Traveling to Bend, Oregon with kids

Experience the enchantment of Bend, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of central Oregon along the Deschutes River. Although we've visited Oregon many times, our first trip to this underrated town left a lasting mark, quickly bringing it to the top of our favorites list!

Just a 7.5 hour drive from San Francisco, Bend is a haven for adventurers, offering a variety of activities to suit every taste. Whether you're chasing breathtaking views along the Deschutes River while paddleboarding, kayaking, or rafting, or seeking the thrill of the next hiking trail, Bend has it all. And the surprises don't end there who would have thought we'd encounter snow-capped mountains in late May? And while Bend is haven for outdoor enthusiasts, it's also a geologist's dream, boasting numerous cinder cones and majestic volcanoes. And let's not forget about the vibrant food and coffee scene that adds an extra layer of charm to this picturesque town.

Now, let's talk about where to stay. With so many options to choose from, we were thrilled with our decision to stay at the River House on the Deschutes. With its riverfront views, cozy accommodations, and family-friendly amenities like the heated indoor pool and jacuzzi, it was the perfect home base for our adventures.We got a patio river view room with 2 queen beds and cute little teepees for the kids! The hotel also offers a bunk bed room which is so perfect for families! Falling asleep and waking up to the sounds of the river was so relaxing and it is centrally located to everything we wanted to see and do. But, of course we didn’t just come to bend to relax! Let’s get to the good stuff of what to do and see when in Bend for the adventurous family traveling with kids!

Things to do:

ATV Tour with Outriders NW: We met our guide near the Newberry Volcanic National monument where he gave us the full breakdown of safety, how to manage the ATV and every single detail you would need being a first time ATV rider. We drove to the top of a cinder cone where we got to enjoy panaoramic views of all the mountains! My husband couldn't join us on this trip so to be honest I was quite nervous being the driver but our guide made me feel so comfortable that it wasn't long before I was cruising and didn't want it to end! Highly recommend when in Bend!

Wanderlust Tours: If you want to do any adventure in Bend and go off the beaten path then booking with wanderlust tours is the spot! Owned by an adventurous mama, look no further for amazing family friendly tours from exploring lava caves, forests, lakes and rivers where there's something for everyone! Our guide took us on an epic adventure to explore a lava cave and he was so amazing with the children, very knowledgable, and educated us on everyting outdoors in Oregon and beyond!

Newberry National Volcanic National Monument: Where you can find an active volcano the size of Rhode Island! This is a place not to be missed! so much to explore here from amazing trails like the obsidian lava flow to amazing lakes, trails, craters, waterfalls and even a hot spring to enjoy! I wish we had more time to enjoy here but for the couple days we had we loved hiking the obsidian lava flow trail, Paulina Lake, Paulina Peak, East Lake and trying to find the hot spring located on Paulina Lake. Unfortuantely there was too much snow still so it was inaccessible but can't wait to go back and check that out!

Mt. Bachelor: This is probably the main reason people go to bend as it is known for world class skiing and snowboarding from beginners to training olympians. We recently learned as a family and it has been so enjoyable so we had to stop by and just check out the area and were surprised to find so many people on the slopes at the end of May!

Benham Falls: This 1.5 mile hike will take you to 3 stunning waterfalls to get to Benham Falls, you can continue on to Dillon and Lava Island Falls to turn it into a full day adventure that will require more preparation because it's an over 13 mile hike but definitely worth it! We only had enough time to do Benham falls but the trail is so breathtaking with towering trees along the Deschutes River all throughout the trail.

High Desert Museum: Truly a one of a kind museum this place is a must if visiting Bend with kids in tow! There are wonderful exhibits about Native American culture and history. Enjoy seeing various animals such as otters, owls, porcupines and more! We loved the close up animal encounters and talks where we learned so much about the gray wolves and the gyrfalcon. Don’t forget to stop at the store before you leave and enjoy lunch at the cafe. Plan to spend a whole day because this place is truly amazing and so unique!

Smith Rock State Park: Oregon's most famous state park if very popular with rock climbing enthusiasts. I was even shocked to find stretchers along the trail! This place is so absolutely breathtaking that when we started our hike I was screaming for joy! This is probably the longest drive we did during our whole stay in Bend, which was 30 minutes, but totally worth it! The dramatic rock formations, rivers, and trees make the hikes here truly something out of a dream. Be sure to stop here even if you just do one hike.

