Visiting Bend/Sunriver (Late 2018)

Three Creeks is always extremely busy..always

 

Honestly...If you're going to make a trip to this area...I would skip Sisters. I kind of see Sisters as a tourist trap, even more so than Bend. There is good coffee in lots of places.

Three Creeks and and Hop and Brew are really nothing to write home about. You might find one beer at Three Creeks that suits you. Pretty mediocre when it comes to food and beer in general. As an alternative, it's a straight shot to Redmond, OR from there, so if you're willing to travel a little further Redmond has a lot going on for a less busy place than Bend.

Kobold Brewing/Vault Taphouse is great. Awesome taco truck right there. Wild Ride Brewing has a few nice beers. And I mentioned in another post that Porter Brewing Co. just opened up with a selection of cask ales. They got a BBQ truck there if that's any incentive. And lastly, now that we're entering one of the shoulder seasons....it's one of the best times to actually visit Bend and find parking and hit the newer spots here now that the summer tourism crowd has mostly abated.

PS: Green Plow Coffee roasters in downtown Redmond, is a cute, quirky independent coffee shop (if you're into that sort of thing) it seems to get mixed reviews on Yelp, but I've never disliked their coffee. It's a small place so I forgive any quirks in service. around here good help is hard to find. They close kinda early so as long as coffee is a morning thing, no problem. I wish their baked goods selection was a bit more consistent, but they have something to nibble on if you don't get there too late in the day.

 

PS PS: more about Redmond...their little downtown is small but user friendly. There's an independent bookstore just down the street from the coffee place. Diego's is one of my favorite restaurants in this area.The have an occasional classic car event downtown. You can obtain all your favorite jerky treats and cured meats at Redmond Smokehouse. When things to too busy in Bend with festivals and sporting events and what not, I go hang out in Redmond.

 

Thanks, I booked at Motel West.

 

I live close to Somerville MA, where they congregate in herds like walkers from The Walking Dead.

 

Thanks. We will just make a point of enjoying it fresh.

 

Looking at a few places to visit this weekend and Bend has been on my places to visit for many years now. The flight into Redmond looks very good for today. Flying out Saturday evening. So before I pull the plug to Bend I have a few questions. Yes I’ve read through this thread.
We usually use Hotwire to choose our hotel/motel when we fly last minute. So which part of Bend would be the best to stay in? North part where Deschutes Brewery is at or south Bend area? We will be renting a car at Redmond airport.
Our main visit is to check out Bend’s craft scene but the main reason for this last minute trip would be to see the fall colors of the surrounding area. So my next question would be is it peaking right now? And what areas would be recommended as far as a half or full day road trip to check out the fall foliage? A drive around Mt Hood Byways or Cascade Scenic Byways. We will have 1 full day to explore/drive (Friday) and 3/4 day on Saturday as our flight out is around 630pm.
We will have tonight and Friday evening to check out the brewery’s and pubs. What is a must go to? And any recommendations for places to eat.
I’m definitely going to stop at Deschutes and Boss Rambler.
Thanks for any recs. Sorry for the short notice. Cheers.

 

I'll try and be concise:
Being centrally located I think would be best...that means downtown or midtown. Fairfield Inn, is closer to Boneyard Pub and still walkable to downtown Bend and Deschutes Brewery pub, Doubletree is right downtown and near restaurants. And there are the previously mentioned budget motels like Motel West and Rainbow Motel. IF you want high-end lodging, Pine Ridge Inn is very nice and on the yuppier west side, but closer to Deschutes' actual brewery and tasting room. Oxford Hotel is probably the swankiest boutique type hotel in town, right downtown.

Fall colors are not the greatest here in my opinion. Not anywhere near like Northeast US or even midwest. We have more evergreens than decidious here. Drake Park, just off downtown is not bad. If you just walk around some of the residential streets on the west side, there are leaves. Most of mine are already on the ground, though. The real show is on the Aufderheide Hwy (hwy 19)...which if off Hwy 242? kinda sorta, from this side of the mountains..and closer to Oakridge and Eugene that here. But again it may have peaked already and it's easily a full day trip if not two to get there and back.

Some of my favorite restaurants in no particular order: Ariana, 900 Wall, Trattoria Sbandati, El Sancho, Kusshi pop-up sushi restaurant at Whitewater Tap House (fri and sat only I think), Currents at the Riverhouse (I prefer the lounge area), Ronin sushi food truck at The Bite food cart pod in Tumalo, Diego's in Redmond, and ditto on the endorsement on the food and drink at Sunriver Brewing on Galveston. Can't say I'm as fond of the food at Deschutes Brewery lately. quality is up and down. seems like more of a place that is more concerned about selling t-shirts.
I like the empanadas at Boneyard. Wild Rose Northern Thai. and almost forgot: Broken Top Bottle Shop. Many food options if someone is vegan or gluten-free and flavor is not sacrificed one bit. Good tap selection and several reach-in coolers of bottled bev from around the country and beyond.

 

Another vote for Broken Top Bottle shop for both food and packaged beer.

 

PS: if you are up for hiking...most likely without fall colors ...Tumalo Falls is a popular relatively short hike at the end of Skyliner Rd. Couple different trails right from town along the river (north from 1st St. rapids) and south from Shops at the Old Mill, both fairly time, but have sturdy shoes and bring water and a jacket (supposed to be cool and rainy this weekend). A little bit burlier hike is the river trail from Big Meadow park up Century Drive/Cascades Lake hwy a little bit, near widgi Creek golf course and Inn of 7th mountain (they might have changed their name a little for rebranding purposes). You might need a Northwest Recreation pass to park at Big Meadow,...hard to say this time of year. but you can get a day pass at REI or any number of outdoor shops.

 

if you're leaving on Saturday...you'll probably miss Shaun of Dead being shown at Monkless on Sat.

 

Thank you for this article.

 

visiting Bend next week, need some beer for the house. What stores have the best prices on 12 packs?

 

I usually only get sixers but Food4less and Grocery Outlet are probably safe bets. Food4less has added advantage of being next door to Trader Joe's if you like other stuff from there.

 

How was the trip? Highlights? lowlights? As much as I enjoy living here, my attitude is a bit jaded and cynical . Curious what your experience was like..hope it was enjoyable.

 

Just spent 2 days in Bend

Crux may be my favorite spot. The sunset going down behind the mountains is such a great view





The “lost love”. Which is Tough Love on rye barrels at 14% is incredible. It was on tap and I also snagged a bottle. Amazing BA stout



Hit Riverbend brewing (they make all the milkshake IPAs). More of a sports bar feel. They had the Blazer game on which is why I went. The peach milkshake IPA was good, food was passable.

Hit Boneyard. Hmmmmm. Beer list was fairly uninteresting, but certainly focused on traditional IPAs. Overall vibe was upscale biker bar, compete with leather padding at the bar. Chicken wings were tasty. Not sure I would go back though, kind of an odd place.

Finally hit 10 barrel. Always enjoy sitting outside by the fire. Beer list was ok. Belgian dark was very tasty

 

Agreed, that sunset view from Crux is spectacular! Too bad they're not open at sunrise, I'd bet its even better then...guess you just have to 'settle' for the view from Pilot Butte at that time of day.