New Year’s stay. Mt. Bachelor is the local peak here in Bend and offers more than enough winter fun on the slopes. Bend only sees about 30 inches of snow each year; however, Mt. Bachelor sees over 30 feet of snow thanks to the elevation difference! Getting to the peak is extremely easy and is just a 20-minute drive from Bend. Visitors will find dozens of slopes ranging from beginner slopes up to black diamond hills. If you prefer cross country skiing, you will also find plenty of trails to explore too.
Mt. Bachelor will have all of your skiing needs covered too. You will find a gear rental shop that offers everything you need for a successful outing. Introductory lessons are also a great way to get your feet back under you if you have not skied in a while. The lessons are also a great way to introduce the kids to skiing for the first time. There is nothing that Mt. Bachelor cannot help with to make sure you have the best experience skiing on their slopes.
The New Year Is Almost Upon Us Here in Bend
Make sure you do not wait and get on out to Bend for New Year’s this year. Our vacation rentals are ready to host you and your family for an enjoyable experience. Our properties can be found nearby all of these exciting New Year’s activities.