Sometimes you want something different. Not that major Bend landmarks like the Deschutes River Trail or Mt. Bachelor aren’t awesome (they are!) but what about one-of-a-kind attractions you won’t find anywhere else?

Bend and Central Oregon have quite a few quirky spots worth a look on your next vacation. Here are six of my favorites. 

The High Desert Museum

Stop right now if you’re picturing posh guests in bowties and dusty glass cases filled with boring documents. The family-friendly High Desert Museum comes alive with a wild array of native wildlife, indigenous art, hands-on programs, and the chance to get up close and personal with native wildlife.

That last bit’s my favorite, as I adore all the creatures who live here. They all come from rescue and rehab situations where they can’t be released into the wild, and it’s lovely to see them serve as ambassadors of their species. Watch a porcupine munch carrots as the keeper shares fun facts about these cool high desert critters. See otters and a baby beaver splashing and playing, or catch a raptor show where these incredible birds swoop inches above your head.

Since 1982, this kid-friendly museum has wowed visitors with more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space and 135 outdoor acres filled with fun, interactive exhibits like an authentic ranch and sawmill from 1904 and a new Nature Playscape opening later this spring (made possible by a grant from our Bend Sustainability Fund)

Bonus: Their on-site cafe slings excellent grub, so it’s a great mid-day stop for the whole fam.

The world’s last Blockbuster

Even if you’re not of an age to remember pulling that blue and yellow Blockbuster card from your wallet for a Friday night film binge, nothing compares to the nostalgic value of visiting the last Blockbuster on earth. 

It’s right here in Bend, with the bright yellow walls and shelves of new and old videos lined up in plastic-boxed blasts from the past. 

Rent a video to take back to your Bend vacation rental, or just stop in for snacks, pics, and a glimpse at their memorabilia. They even sell swag ranging from Blockbuster shirts to sweatpants to sunglasses, so swing by for a souvenir and a shot of nostalgia.

Petersen’s Rock Garden

While technically, Petersen’s Rock Garden is in Redmond, it’s at more or less the midpoint between Bend and our neighbor city to the north. Founded in 1935 by an offbeat fellow by the name of Rasmus Petersen, this beloved roadside attraction is part rock shop, part museum, and part outdoor funland filled with gardens, ponds, bridges, and dozens of small buildings and statues built with rocks. 

I remember coming here as a kid, and we brought my own youngsters (now 18 and 22) when they were little. The highlight of this place is the collection of peacocks who strut around flashing their feathers and hoping for handouts. 

It was closed for a few years and opened again somewhat recently under new ownership, so come check out this cool historic attraction on Saturdays and Sundays.

Pilot Butte State Park

Speaking of rocks, there’s a ginormous one sticking up in the middle of Bend. Pilot Butte is an ancient cinder cone ringed with hiking trails and a road that’s open to cars from mid-April through October(ish), depending on snow levels.

Thanks to Pilot Butte, Bend holds the distinction of being one of a handful of cities in the U.S. with a dormant volcano in the city limits. It makes a great starting point for any Bend vacation, since views from the summit give a great orientation to our fair city. Look west to see the snow-capped Cascade Mountains and landmarks like Black Butte, or southwest to scan Downtown Bend and the Old Mill District. You’ll get views of the Oregon Badlands Wilderness to the east, and Redmond to the north. It’s a nice way to gain a general sense of where Bend’s situated in our high desert oasis.

This makes an especially awesome spot for sunrise or sunset (though if you’re on foot, you’ll want a headlamp and possibly microspikes, depending on ice and the time of day). Generally speaking, it’s a simple hike to the top of this 500-foot cinder cone for fantastic views and the right to boast that you stood at the top of a volcano.

Vector Volcano

Since we’re on the subject of volcanoes, there’s one in Downtown Bend that carries zero risk of eruption. I’m talking about Vector Volcano, the kooky vintage video arcade featuring classic video games and pinball machines from the eighties and nineties. Think classics like Asteroids, Centipede, Donkey Kong Jr., Mortal Kombat 2, Pac-Man, Pole Position, and more. 

And lest you mistake this for the video arcade of your puberty years, Vector Volcano has a wide selection of local microbrews and ciders, plus non-alcoholic options like kombucha and New York Seltzers.

The best thing about this funky-cool arcade is that you don’t need to drag in your baggie of quarters. Just pay a flat admission fee to play video games for an hour or for all-day play (pinball excluded).

This makes an excellent stop for families, as parents get the chance to introduce kids to the video games of their youth.

Hungry Hound dog food cart

Bend’s food cart scene offers a great mealtime pick for folks who just can’t bear to leave the great outdoors for one moment (though for the record, most have perks like covered dining areas and heaters to keep you toasty in inclement weather).

Food carts give folks a great option for everyone in the family to choose what they want to eat and convene at a central table. But what about four-legged family members?

Enter the Hungry Hound food cart at On Tap in northeast Bend. It features an eclectic menu of items made exclusively for dogs. The menu is vet-approved and boasts pup-friendly fare like a Bark-B-Q-Platter (grilled chicken and steak morsels served with sweet potato fries and rice with beef gravy) or Peanut Butter Woofles (gluten-free waffles infused with peanut butter and topped with dairy-free whipped cream). They even have drinks like Bone Broth Beer and a Puppy Power Shake to ensure Rover stays hydrated.

While you’re on the north side of Bend, why not plan a hike in the Oregon Badlands Wilderness? It’s 29,000 acres of high desert wonders, including hiking trails, ancient lava formations, and some of the coolest juniper trees you’ll ever see. 

Happy exploring, friends! Enjoy those offbeat Bend adventures.