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Looking for family things to do in Bend Oregon?
The beauty of Bend Oregon is it isn’t just a thrill-seeker’s paradise. Those of us who live here know our awesome mountain town offers activities as diverse as those who live in and visit Bend.
Finding family things to do in Bend Oregon is easy, given the bounty of natural adventure
Mt. Bachelor and the Deschutes National Forest make up Bend’s natural playground. With 300 miles of linked, sanctioned, single track trails, and with Mt. Bachelor a mere 20 minutes away from downtown, the hiking, biking trails, snowboarding and skiing are alone well worth the visit. According to Ride Oregon, the publication Mountain Biking Action ranked Bend, Oregon as the best mountain biking town in America.
The Cascade Lakes at the base of the Cascade mountain range is another one that ranks high for family things to do in Bend. With a total of 14 alpine lakes, Visit Bend gives you a wonderful resource for all of the different lakes and their amenities. From swimming to canoeing, kayaking, fishing and hiking, these breathtaking mountain lakes are a must-see.
There are many other family activities in Bend that extend beyond the trails, river or mountain (as if this weren’t enough)
For starters, if you have kids, Bouncing off the Wall is a young child’s paradise. Or, the High Desert Museum just south of town is another family friendly staple. Kids will be wide eyed seeing the otter play in its habitat as well as other Central Oregon creatures such as snakes, fish, and other fun exhibits geared towards visitors of all ages.
The Art Station offers a family art session every first Friday morning, with guided art projects for all ages. Then, later in the evening, the downtown First Friday Art Walk is a family affair with street musicians, and local businesses that stay open late offering free wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres.
In the summer, the ever-popular McKay Park on the Deschutes River is a great place to relax by the river and let the little ones build sandcastles and splash in the water. Oh, and did we mention floating the river? You simply can’t visit Bend in the hot months without taking part in this quintessential summer activity, especially with the new white water park coming soon. Bring your raft or your SUP, put in at McKay Park, and end up downtown catching a shuttle back to your car.
Finding family things to do in Bend is easy. The challenge is squeezing it all in. So many activities and breathtaking views and so little time!