Bend’s great for beers, bikes and spectacular all-day dates

Whether you live in Bend, love to visit Bend or just can’t stop liking photos of Bend on Instagram, you probably know our beautiful city is a pretty special place.

Bike riding here rocks. We have a multitude of rad breweries. Our restaurant scene punches way above its weight for a town our size. The Les Schwab Amphitheater might be the best place in the entire state to watch a concert. And our winter outdoor scene, even if there’s no snow in town, includes downhill and Nordic skiing, fat biking and even a little surf action at the Bend Whitewater Park.

All of which makes Bend a pretty amazing place for the perfect date.

Start off the day with something warm and wonderful. We’re partial to local roaster Strictly Organic, but Thump and Lone Pine also roast their own beans and make a mean cup of joe. More of a tea drinker? Townsend’s Tea downtown has you covered.

Once you’ve got your morning fuel, it’s time to play. If you’re in town to ski, you’re day is probably already planned, and you’re in for a treat. Despite the lack of powder in Bend, Mt. Bachelor has received nearly 200 inches of snow this winter.

But we’re not all skiers. One of Bend’s best-kept secrets is a steady supply of year-round mountain bike trails. (Note, check out the super informative Bend Trails website for trail conditions.) Head north 13 miles of town to the Maston Area Trails during this time of year and you’ll ride along the edge of of the Deschutes River Canyon and mix in flowy and fast high desert singletrack. For spectacular views of the Cascades, make your way 10 miles southeast of Bend to Horse Butte.

If you’re looking for an active date, be sure to check out Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe, too. Bend’s unofficial river headquarters, Tumalo Creek rents kayaks, canoes and standup paddleboards year round. You’ll see how strong your relationship really is when you try navigating a two-person kayak together.

After an active morning, you’ll be ready to dive into some lunch. If  you’re looking for something close to the river, grab Yumm Bowls from Cafe Yumm! for a quick, healthy meal or split a Neopolitan-style pizza from Flatbread Neapolitan Pizzaria. You can’t go wrong with Zydeco (southern) or Wild Rose (northern Thai) downtown or Rockin’ Dave’s (sandwiches and bagels) on the eastside.

In the afternoon, be sure to take in some of Bend’s cultural offerings. Start by exploring Bend’s amazing collection of public art. Downtown’s Tin Pan Alley collection and the Old Mill District’s tunnel and stairs murals help beautify the city.

And have you seen the stuff going on in the roundabouts? Yes, the Roundabout Art Route is a great way to experience the creativity that flows through town. The Bend Art Center and the Deschutes Historical Museum are also full of cultural treasures worth checking out.

Following an afternoon of intellectual stimulation, you’ll probably be starving.  Wind down the night with a meal and a drink along the Deschutes at Greg’s Grill or Pastini. Looking for a nightcap after dinner? Head over to Level 2 for a cocktail or swing by Naked Winery or Va Piano Vineyards for a glass or two of wine.

Got a sweet tooth? Ben and Jerry’s is open until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 8 p.m. all other days of the week.

And your perfect Bend date is complete!

Want to win your own dream date in Bend? Enter our “Keep the Love Alive” date giveaway contest! We’re giving away $200 in Old Mill District “Love Bucks,” tickets to summer concert at the Les Schwab Amphitheater, dinner for two at Greg’s Grill, wine from Naked Winery, Silipint wine glasses, a hammock for two from REI and more!