(Photo courtesy of Visit Central Oregon)
While the city of Bend made the Travel + Leisure Readers’ 15 Favorite Cities in the United States of 2023 list, further cementing its status among seasoned travelers and adventure seekers, Central Oregon is also home to many lesser-known but equally delightful hidden gems. From charming small towns, to performing arts venues, ales inspired by local flora and fauna, pitch-dark celestial skies, award-winning golf courses, and more, those who branch out from the ordinary will be rewarded with something truly extraordinary in Central Oregon.
Arts & Culture
Nestled in a side alley in downtown Bend is Tin Pan Theater, a boutique theater with a big personality. The intimate atmosphere, with just 28 seats, creates a unique viewing experience alongside a curated concession stand of craft beverages and local snacks. In the quaint western-themed town of Sisters, The Belfry is a 1914 church that has been converted into a performance venue and one of the many event spaces for Sisters Folk Festival’s 26th annual celebration this fall. The beautiful stained-glass windows and charming bell tower add to the allure of the experience. The High Desert Music Hall is a live music venue with a bar and food carts, bringing vibrant culture and entertainment to downtown Redmond.
Dining & Drinking
A mecca for distilleries, breweries, and culinary pursuits, these venues are just a few examples of the region’s unique culinary and beverage innovators. Ale Apothecary brings a distinct approach to making beer with natural, barrel-aged beers using ingredients sourced from local farms and foraged from local forests. Worthy Brewing takes a celestial approach to its beer offerings at its east side location with an observatory and in-house astronomer. New Basin Distilling Company is the brainchild of five Madras partners — a science teacher, a rancher, two farmers, and a crop-duster pilot — who use local grains and nearby spring water to craft their high-quality spirits and mixing vinegar. Hot on the culinary scene is Tumalo’s Tekka Tiger, whose Singapore roots bring authentic South East Asian flavors to their popular food cart. Sisters’ new authentic Mexican food cart, Chulitas, and Bend’s Dear Mom Cafe, which serves modern Thai food inspired by the owner’s mother’s cooking, are also great options.
Golf
It’s no secret that Central Oregon is home to many award-winning golf courses, including three on Golf Digest’s 2023-2024 list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses — Pronghorn Club’s Jack Nicklaus Course (No. 42) east of Bend, Sunriver Resort’s Crosswater Club (No. 54), and Tetherow Resort in Bend (No. 57). The Central Oregon Golf Trail also features stunning resorts, Black Butte Ranch and its two championship designs, still, some may not know about these lesser-known courses. La Pine’s Quail Run Golf Course is a beautifully maintained, 18-hole championship course that offers panoramic views of Central Oregon mountain ranges and four sets of tees ranging from 5,400 to over 6,800 yards. In Prineville, Meadow Lakes Golf Course is a leader in environmental stewardship and was ranked #13 in the Golfer’s Choice 2023: Top Courses In Oregon list from GolfPass. And The Greens at Redmond is a challenging executive public golf course designed by noted architect Robert Muir Graves.
Other
Daytrippers and overnighters alike will delight in lesser-known destinations, such as Prineville Reservoir State Park which is Oregon’s first certified International Dark-Sky Park. The Erickson Aircraft Collection at the Madras Airport displays more than 20 vintage aircraft, most of which are still in flying condition. The Museum at Warm Springs will be celebrating their 30th Anniversary this year, with some of the most exquisite collections of Plateau Native American artifacts in the country. The nearby Warm Springs SkatePark, in collaboration with Tony Hawk’s The SkatePark Project, is a happening community center and skaters’ delight. In Maupin, known as the whitewater capital of Oregon, resides a cluster of beautifully renovated historical cabins previously used as lodging for railroad crews in the early 1900s, which were converted in 1955 to what’s known today as The Oasis Cabin Resort.
These are just a few of the many hidden gems that Central Oregon has to offer. For more information or to start planning your stay, visit visitcentraloregon.com.
ABOUT CENTRAL OREGON:
Located on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range, where vast forests give way to the arid high desert, Central Oregon is characterized by year-round adventure, authenticity, inspiration, and environment. From the towering peaks of the Cascades to the pristine waters of the Wild & Scenic Deschutes River, and from the more urban experiences of Bend, Sunriver, and Redmond, to the rural charms of Sisters, La Pine, Prineville, Madras, Warm Springs, and Maupin, Central Oregon offers a perfect mix of recreation and sophistication. Barely three hours from Portland, and with daily direct flights from eight major markets, getting to Central Oregon is a breeze.
visitcentraloregon.com • 800-800-8334