Shevlin Park: I am so happy I found this park and hiked here! What a true local gem that is absolutely breathtaking! Immediately from the parking lot you are greeted with aspen trees and get to hike along Tumalo Creek. The 4.7 mile loop trail feels like a stroll as you hike through forests, a river, and over bridges. Such a perfect way to start the day.

Drake Park and Mirror Pond: This local park in downtown bend was probably a favorite for me! Like how lucky are people that live close to this gorgeous park!! I love grabbing a early morning cup of coffee and taking a quick morning walk here before we started our adventures for the day. There are gorgeous homes along the river and can easily walk over to Mirror Pond to enjoy watching geese and ducks or you can grab a paddle board or kayak and just enjoy the perfect summer sunset here.

Pilot Butte: A scenic viewpoint minutes from downtown bend that gives 360 views of all surrounding mountains and on a clear day you can see all the way to Mt. Hood!

Last Standing Blockbuster: Yes, this is an ACTUAL blockbuster and its the last operating one on the planet! It was so cool to be able to take the kids and tell them how we used to check out movies and have them see a VHS! It was such a perfect stop down memory lane.

Where to Eat:

The food scene here reminded me a lot of Portland! Some of the best coffee I've had with cute and locally owned shops everywhere and of course fun food cart lost scattered all over Oregon. Do not go to Oregon and miss out on these spots!

Wild Rose: First of all this is a little on the fancier side but OMG the inside is so cute with dried roses hanging from the ceiling and the ambiance being so perfect for a date night instead of a family night. Their thai food selection was so delectable butttt The kids wanted to swim at the hotel so I picked up food from here to go and eveyrthing was top notch and delcious!! We ordered the tom yum soup, glass noodles, Pad Thai with beef and chicken and I wish I got more!

Sparrow Bakery: This cute breakfast spot is located in downtown Bend and probably the best breakfast/bakery I have been to in a while! Everything like baked goods, coffee and delcious breakfast it was AH- mazing! Indoor and outdoor seating available and be sure to try the french toast sticks and eclairs!

10 Barrel Brewing West Side Bend: We picked up food from here to go again after a long day of adventuring and the pizza really impressed us! Such a diverse menu and everything looked amazing. We got the fungalicious and sauced bird and switched out the pulled pork for chicken and WOW! Do not miss this spot for sure! I almost skipped it being a pub since we're muslim and don't drink but I am glad we didn't.

Perk Ave: Across the street from River on the Deschutes, and using fresh local products, this is a very convenient coffee and quick grab 'n go bagel breakfast shop. Rushing to get to your first destination? Then this is your spot!

Bonta Gelato: Made from fresh, and absolutely delectable, farm ingredients, this a great stop after a good hike or hot summer day while exploring downtown. We had dulce de leche, lime cream, raspberry, lavender, and salted chocolate and we enjoyed every flavor we got.

Poke Row: This cute little spot is located right across the street from Sparrow Bakery. We picked up some yummy Poke Bowls and headed to enjoy them at Pilot Butte to enjoy the sunset. The fish was fresh and makes for a great pick up and go meal.

Currents Breakfast: Located at the River House on the Deschutes hotel this is a beautiful restaurant overlooking the deschutes river. Sometimes it is nice to wake up and enjoy breakfast where you're staying rather than rushing out to find a place. We got the huevos rancheros, veggie omelette, and avocado toast.

Lone pine coffee: Okay this has to be the most delicious coffee in Bend! They roast and serve each indidvidual cup of coffee and the flavor is top notch! not to mention the ambiance inside is so perfect for a meet up with friends and just so eclectic and cute! I got there super early in the morning and the inside was very busy with a line out the door! I would say it was totally worth the wait!

Podski food cart lot: You cant go to Oregon and not visit the food cart lots! They are so much fun and the food trucks here are actually so good! This one is between Old Mill and Downtown Bend. We got some "simple" burgers and the wait took forever but it was a reallllyyyyy good burger! Its also a great place to just hang out and enjoy the nearby shops after.

If you're ever in Oregon be sure not to miss this underrated town and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did and move it to the top of your list! There is truly something to do for everyone and it is a true adventurer's paradise. I hope you found this helpful. Let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything I missed. Thank you to the Visit Bend Team for having us and don’t forget to check out my Instagram highlights for all the detailed stops during our visit.