Eat, sleep, read, relax - my Bend favorites
Bend is only a few hours away from Portland, but always feels like a complete getaway. It’s sunny (a major plus during a PNW winter), the high desert landscape has tons of incredible outdoorsy, adventurey activities, but I also know if I want to do the opposite, I can. It can be cozy cafes, luxurious spas, and incredible dining, too. And it can be ALL those things together - which makes it an especially perfect option for a family who has varied interests. Over the years we’ve gone there, I’ve tried new places and found new favorites, but there are also some that are consistently at the top of my list. So if you, like me, sometimes feel like hiking with the family is great and all, but what you REALLY need is a day to do not that, these are some of the spots I highly recommend checking out.
Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe
I absolutely love a good bookstore, especially a local one. If you love books, you know that some places have That Feel from the moment you walk in the door - the smell, the light, the vibe, maybe the music, the level of noise; the exact right things that make it somewhere you’re ready to spend a significant amount of time (and, likely, money). Dudley’s has it.
They have a really wide selection of genres for not being a huge space. It feels cozy, but airy, and very neat and organized, with cool art and non-book things scattered throughout. The staff are wonderful. The coffee is great. It is the perfect place to lose track of time.
Mantra: Remind yourself that books are an INVESTMENT, not a frivolity. Buy a couple, get a coffee, and hang out in a comfy chair upstairs for a while.
2. The Oxford Hotel
Even if you’re not staying here, I love to stop here for lunch or a drink during a shopping day. The restaurant is (in a town of amazing restaurants) incredibly good, and the vibe is calm, upscale, but still friendly. (Maybe my favorite thing about Oregon is that casual is NEVER too casual, anywhere. Just head in and sit down and yeah, have a 2pm glass of champagne in your leggings and trail runners.)
Stay overnight, too, you will not regret it. This is literally the most comfortable hotel bed I’ve ever slept in. Girls’ weekend or couples getaway, or with your family and your dog - this place is wonderful. (They frequently run specials that make it a more reasonably priced indulgence, too.)
Don't miss out on borrowing their bikes in the summer for the Ale Trail!
3. Recharge at Anjou Spa
The hot sand room at Anjou Spa
Anjou’s old location had a fire in 2016, and I was so worried they would either not come back, or be something different when they did. It was the closest I’d felt to a “just like in the movies” spa day without staying in a hotel that costs a thousand dollars a night, I was SO sad at the prospect of having to try to find a replacement. Thankfully, in their new location they kept the same spirit and added even more amenities. I recommend this place to everyone. (#notasponsor) (#totallyopentosponsorship)
The staff are so thorough and knowledgeable, and their treatments exquisite and extremely varied. Once our group here was a teenager, her 40ish mom, an expectant first-time mom, and a grandmother. EVERYONE was blissed out at the end of the day.
Pro Tip: The hot sand room is so much better than you think it’s going to be. It’s all… amazing.
4. Watch the game at The Hideaway Tavern
Think of this as a cross between a sports bar (the crowd!) and your living room (the comfort!) during a Super Bowl party. (The website says “Food Network meets ESPN”, and that’s a pretty good description, too.) It has a killer ambiance (at least for an NFC championship game!), comfy, couch-like seating options, DELICIOUS food, and super friendly staff who somehow manage to stay attentive even when honestly, all hell is breaking loose.
Bonus points, and important: Kids are allowed, and both of mine had a really great time. The 13-year old football fan was high-fiving strangers nonstop, but even my 11-year old who could take or leave the Seahawks (not sure where she came from) enjoyed herself thoroughly; and that was because two prominent TVs were showing not football, but women’s collegiate basketball, and gymnastics. The placement, and the choice of programming, struck me as an incredibly thoughtful way to make sure that all audiences had something to cheer for.
5. Eat a burger at Blue Eyes Burger & Fries
Smashy!
We love to stay on the west side of town in the winter. If you ask my son, it’s specifically so we can walk to Blue Eyes. (If you ask me, it’s because the straight shot down Century makes Mt Bachelor so easy to get to in the morning, but tomato tomah-to.)
Blue Eyes is straightforward and unpretentious. It’s not super spendy, and it’s not a long, drawn-out affair; it is just a really freaking good smashburger. After a long day on the mountain, sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Have you been to any of these spots? Or do you have a Bend favorite I missed? Let me know!
