Experience Oregon State University in Bend
Bend and Central Oregon inspire the artist, innovator and outdoorsperson in each of us. This is a great place to get out there.
A great place to call home
Bend is known for world-class recreation, its entrepreneurial spirit, a burgeoning high-tech industry, sustainability and overall livability. You'll live at the corner of the great outdoors, downtown Bend, shopping, concerts and fun.
Getting Out There: Downtown Bend
Getting Out There: Smith Rock
Best Outdoor Town
Top Ski Town
One of the country's
top five ski towns
(Travel + Leisure)
Top Bike Town
#1 mountain biking town
in the U.S.
(Mountain Bike Action)
Top Trail Town
#6 best trail running town
(Outside)
Arts & Entertainment
Coffee and Ms. Pac-Man
Tessa, TOUR ambassador and art major, recommends:
Hanging out at Spoken Moto cafe
Delicious hipster coffee, amazing food carts, vintage motorcycles, a cozy aesthetic atmosphere, and an Insta-worthy café. They even have free live music on Thursday and Friday nights.
Going old school at Vector Arcade
For the young and young at heart, there is a classic arcade in downtown Bend. Be sure to bring your nostalgia!
Soaking pool and ice cream
Austin, energy systems engineering major, recommends:
Movie and soaking pool at McMenamins Old St. Francis
A 1936 Catholic schoolhouse renovated into a McMenamins in 2004. It's a hotel with classrooms-turned-lodging rooms, a pub, movie theater, live music and a fantastic soaking pool.
Goodies at Goody's Chocolates
Homemade ice cream, chocolates and edible raw cookie dough. They use the best flavors and ingredients in Oregon. Try anything made with huckleberry.
Visitors Information
Central Oregon Exploration
- Bend Park & Recreation District
- Travel Oregon, Central Oregon
- Crater Lake National Park
- Deschutes & Ochoco National Forest
- High Desert Museum
- Hoodoo Ski Area
- John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
- Mt. Bachelor Ski & Summer Resort
- Oregon Hiking
- Smith Rock State Park
- The Source Weekly Calendar of Events
The Experts Agree
The Best U.S. Colleges and Universities for Outdoor Lovers
Outdoors with Bear Grylls, 2024
#5 Best Mountain Town in the U.S.
Outside, 2022
One of the Best Places to Live in the U.S.
Livability, 2022
The 10 Coolest Places To Go In The Next 10 Years
Forbes, 2021
Top 10 Universities for Ski Bums in 2021
College Magazine, 2021
Best Performing Small City
Milken Institute, 2020
Bicycle Friendly Community
League of American Bicyclists, 2019
Top 10 Best Small City for Business and Careers
Forbes, 2019
The 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World: BendFilm Festival
MovieMaker, 2019
Top Entrepreneurial City in Oregon
Cascade Business News, 2017
Best Multi-Sport Town
Outside, 2017
One of America’s 20 Best Mountain Bike Towns
National Geographic, 2017
One of the 16 Best Places to Live in the U.S.
Outside, 2016
One of the top 52 destinations in the world to visit in 2015
Bend listed as #30
New York Times, 2015
One of America’s 10 best destinations for outdoor enthusiasts
USA Today, 2015
America's Top Adventure Town
Men's Journal, 2015
One of the country's top five ski towns #3
Travel + Leisure, 2015
9 Great American Mountain Biking Trails
Outside, 2015
America’s #1 ski town for breweries
USA Today, 2014
The world’s best SUP getaway
Outside, 2014
One of the nation’s top cycling towns
USA Today, 2014
One of 15 U.S. cities with the best restaurant scene
Huffington Post, 2013
One of world's top 25 ski towns
National Geographic, February 2, 2012
One of the nation's top 5 equestrian communities
Equitreking, Oct. 2, 2012
The nation's dog-friendliest town
Dog Fancy, 2012
The country’s #1 town for sportsmen
Outdoor Life, April 7, 2011
One of the top 10 fly fishing towns in the U.S.
Fly Fisherman
The best trail running town, #6
Outside, 2010
One of the best fishing towns in America, #8
Field & Stream, 2008
The #1 mountain biking town in the United States
Mountain Bike Action