Upscale, Not Uptight. For business or leisure

A sled dog ride might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning your spring break getaway, but if you ask us, it’s an option that should be high on the list. With a professional musher as your guide and plenty of blankets to keep you warm and snug, the team will take you over the snow and past Central Oregon sights including the Three Sisters, Broken Top and, of course, Mt. Bachelor. Orientation time is scheduled before your ride and you can stick around after to join in the care, watering, and feeding of the adorable sled dogs for a full experience. If the standard one hour ride isn’t enough for you, take it all the way with the Marathon Trip — a full 26-mile ride to Elk Lake, lunch, and plenty of snow included!

Bend, named one of America’s most romantic towns, has the best of both worlds—adventure to bring you closer, and fine dining to fuel the romantic feels. Start the day cruising the trails on the exceptional 40 km of track at the Virginia Meissner Nordic Sno-Park. With trails for everyone from beginners to experienced skiers, your backcountry ski excursion ensures stunning views of the area and quality time with your special someone. With your appetite worked up, head out on the town for a romantic dinner at one of downtown Bend’s best eateries. Try Chow’s special Valentine’s Day menu or savor Italian flavors at Pastini Pastaria.

Stretch your legs with a hike up Paulina Peak—the tallest mountain in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument area—for panoramic views of lakes, lava flows, cinder cones, basalt columns, a caldera, and a volcano the size of Rhode Island. With winter’s coat of snow, the area is nothing short of spectacular geologic features and geothermal activity. Consider routing your hike toward Paulina Lake, where you can soak your bones in one of five fairly primitive, relatively un-trafficked hot pot dugouts on the shore of the lake. The remote location means that you’ll probably have the place to yourself—so you can sit back, soak, and enjoy your surroundings.

Spend a day away from the urban bustle and soak up Bend’s natural surroundings at spots like the iconic Crater Lake National Park—home to the deepest lake in the country, which formed from a volcano collapsing in on itself. For two days—both of which happen to be in September this year—the road around the rim of the lake is closed to vehicles, making September a prime time to take your bicycle out for a spin around the 24-mile rim. Another nearby outdoor destination worth the trip is Smith Rock State Park, where you can take a horse ride, test your balance on a slackline, or climb one of the park’s nearly 2000 routes; it is considered the birthplace of sport climbing, after all.

Portland is just a few hours drive from Bend, but the Beaver State isn’t limited to one great coffee capital. With all the other brews going on in Bend, it makes sense that coffee would fit right in. For starters, there’s Lone Pine Coffee Roasters—a small batch roaster that serves up fresh cups of joe from their brick and mortar—as well as other local businesses around the Bend area. Pick up some beans or grinds at places like Midtown Market, The Pantry, and Bad Wolf Bakery. Or, stop by Lone Pine’s storefront early in the day for an extra special pick-me-up (they serve ocean rolls)! Be on the lookout for Lone Pine’s new location—coming just in time for their 10^th anniversary this year.

With a current seasonal snowfall of 177 inches, Mt. Bachelor’s frosting slathered slopes are a prime place to play in the snow before the summer temperatures melt it all away. With over 4,300 acres, 101 runs, 4-mile max runs, and terrain for everyone from beginners to seasoned experts, it’s not hard to see that the area knows snow. If you’re new to the sport it’s worth taking a short two-hour lesson that includes gear rental and a full day lift ticket so you can practice your new skills afterward. And, if cruising powder just isn’t for you, there’s plenty of other fun to be had with snow blast tubing, sled dog rides, snowshoe tours, scenic heli tours and more. However you choose to spend your day, there’s always hot cocoa and fresh food to warm you back up!

Today, it’s unlikely that anyone visiting or living in Bend hasn’t at least heard of the bakery that’s brought the city’s staple taste, the Ocean Roll. With a base of traditional croissant dough, a spread of cardamom, sugar and vanilla, and a bake of golden perfection, it’s not hard to understand how the sweet treat gained its star status. But when it comes to iconic duos (think Harry and Sally, Batman and Robin, Macaroni and Cheese) the Ocean Roll and a French press take the cake. For other baked goods around Bend try La Magie’s Marionberry Turnover, Foxtail Bakeshop’s Lemon Tart and Village Baker’s Big Eddy.

Connecting the present to the past with native wildlife like bobcats, historic characters and an authentic turn-of-the-century homestead and sawmill is the museum’s mission. With changing exhibits such as By Her Hand: Native American Women, Their Art and the Photographs of Edward S. Curtis, there’s always something new to see. Or, engage with the basics at the permanent exhibits. The Desertartium is filled with lizards, snakes, salamanders and more that call the High Desert home. Journey through the Spirit of the West with a Northern Paiute shelter, Hudson’s Bay Company fort and Oregon Trail wagon. This month, try your hand at gold panning and even have your findings authenticated!