Oregon’s Hidden Gem — Travel Guide to Bend 💎

Fun fact: Bend’s housing prices are surprisingly higher than Portland’s — truly a vacation/retirement town! 🏡💸 Accommodation Stay near Old Bend for easy access to food, drinks, and shopping. 🏘️🍴 In-Town Attractions 1️⃣ Old Bend — Charming and walkable with plenty of local vibes. 2️⃣ Old Mill District — Essentially a stylish mall with great views. 3️⃣ Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint — Stunning panoramic views! 🌄 4️⃣ Deschutes River Trail — A relaxing hike starting from Old Bend alongside the river. 🚶‍♀️🌊 Food & Drinks We visited on a weekend, and the popular spots had long waits — so we missed out on some top picks. Still, here are our recommendations: 1️⃣ Bonta Gelato — A must-try Italian gelato! 🍦❤️ 2️⃣ Hola! — Peruvian-Mexican fusion. A local Bend chain with delicious stews. 🌮🍖 3️⃣ Bend Brewing Company — Locals actually prefer Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House, but this was a great alternative! 🍻 Out-of-Town Attractions 1️⃣ Smith Rock State Park — A must-visit if you’re coming from Portland. Don’t miss Brand 44° N right outside the park — the only restaurant around and totally worth it! 🏞️🍴 2️⃣ Benham Falls East Trailhead — A gorgeous waterfall! Note: In winter, parts of the trail are closed, so be prepared for a longer hike. ❄️🥾 3️⃣ Sisters — A beautiful little town right before entering the national forest. 🏔️🌲 Bend is a stunning town that’s worth revisiting — every season offers something special! 💚 #Oregon #Portland #OregonTravel #OregonFood 🏔️🍷📸