Going to Bend at the end of April with another couple and looking for top things to do, can't miss, etc.

Also any advice on Hotels, AirBnbs would be greatly appreciated too.

McMenamis Old St Francis hotel - it's an old catholic school with multiple bars and the coolest pool!

Float the Deschutes River. Hike at Smith Rock State Park. Day trip to Crater Lake. See the only Blockbuster that is left. Cool town, I'm ready to go back again!

Mt Bachelor will still be open for skiing.

20 years ago Bend was the most desirable city in america. It is still incredible but property is just too expensive now. April is a tough time to visit, it is mud season

I haven't been, but have heard good things about loloma lodge for a chill getaway. May be too far, though

I will second Travelag's rec for McMenamins. Really cool place. And the pool is amazing.

Going to piggy back off of this. We are going end of June. Have an Airbnb on the river already booked.

Tips on hiking, fishing, restaurants/breweries, MTN biking or any other general tips are appreciated.

I'm in Portland and spend as much time as possible in Bend. It's super.

McMenamins (all of them really) are fun.

We're big skiers and April is prime backcountry season to summit some of the Sisters. Grab some micro spikes and shoot for Broketn Top or something. Bring an axe and enjoy the glissade down. Else, ski Bachelor.

Cascade Lake Scenic highway if it's open.

La Pine and Sunriver on the way to Crater. Sisters if you're heading up the pass (Hoodoo or Mt. Washington). Black Butte is a populate VRBO place if you're into golfing.

Beer: Crux, Bend Brewing, Deschutes, Hopservatory, etc. Bend Brewing is adjacent to Drake Park, on the river and in Old Town. It's my favorite. 900 Wall for schwank.

Tumalo Falls. Pilot Butte.

Phil's if you're into Mt. Biking. Fat bike at elevation where there's still snow.

Never done it, but we have friends that love Wanderlust tours.

There's a SpringHill Suites that we typically stay at because it's well placed between Old Bend and Old Mill. LOGE Bend is the closest place to Bachelor and an "adventure" hotel.

Lava Lands and High Desert Museum for kids.

Are you flying into Portland and then straight to Bend? Lot's to do in Bend, awesome town. But if it's your first time to Oregon (?) I would plan a drive through Columbia River Gorge as well (especially the historic highway which is a must)

When would be he best time to visit Bend or Oregon in general?

unless you really want to see Portland, then fly into Redmond, Oregon.

Furlock Bones said:

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unless you really want to see Portland, then fly into Redmond, Oregon.

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The drive from Portland is pretty awesome, though. If time isn't a big deal, I'd take the N Santiam highway/OR 22 into Sisters and down into Bend. 97 and 26 are amazing drives as well and go right past Mt. Hood.

Wicked Good Ag said:

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When would be he best time to visit Bend or Oregon in general?

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It depends on what tickles your fancy.

Bend is high desert. So the summers are dry and sunny, but you can enjoy the Deschutes and Cascade Scenic Lake highway. Oregon isn't a skiing destination, but Bachelor is the hill to hit if you're here in the winter. World class mountain biking around Bend and on Bachelor.

Personally, I most love fall and spring in Oregon. Spring: the cherry blossoms, dogwoods, hydrangeas, tulips, dahlias and waves of mountain wildflowers as the snowpack recedes. The coast is popping and we're well into dungeness crab / oyster season. Waterfalls are peak flow. Natty parks are starting to plow the roads for summer and you can beat the crowds. If you're at all into cycling, ODOT blows a single lane on McKenzie pass to help melt. It creates a 40' snow wall and they open the pass to bikes only. It's pretty cool.

If you're into leaf peeping, fall is fun in OR. We have the normal maples, dogwoods, birch, oak, aspen colors. But you sprinkle it on the backdrop of The Gorge, Hood or Silver Falls State and it's something. It's apple orchard season on Hood and all that fun jazz. Fun time to hit the wine AVAs to sip some vino and enjoy the fall views. Tad north in WA and you have the alpine larches turning in places like The Enchantments; which are just chef kiss fall perfection.

CREAg87 said:

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Furlock Bones said:

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unless you really want to see Portland, then fly into Redmond, Oregon.

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The drive from Portland is pretty awesome, though. If time isn't a big deal, I'd take the N Santiam highway/OR 22 into Sisters and down into Bend. 97 and 26 are amazing drives as well and go right past Mt. Hood.

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Yeah, it's not just Portland. If you've got the time, you can also:

From PDX go 84E and stop in Troutdale, Cascade Locks or Hood River for the Gorge / waterfalls / beer leg. Hop off and drive the Columbia Historic Highway whenever you want.

In Hood River, 35S for the Mt. Hood fruit loop and Mt. Hood itself (just hit Timberline or White River Sno Park for best views).

Connect on 26S at Blue Box pass to Madras > Smith Rock > Bend.

Sisters is cool, but meh comparatively. You get views of Mt. Washington and Three Finger on Santiam though which is cool.

Long day, but totally worth the drive.

RangerRick9211 said:

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Wicked Good Ag said:

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When would be he best time to visit Bend or Oregon in general?

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It depends on what tickles your fancy.

Bend is high desert. So the summers are dry and sunny, but you can enjoy the Deschutes and Cascade Scenic Lake highway. Oregon isn't a skiing destination, but Bachelor is the hill to hit if you're here in the winter. World class mountain biking around Bend and on Bachelor.

Personally, I most love fall and spring in Oregon. Spring: the cherry blossoms, dogwoods, hydrangeas, tulips, dahlias and waves of mountain wildflowers as the snowpack recedes. The coast is popping and we're well into dungeness crab / oyster season. Waterfalls are peak flow. Natty parks are starting to plow the roads for summer and you can beat the crowds. If you're at all into cycling, ODOT blows a single lane on McKenzie pass to help melt. It creates a 40' snow wall and they open the pass to bikes only. It's pretty cool.

If you're into leaf peeping, fall is fun in OR. We have the normal maples, dogwoods, birch, oak, aspen colors. But you sprinkle it on the backdrop of The Gorge, Hood or Silver Falls State and it's something. It's apple orchard season on Hood and all that fun jazz. Fun time to hit the wine AVAs to sip some vino and enjoy the fall views. Tad north in WA and you have the alpine larches turning in places like The Enchantments; which are just chef kiss fall perfection.

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Thank you. I have a travel work possibility and I was wondering what month would be best to visit Oregon and Washington. I heard Washington is April so curious of Oregon

I lived in Oregon in 2000-2005, hence the handle. Summer by far was my favorite time. Rain seems to stop in early July thru Sept and the Summer days are perfect. Central Oregon in the summer with all the outdoor activities is great. Tons of world class golf, white water rafting in ice cold snow melt rivers, extremely long days.

I would recommend as a visitor mid summer but as pointed out above there is so much Oregon has to offer most of the year. The Oregon coast is also great.

Sorry I've been out of the country.

We are flying into Eugene and driving over. I have been to Bend before on a solo trip during Covid but I foresee seeing this trip will be a bit different with my girlfriend and another couple being in tow.