Bend is a mountain town in central Oregon first settled in 1824. The name of the city was originally Farewell Bend, referencing its location on the Deschutes River. Today, Bend is a mountain getaway year round.
The city receives a lot of snowfall during the winter, making it a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. The Deschutes River allows for kayaking and rafting in the warmer months. Bend is one of three cities in the United States to have an extinct volcano within the city limits. The extinct cinder cone can be viewed at Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint.
Although locals and visitors know Bend as a nature center, nightlife isn't in short supply. The city is famous for its abundance of craft beer. Bend has eight breweries, all within walking distance of each other. This area is known as the Bend Ale Trail. Visitors can bring a Passport to each brewery for a stamp, and receive a commemorative cup upon the completion of the tour. The Pub Crawl is a similar version of the tour, combined with food.
A unique twist to nightlife in Bend is the Bonfire Snowshoe Adventure. Visitors can snowshoe out to a bonfire during the winter. In the summer, nighttime canoe rides are widely popular. Cultural activities are in abundance here as well. Bend's annual event, Art in the High Desert, gathers 350 artists from all over the US and Canada. Since 2004, the city has hosted its own film festival.
Bend's biggest employment sector is tourism. Several popular ski resorts in the area attract tourists from around the country. Healthcare and social services are close second employers. Real estate in Bend provides more employment opportunities. People attracted by Bend's lifestyle amenities began relocating here during the real estate boom in 2001. No rush hour traffic or sales taxes are added benefits of living in Bend.
Many Olympic athletes are from this city. Bend's numerous parks provide locals with an opportunity to increase their athletic development. Actor Matthew Fox is from Bend as well.
Written by Lyndsey Morgan
Forget the flowers and chocolate and reconnect with your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day at Cypress Bend Resort, located just 70 miles south of ...
- Bend - OR
